voucher code panaloko
Chloe Brockett ‘dumps Jack Fincham again’ with brutal Instagram post just weeks after reuniting – and then deletes it
Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery's podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. “Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith, life will not be the same without him,” Young wrote. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. In 1983, Woolery began an 11-year run as host of TV’s “Love Connection,” for which he coined the phrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds,” a two-fingered signature dubbed the “2 and 2.” In 1984, he hosted TV’s “Scrabble,” simultaneously hosting two game shows on TV until 1990. “Love Connection,” which aired long before the dawn of dating apps, had a premise that featured either a single man or single woman who would watch audition tapes of three potential mates and then pick one for a date. A couple of weeks after the date, the guest would sit with Woolery in front of a studio audience and tell everybody about the date. The audience would vote on the three contestants, and if the audience agreed with the guest’s choice, “Love Connection” would offer to pay for a second date. Woolery told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2003 that his favorite set of lovebirds was a man aged 91 and a woman aged 87. "She had so much eye makeup on, she looked like a stolen Corvette. He was so old he said, ‘I remember wagon trains.’ The poor guy. She took him on a balloon ride.” Other career highlights included hosting the shows “Lingo," “Greed” and “The Chuck Woolery Show,” as well as hosting the short-lived syndicated revival of “The Dating Game” from 1998 to 2000 and an ill-fated 1991 talk show. In 1992, he played himself in two episodes of TV’s “Melrose Place.” Woolery became the subject of the Game Show Network’s first attempt at a reality show, “Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned,” which premiered in 2003. It shared the title of the pop song in 1968 by Woolery and his rock group, the Avant-Garde. It lasted six episode and was panned by critics. Woolery began his TV career at a show that has become a mainstay. Although most associated with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Wheel of Fortune” debuted Jan. 6, 1975, on NBC with Woolery welcoming contestants and the audience. Woolery, then 33, was trying to make it in Nashville as a singer. “Wheel of Fortune” started life as “Shopper’s Bazaar,” incorporating Hangman-style puzzles and a roulette wheel. After Woolery appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” singing “Delta Dawn,” Merv Griffin asked him to host the new show with Susan Stafford. “I had an interview that stretched to 15, 20 minutes,” Woolery told The New York Times in 2003. “After the show, when Merv asked if I wanted to do a game show, I thought, ‘Great, a guy with a bad jacket and an equally bad mustache who doesn’t care what you have to say — that’s the guy I want to be.’” NBC initially passed, but they retooled it as “Wheel of Fortune” and got the green light. After a few years, Woolery demanded a raise to $500,000 a year, or what host Peter Marshall was making on “Hollywood Squares.” Griffin balked and replaced Woolery with weather reporter Pat Sajak. “Both Chuck and Susie did a fine job, and ‘Wheel’ did well enough on NBC, although it never approached the kind of ratings success that ‘Jeopardy!’ achieved in its heyday,” Griffin said in “Merv: Making the Good Life Last,” an autobiography from the 2000s co-written by David Bender. Woolery earned an Emmy nod as host. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the U.S. Navy before attending college. He played double bass in a folk trio, then formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde in 1967 while working as a truck driver to support himself as a musician. The Avant-Garde, which tourbed in a refitted Cadillac hearse, had the Top 40 hit “Naturally Stoned,” with Woolery singing, “When I put my mind on you alone/I can get a good sensation/Feel like I’m naturally stoned.” After The Avant-Garde broke up, Woolery released his debut solo single “I’ve Been Wrong” in 1969 and several more singles with Columbia before transitioning to country music by the 1970s. He released two solo singles, “Forgive My Heart” and “Love Me, Love Me.” Woolery wrote or co-wrote songs for himself and everyone from Pat Boone to Tammy Wynette. On Wynette’s 1971 album “We Sure Can Love Each Other,” Woolery wrote “The Joys of Being a Woman” with lyrics including “See our baby on the swing/Hear her laugh, hear her scream.” After his TV career ended, Woolery went into podcasting. In an interview with The New York Times, he called himself a gun-rights activist and described himself as a conservative libertarian and constitutionalist. He said he hadn’t revealed his politics in liberal Hollywood for fear of retribution. He teamed up with Mark Young in 2014 for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and soon became a full supporter of Donald Trump while arguing minorities don’t need civil rights and causing a firestorm by tweeting an antisemitic comment linking Soviet Communists to Judaism. “President Obama’s popularity is a fantasy only held by him and his dwindling legion of juice-box-drinking, anxiety-dog-hugging, safe-space-hiding snowflakes,” he said. Woolery also was active online, retweeting articles from Conservative Brief, insisting Democrats were trying to install a system of Marxism and spreading headlines such as “Impeach him! Devastating photo of Joe Biden leaks.” During the early stages of the pandemic, Woolery initially accused medical professionals and Democrats of lying about