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VANCOUVER — Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country’s president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon’s declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities’ instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people’s travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. “There’s always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term,” Chan says. “If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place.” Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo’s call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back “harrowing” memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. “It has been a very difficult experience to see that,” Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. “But that said, I’m really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. “This is a country that will stand up for democracy.” Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. “It’s not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada,” Lim says. “There’s still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). “We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I’m a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law.” — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian PressAngela Rayner to ride roughshod over planning laws in bid to meet new homes target and thwart protests by Nimby neighbours By ANNA MIKHAILOVA Published: 23:32, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 23:53, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments House-builders will swerve scrutiny by local council planning committees in a government bid to thwart protests by Nimby neighbours and fast-track new homes. Deputy Premier Angela Rayner will on Thursday announce an overhaul of planning rules to let developers ‘skip’ a stage in the process and foil Nimbys, the acronym for ‘Not In My Back Yard’. However, critics fear this means residents will not be able to have their objections represented. Ms Rayner said: ‘Building more homes and infrastructure across the country means unblocking the clogged-up planning system that serves as a chokehold on growth. ‘The government will deliver a sweeping overhaul of the creaking local planning committee system. ‘Streamlining the approvals process by modernising local planning committees means tackling the chronic uncertainty and damaging delays that act as a drag anchor on building the homes that people desperately need.’ Under the scheme, applications that comply with local development criteria for how many homes need to be built will bypass planning committees entirely. Those applications will go straight to planning officers, who will look at technical details including whether they comply with building safety regulations. Deputy Premier Angela Rayner will on Thursday announce an overhaul of planning rules to let developers ‘skip’ a stage in the process and foil Nimbys, the acronym for ‘Not In My Back Yard’ The overhaul of the current rules around planning is a bid to meet the Government's new homes target (Stock Image) Last week Sir Keir Starmer slated ‘blockers and bureaucrats who have stopped the country building, choked off growth and driven prices through the roof’ Planning officers will have an ‘enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy’. Planning committee councillors, who will still consider more complex developments, will receive mandatory training. Government sources said the change is needed to speed up house-building and meet Labour’s target of creating 1.5 million new homes in five years. Read More EXCLUSIVE NIMBY locals blast 'stupid' plans for 8 newbuilds built on sliver of land behind their gardens In the first three months of this year, fewer than one in five applications were determined within the statutory 13-week period. ‘This move would skip that stage and would fast-track development,’ a government source said. The planning process reforms, which will be put to consultation, are designed to ‘tackle unacceptable delays and unnecessary wasting of time and resources’. The source added that planning committees are ‘councillors acting in a representative capacity’ and can significantly delay the process. Last week Sir Keir Starmer slated ‘blockers and bureaucrats who have stopped the country building, choked off growth and driven prices through the roof’. But Labour-run councils said they were on a ‘collision course’ with the government over the plans. Councillor Yvonne Gagen, leader of West Lancashire Council, called the targets ‘impossible’. Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: ‘By empowering qualified planners to implement planning policies, councillors will have the time to focus on more significant cases, effectively speeding up the planning process. Angela Rayner Labour Keir Starmer Share or comment on this article: Angela Rayner to ride roughshod over planning laws in bid to meet new homes target and thwart protests by Nimby neighbours e-mail Add comment
