Home > 

 

how many gems in crash 3

2025-01-13
fortune gems 3 slot
fortune gems 3 slot How ASX dividend stocks can be the key to financial freedom

CZWI Stock Soars to 52-Week High, Hits $16.62 Amid GrowthBy JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. Related Articles On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Bright Future, Inc. EBFI ($EBFI) ("Company") announces its wholly-owned El Salvador subsidiary, United Heritage Sociedad Anonima De Capital Variable ("United Heritage"), has been granted the prestigious license of Digital Service Provider in El Salvador. This significant milestone marks the first of two eagerly awaited licenses in the region, with the token issuer license pending and anticipated in the near future. Alexander Borodich, Founder of Universa Blockchain , expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are on the cusp of receiving our second pivotal license in El Salvador, which will position our Company to attract a substantial customer base through our local subsidiaries. We eagerly anticipate launching operations through the innovative New World Digital Gateway as El Salvador emerges as a leading hub in the digital realm." El Salvador's proactive stance in fostering a welcoming ecosystem for cryptocurrency businesses has drawn the attention of global digital assets firms like Eco Bright Future. With the newly obtained Bitcoin exchange license, United Heritage offers a secure and compliant platform to purchase, sell, and exchange Bitcoin. El Salvador recognizes Bitcoin as legal tender , a historic milestone for the country that opens up exciting possibilities within the digital currency landscape, as evidenced by today's high price of BTC , reflecting widespread adoption by mainstream users. The Company is strategically bolstering its presence in the global Digital Asset Market; El Salvador is just one of its strategic focal points. The expansion aligns with the Company's overarching strategy to ensure international compliance and broaden its customer base. It seeks to become a global frontrunner in real asset tokenization and cross-border "Smart Contract" technologies. Distinguished by its proficiency in tokenizing tangible assets, genuine real estate, and commodities, Eco Bright Future, Inc. leads the way in: - Tokenizing tangible assets such as real estate and commodities - Developing cutting-edge blockchain tools - Seamlessly integrating with established financial infrastructures Adopting a holistic approach, the Company believes it can seize market opportunities in El Salvador and diverse global markets. Leveraging its successful track record in digital commodity tokenization in the UAE and digital notary in Tunisia, the Company has positioned itself for its progressive international expansion. United Heritage will use Universa Blockchain's platform for decentralized storage and "Smart Contract" execution. This strategic technology selection minimizes disruptions to existing infrastructure while maximizing the digitization of business processes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT: Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except for historical matters contained herein, this press release's statements are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may", "will", "to", "plan", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "could", "would", "estimate," or "continue", or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with OTC Markets. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Contact Information: George Athanasiadis Phone: +1 801 895 4672 Email: info@ecobrightfuture.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Ruben Amorim expects ‘special talent’ Leny Yoro to face Arsenal in Premier League showdownMechanical Seals Market: Poised to Reach USD 5.3B by 2031City to launch new site Dec. 13

The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the Hawk air defence system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defence officials acknowledged that the US Defence Department may not be able to send all of the remaining 5.6 billion dollars (£4.5 billion) in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Mr Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many US and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he will not provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about 4.35 billion dollars (£3.46 billion). Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky decide it is time to negotiate. One senior defence official said that while the US will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until January 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about 1.2 billion dollars (£0.9 billion) remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the US will have provided more than 64 billion dollars (£50.8 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Analyst Scoreboard: 6 Ratings For TeraWulf

