The Israeli government confirmed on Monday that Omer Neutra, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was killed during Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Neutra, 21, was a tank platoon commander in the IDF. He was thought to be alive in captivity. His parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, spent the last year campaigning for his release and the release of the remaining hostages thought to be held in Gaza. They spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, wrote op-eds, stayed in steady communication with the Biden Administration and the White House, and made regular media appearances, including with Scripps News . The whole time, they sought to pressure U.S. and Israeli leadership to resolve the hostage crisis. RELATED STORY | Families of Gaza hostages bring their message to both the current and upcoming White Houses "In the 423 days since October 7th, we expected our leaders to demonstrate the same courage displayed so bravely by Omer and rise to the occasion on behalf of those who were killed and kidnapped, just as our beloved Omer showed until the very end," Ronen and Orna Neutra wrote in a statement released Monday. "Leadership will only be revealed in actions and results going forward. We call upon the Israeli government to work with President Biden and President-elect Trump, to use all of their leverage and resources to return all 101 hostages — living and the deceased — to their families as soon as possible." A propaganda video released by Hamas Saturday showed Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American held hostage who was also captured while serving in the IDF. In the video, Alexander calls on Trump to keep negotiating for the freedom of the hostages remaining in Gaza. Trump on Monday demanded release of the remaining hostages, writing on Truth Social: "Please let this truth serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as President of the United States, there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity."
The retail market in Cork has shown significant improvement since the challenges of 2020. During the height of the pandemic, vacancy rates in the city centre rose sharply, driven by the effects of COVID-19 and changing market dynamics that shifted negotiating power from landlords to tenants. Today, occupancy on Patrick Street has increased notably, climbing from 69% in 2020 to nearly 75% as we approach 2025. Patrick Street has welcomed an impressive roster of new retailers since 2021, including The North Face, Dune Shoes, Carolls Gifts, Flannels, JD Sports, Mango, Krispy Kreme, and more recently Austen & Blake and Lovisa. Due to open in early 2025 is Seasalt in the former French Connection building and a new US retailer is set to open in the former Dorothy Perkins/Evans unit in the summer of 2025. We also understand a Spanish brand is reportedly taking a significant 40,000 square feet in a former Debenhams store, which will see the occupancy rate go from 75% to almost 95%, which indicates the importance of having this anchor store occupied, in the city’s prime retail street. Opera Lane now has full occupancy first time since Q4 2019, with Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works opening last week and Mountain Warehouse due to open early 2025. Critics may claim that city centre retail is in decline, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The variety and number of new entrants has been highly encouraging, with further inquiries from national and international retailers keen to establish a foothold in the city. However, Cork faces some suitability challenges: many existing buildings don't meet retailer’s requirements. As with any historical city, traditional stores are inherently too small for today's retailers. The shift toward larger retail spaces is driven by the need to provide engaging, experiential environments that attract and retain customers. Brands aim to deliver unique in-store experiences that reflect their identity and values, often requiring more extensive floor space than traditional Cork city centre retail units offer. This evolution in retail strategy highlights the importance of developing adaptable retail spaces in Cork that can meet the changing needs of both brands and consumers, ensuring the city remains competitive in attracting leading international retailers. The city’s most prominent vacancy—the former Debenhams site—remains the key question. While there are indications that it is under offer, all of Cork is watching closely, hoping for decisive action in 2025. The successful redevelopment of such a key site could serve as a catalyst for further growth. The redevelopment of the Penneys store on Patrick Street will also provide a much-needed boost to the area, particularly to the adjacent Cook Street, which has experienced stagnation due to delays in the planning process. The retail market in Cork has evolved into a tenant-friendly environment, with flexibility playing a key role in lease negotiations. Typical leases now range from five to ten years, often with break clauses at years three and six. Turnover-based rent structures are also gaining traction, allowing retailers to mitigate risk. These arrangements provide a base rent with a performance-based top-up, ensuring landlords benefit when retailers thrive while offering protection during challenging times. This model is particularly attractive to risk-averse tenants, though established brands with greater