Altria Group ( MO 0.72% ) has emerged as a surprising stock market winner in 2024, propelled by an impressive earnings rebound. At the time of this writing, its shares had surged by 41% this year to their highest level since 2019. There's a lot for investors to like about this tobacco giant, including the stock's 7% dividend yield as a compelling income opportunity. That being said, are there enough positives in the outlook to keep the rally going? Let's discuss whether Altria stock is a buy, sell, or hold in 2025. The case to buy or hold Altria stock The tobacco industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Even as smoking rates continue to decline worldwide, consumers are increasingly turning to smoke-free alternatives. These include electronic cigarettes and oral tobacco, seen as less-harmful replacements, which are proving to be highly popular. Altria, the leading U.S. cigarette manufacturer known for iconic brands like Marlboro and Parliament, appears to be successfully navigating these shifting market dynamics by diversifying into smoke-free products. In the company's third quarter (for the period ended Sept. 30), the story was the 7.8% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share (EPS), through a better than expected top-line figure and efforts at cost controls. Altria's NJOY e-cigarette brand posted a 16% climb in shipment volume for the consumable device cartridges, which allowed the company to capture a 6.2% retail market share, up from 3.2% in the third quarter of 2023. The other standout is ON! nicotine pouches posting a 46% volume increase. On the cigarette side, Altria managed to balance lower sales volumes with higher pricing, particularly in the premium category, supporting company-wide cash flows. For the full year 2024, management is targeting adjusted EPS in a range of $5.07 to $5.15, representing growth of 2.5% to 4% from 2023. That's great news for investors when thinking about the sustainability of the $1.02 per share quarterly dividend. The company is recognized as a Dividend King, having increased its annual payout for the past 55 years, with management reaffirming a commitment to continue that streak through at least 2028. Investors who are confident in Altria's ability to remain profitable and execute a long-term strategy have a good reason to buy or hold the stock today. MO dividend yield , data by YCharts. The case to sell Altria stock It's important to examine Altria's outlook critically to understand what could go wrong with the investment idea. The main challenge the company faces likely comes down to the intensely competitive industry environment. While ON! nicotine pouches contribute to growth, they struggle to match the success of ZYN from Philip Morris International . The category market share of 19.1% for ON! fell by 3.8 percentage points from last year, in contrast to ZYN's dominant 73% market position. There's also a question surrounding Altria's NJOY brand positioning and how the category will evolve given that consumers have many alternative technologies to choose from. For instance, Philip Morris plans to launch its Iqos Iluma heat-not-burn tobacco product across the United States late next year, which could potentially erode NJOY's market share if users decide to make the switch. All of this exists against a backdrop of complex federal and state-level regulations, adding another layer of risk that could undermine Altria's growth prospects. Investors skeptical of the company's relevance over the next decade may want to consider exiting their positions or reducing exposure. The decision: I'm bullish For all the uncertainties investors need to balance, my takeaway is that Altria's business is alive and well heading into 2025. The growth from the smoke-free products portfolio provides a financial runway while opening new doors of strategic flexibility. What I like about the stock as a buy right now is its attractive valuation. Besides the high-yield dividend, shares are trading at just 11 times the consensus 2024 EPS as a forward price-to-earnings ratio ( P/E ). That is well below Philip Morris' forward P/E of 19. My interpretation is that the stock is undervalued reletive to its bigger competitor. Ultimately, Altria stock offers excellent value that can work for investors within a diversified portfolio.Price-to-book value is irrelevant, according to conventional wisdom. The common argument states that all that matters is Central Bank liquidity and the total addressable market. It has been a powerful story with massive tailwinds from technology and politics. Today, intangible assets, like intellectual property and brand value, matter the most. Critics claim that only “dinosaurs” use price-to-book value, and most of them are extinct. None of the biggest fund managers or self-proclaimed experts on the internet pay attention to the price of tangible book value. “Value investing is dead,” they say, “and even if it weren’t, metrics like EBITDA and adjusted non-GAAP cash flow measures would be much more important than asset value.” I write some version of this column every four or five months, as this remains the widely accepted opinion. That may be true if you’re managing billions of dollars and need to dump millions of shares instantly to justify your existence. If you feel compelled to be part of the tribe and own all the same stocks everybody else does, deep-value investing based on tangible book value is probably not for you. However, if you’re an individual investor looking to grow your wealth to finance the life that’s important to you, then deep-value investing isn’t only alive, it's