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'If you're a woman desperate to have children beware of Facebook message that carries huge risks'TJX is the for Monday as shares climbed in a buy zone on the back of its earnings last week. Meanwhile, other retailers continue to report results as the holiday shopping season gets underway. ( ) on Nov. 20 reported about an 11% increase in Q3 2025 earnings to $1.14 per share, which beat FactSet estimates for $1.09 per share. Net sales increased 6% to $14.06 billion, also topping expectations for $13.95 billion. Consolidated comparable sales for the quarter rose 3% to match analyst views. Same store sales for TJX International increased 7%. Net sales for Marmaxx, which includes TJ Maxx and Marshalls, rose 4% to $8.44 billion. HomeGoods sales rose 7% while TJX Canada sales rose 5%. International sales for TJX, including Europe and Australia, popped 16% to nearly $1.9 billion. "Across the company, customer transactions drove our comp sales increases, which tells us that our values and treasure-hunt shopping experience are appealing to a wide range of customers," CEO Ernie Herrman said in the earnings release. TJX lifted its full-year earnings outlook to range from $4.15 to $4.17 per share, up from its prior guidance for $4.09 to $4.13 per share. However, the updated guidance still fell short of FactSet estimates for $4.19 per share. TJX maintained its comparable sales forecast for 3% growth. The company expects its Q4 earnings to range from $1.12 to $1.14 per share, also below analyst expectations for $1.16 per share. Despite the guidance miss, a number of firms modestly raised price targets on TJX stock after results. Baird on Thursday raised its price target by $5 to 133 and kept an outperform rating on shares, noting that TJX continues to demonstrate strong merchant execution and the appeal of value. Evercore ISI said that TJX's Q4 is off to a "strong" start, which should override any concerns about Q3 results. The firm raised its price target on TJX by $4 to 142 and maintained its outperform rating. Evercore also noted that it doesn't expect other retailers reporting before Black Friday to reflect that same strength. TD Cowen also raised its price target for TJX stock on Monday by $2 to 132 and kept a buy rating on the shares. Retail Earnings Among other retailers, ( ) popped more than 14% Monday on its earnings beat. ( ) retreated nearly 4% after delaying its quarterly report. The legacy department giant announced it is conducting an internal investigation after discovering an employee "intentionally" hid $132 million to $154 million in delivery expenses dating back to Q4 2021. ( ) and ( ) both report on Tuesday. FactSet expects Burlington to report a 58% increase in earnings to $1.55 per share on about 12% revenue growth to $2.55 billion. Burling stock is at the top of a buy range following a breakout on Friday. Analysts see Kohl's earnings nearly halving to 28 cents per share while revenue slides more than 5% to $3.64 billion. TJX Stock TJX stock swung 2.7% higher Monday, climbing further in a buy zone for an 11-week . Shares closed just above the 121.13 on Friday after testing the entry in mid-November. The current , which stretches 5% beyond the buy point, extends to 127.19. TJX stock rallied more than 32% so far this year and is trading at record highs.Philadelphia (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC/Peacock BetMGM NFL odds: Eagles by 3. Against the spread: Eagles 6-4; Rams 4-6. Series record: Eagles lead 23-20-1. Last meeting: Eagles beat Rams 23-14 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 8, 2023. Last week: Eagles beat Washington 26-18; Rams beat New England 28-22. Eagles offense: overall (5), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (7). Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (7), pass (2), scoring (6). Rams offense: overall (17), rush (26), pass (T-7), scoring (21). Rams defense: overall (23), rush (18), pass (22), scoring (22). Turnover differential: Eagles plus-2; Rams plus-4. RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley combined for 198 scrimmage yards and two scores, rushing 26 times for 146 yards (5.6 average) while adding two receptions for 52 yards against Washington. With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley only trails Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. He had his sixth 100-plus yard rushing game this season, which is the most in the NFL. S Kam Kinchens. The rookie third-round pick from Miami had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception and a forced fumble against the Patriots as he continues to come on strong. Kinchens has three picks in the past three games. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. Rams’ defensive line. Hurts shredded Los Angeles for 303 yards passing and 72 yards rushing last season despite the presence of superstar DT Aaron Donald. After Donald retired, the Rams turned to a committee approach to get after the passer, and it has worked with rookie OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske fitting in well next to second-year OLB Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. But they can only unleash their excellent pass rush skills by limiting Philadelphia on early downs. Hurts has been at his dual-threat best over the past five games, accounting for 15 total touchdowns (six passing, nine rushing) against two turnovers. Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff had surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, a move that could allow him to return toward the end of the season. ... WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and DT Milton Williams (foot) each missed practice this week. ... Rams RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) looks to be trending toward a return this week. Havenstein sat out the previous two games because of the ailment. The Eagles have won all three games in Los Angeles since the Rams moved back in 2016. ... Overall, Philadelphia has won seven of the past eight. The only setback came in Week 2 of the 2020 pandemic season. Barkley has passed 100-plus scrimmage yards in eight of 10 games. That is tied with LeSean McCoy (2011) and Brian Westbrook (2007) for the most by an Eagle through 10 games. His 198 yards were his second most as an Eagle (199 in Week 9). ... The Eagles have allowed two passing touchdowns during their winning streak. Only one opponent has topped 200 passing yards against them in this stretch, with Cincinnati throwing for 222 in Week 8. ... Hurts leads all NFL quarterbacks with 11 touchdown runs and is second only to Henry's 13 scores for the Ravens. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the league in receptions of 30 yards or longer. He is averaging 18.7 yards per catch, the best mark of any player with at least 30 grabs. ... Even before he hurt his wrist, Huff struggled in his first season in Philadelphia with just 2 1/2 sacks and four quarterback hits. His snap count has dipped since he was injured ahead of a game earlier this month against Jacksonville. Huff had 17 1/2 sacks in four seasons with the Jets before he signed a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal with the Eagles. ... Philadelphia has run for at least 150 yards and two touchdowns in five straight games, something it hadn't accomplished since 1949. ... Rams WR Puka Nacua caught his first touchdown of the season in New England. He has at least seven receptions and 98 yards in three of his past four games, with only a second-quarter ejection in Seattle having limited Nacua since he returned from a knee injury. ... WR Cooper Kupp has 614 receptions through his first 98 games, which is fourth most in NFL history through 100 games. Julio Jones (619) is third. ... RB Kyren Williams averaged a season-high 5.7 yards per carry, finishing with 86 yards on 15 attempts versus the Patriots. ... Verse has 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks through his first 10 games. Verse is pressuring the quarterback on 20.2% of pass rush snaps, which ranks second in the league overall. ... The Rams were 2 of 8 (25%) on third down against New England, their third straight game converting 25% or worse. ... QB Matthew Stafford has not been sacked in each of Los Angeles’ past three wins. Don’t be discouraged using Stafford, Kupp and Nacua against Philadelphia's pass defense. All three put up solid fantasy numbers in last season’s meeting, even as the Eagles sat on the ball for nearly 38 minutes. Stafford had 222 yards and two scores, finding Kupp eight times for 118 yards and Nacua seven times for 71 yards and a touchdown, so they'll find ways to produce. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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PROUD mum Emily Andre has shared a rare clip of daughter Arabella, who is largely kept out of the spotlight. Emily Andre , who works as an NHS doctor, welcomed daughter Arabella in April alongside husband Peter Andre. 5 Pete Andre’s wife Emily shared a rare glimpse of daughter Arabella as she offered tooth brushing advice for other parents Credit: Instagram 5 Emily and Peter welcomed daughter Arabella in April this year Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Like all of their three children, they don't often feature them on social media but Emily has made an exception to share some health advice with other parents. Sharing a video to her Instagram Stories, she explained that Arabella - known as Belle - had reached a new milestone as she was starting to have teeth come through. Emily explained: "So I am very, very excited because we've reached a bit of a milestone as Belle here has cut her first tooth. "So today I'm going to clean her teeth for the first time." More on Emily Andre baby joy Inside Peter and Emily Andre’s stunning nursery for new daughter BABY LOVE Real reason behind Peter and Emily's sweet baby name as he becomes dad of five She continued: "Now I wanted to do this and make a quick video about it to explain how important it is that you get babies cleaning their teeth from an early age. "It's just really about getting them used to it, getting used to the feel of the toothbrush and the toothpaste, and it can prevent the cavities and problems with their teeth throughout the rest of their life." Emily ended the video by adding that baby Belle "tolerated" the teeth brushing for just a few seconds, but the mum of three added: "That's what it's all about, just getting them used to it. "Make it fun. And if you can try it twice a day to get them used to it, fantastic." Most read in Celebrity 999 DRAMA Blaze engulfs Scots shop as fire crews scramble