the virus in an effort to hurt the economy and Trump’s chances for reelection to the presidency. “The most outrageous lies are the ones about COVID-19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, media, Democrats, our doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust. I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I’m sick of it,” Woolery wrote in July 2020. Trump retweeted that post to his 83 million followers. By the end of the month, nearly 4.5 million Americans had been infected with COVID-19 and more than 150,000 had died. Just days later, Woolery changed his stance, announcing his son had contracted COVID-19. “To further clarify and add perspective, COVID-19 is real and it is here. My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for of those suffering and especially for those who have lost loved ones,” Woolery posted before his account was deleted. Woolery later explained on his podcast that he never called COVID-19 “a hoax” or said “it’s not real,” just that “we’ve been lied to.” Woolery also said it was “an honor to have your president retweet what your thoughts are and think it’s important enough to do that.” In addition to his wife, Woolery is survived by his sons Michael and Sean and his daughter Melissa, Young said.
Mysterious Market Shift: Will XYZVerse Overthrow Solana and Ethereum as Crypto’s Next Big Player?An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionNEW YORK — Technology stocks are dragging down the market Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.3%, with more than 90% of stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. The benchmark index was managing to hold onto a modest gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 418 points, or 1%, to 42,878 as of 1:43 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.8%. Technology stocks were the biggest weight on the market Friday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.7%. Its enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes. Other Big Tech stocks losing ground included Microsoft, with a 2% decline. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.9% and Best Buy slipped 1.8%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy stocks held up better than the rest of the market, with a loss of just 0.1% as crude oil prices rose 1.4%. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. “There’s just some uncertainty over this relief rally we’ve witnessed since last week,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. Despite Friday’s drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though Inflation has come closer to the central bank’s target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.7% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns he combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.61% from 4.59% late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury slipped to 4.31% from 4.33% late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.
Resettlement of TTP militants: Nation, army paying in blood for one man's error
Taking the witness stand on Thursday, Santa Clara Councilmember Suds Jain testified that he “assumed” Vice Mayor Anthony Becker gave the electric “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” report to a journalist before it was public — a slight deviation from testimony he gave to the criminal grand jury that indicted Becker last year. Jain said that Becker — one of his allies on the Santa Clara City Council since 2020 — had called him about two or three weeks before he was expected to testify in front of a criminal grand jury on March 29, 2023. During the phone call, Jain said that Becker admitted he had given the Santa Clara County civil grand jury report to Carolyn Schuk, an editor at the Silicon Valley Voice. Becker is currently on trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court in Morgan Hill for allegedly leaking the 2022 report — which chastised five members of the Santa Clara City Council for their relationship with San Francisco 49ers lobbyists — as well as felony perjury for allegedly lying about the leak under oath. The controversial report was supposed to be released publicly on Oct. 10, 2022, but appeared in several media outlets a few days prior. Rahul Chandhok, the 49ers’ former chief of communications, testified last week that Becker leaked him the report . During Jain’s March 29 testimony to the criminal grand jury, Deputy District Attorney Jason Malinsky asked the councilmember if Becker told him that he sent the report to a journalist “before it was public.” Jain confirmed that Becker had. But back in court on Thursday, Jain said he didn’t recall his prior testimony. “He told me that he had given the report to Carolyn Shuk,” Jain said. “I assumed it was during that period.” At one point, Malinsky showed Jain his prior testimony, to which he responded that he believed he was “confused.” The recently re-elected councilmember said that he wished Becker hadn’t told him. At the time, the two were discussing “how much stress he was under.” “I knew I had a subpoena, and it would have been better if he hadn’t told me,” he said. “It put me in a difficult position.” Jain testified that he didn’t ask his colleague any follow-up questions because he “did not want to know anymore.” When asked by a juror why Becker would have to give a journalist the report if it was already publicly available on the county’s website, Jain said “it’s possible that a reporter didn’t know where to find it. I don’t know.” Following Jain’s testimony, the prosecution played an audio recording of their interview with Becker on Dec. 28, 2022. Fernando Ramirez Jr., a criminalist with the Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory, testified as an expert witness the day prior that a forensic analysis of Becker’s phone showed that he had uninstalled Signal — the encrypted messaging app he allegedly used to leak the report — on Dec. 28 at 9:09 a.m. Becker’s meeting with Malinsky and Ben Holt, a criminal investigator with the DA’s office, commenced at 9:17 a.m. — less than nine minutes after data showed he deleted the app. In a snippet of the interview that was played for the jury, Becker said he hadn’t communicated with anyone from the 49ers “for a while.” He told Malinsky and Holt that he only used his phone’s native texting app to communicate with Chandhok, his main contact at the 49ers. Becker said he didn’t use Signal. But when asked by Malinsky if he used it in the past, he questioned why he was being asked so much about Chandhok. “Do I need a lawyer, because this is starting to get really inquisitive about my relationship with the 49ers?” Becker said. The vice mayor eventually admitted to having used the app in the past with one of his campaign staffers. When Malinsky asked Becker if he had used it to communicate with Chandhok, he said he didn’t know. “I don’t know why this is so important if we had conversations on Signal,” he said. Becker also denied leaking the grand jury report during the interview, and said he deleted Signal off of his phone “some time after the election.” The DA’s office served Becker with a search warrant following the interview.
John Parker Romo made a 29-yard field goal to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 30-27 overtime win against the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon. Romo buried the game-winning kick in his third career game for Minnesota (9-2), which won its fourth game in a row. The score capped a 10-play, 68-yard drive for the Vikings after the Bears went three-and-out on the first overtime possession. Sam Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings. Wideout Jordan Addison finished with eight catches for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown. The overtime defeat spoiled an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for Chicago (4-7). D.J. Moore had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Keenan Allen finished with nine catches for 86 yards and a score. Chicago erased an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Romo had put Minnesota on top 27-16 when he made a 26-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams trimmed the Bears' deficit to 27-24 with 22 seconds to go. He rolled right and found Allen wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, and moments later he fired a strike to Moore for a two-point conversion. The Bears recovered an onside kick on the next play to regain possession at their 43-yard line with 21 seconds left. Cairo Santos' onside kick bounced off the foot of Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt, and Tarvarius Moore recovered it. D.J. Moore put the Bears in field-goal position with a 27-yard reception across the middle of the field, and Santos made a 48-yarder as time expired to even the score at 27-all. Minnesota led 24-10 after three quarters. Romo made a 40-yard field goal early in the third quarter, and Aaron Jones punched in a 2-yard run with 1:22 left in the period to put the Vikings on top by two touchdowns. Addison and Jalen Nailor each had receiving touchdowns in the first half for Minnesota. Roschon Johnson scored on a 1-yard run for the Bears' only touchdown of the first half. Chicago trailed 14-10 at the break. --Field Level MediaTop cop issues statement after young travellers turned away from Manchester
NoneStock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the marketStocks slip as the 'Magnificent 7' tech firms weigh down the market
TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc., (CBOE: ABXX) (OTCQX: ABXXF) (“ Abaxx ” or the “ Company ”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, indirect majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd. (“ Abaxx Singapore ”), the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “ Abaxx Exchange ” and “ Abaxx Clearing ”), and producer of the SmarterMarketsTM Podcast, today announces that it has filed an early warning report in respect of MineHub Technologies Inc. (“ MineHub ”). On December 27, 2024, pursuant to a share purchase agreement between Abaxx and MineHub dated December 3, 2024 (the “ SPA ”), Abaxx acquired 8,810,000 common shares of MineHub (“ MineHub Shares ”). Prior to the closing of the SPA (the “ Closing ”), Abaxx held 8,333,333 MineHub Shares representing 10.83% of the issued and outstanding MineHub Shares on an undiluted and a partially diluted basis. Immediately after Closing, Abaxx held 17,143,333 MineHub Shares, representing 19.87% of the issued and outstanding MineHub Shares on an undiluted and a partially diluted basis. As a result of the MineHub Shares issued in connection with the SPA, Abaxx’s holdings have changed by more than 2% on a partially diluted basis since the filing of its previous early warning report. The MineHub Shares held by Abaxx are for investment purposes. In accordance with applicable securities laws, Abaxx may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments of MineHub in the open market or otherwise, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of such securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to such securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of MineHub and other relevant factors. This disclosure is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues , which also requires an early warning report to be filed with the applicable securities regulators containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters. A copy of the early warning report will be filed by Abaxx under MineHub’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com or may be obtained at Abaxx’s head office address at 110 Young St., Suite 1601, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1T4. The MineHub Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “MHUB”. MineHub is a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia with its head office at Suite 918 - 1030 West Georgia St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2Y3, Canada. About Abaxx Technologies Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is an indirect majority-owner of subsidiaries Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, recognized by MAS as a “recognised market operator” (RMO) and “approved clearing house” (ACH), respectively. Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy. For more information please visit abaxx.tech , abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media . Media and investor inquiries: Abaxx Technologies Inc. Investor Relations Team Tel: +1 246 271 0082 E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes but is not limited to, Abaxx’s objectives, goals, and future plans. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by Abaxx as at the date of this press release in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate and extreme weather events; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; regulatory risks in Singapore and Canada; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; taxation; resource shortages; damage to the Company’s reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company’s operations, whether true or not; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; the impact of inflation, including global energy cost increases; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions and restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business. Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
None
Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runWASHINGTON — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals." Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number" were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are "primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.Dow Slips as Santa Claus Rally Stumbles
2027: No Automatic Tickets For Ekiti APC Lawmakers — FayemiHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 12/4/2024Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Gold shines amid central bank buying and rate cuts Copper holds long-term promise despite short-term bumps Bell Potter sees these mining stocks as strong 2025 bets Central banks have been on a gold-buying spree , while interest rate cuts are just beginning. As a result, gold is having a stellar run and it’s been one of the top-performing commodities of 2024, hitting multiple all-time highs in various currencies. Throw in geopolitical chaos and the erosion of fiat currencies, and you’ve got a solid setup for gold to keep climbing in the years ahead, said a note out of Bell Potter. Copper, on the other hand, has had a bit of a bumpy ride lately, due to the back-and-forth over China’s stimulus efforts. But underneath the noise, the supply-demand fundamentals are still tight, says the brokerage firm. Copper’s deep involvement in the electrification push has real staying power. Bell Potter believes that if sentiment dips, that’s your cue to get in because the long-term copper bull is still very much on track. Against that backdrop, below are the stocks that Bell Potter has flagged as strong opportunities in the base metals and commodities space as we head into 2025: AIC Mines (ASX:A1M) AIC Mines is a copper producer with solid growth potential, said Bell Potter. It’s ramping up its 100%-owned Eloise Copper Project in Queensland. The mine’s already producing a tidy 12,500tpa of copper and +5000ozpa of gold, and now the plan is to push that up to 20ktpa. Right now, the stock's trading at an attractive price, and with a clear growth path ahead, it’s a solid entry point, said the broker. If you’re looking to add exposure to copper, Bell Potter says A1M’s a no-brainer. Buy, Price Target $0.60. Genesis Minerals (ASX:GMD) Genesis Minerals is a gold producer with serious ambition. The company’s focused on the Leonora District in Western Australia, where it owns two gold processing plants. It’s got 15Moz in mineral resources and a clear plan to grow production to 325,000ozpa by FY29, up from 135,000oz in FY24. With costs on the decline and gold prices supporting the move, Genesis is shaping to have a strong growth platform, said Bell Potter. The recent restart of its Laverton gold processing plant is a good sign that it's back on track. If you're after growth in gold, GMD’s a solid choice, noted the broker. Buy, Price Target $2.80. Gold Road Resources (ASX:GOR) Gold Road has been through some bumps recently, but it’s now recovering nicely. The company holds a 50% stake in the tier-1 Gruyere Gold Mine in WA, and after some production hiccups, it’s now looking at a sustainable 175,000ozpa production rate starting in 2025 (on a 50% basis). GOR’s underperformed some of its peers during the gold price rally, but once production stabilises and it shows that Gruyere’s back on track, the stock could take off, said Bell Potter. It’s an opportunity to get in before the market fully catches on, Bell Potter said. Buy, Price Target $2.55. Santana Minerals (ASX:SMI) Santana Minerals is flying under the radar at the moment, but this could be one to watch. The company’s Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project in New Zealand has a