OBJ Hits Back After Fan Slams Him for Trash Talking Lamar Jackson

President Biden’s decision to renege on his pledge not to pardon his prodigal son’s crimes has consequences for the American justice system. Ironically, it also may diminish resistance to President-elect Trump pardoning members of the mob that stormed the Capitol nearly four years ago in an effort to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory. The two situations are not equivalent, of course. Still, they both tear at the heart of America’s scruples. More than 1,100 Trump supporters got convicted of participating in the siege that sent a joint session of Congress into hiding, injured scores of police officers and left the Capitol in a shambles. Several defendants received probation for misdemeanor charges of entering the Capitol with the mob. But more than 600 were imprisoned from one month to up to 22 years on felony charges of destroying property, assault and battery or encouraging the attack. Trump described them as “political prisoners” and “patriots,” promising to pardon them if elected president again. He said recently he will decide their pardons on a case-by-case basis. A song titled “Justice for All” described their fate. Created and posted often on social media by a group of Jan. 6 defendants (“J6 Choir”) locked in a Washington, D.C. jail block, the song’s popularity drew sympathizers across the country. It briefly made music’s top hits list. Democrats and legal experts denounce Tump’s plan to pardon Jan. 6 defendants as victims of misguided justice. The objection is somewhat hypocritical in the aftermath of Biden pardoning son Hunter. He was convicted of lying on a gun license application and income tax evasion. What devastates the rule of law is Biden’s broken pledge to let his son face the consequences of his felony crimes, including possible prison time. His stunning turnaround occurred, he said, because his son was a victim of a Justice Department political prosecution. That’s the exact reason Trump advances for his intent to pardon some, if not all, the Jan. 6 defendants. He also claims that’s why he was prosecuted and convicted of 34 felonies in his hush money trial as well as charges pending in his other legal cases. Oddly, it seems Biden and Trump agree the Justice Department has been weaponized for political means. Trump says when he returns to office he will rid the department, including its FBI office, of what he calls partisan hacks bent on destroying the country. They will, of course, be replaced by diehard loyalists committed to his America First agenda. Democrats can hardly object. Their president of the last four years has damned the Justice Department and demoralized its employees for his own sake. And just two months before departing the White House. Listen to his attempt to rationalize the decision to pardon his son when he said repeatedly he would not. “For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They will be fair-minded,” Biden said in a statement. “Here’s the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected the process and it led to a miscarriage of justice (of his son).” Biden asked Americans to understand “why a father and a president would come to this decision.” Many will not. Sure, other presidents, including Trump in his first term, granted pardons to family and friends for alleged criminal behavior. In most of these cases, the persons pardoned felt the outcome of their sentences, including prison time. Biden’s rollback of his no pardon pledge – just two weeks before his son’s sentencing -- disregarded the legal standard that no person is above the law; that everyone is treated equally no matter their station in life. Sadly, Biden’s decision of defiance comes at a time when the justice system’s moral fiber is fraying. Bill Ketter is CNHI’s senior vice president for news. Reach him at wketter@cnhi.com .Share Tweet Share Share Email Elon Musk’s Neuralink and Canadian neurosurgeons have received regulatory authority to enlist six paralysed people who are open to having a thousand electrical connections placed throughout their brains. TakeAway Points: Canadian neurosurgeons, in partnership with Elon Musk’s Neuralink, have regulatory approval to recruit six patients with paralysis willing to have a thousand electrode contacts in their brains. Neuralink announced regulator Health Canada’s approval this week. Neuralink has implanted two such devices in patients in the United States. The trial will use a two-ton robot to implant 64 electrodes, each with 16 contacts, into the hand-motor areas of patients’ brains. Canadian neurosurgeons seek six patients for Musk’s Neuralink brain study The trial, called CAN-PRIME, has started recruiting patients for a study that will test the safety and efficacy of a device that allows people to move cursors with their minds, a surgeon leading the trial said. Neuralink announced regulator Health Canada’s approval this week. Neuralink has implanted two such devices in patients in the United States. Directors at Neuralink reached out to Toronto-based University Health Network neurosurgeon Andres Lozano a year ago, he told Reuters. He figures his experience with other forms of brain implants played a role. “Myself and our entire team jumped at the possibility of participating in this trial,” Lozano said. The trial will use a two-ton robot to implant 64 electrodes, each with 16 contacts, into the hand-motor areas of patients’ brains. The idea is that the electrodes will transmit activity in those areas so that by thinking about movement, the patient can make connected devices move. To be eligible, individuals must have severe quadriplegia due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or a spinal cord injury. They would have the surgery in Toronto and use the technology at home, said Lozano, who added he hopes to start in the new year. As the sponsor, Neuralink designed the electrodes and implantation system and will be decoding signals from the electrodes, while the doctors will be responsible for patient selection, surgery safety, and health monitoring. “The surgery obviously is a necessary, crucial step, but we will not be analyzing the data or doing anything with the data. That’ll be up to the company to do that,” Lozano said. Rising concerns Any procedure has risks and there is the possibility of complications, Lozano said. These include brain bleeds , infections, broken wires, or wires that stop transmitting. In May, Neuralink disclosed that wires had pulled out of position in its first patient—a problem sources said the company had known about for years. Health Canada confirmed it had issued an authorization on Nov. 15 but did not provide the study protocols. This intervention is likely years away from being available to the general public, said Brad Wouters, executive vice president of science and research at University Health Network. But Musk “has demonstrated the ability to move quickly,” he said. This technology focuses on reading brain activity. But there is a possibility of “writing,” too, Lozano said—of transmitting information so that, for example, visually impaired people can “see.” But safeguards need to be in place so the technology is not abused, he added. “There’s this issue, also, of whether the systems could be hacked and someone could insert thoughts into you or read your thoughts,” Lozano said, adding this is theoretical but “we have to put in the proper safeguards to ensure that this is done safely and properly.” Related Items: Brain Study , CAN-PRIME , Neuralink Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Elon Musk Neuralink is Accepting Applications for the Second Trial The Evolution of Wearable Technology: 10 Milestones That Shaped the Industry Is Elon Musk Making a Phone? Comments