to scene and flats evacuated PARKING MAD AA reveals Scots shopping centre one of the worst in the UK for parking charges SUSPECT NICKED Man arrested and charged over 'crossbow disturbance' in busy Scots street AIR CARNAGE ‘Berserk’ plane passenger tied up with SEATBELTS after trying to smash window The video has received high praise from fans, as one commented: "Such great advice Emily its so important to look after their teeth early." Another added: "Awww Emily your such a lovely person and a fantastic Mommy." Peter Andre and wife Emily share rare glimpse at their children Amelia and Theo However some followers pointed out that because Emily doesn't ever show Belle's face, it's not showing how to brush an infant's teeth properly. One person wrote: "Honestly the most ridiculous video ever x I agree with cleaning the teeth but not showing the back of a babies head." Another shared: "why even bring the baby if you can't see "how" you do it." "Shame we couldn’t see the brush and the mouth," said a third. The video comes as earlier this month as the couple opened up on whether they would grow their family further. In an interview with OK! Magazine , Peter and Emily shared that they still have no intentions of growing their family any further. As well as eight-month-old Belle, the pair share Millie, 10, and Theo, eight as well as and Peter's two children from his previous marriage, Princess, 17, and Junior, 19. Peter joked: ""Hell no! This is it. "I always said I'd never be 50 and changing nappies, and yet here I am. "But I'm done – we both are." Emily also agreed as she said: "That's a categorical no from me. "I love them all so much, but I already feel I don't have enough time for each one individually." Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ She added: "I'm getting rid of baby things now. "That's how I know I'm done – I didn't do that after having Theo. Facebook Marketplace is my friend." 5 Peter Andre and Emily Andre wed in 2015, and share three children together Credit: Instagram 5 The pair keep their children off social media, except for Peter's children Princess and Junior from his previous marriage to Katie Price Credit: Instagram 5 The couple revealed they aren't planning to have any more children in future Credit: Instagram
Arts quango that funded porn film handed extra £28million of YOUR money in SNP Budget Creative Scotland will be subject to a review after a series of controversies They include funding a sex film and 'censoring' gender-critical feminists Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By GEORGIA EDKINS SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 18:42 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 18:48 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Scotland's beleaguered arts quango has landed a windfall from the SNP ’s disastrous Budget – despite facing criticism for funding a pornographic sex show. Creative Scotland received a £28 million public cash boost on Wednesday, even though it is understood to be facing the axe. The arts body will be at the centre of a government review after it was found to have funded a porn film. It is also alleged to have censored gender-critical feminists. Artists have lined up to condemn Creative Scotland as ‘secretive’ and ‘ideologically driven’, while Harry Potter author JK Rowling said it was rife with ‘illiberalism and cronyism’. Finance Secretary Shona Robison appeared to disregard such concerns as she delivered her Budget last week. Official documents show it will receive £80 million next year, compared to £51.4 million this year. Last night a writer who was targeted by a member of Creative Scotland’s staff over her gender- critical views hit out at the move. Harry Potter author JK Rowling slammed the ‘illiberalism and cronyism' at Creative Scotland Jenny Lindsay, author of Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars, said: ‘I welcome the funding boost to the sector. ‘But without significant reform and engagement with those of us who have been highlighting our concerns about the climate of fear and self-censorship around certain issues, this will be a lost opportunity. 'What is actually happening with the proposed review?’ Scottish Tory culture spokesman Murdo Fraser said: ‘Given the controversy surrounding funding Creative Scotland, SNP Ministers must ensure they deliver value for money for the taxpayer. ‘It is just common sense that taxpayer funds shouldn’t have been squandered on a porn film at a time when the SNP’s financial incompetence has left Scotland’s finances in a shocking state.’ In September, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson announced a review of Creative Scotland to ‘ensure its operations are optimal to the needs of the culture sector’. This came in the wake of Mail on Sunday investigations which uncovered concerns over alleged mismanagement at the quango. We disclosed how an employee tasked with helping authors tried to prevent at least one bookshop from stocking Ms Lindsay’s book as she deemed it transphobic. Another incident involved arts worker Rosie Aspinall Priest, who is the partner of a Creative Scotland official who helps make decisions on grants for projects. Poet Jenny Lindsay has called for reform of the arts quango after she was targeted for her views Scottish Conservative Murdo Fraser has demanded the body deliver value for the taxpayer She accused David Greig – the artistic director of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre – of voicing support for allegedly transphobic views on social media posts, while he was awaiting the outcome of a funding application. Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement Earlier this year, Creative Scotland handed £84,000 of public money to a sex show. After an outcry over the decision, bosses claimed there had been confusion over ‘terminology’ used in the funding process. They said the application by the film’s director Leonie Rae Gasson did not make clear live sex acts would be featured – despite the mention of ‘genital contact’ – but agreed to withdraw the funding. Mr Robertson last week said the review into the quango will begin early next year and will aim to publish its recommendations in the summer. A government source previously said: ‘This will not be a review to fix Creative Scotland – Creative Scotland is over.’ Creative Scotland last night welcomed the funding boost. A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews and while that process is ongoing we expect their work to continue.’ SNP Share or comment on this article: Arts quango that funded porn film handed extra £28million of YOUR money in SNP Budget e-mail Add comment
WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him and is headed back to the White House. FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) The decision, revealed in court filings, also amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to criminal cases that had been seen as the most perilous of the multiple legal threats Trump has faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Smith’s team emphasized that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. ___ Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Investors put a record 3.1 billion pounds ($3.92 billion) into British equity funds last month, returning after a domestic budget statement in October, Calastone said on Wednesday. The investment followed record outflows in October ahead of the British Labour government’s first budget, as investors fled a well-flagged capital gains tax rise, the global funds network added. UK investors also put 317 million pounds into UK-focused funds in November, the first month of inflows since May 2021. “Almost half of October’s outflows were poured back into equity funds in the first week of November, further evidence that these record flows were all about minimising tax bills,” said Edward Glyn, head of global markets at Calastone. “There is no major catalyst on the immediate horizon to prompt a wholesale resurgence of interest in the much unloved UK stock market,” Glyn added. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; Editing by Alexander Smith)Her vacation romance told her they’d ‘stay in touch.’ She assumed she’d never hear from him again
BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands rushed the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some shops were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied rumors flooding social media that Assad has left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Pedersen said a date for the talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. The Britain-based Observatory said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle is looming. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement Saturday that it has carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it is setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. Tartus is home to the only Russian naval base outside the former Soviet Union while Latakia is home to a major Russian air base. In the gas-rich nation of Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey met to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. On Friday, U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces captured wide parts of the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq as well as the provincial capital that carries the same name. The capture of areas in Deir el-Zour is a blow to Iran’s influence in the region as the area is the gateway to the corridor linking the Mediterranean to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. With the capture of a main border crossing with Iraq by the SDF and after opposition fighters took control of the Naseeb border crossing to Jordan in southern Syria, the Syrian government's only gateway to the outside world is the Masnaa border crossing with Lebanon. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.Simon Harris said he has apologised to a woman for not giving her enough time to speak about carers and disability services while he was out canvassing in Cork on Friday. The Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader said he spoke to Charlotte Fallon, a worker with St Joseph’s Foundation, on the phone on Saturday after a clip of an exchange between them on Friday went viral. RTE footage posted to the social media site X shows Mr Harris on a canvass in Kanturk when Ms Fallon tells the Taoiseach carers ‘were ignored’ and the Government has ‘done nothing for us’. ‘The disability sector is a joke,’ she says. ‘You’ve done nothing for us, our people are suffering. I’m very passionate about my job.’ Mr Harris responds by saying: ‘No, not at all,’ and: ‘I’m very passionate about disability too.’ Ms Fallon says: ‘But there’s no mention of (them in the) Budget. You ignored them, you ignore the carers,’ to which Mr Harris says: ‘That’s not true,’ several times before shaking her hand and walking away. While out canvassing at a Christmas market in Rathfarnham in Dublin on Saturday afternoon, Mr Harris said he was annoyed with himself and had called Ms Fallon to apologise. ‘I called Charlotte this morning because she was absolutely owed an apology from me,’ he said. ‘We had a very good conversation, a very good conversation. I was very grateful to her for her time and her kindness. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was approached during a canvass this evening by a woman who says she is a carer, and who said she believes the Government has "done nothing for us" | follow live: https://t.co/eUoCK3Qb5Y pic.twitter.com/MXiN9b60Ke ‘We spoke about a number of issues, we spoke about disability services, we spoke about the issue of pay parity for people in Section 39 organisations, and we also spoke about the issue of the means test for carers. ‘I was grateful to have a chance to listen to Charlotte and also talk through with her some of my own plans and views and vision in relation to disability services. Really grateful for the conversation, learned a lot from it, and I’ve also said that I’d love to call in to where she works in Cork in the coming weeks, and she said I’d be very welcome. ‘I’m annoyed with how I didn’t give that person, Charlotte, the time last night, she deserved that time. A post shared by Simon Harris (@simonharristd) ‘I’ve been around the country and I’ve had hundreds of conversations some days, and I’ve learned a lot and always learned a lot from listening to people and I’m very sorry that didn’t happen last night.’ Asked what happened last night, he said: ‘There’s no excuse for it, I’m annoyed with myself in relation to it, disability is what makes me tick. ‘It will always be my passion, and it’s Charlotte’s passion too, and I’m really grateful to her for giving me the opportunity to speak with her today.’ Asked whether he thought people would doubt his sincerity on wanting to reform the State’s disability services after seeing the video, Mr Harris said: ‘I hope not. ‘All I can do is really double my efforts to convince people of the facts that we have a plan for the future of this country, and very much at the heart of that plan is better services, better delivery and better empowerment of people with disabilities. ‘I’ve tried to bring a focus to it since I’ve become Taoiseach, and it’s something that I will continue to work on intensively and even more intensively as a result of this.’ On Saturday morning, Mr Harris posted a video on Instagram where he said he was spurred on to become a politician after seeing his parents fight for access to services for his brother Adam, who has autism. He said the interaction happened at the end of a ‘very long day’ and he felt ‘really bad’ about it. Mr Harris then outlined his party’s plans for carers and the disability sector, including removing the means testing for the Carers’ Allowance and to ensure that there are therapies in special schools and special classes. Sinn Fein’s housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin said that Mr Harris’ reaction ‘showed the true face of Fine Gael ‘ and showed ‘a contempt for working people’. Speaking at a press event in Dublin on Saturday, Fine Gael ministers Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe defended their party leader. ‘I think the Taoiseach himself has been very clear that he wished the encounter had gone differently. It had been the end of a very, very long day,’ Ms McEntee said. ‘What he said very clearly is that he should have given her more time, and should have engaged for longer with her, but this is the reason he got into politics.’ Mr Donohoe said: ‘In the course of an election campaign, in all the interactions that we have with people, of course, we sometimes feel within ourselves ‘that could have gone differently’ and ‘could have gone better’. I think it’s particularly the case for somebody who is so committed to looking at how we can support those who need more.’By Ross Kerber (Reuters) – Investors are on track to withdraw more money from global climate funds than they deposit this year for the first time, Morningstar Sustainalytics said on Thursday, presenting an obstacle to energy-transition efforts. Net withdrawals from the funds reached nearly $24 billion for the first nine months of 2024, the arm of Chicago-based research firm Morningstar said, compared with net deposits of $40 billion during the first nine months of 2023. The funds have recorded net deposits every year since they were tracked separately in 2018, peaking at $151 billion in 2021. Inflows then fell to $60 billion in 2022 and $40 billion for 2023, Morningstar Sustainalytics said. The research firm said the recent outflows reflect factors such as the poor performance of renewable energy stocks, concerns about greenwashing, and anti-ESG sentiment. High interest rates also played a role, said Hortense Bioy, head of sustainable investing research at Morningstar Sustainalytics, holding back the performance of growth-oriented companies involved in areas such as solar power. “Those are the companies that can be quite sensitive to interest rates. The financing costs have really weighed on their valuations in the stock market,” Bioy said. Climate funds’ total assets were $572 billion as of Sept. 30, up 6% from the start of the year, driven by market appreciation. About 85% of those assets were held in European-domiciled funds, with 6% in China-based funds and 5% in U.S.