high-grade ore reserve of 1.2Moz at 2.4g/t Au. It’s got low costs, conventional mining methods, and a 10-year mine life. The project is moving through final studies, and its rapid development could trigger a production re-rating. SMI’s got a relatively low profile, but with a solid project and rapid path to production, it's one to keep on your radar, said Bell Potter. Buy (Speculative), Valuation $1.07. Nickel Mines (ASX:NIC) Nickel Mines is no slouch when it comes to nickel production. With operations in Indonesia, it’s got long-life, low-cost projects, and it’s exposed to the full nickel value chain—both upstream and downstream. The company’s expanding its production, ramping up from 108,000t in 2023 to 160,000t by 2026, and crucially, it’s doing it in the high-margin HPAL (high-pressure acid leach) space. NIC’s ability to make money through the entire nickel price cycle is a key factor in its attractiveness. With rising margins and sustainable dividends on the way, this stock looks set for growth, said Bell Potter. Buy, Price Target $1.43. Alpha HPA (ASX:A4N) Alpha HPA is all about ultra-high-purity aluminium compounds, which have applications in everything from lithium-ion batteries to semiconductors. The company's proprietary process is a game-changer, according to Bell Potter, slashing production costs and improving product purity. Stage 1 of its HPA project is already running in Gladstone, Queensland, and Stage 2 is set to ramp up in 2026, funded with a $400m in debt support and government backing. The company is playing in high-tech sectors with massive growth potential. This one's a speculative buy, but it’s a company with serious upside, said the broker. Buy (Speculative), Valuation $2.00. IperionX (ASX:IPX) IperionX is bringing something fresh to the table with its titanium manufacturing tech, developed at the University of Utah. This tech could massively disrupt the current titanium supply chain, driving down production costs and reducing waste, said Bell Potter. The company is starting large-scale production next year in Virginia, and with titanium being crucial to the aerospace and defence sectors, this tech could become very valuable, very quickly. Right now, the US is heavily reliant on imports for its titanium, and IperionX could be the solution. It’s a speculative play, but with huge upside potential. Buy (Speculative), Valuation $5.25. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the broker and do not represent the views of Stockhead. Stockhead does not provide, endorse or otherwise assume responsibility for any financial product advice contained in this article. Originally published as Hot Money Monday: Bell Potter’s mining stock picks for 2025 are worth a look More related stories Stockhead 2024’s top ASX gas performers The gas market in 2024 offered both challenges and opportunities, here are the companies that threaded the needle and performed well. Read more Stockhead More small cap gems set to shine in 2025 After a stellar 2024 for recovering small to mid caps sector, our experts scour the sector for more overlooked nuggets. Read more
DR MAX PEMBERTON: I've treated THOUSANDS of patients with bulimia - and like John Prescott, many suffered terrible shame. But there's another kind of bulimia YOU might have - and not even know it... By DR MAX PEMBERTON FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 16:49, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 16:49, 24 November 2024 e-mail View comments When I heard about the death of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott last week, the news instantly triggered a memory of him. However, unlike many others, I wasn't thinking about his two Jags or the time he punched a protester. Instead, I recalled how he had revealed he had suffered from an eating disorder for many years. In his 2008 autobiography, Pulling No Punches, he admitted that in the 1980s he had succumbed to bulimia as a way of coping with the stress of serving in Labour's then shadow cabinet. He wrote of the shame and embarrassment he felt as a man suffering from an eating disorder widely perceived to be a 'woman's disease'. Fearing that he would be considered unstable and too much of a risk to be a minister, he hid his problem. Despite his bravery in going public with his battles, his revelation was met with confusion and even ridicule. How could a middle-aged man have what was then perceived as a teenage girl's disease? And how come he was overweight? It showed how much misunderstanding there was around eating disorders. That was 16 years ago, and I'm not sure much has changed. I used to run an eating disorder clinic and oversaw a treatment group for patients with bulimia and have, over the years, seen thousands of patients with this condition. During this time, one of the most hearbreaking things I learned is that most patients with bulimia wait over ten years before seeking help. This is because, like Lord Prescott, they feel a mixture of shame, guilt and embarrassment. Many people with eating disorders have crushingly low self-esteem and self-worth, which makes them feel they are underserving and unworthy of help. It can also take some bulimics a long time to recognise that they have the condition in the first place. As strange as it sounds, bulimia often creeps up on them and becomes a normal part of their life. It's often not until someone mentions it that they realise their behaviour is dangerous and an expression of mental illness. Bulimia is a cycle of behaviour which has three core components. The first is bingeing. This often develops as a way of coping with extreme stress, or distress, or regulating emotions. People can consume vast amounts – several thousand calories - in