Blue Yonder moves closer to full recovery after November ransomware attackThailand-South Korea relations are paradoxical. The countries share a dynamic that boasts both heroic achievements and glaring challenges. While their cultural and economic ties have progressed over the decades, they are black-eyed by labour and immigration issues. Solving these irritating issues can elevate friendship and unleash the potential of bilateral cooperation. On the one hand, Thailand has one of the world's most famous faces, Lisa Manoban, the superstar from the K-pop group Blackpink, whose Isan (northeastern region) heritage is celebrated widely in South Korea and beyond. On the other hand, there is the darker reality of over 120,000 undocumented Thai workers also from the Isan region living in South Korea. They often make constant news headlines. These visa overstayers, often young and in their prime, contribute to South Korea's labour force but face legal and social challenges. Tragically, of late, well over 600 Thai nationals are incarcerated in South Korean prisons for drug-related offences. The outlook is not good. This dichotomy of fame and infamy exemplifies the dual narratives in Thai-South Korean relations -- one of cultural admiration and the other of unresolved labour and immigration issues. At a recent meeting in Seoul between Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat and Parinya Wongcherdkwan, Deputy Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, they discussed approaches for managing labour migration and reducing the number of Thai workers who overstay their visas. Indeed, this year, Thai lawmakers from these workers' constituencies have been visiting South Korea for fact-finding trips. By all means, Thailand is still enjoying a visa waiver despite the immigration issue. In the past several months, Thai netizens have been unhappy with South Korea's immigration measures, particularly the high rejection rates for Thai travellers at airports, despite their compliance with the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) system. Anti-Korea websites and hashtags have inundated social media to show their frustration. Even though the 2023-2024 period has been designated as the Thailand-South Korea Mutual Visit Year, the number of Thai tourists to South Korea, once one of the most popular destinationห, has dropped dramatically. This year, around 200,000 Thais visited the country, down nearly 21% from the previous year. When it comes to South Korea and the efforts to mitigate these outstanding tasks, Thailand must be clear-headed and adopt proactive measures. Rhetoric on soft power -- such as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's promotion of Thai culture and cuisine -- must be backed by substantive policies that address underlying problems. True soft power, as political scientist Joseph Nye says, is about building a nation's attractiveness through sustainable frameworks, not just leveraging existing cultural assets. In short, soft power is more than labelling existing popular Thai products or food as such. Truth be told, for too long, the two countries have used the Korean War as the symbol of their relationship. The Thai troops took part in the UN-backed international forces during the Korean War. It is a memory that dates back over 70 years, and Seoul has never forgotten the heroic Thai actions and has continued to offer friendship and assistance to families of Thai veterans. But it is a time for both countries to move into the future together in a creative way. Indeed, Thailand can take inspiration from South Korea's deepened ties with Vietnam over the past three decades, which serve as a model of successful bilateral cooperation. A fresh approach to Thailand-South Korea relations could unlock untapped potential in areas like labour, investment, and education. One of the most pressing issues is the overall plight of Thai workers in South Korea. To improve their conditions and reduce the number of overstayers, Thailand must take decisive action in several areas. First of all, language proficiency is critical for Thai workers to thrive in South Korea. However, language requirements are often ignored by Thai authorities, who prioritise physical labour over communication skills. The Thai Labour Department must enforce mandatory language tests in English or Korean to enhance the workers' employability and integration. Thailand's Ministry of Education should revamp vocational school curricula to align with the demands of the modern labour market. Vocational education in Thailand suffers from a poor reputation and is often associated with school violence and juvenile delinquency. Addressing these issues would make vocational training a more attractive and effective pathway for Thai workers. Japan has been quite successful in technological training for Thai students through its so-called "kosen" schools. Secondly, the government must also crack down on local illegal recruiters who exploit workers, particularly in rural areas. Most brokers have strong ties with local officials or are local influential figures themselves. Thai authorities must implement stricter measures to combat these networks as it would reduce the number of undocumented workers in South Korea. Transparent but stringent background checks on the Thai side can effectively deter any possible dodgers. Furthermore, the Thai authorities' voluntary return programme should be extended, allowing overstayers to return home without penalties. Seoul has responded positively and extended the current deadline, which ended last month, by two more months until January. These programmes would reduce the number of overstayers and pave the way for more legal migration pathways. To increase the quota of Thai workers, Thailand should negotiate with South Korea's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Employment and Labour for both skilled and unskilled workers. South Korea still needs foreign workers to help with the local economy, especially in the shipping industry. For the Thai workers whose visas will expire, they need help to keep their jobs and stay on with better language and upskilling training. Beyond labour issues, Thailand and South Korea have much to gain from closer economic and strategic cooperation. South Korea's investments in Thailand remain disappointingly low. Sad but true, only around 400 Korean companies invested in Thailand in comparison to 9,000 companies in Vietnam. Expanding Seoul's investments in high-tech industries and renewable energy would significantly promote Thai economic growth and align with the current sustainable economic pathway. Lest we forget, the two countries are members of the US-led alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. South Korea has been participating in the annual Cobra Gold annual exercise since its inception. Enhanced collaboration in areas such as technology, defence and trade would reinforce their strategic importance in the region. Thailand is interested in furbishing hundreds of its armoured personnel carriers. In addition, South Korea's advanced technology sector and the growing local digital economy could form joint ventures and innovation partnerships. Bangkok and Seoul must move beyond the impasse of unresolved labour issues and nostalgia to bolster ties. Both sides must be constructive in their approach to lay a stronger groundwork for deeper economic cooperation integration. As such, Thailand should learn from Vietnam on specific strategies that have won major corporations' investment. For Thailand, this means taking responsibility for its workforce by equipping workers with the skills and support they need to succeed in South Korea. For South Korea, it involves treating Thai workers with dignity and fairness and recognising their economic contributions. By tackling these issues head-on and urgently, they can transform their stoic bilateral ties into a model of cooperation that balances cultural ties with pragmatic policies and shared economic interests. It should be the immediate pathway. Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate" granted to Trump by voters last month. They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Merchan hasn’t yet set a timetable for a decision. He could decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. An outright dismissal of the New York case would further lift a legal cloud that at one point carried the prospect of derailing Trump’s political future. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith told courts that he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump — one charging him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate, the other with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost — citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. 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!Vinnies NSW reveals brand identity refresh via Houston Group