market confidence may still prefer traditional fixed rents. Landlords are adapting to this but it not without its challenges for funding and investment sales. To enhance the vibrancy of Cork’s retail landscape, it would be great to see more of an eclectic retail mix to include boutiques, vintage stores, and alternative outlets would be welcome additions. Although this is challenging for small businesses as they face significant set up costs such as shopfitting costs, rates, utilities, and staffing challenges. The reality is that some of the vacant stock is not suitable to be let without significant investment. This ultimately lies with the landlord, but it would be good to see further collaboration with the City Council with some renovation grant or painting grant or a reduction in commercial rates. Despite these challenges, Cork’s retail market remains a source of optimism. While issues like antisocial behaviour have disappointed many, it’s essential to remember that we, as stakeholders in our city, have the power to shape its future. Substantial efforts have been made to improve the city’s retail offerings — a process that requires patience to yield results. With positive momentum now underway, it is crucial to maintain and build upon this progress. The retail market, much like fashion, operates in cycles, and Cork is clearly emerging from a low point and entering a period of growth. Our city offers a vibrant and diverse retail experience tailored to a wide range of preferences. Shopping here is more than just a transaction — it’s an opportunity to turn everyday tasks into enjoyable social outings, thanks to the combination of unique stores and exceptional dining options. A key advantage of in-store shopping is instant gratification: customers can see, touch, and immediately take home their purchases, a distinct benefit over online alternatives. The ability to try and test products in person — especially for clothing, beauty items, and high-value goods — not only adds value but also builds confidence in purchasing decisions. Sustainability is another draw, with reduced packaging and the chance to support local businesses appealing to eco-conscious consumers. This focus aligns with a growing desire for responsible shopping practices, making the city a compelling choice for shoppers. By blending experiential, practical, and sustainable elements, our city continues to attract a dynamic and expanding demographic. Cork’s long-term prospects are encouraging. As Europe’s fastest-growing city over the next two decades, its population in the metropolitan area is expected to nearly triple, reaching close to one million by 2050. This growth is likely to increase retail demand, offering opportunities for investors to tap into a thriving market. One of the key pieces of the puzzle for our city’s success, which I have not addressed in this article, is the challenges facing the food and beverage industry. This topic merits a dedicated discussion, which will be explored in detail with Irish Examiner readers, in early 2025. Lia Dennehy is an Associate, Commercial Agency, Savills, Cork
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Nyla Harris had 14 points and Jayda Curry scored 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter to help No. 24 Louisville get past Colorado 79-71 on Saturday. The Cardinals led 56-55 after three quarters before pulling away in the fourth by scoring 16 unanswered points, capped by a fast-break layup by Curry, before Colorado made its first field goal of the frame with 2:48 left. Colorado scored the next six points to get within single digits at 72-63, but freshman Tajianna Roberts banked in a jumper in the lane at the other end. Izela Arenas sealed it on two free throws with 24.9 seconds left for a nine-point lead. Roberts finished with 13 and Arenas had 11 for Louisville (5-2). Frida Formann scored 25 points for Colorado (6-2). Jade Masogayo added 12 points, Nyamer Diew scored 10 and Kindyll Wetta matched her career-high with 10 assists. Formann went on a personal 8-0 run to give Colorado a 43-37 lead with 7:38 left in the third. She reached 20 points during the run, while no other player had scored in double figures. Louisville plays No. 8 Oklahoma on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Colorado continues a five-game homestand against Tennesse Tech on Tuesday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Looking ahead, the team behind the server remains committed to delivering the best possible experience for its users. Lessons learned from the launch will be used to further enhance and optimize the server's performance, ensuring that future events can be handled with even greater efficiency and ease.
Northern Anhui, with its abundant renewable energy resources and strong government support for clean transportation initiatives, is an ideal location for the deployment of advanced charging and battery swapping solutions. Yun Charge's participation in the conference highlights the company's strategic focus on expanding its presence in key regional markets and collaborating with local stakeholders to drive the transition to a low-carbon transportation system.
As winter approaches, a fierce battle is brewing across the nation. The frigid grip of cold air has descended upon us, bringing with it record low temperatures and icy conditions. From the snowy peaks of the mountains to the bustling cities, no corner of the country is immune to the chilling effects of this winter onslaught.