one sitting. While bingeing the person might momentarily feel better as they feel emotional release. John Prescott, pictured in 2008, wrote about his bulimia in his autobiography Pulling No Punches A bulimic will then, typically, be overcome with feelings of shame and disgust which leads to the second part - purging. They will typically make themselves vomit to get rid of the food they have eaten. Depending on the length of the binge and the amount eaten, some of the food will be absorbed, explaining why some bulimics are overweight. The final component is that they will then punish themselves by restricing their food intake by either eating very little or nothing at all. The food deprivation results in low blood sugar levels and often, by the next day, they are so hungry that it triggers a binge and the whole awful cycle starts all over again. Bulimia carries very serious physical health consequences, such as causing potentially deadly changes to the chemicals in the body including things like low potassium and damage to the digestive tract, throat and teeth. It is also very dangerous from a psychological perspective when sufferers fail to develop strategies for dealing with the problems in their life that led to the bingeing. Most people will be aware of the type of bulimia I have just outlined. But there's a second type that is more insidious and harder to spot – sufferers often don't believe that it's an eating disorder, at least not to start with. This is called 'non-purging subtype' and involves not vomiting but doing something else in order to cancel out the food they have binged. They might over exercise or obsessively calorie count, for example, in place of purging. Read More DR MAX: This is one of the reasons women feel anxious during the menopause... and HRT won't fix it With over exercising, people convince themselves that they are healthy. They are often stunned when you explain they have a type of bulimia. The problems often don't come to a doctor's attention until for some reason the person cannot perform the compensatory 'punishment' behaviour. Over the years I saw quite a few patients who were in running or cycling clubs but, as they had aged, had picked up injuries which meant they could no longer exercise as much as they did to compensate for their binges. This caused them distress on a level that is hard to describe. Beside themselves with anxiety, several attempted suicide. I also saw quite a few younger men who, on the surface, looked healthy and buff. However, when something triggered them they'd spiral out of control and binge on what they considered 'unhealthy' food such as crisps, cake, biscuits and chocolate. They'd then atone by commmiting to punishing workouts that burned off all the extra calories they'd consumed. It was truly horrifying to listen to some of the stories. One man only sought help after he collapsed at the gym because he'd been on the running machine for six hours and worried staff had to ban him from using it. The good news for people with bulimia, regardless of what type it is, is that specialist treatment has very good outcomes. Seeing people who had been tormented by bulimia get better with psychotherapy was one of the reasons I loved working in the eating disorder field. It's important for those with eating disorders to understand that they have nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about - they are ill and deserve our sympathy, support and help. Zoe's right to put family first Zoe Ball is stepping down from hosting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show Zoe Ball has announced she is quitting her Radio 2 show so that she can spend more time with her family . Many have been quick to point out that her son is 23 and daughter, 14. Surely they don't need Mum around? I beg to differ. Her daughter, in particular, is at a very crucial age. Yes, most 14-year-olds don't want their mum hanging around, cramping their style. But anyone who knows teenagers will know they exist in that strange in-between age, oscillating between being adult and childlike. There are times when they can seem very young and need Mum or Dad around for support or a cuddle. Teenagers, as they take their tentative steps out into the world, need to know someone is still there, looking out for them. Even if they pretend they don't. Cambridge Dictionary have named 'manifest' as their word of the year. This term refers to the idea that you can make something happen by simply wanting it badly enough, a Gen Z trend that is huge on social media. It is, of course, utterly unscientific. An example of what psychologists call 'magical thinking' – the belief that wishing for something or performing a ritual will make it happen. The reason I loathe the idea of manifesting is that it encourages people to be passive participants in their own lives. It denies any sense of agency and control in what happens to you, nothing more than blowing out the candles and making a wish. Yet we have so much control over the direction of our lives and obtaining what we want in life. Rather hoping against hope you get what you want, get out and do something. Get a qualification, network, educate yourself, volunteer, get experience. Yes, much harder than manifesting, but also much more likely to work. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announed a review into the deployment of 3,500 Physician Associates (or assistants as they should be called) currently working in the NHS. I hope he will stipulate that PAs must flag up to patients that they are not doctors and therefore have professional limitations. Dr Max prescribes... Feel Better Live More A patient recommended this podcast to me and I'm hooked! Dr Rangan Chatterjee is a GP and approaches health – including mental health – from a thoughtful, compassionate and holistic stance and is full of practical advice, information and tips. Labour Zoe Ball Share or comment on this article: DR MAX PEMBERTON: I've treated THOUSANDS of patients with bulimia - and like John Prescott, many suffered terrible shame. But there's another kind of bulimia YOU might have - and not even know it... e-mail Add comment