Bank of America signs again with FIFA for US-hosted Club World Cup that still has no TV dealsPresident Biden, while speaking in Angola on Tuesday, announced the U.S. would provide over $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Africans displaced by droughts and food insecurity. President Biden pledged $1 billion in humanitarian support to Africans displaced by historic droughts and food insecurity on Tuesday, as North Carolina residents continue to rebuild after the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. "The United States continues to be the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. That's going to increase, you know, that's the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do," Biden said while speaking in Angola. "Today I'm announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. We know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment. "So, the United States is expanding our relationship all across Africa from assistance to aid, investment to trade, moving from patrons to partners to help bridge the infrastructure gap," he added. Biden’s visit to Angola this week marks the first time the president has stepped foot on African soil during his presidency, and it comes as people in North Carolina continue to face challenges after Hurricane Helene caused destruction and devastation in late September. BIDEN TRAVELS TO AFRICA WHERE POLICIES WERE ‘OVER-PROMISED AND UNDER-DELIVERED,' AMID MASSIVE CHINA EXPANSION President Biden leaves the stage after speaking while visiting the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, near Luanda, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Last month, the White House requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to help efforts in Helene-ravished areas. Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have pledged to act swiftly once they get a formal request from the Biden administration. On top of that, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters last month that her agency "will need additional funding of approximately $40 billion beyond its 2025 budget request to support the ongoing recovery efforts to these storms and meet our overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year." HOUSE REPUBLICANS EYE FEMA FUND OVERHAUL AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES HEARING ON HELENE RECOVERY Married couple Victoria and Jeff, stay on a street with their dog after Hurricane Helene destroyed their motor home about a month ago, in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 29, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images) Still, until these funds are in place, some continue to slam Biden’s legacy of putting foreign countries before his own, which was seen Tuesday as a video of Biden making the $1 billion announcement in Africa made the rounds on social media. "BREAKING: Joe Biden just announced a $1B aid package for AFRICAN nations that are rebuilding from natural disasters. What about North Carolina? This is DISGUSTING," one user on X wrote. "This is by far the WORST President of all time," another said on X. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS 'DISHONEST' Destroyed cars remain in a river after the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images) Still, one more user asked, "Can anyone please explain why Joe Biden hates America so much?" The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter. Helene ravaged part of the U.S. Southeast in late September, killing more than 100 people in North Carolina alone. It’s estimated to have caused billions of dollars worth of damage as well. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously told Fox News Digital that he believed it could be one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