probably your best choice. If you want to achieve high returns without sitting in front of screens or losing sleep over market volatility, the deep-value approach may be ideal for you. The heart of deep-value investing is buying companies that trade for the value of their assets minus all debt and obligations. Unlike most analysts who rely on earnings forecasts, deep-value analysts approach the matter from a credit-first perspective. The simple truth is that a credit-first, deep-value approach to investing has outperformed the market over almost any measurable period. The market has just experienced one of its best decades ever, with index fund investors earning over 13%. For every dollar the successful index fund investor has earned over the decade, investors who used the combination of credit and value would have earned $4.39. 2024 has been a fantastic year for large-cap stock investors, yet deep-value investors who focused on credit have performed even better. At no point in this journey would you have owned the stocks everyone loved. Over two decades, you would have owned few tech stocks. Your holdings would have been old-economy stalwart businesses that everyone ignored. Many of them would have been acquired by private equity firms and strategic buyers who recognized the value of adding these businesses to their existing operations over the years.. You would own more stocks at market bottoms than at market tops, as bargains become scarce as markets move higher. Today is no exception. While you won’t own any high-tech companies on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, you will own companies that will be key providers of the energy needed for the economy to grow and support the expansion of AI and other technologies. Consider PBF Energy Inc. PBF , one of North America’s largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers. Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, the company owns and operates a diverse portfolio of refining assets strategically located across the United States. PBF Energy also operates a logistics subsidiary, PBF Logistics LP PBFX , which provides transportation, storage, and terminal services to support its refining operations and third-party customers. The stock currently trades at less than 60% of its tangible book value and has a strong credit profile. It pays a dividend yield of 3.6%, so investors collect cash while waiting for the price to reflect the company’s value. The decline in the stock price has attracted significant buying from Mexican billionaire and activist investor Carlos Slim, who owns 23% of the company. Another example lies in shipping. Everyone claims the shipping business is terrible, arguing that China will never make, sell, or buy anything ever again, and that trade tariffs will bring global trade to a screeching halt. While I have no idea how things will play out for the global economy given China’s ongoing difficulties or the looming prospect of punitive tariffs, I do know that Genco Shipping GNK trades for less than the value of its ships and has a strong balance sheet. The fundamentals of the business are fantastic despite the industry’s negative perception. Genco Shipping is a leading provider of dry bulk shipping services. Based in New York, the company operates a modern and diversified fleet of dry bulk vessels. As of October 2024, Genco’s fleet comprises 42 vessels, including various sizes of freight carriers. The fleet has a total carrying capacity of approximately 4.45 million deadweight tons and an average age of 11.9 years. Genco continues to execute its comprehensive value strategy, focusing on paying substantial quarterly cash dividends, making voluntary debt repayments, and opportunistically growing and renewing its asset base. In line with this strategy, the company acquired the Genco Intrepid, a high-specification 2016-built 180,000 dwt Capesize vessel, delivered in October 2024. The stock yields over 10% at the current price and trades for just 65% of tangible book value and 8 times earnings. Wall Street pays very little attention to these stocks, and internet pundits have no idea these companies even exist. Deep-value investors who understand the power of valuation, credit, and patience could do very well with both of these stocks. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Santa Claus Market Rally Period Begins: What To Know As Wall Street Looks To Close Another Strong Year
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Kylian Mbappe’s spot-kick woe goes on as Real Madrid lose at Athletic Bilbao
Unacademy’s Big Test"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.DraftKings Inc. Cl A stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms market
US announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine
Discover hidden connections between stocks, cryptocurrencies, and global events-VAIX now available on ProBit Exchange. SAN DIEGO, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vectorspace AI X (VAIX) , a trailblazer in AI-driven datasets and graph-based models, is proud to announce its innovative technology that uncovers hidden relationships between stocks, cryptocurrencies, and global events. VAIX empowers investors and researchers with actionable insights, enabling more informed decisions in today's fast-paced financial markets. To access the full potential of VAIX, users can now trade the token on ProBit Exchange , a global platform catering to millions of cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started with VAIX and unlock its potential for smarter investments. Step 1: Create an Account on ProBit Exchange Getting started is simple: Step 2: Optional Identity Verification (KYC) While optional, completing the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification unlocks additional features such as higher daily withdrawal limits, participation in trading competitions, and Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs). If you prefer, you can skip this step and proceed directly to trading. To trade VAIX, ensure your ProBit account is funded with cryptocurrency, such as USDT (Tether). Step 4: Execute a Trade for VAIX Once your account is funded, trading VAIX is straightforward: Congratulations, you've successfully executed your first trade for VAIX! Step 5: Secure Your VAIX in a Wallet After trading, consider withdrawing your VAIX tokens to a secure wallet for long-term storage. Trusted wallets like MyEtherWallet , Bitpanda , or hardware wallets like Nano Ledger or Trezor are excellent options for added security. Vectorspace AI X: Driving Innovation in AI and Space Exploration Vectorspace AI X is a subsidiary of Vector Space Biosciences (symbol: SBIO ) , a leader in the development of AI models designed for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and space industries. By leveraging data from space-based biological payloads and AI modeling, VSB aims to create cutting-edge solutions in precision medicine and AI semiconductors. The company's groundbreaking work includes countermeasures against stressors like microgravity and radiation during spaceflight, contributing to advancements in aging, cancer research, and space-grade AI semiconductors. Through its utility token, SBIO , VSB facilitates collaborations across its subsidiaries, driving innovation for the benefit of all mankind. For more information about Vectorspace AI X (VAIX) and its parent company, visit: Vectorspace Biosciences Technology Join the conversation on Telegram: Vectorspace AI X Telegram Group About Vectorspace AI X (VAIX) Vectorspace AI X specializes in AI-driven datasets and graph-based models that unveil hidden connections in financial markets and beyond. With its cutting-edge tools, VAIX is empowering investors, researchers, and organizations to navigate complex data landscapes with confidence and precision. For further details about VAIX, please visit: Vectorspace AI X . Contact: Scott Brady [email protected] Disclaimer: This content is provided by Vectorspace. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e3ce04f-6cec-4912-9179-fc0f83bc1a93 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1881dfd-7178-41c1-9786-1b99beddb203 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4bf49599-1770-4b02-ad76-5be001f970b8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e34022e-7f50-467f-9c25-e58cd209746aAlex Berenguer prodded the hosts ahead after 53 minutes before Mbappe – who failed to convert a Champions League penalty against Liverpool last week – sent his kick too close to Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Jude Bellingham appeared to have rescued a point for Real after scoring for the fourth successive league game 12 minutes from time. 📸 PORTERAZO. JULEN, JULEN! JULEN JULEN! #AthleticRealMadrid #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/w260s6xo79 — Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) December 4, 2024 But Federico Valverde’s mistake two minutes later gifted Gorka Guruzeta the winner in front of a delirious San Mames crowd. On a busy night of second-round Copa del Rey action, Villarreal suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Pontevedra while there were wins for Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Fiorentina went out of the Coppa Italia to Empoli on penalties on an emotional night at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Viola were back in action after Edoardo Bove’s health scare forced their weekend league fixture with Inter Milan to be abandoned during the first half. Midfielder Bove collapsed on the pitch and required emergency medical treatment. He was taken to hospital but regained consciousness in intensive care. Esposito's penalty books Empoli's place in the next round 💪 #FiorentinaEmpoli pic.twitter.com/UUxghH9l6b — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 4, 2024 Empoli led at half-time through Emmanuel Ekong’s fourth-minute opener before Moise Kean and Riccardo Sottil put Fiorentina ahead. Sebastiano Esposito struck 15 minutes from time to make it 2-2 and take the last-16 tie into extra time, Empoli eventually winning 4-3 on penalties. Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring and Luis Openda struck twice as RB Leipzig brushed aside Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the German DFB Pokal. Second-half goals from Denis Vavro, Jonas Wind and Yannick Gerhardt saw Wolfsburg beat Hoffenheim 3-0. Cologne knocked out Hertha Berlin 2-1 after extra time with Dejan Ljubicic converting a penalty in the final seconds, while Augsburg prevailed 5-4 on penalties against Karlsruhe after a 2-2 draw.
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