-based funds. Among the climate funds, climate-transition funds that favor companies better positioned for a low-carbon economy had an average return of 17.2% through September, versus 12.4% for the average peer in the global large-cap blend equity category. Clean energy/tech funds have lagged peers since 2021 and had a negative return of 3.2% through September. There were 69 new climate-fund launches through September, off their 2023 pace when more than 200 were launched over the full year. (Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Rod Nickel) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. 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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After their Open Loot marketplace platform utility token ($OL) announcement, Big Time Studios is thrilled to announce that the crypto industry's most popular and successful NFT video game of 2024, Big Time , will release its Player vs. Player (PvP) mode on December 2. After a Preseason Phase (closed beta) with record-breaking engagement and marketplace volume, players will be able to experience thrilling and competitive PvP battles and showcase their dominance in the Big Time universe. New Gameplay Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXvjMRqmpa0 Big Time Overview " Big Time is a multiplayer action RPG for PC that combines fast-paced combat with the industry's most successful and proven open-game economy. Humanity teeters on the edge of extinction as the walls of spacetime crumble. Eras of history clash and dark forces surge through temporal rifts. At the universe's end, the player and their team are summoned for the greatest adventure in history. The fate of all time rests with them. Players can embark on a hero's quest to the farthest reaches of space and time. Dive into treacherous dungeons, craft and discover rare collectibles, and unlock mysterious boxes. Players must harness epic abilities, uncover hidden mysteries, and brave countless dangers. Face off against familiar foes and rival teams in the ultimate adventure to save humanity. Players can create and exchange game items, enjoying a seamless experience with unobtrusive web3 elements. Whether adventuring solo or with friends, they will battle monsters across various historical periods, gather digital collectibles and $BIGTIME tokens, and craft unique items. The adventure is limitless in Big Time." Early Access Success During its Early Access phase, Big Time achieved different milestones making it the most successful NFT game, outperforming all other 2024 released games: $443,386,952 in total marketplace volume 28,820 average $BIGTIME grant to players 60,342 unique purchasers 1,389,096 unique platform users 1,980,398 digital collectibles sold 310,681 players in Preseason PvP in Big Time PvP in Big Time features thrilling PvEvP events where teams spend $BIGTIME to enter a PvP portal, march towards a central objective, battle both enemies and other teams to claim victory, and the winning team takes the $BIGTIME winning prize. Matches last between 30-45 minutes, offering intense and strategic gameplay. How to Start a PvP Portal Locating and Entering a Portal: In the vibrant core of Epoch City, a towering hourglass awaits, ready to whisk players and teams to the Broken Clock Hall PvP lobby. Before diving into action, players and teams must register, select their match, and pay the entrance fee using $BIGTIME. Each portal offers different entrance fees and rewards, adding an extra layer of excitement to the adventure. Making a Team and Selecting a Class: Players can communicate with their team to decide each player's class. Upon entering, they'll receive a Pocket Watch and start at level 10. Players can strategically allocate their skills and stat points into special PvP Pocket Watches. Fighting Through the Sector: Embarking on an epic journey through the player's Tendril, conquering main objections to advancing to the central arena. Engaging in intense battles and capturing the central point to claim victory. The thrill of progress lies in overcoming each challenging encounter, knowing that the spoils only go to the winner. Guardians and Team Battles: Upon entering the central point, preparing for a showdown as the player faces off against their team's formidable guardian. But enemy teams are lurking, ready to steal the kill and claim the prize. Players engage in fierce battles, strategically using resurrection shrines and potions to stay in the fight and outgun, outman, and outlast their rivals. Holding the Center to Win: Unleashing various strategies to secure victory. Utilizing Pocket Watches to gain an edge, disrupting the opposing teams' progress, and dominating the center to claim the win and the prize. About Big Time Studios Big Time Studios , founded by Ari Meilich, has a mission to revolutionize the NFT gaming experience. Big Time Studios integrates high-quality games with blockchain technology, offering players better