 

fortune gems apps

2025-01-12
Washington CommandersAI Stocks Soar! Political Shifts and Defense Deals Make Waveshow to win in fortune gems 3

NoneFrom wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn

ITV I'm A Celebrity fans in hysterics as Coleen Rooney reveals Wayne's blunder at Beckham party

Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level Media

Colombia Consumer Price Index (MoM) came in at 0.27%, above forecasts (0.2%) in NovemberKwara pledges support for tech startups

Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

Macquarie Increases Trade Desk (NASDAQ:TTD) Price Target to $150.00Manhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. ▶ Read more about Luigi Mangione Pennsylvania prosecutor will work with NY officials to return suspect Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges. Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania. What New York officials will do to bring Mangione back there Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. District attorney says Mangione contesting extradition will create ‘extra hoops’ to jump through But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. In court, Mangione said he understood his rights Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. Defense lawyer Thomas Dickey told the court Mangione wants a hearing on the extradition issue He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione’s demeanor in court Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO is contesting his extradition back to New York Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. An account on X that appears to belong to Mangione was still up as of Tuesday That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. Mangione shouted and struggled with officers as he arrived in court He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. Mangione arrives at court in Pennsylvania He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Bulletin says Mangione likely motivated by anger toward ‘parasitic’ health insurance companies Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. Police say they found ‘written admissions about the crime’ in Luigi Mangione’s belongings A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. McDonald’s customer: ‘My one friend thought he looked like the shooter’ A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained a warrant for Mangione’s arrest The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Pennsylvania authorities release photos of Luigi Mangione at McDonald’s and in cell Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. The suspect’s cousin, a Maryland lawmaker, is postponing a fundraiser Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” The search for the suspect involved dogs, drones and scuba divers Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. Suspect is expected to be eventually be extradited to New York He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”