https://arab.news/28erc RIYADH: Saudi utility giant ACWA Power is leading efforts in the global energy and water sectors by significantly reducing the power consumption of desalination processes, a key official said. In an interview on the sidelines of the COP16, Abdurahman Al-Sum, executive director of environmental, social, and governance at ACWA Power, highlighted the company’s achievements in cutting desalination energy use by more than 87 percent over the last decade. These efficiency milestones reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. “We are also the first mover in the green hydrogen sector. We provide water to communities at a very low rate, and we also provide decarbonized energy to these communities, as well. This, in turn, indirectly helps tackle water scarcity,” Al-Sum explained. ACWA Power, one of the largest private sector players in water desalination and renewable energy, is prioritizing environmental protection through initiatives in biodiversity, particularly in its water, sea, and land operations. Al-Sum explained that biodiversity protection is integrated at every stage of its operations, from design to execution. “We start with the design phase, and we do all the studies needed for biodiversity while we are doing environmental and social impact assessments,” he said. The company has also committed to planting one million trees by 2030 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, further underlining its dedication to sustainability. “We have a nursery in Shuaibah for whoever wants to contribute or participate. They can get the plants and start planting it,” Al-Sum added. Highlighting ACWA Power’s emphasis on collaboration, Al-Sum discussed how the company relies on joint ventures and partnerships to fulfill its mission. “We always work with partners. We always work in joint ventures with others,” he said, referencing the company’s projects in the Red Sea region, which are vital to providing fresh water to local communities. In terms of innovation, Al-Sum noted that research and development has been a central pillar of the company’s operations since its inception. ACWA Power’s focus on R&D has enabled significant reductions in desalination energy use. “Ten years ago, one cubic meter needed around more than 20 kilowatt-hours. Today, we are producing the same with less than three. It is 2 point something kWh per cubic meter,” he said. Al-Sum also highlighted the company’s global efforts to support coral reef research in collaboration with the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform, a G20 initiative focused on protecting the world’s coral reefs. “Our coral research is freely available for global benefit,” he said. The company’s contributions to Saudi Arabia’s broader sustainability goals were also discussed, with Al-Sum emphasizing the firm’s work in clean water, renewable energy, and climate action. “SDG number six, for instance, is about clean water, which is central to our business. We also focus on SDG seven, which promotes affordable and clean energy. Climate action is another major focus for us,” he explained. Additionally, the Energy and Water Academy, a nonprofit that trains students in renewable energy and desalination, has trained over 15,000 students, many of whom are now working in Saudi Arabia’s energy and water sectors. “The academy is a nonprofit organization where even our competitors send their students and employees for training,” Al-Sum said, adding that the institution also ensures opportunities for women in these specialized fields. Looking ahead, Al-Sum discussed the company’s role in Saudi Arabia’s transition to renewable energy, working with the government to integrate clean energy into the country’s grid. He emphasized the importance of a gradual transition to avoid disruption to daily life. In closing, Al-Sum talked about a recent partnership with the Sekaya Charitable Foundation to build a microwater grid in one of ACWA Power’s operating communities. “We are partnering with Sekaya Charitable Foundation to build a micro water grid in one of the communities where we operate,” he said. This partnership, alongside others in the public and private sectors, is seen as a key part of ACWA Power’s role in contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic and sustainability goals.WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Jalen Rucker's 27 points helped Army defeat UTSA 78-75 on Sunday night. Rucker added six rebounds for the Black Knights (6-6). Ryan Curry scored 15 points while shooting 4 for 9 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and added five assists. AJ Allenspach shot 4 of 4 from the field and 4 for 5 from the foul line to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds. The Roadrunners (6-6) were led by Amir "Primo" Spears, who recorded 22 points and nine rebounds. Tai'Reon Joseph added 16 points and two steals for UTSA. Raekwon Horton finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Army went into halftime ahead of UTSA 39-35. Rucker scored 11 points in the half. Rucker scored 16 points down the stretch in the second half to help lead Army to a three-point victory. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Thomas Frank unhappy with officials in game with Brighton