gaming experiences. The curated Open Loot platform gives developers the opportunity to reach a wider audience and drive engagement through unique in-game rewards and events, while players can benefit from exclusive access to high-quality games, special NFT sales, in-game perks, and airdrops. Big Time Studios' Open Loot platform has facilitated nearly half a billion dollars in total transaction volume, underscoring its commitment to creating a dynamic and engaging ecosystem for gamers worldwide. For more information, users visit Big Time Studios' website . Contact CMO Michael Migliero Big Time Studios press@bigtime.gg © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Jim Pressel III, of Rolling Prairie, defeated outgoing LaPorte County Auditor Tim Stabosz by two votes Saturday in a Republican Party Caucus held to fill the seat of Mike Rosenbaum. He is the son of Jim Pressel Jr. who has been the District 20 state representative since 2016. There were 24 precinct committee persons voting for the District 4 seat. Pressel, 38, said his top priorities include helping to get local government working together again, eliminating deficit spending and restoring the county’s A+ credit rating. “Above all, I believe we need to learn how to find common ground, set aside our differences and put our community first,” he said. Several years ago, he succeeded his father as head of Pressel Enterprises, a housing construction and remodeling firm. Rosenbaum, who was on the council for six years, is vacating the seat to become the next LaPorte County Auditor following his victory in the November 8 general election. Stabosz, who lost in the May primary for a seat on the three-member Board of La Porte County Commissioners, was a central figure in the extreme political fighting over the past four years. Before the voting, each of the six candidates gave a speech after being introduced by their supporters. In his introduction of Stabosz, La Porte County Councilman Justin Kiel described him as sometimes “brash” and “stubborn,” but also unwavering in his “principles and his dedication to doing what he believes is right for this county.” Stabosz firmly told the audience he doesn’t regret shining the public spotlight light over the past four years on “wasteful spending” and what he has alleged are political figures lining their pockets at the public trough. “I don’t apologize for calling out self-dealing or pay to play which, unfortunately, have been the order of the day in LaPorte County government,” he said. From the beginning, his Republican and Democrat opponents have strongly disputed what they have repeatedly described as unproven claims. They also labeled him as unstable and called him out publicly for mistakes in the auditor’s office including one that nearly cost taxpayers $2.5 million in a scam. In asking for support, Stabosz also told the audience he would never do what some local Republicans have done, including working secretly with Democrats, to “undermine our unity” within the party. LaPorte County Commission President Connie Gramarossa, who frequently clashed with Stabosz during public meetings, said she felt the outcome of the caucus was a reflection of the desire to move forward in a more peaceful manner. Stabosz also lost in the May primary in Republican races for precinct committeeman and state delegate. Pressel was declared the winner after he became the first to receive majority support after three rounds of voting. Stabosz had a 10 to 8 lead over Pressel after the first round of voting but he received just one of the remaining six votes that went to Heather Oake before and after she was eliminated. Oake was soundly defeated in her bid for the Republican nomination against Pressel’s father in the race for state representative in May of 2022. LaPorte County Republican Party Chairman Allen Stevens believes Stabosz still has a future role to play in the party. He said Stabosz was a factor in LaPorte County switching from being slightly Democratic to strongly Republican over the past several years due his ability to recruit candidates and help finance their campaigns. “He’s been a good partner. That’s been a big part of our success countywide, his recruiting candidates. You can’t win if you don’t run somebody and you can’t run somebody if you’re not recruiting,” he said.
Shiffrin confirms she'll miss Beaver Creek World Cup races
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings waived cornerback Akayleb Evans on Saturday in another setback for their beleaguered 2022 draft class. Evans started 15 games last season, but he had been relegated to a special teams role this year after the Vikings added veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin. Evans was a fourth-round pick out of Missouri, one of three defensive backs among Minnesota's first five selections in 2022. Lewis Cine (first round) was waived and Andrew Booth (second round) was traded earlier this year. One of their second-round picks, guard Ed Ingram, lost his starting spot last week. Evans was let go to clear a roster spot for tight end Nick Muse, who was activated from injured reserve to play on Sunday at Chicago. The Vikings ruled tight end Josh Oliver out of the game with a sprained ankle. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLLooking Into Vertex Pharmaceuticals's Recent Short Interest