This is the 15th edition of the Battle in Seattle, just the second ever at the Climate Pledge Arena. The last time was back in 2021 when Gonzaga fell to Alabama, 91-82. Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman is looking to return back home to Seattle and come away with a monumental victory over Kentucky. Hickman would also love another victory over the program he was once committed to. The Zags lead the all-time series over the Wildcats, 2-1. The upcoming matchup is part three of the six-year series that was signed between the two programs back in 2022. Gonzaga went into Lexington and stole a vital win for their March Madness resume from Kentucky last season, 89-85. This is a far different roster for the Wildcats than last year’s with former BYU head coach Mark Pope now in charge. Pope is very familiar with the Zags during his time spent in the West Coast Conference but never found much success against them (1-7 record spanning from 2019-24). He spoke on if his past matchups with Gonzaga coach Mark Few will impact his coaching strategy. “Maybe, or maybe I’ve just got a lot of PTSD. We’ll see how that works. It’s probably both, right? I’m really familiar with them, coach (Few) is really familiar with me.” - Kentucky coach Mark Pope Expect a lot of points to be put up on the board as Kentucky leads the nation in points per game at 92.9 while Gonzaga is close behind them at 5th with 90.4 PPG. That goes without saying but physicality is the name of the game between Gonzaga and Kentucky. Especially down low against Pope’s stacked frontcourt (center Amari Williams who leads the team in rebounds at 10.1 per game and blocks at 1.9 per game, forward Andrew Carr, forward Ansley Almonor, forward Brandon Garrison). This has to be biggest defensive test for the likes of Gonzaga’s big man trio in Graham Ike, Ben Gregg, and Braden Huff that they’ve faced this season thus far. The Wildcats currently rank 22nd in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency while the Zags are ahead at 16th. It really comes down to who wins the battle on the glass. Kentucky is 3rd in the nation at 44.9 RPG while Gonzaga is 29th at 41.3 RPG. Player to Watch For: Koby Brea (senior, guard) - 12.8 PPG on 59.0 FG%/60.5 3PT%/80.0 FT%, 3.6 RPG, 1.5 APG The Davidson transfer is a flamethrower from deep. He currently is 2nd in the country for three-point percentage at 60.5 3PT% and tied for 30th for three-pointers made per game at 3.25 3PG. Once he gets got from beyond the arc, it’s hard to cool him down. It has yet to be determined what version of guard Lamont Butler that Kentucky will get (if at all) as he turned his ankle in the 79-66 loss at Clemson earlier this week. Pope said it’s “a little bit of an issue” for the Wildcats. Butler is known for his clutch shooting and incessant energy on defense. It would be a major loss for Kentucky if Butler wasn’t able to go. His main defensive assignment would be against Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard who currently leads the nation in assists at 10.8 APG. “Kentucky is real handsy on defense. Especially Lamont Butler. He took that tenacity from San Diego State. I feel like he’s brought a different energy to the Kentucky guards, sitting down and taking pride in playing defense.” - Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman Both teams have a heap of experience and this matchup should make for one of the most entertaining to watch all season long. #4 Kentucky (7-1) and #7 Gonzaga (7-1) will tip-off on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM PT on ESPN2. Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalhoRepublicans Could End Up Owning A Jump In Health Care Premiums11. SMU Mustangs 11-2 (8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season) What's next: at No. 6 Penn State, State College, Pa., Dec. 21, Noon ET Head coach: Rhett Lashlee (three seasons, 29-11 overall) About Lashlee: The 41-year-old is enjoying success in his first college head coaching gig and has guided the Mustangs to back-to-back 11-win seasons. He was offensive coordinator at SMU from 2018-19 before heading to Miami for two years and returning to take the head job. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year this season. Resume SMU notched ranked wins over then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pitt but really served notice while racking up 66 points in a win over TCU. The Mustangs lost two games by a total of six points: 34-31 to Clemson in the ACC title game and 18-15 to BYU. Postseason history This is SMU's first trip to the playoffs during the CFP era. The Mustangs have lost their past four bowl games, including two under Lashlee. The program had a memorable run in the early 1980s behind stars like Eric Dickerson and Craig James but numerous NCAA violations sank the Mustangs and they eventually served a two-year death penalty. The road to Atlanta SMU hits the road for the first-round matchup at No. 6 Penn State. The winner advances to play No. 3 Boise State (12-1) in the quarterfinals in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Names to Know QB Kevin Jennings He threw for 304 yards and three TDs in the ACC title game, his fourth game over 300 yards passing this season. Jennings had a strong regular season with 2,746 yards and 19 TDs in the air and four scores on the ground. He can hurt teams with his feet, proven by a 113-yard outing against Louisville. "What is new now is the amount of criticism I receive from everyone. I get a lot of comments and messages from people on social media always criticizing everything after each game," Jennings said. RB Brashard Smith Stellar runner averaging 5.9 yards per carry to go with 1,270 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. LB Kobe Wilson Stands out against both the run and the pass, leading the team in tackles (110) and adding three sacks and two interceptions. S Isaiah Nwokobia He has enjoyed an outstanding season with 91 regular-season tackles and three interceptions while patrolling the back end. He has nine career interceptions. DT Jared Harrison-Hunte A force with 6.0 sacks, one interception and 38 tackles. He's in his first season with SMU after four at Miami. He has 15 career sacks. --Field Level Media

Atos SE announces the completion of the settlement and delivery of its €233 million rights issueTORONTO, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rivalry Corp. (the "Company" or "Rivalry") (TSXV: RVLY) (OTCQX: RVLCF) (FSE: 9VK), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for digital-first players, is pleased to announce that it has closed the third tranche (the “Third Closing”) of its non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the "Units"), previously announced on November 26, 2024 (the "Offering"). Under the Third Closing, the Company issued 2,231,253 Units at a price of $0.15 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $334,688. The Company may complete one or more additional closings, for aggregate gross proceeds (together with the proceeds raised under the initial closing, second closing and Third Closing) of up to approximately USD$3 million. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) subordinate voting share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Subordinate Voting Share") and one-half of one (1/2) Subordinate Voting Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Subordinate Voting Share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per Warrant Share for a period of 12 months from the date hereof, subject to the Company's right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants upon 30 days' notice in the event that the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares is equal to or exceeds $0.50 on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other recognized Canadian stock exchange as the Subordinate Voting Shares are primarily traded on) for a period of 10 consecutive trading days. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for corporate development and general working capital purposes. The Subordinate Voting Shares and Warrants, and any securities issuable upon exercise thereof, are subject to a four-month statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The Company has paid an aggregate of $10,501.20 in finder's fees in connection with the Third Closing. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. 100,200 Units were issued to family members of Steven Isenberg, a director of the Company and a "related party" (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and 500,000 Units were issued to Kevin Wimer, a director of the Company and a "related party", and such issuances are considered a "related party transaction" for the purposes of MI 61-101. Such related party transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities being issued to the related parties nor the consideration being paid by the related parties exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. The purchasers of the Units and the extent of such participation were not finalized until shortly prior to the completion of the Offering. Accordingly, it was not possible to publicly disclose details of the nature and extent of related party participation in the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to a material change report filed at least 21 days prior to the completion of such transactions. About Rivalry Rivalry Corp. wholly owns and operates Rivalry Limited , a leading sport betting and media company offering fully regulated online wagering on esports, traditional sports, and casino for the digital generation. Based in Toronto, Rivalry operates a global team in more than 20 countries and growing. Rivalry Limited has held an Isle of Man license since 2018, considered one of the premier online gambling jurisdictions, as well as an internet gaming registration in Ontario, and is currently in the process of obtaining additional country licenses. With world class creative execution and brand positioning in online culture, a native crypto token, and demonstrated market leadership among digital-first users Rivalry is shaping the future of online gambling for a generation born on the internet. Company Contact: Steven Salz, Co-founder & CEO ss@rivalry.com Investor Contact: investors@rivalry.com Media Contact: Cody Luongo, Head of Communications cody@rivalry.com 203-947-1936 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management of the Company at the date the statements are made based on information then available to the Company. Various factors and assumptions are applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown, variables, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company’s actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations; the ability to obtain and maintain required licenses; the esports and sports betting industry being a heavily regulated industry; the complex and evolving regulatory environment for the online gaming and online gambling industry; the success of esports and other betting products are not guaranteed; changes in public perception of the esports and online gambling industry; failure to retain or add customers; the Company having a limited operating history; negative cash flow from operations; operational risks; cybersecurity risks; reliance on management; reliance on third parties and third-party networks; exchange rate risks; risks related to cryptocurrency transactions; risk of intellectual property infringement or invalid claims; the effect of capital market conditions and other factors on capital availability; competition, including from more established or better financed competitors; and general economic, market and business conditions. For additional risks, please see the Company’s MD&A dated April 30, 2024 and other disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . No assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Source: Rivalry Corp.

Middle East latest: Israel bombs 100s of sites in Syria as army pushes into border zoneThrivent Financial for Lutherans trimmed its holdings in SPS Commerce, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SPSC – Free Report ) by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,132 shares of the software maker’s stock after selling 1,610 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned 0.08% of SPS Commerce worth $5,657,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. CIBC Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of SPS Commerce during the 3rd quarter worth about $210,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its position in SPS Commerce by 16.8% during the third quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 13,591 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $2,639,000 after purchasing an additional 1,959 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in SPS Commerce by 63.0% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 445 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV raised its position in shares of SPS Commerce by 14.6% in the third quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,076 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Parametrica Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of SPS Commerce in the third quarter worth $404,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.96% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SPSC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Northland Securities downgraded shares of SPS Commerce from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $205.00 to $209.00 in a report on Monday, July 29th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and set a $230.00 price objective on shares of SPS Commerce in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on SPS Commerce from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on SPS Commerce from $240.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Northland Capmk cut SPS Commerce from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $223.63. SPS Commerce Price Performance SPSC opened at $189.13 on Friday. SPS Commerce, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $160.58 and a fifty-two week high of $218.74. The company has a market capitalization of $7.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.49 and a beta of 0.84. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $186.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $191.24. SPS Commerce ( NASDAQ:SPSC – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The software maker reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $163.69 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $160.30 million. SPS Commerce had a net margin of 12.83% and a return on equity of 12.60%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 20.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.53 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that SPS Commerce, Inc. will post 2.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other SPS Commerce news, CEO Chadwick Collins sold 6,839 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.69, for a total transaction of $1,160,509.91. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 54,446 shares in the company, valued at $9,238,941.74. This represents a 11.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. SPS Commerce Profile ( Free Report ) SPS Commerce, Inc provides cloud-based supply chain management solutions in the United States and internationally. It offers solutions through the SPS Commerce, a cloud-based platform that enhances the way retailers, grocers, suppliers, distributors, and logistics firms manage and fulfill omnichannel orders, optimize sell-through performance, and automate new trading relationships. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPS Commerce, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SPSC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for SPS Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPS Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .None

National Steeplechase Association holds Awards Gala in Aiken. Who won?WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump offered a public show of support Friday for Pete Hegseth, his choice to lead the Defense Department, whose confirmation by the Senate is in doubt as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat roles. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, Army National Guard major and combat veteran, spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and privately reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead Trump's Pentagon. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump posted on his social media site. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense." The president added that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" The nomination battle is emerging not only as a debate about the best person to lead the Pentagon, but an inflection point for a MAGA movement that appears to be relishing a public fight over its hard-line push for a more masculine military and an end to the "woke-ism" of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, responds to reporters during a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Military leaders are rattled by a list of “woke” senior officers that a conservative group urged Hegseth to dismiss for promoting diversity in the ranks if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. The list compiled by the American Accountability Foundation includes 20 general officers or senior admirals and a disproportionate number of female officers. It has had a chilling effect on the Pentagon’s often frank discussions as leaders try to figure out how to address the potential firings and diversity issues under Trump. Those on the list in many cases seem to be targeted for public comments they made either in interviews or at events on diversity, and in some cases for retweeting posts that promote diversity. Tom Jones, a former aide to Republican senators who leads the foundation, said Friday those on the list are “pretty egregious” advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies, which he called problematic. “The nominee has been pretty clear that that has no place in the military,” Jones said of Hegseth. Hegseth embraced Trump’s effort to end programs that promote diversity in the ranks and fire those who reflect those values. Other Trump picks, like Kash Patel for FBI director, have suggested targeting those in government who are not aligned with Trump. Trump's allies forcefully rallied around Hegseth — the Heritage Foundation's political arm promised to spend $1 million to shore up his nomination — as he vows to stay in the fight, as long as the president-elect wants him to. Vice President-elect JD Vance offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, the embattled choice to lead the Defense Department. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vance told reporters during a tour of western North Carolina. "We're not abandoning this nomination," Vice-President-elect JD Vance said as he toured post-hurricane North Carolina. He said he spoke with GOP senators and believes Hegseth will be confirmed. The effort became a test of Trump's clout and of how far loyalty for the president-elect goes with Republican senators who have concerns about his nominees. Two of Trump's other choices stepped aside as they faced intense scrutiny: former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., his first choice for attorney general, and Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff who was Trump's first choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. Thanking the president-elect for the support, Hegseth posted on social media, "Like you, we will never back down." Hegseth faces resistance from senators as reports emerged about his past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. He promised not to drink on the job and told lawmakers he never engaged in sexual misconduct, even as his professional views on female troops came under intensifying scrutiny. He said as recently as last month that women "straight up" should not serve in combat. He picked up one important endorsement from Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, whose support was seen as a potentially powerful counterweight to the cooler reception Hegseth received from Sen. Joni Ernst, a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. Ernst, who is also a sexual assault survivor, stopped short of an endorsement after meeting with Hegseth this week. On Friday, Ernst posted on X that she would meet with him again next week. “At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing,” she wrote. On Friday, Trump put out the statement in response to coverage saying he lost faith in Hegseth, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The president-elect and his team were pleased to see Hegseth putting up a fight and his performance this week reiterates why he was chosen, the person said. They believe he can still be confirmed. Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, left, joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet, attends a meeting with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) If Hegseth goes down, Trump's team believes the defeat would empower others to spread what they cast as "vicious lies" against every candidate Trump chooses. Still, Trump's transition team is looking at potential replacements, including former presidential rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis plans to attend the Dec. 14 Army-Navy football game with Trump, according to a person familiar with the Florida governor's plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. DeSantis and Trump spoke about the defense secretary post Tuesday at a memorial service for sheriff deputies in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to people familiar with the matter who said Trump was interested in DeSantis for the post, and the governor was receptive. DeSantis is poised to select a replacement for the expected Senate vacancy to be created by Marco Rubio becoming secretary of state, and Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump is seen as the preferred choice by those in Trump's orbit. 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.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. 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. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. 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. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. 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 said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) 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. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. 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. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff 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. James Blair, deputy chief of staff 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. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff 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. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #279 (Saturday, December 7 2024)Company news: Crouse Health board appoints Catherine Gridley provided photo Brenda Duncan | bduncan@syracuse.com Catherine Gridley has been appointed to the Crouse Health board of directors. An international executive with more than 20 years of global leadership experience in defense and commercial industries, Gridley currently serves as executive vice president and president of the aerospace and defense sector of TTM Technologies , which has a significant presence in Syracuse. Recent People in Motion stories Company news: Upstate Medical University hires Dr. Callistus Ditah Company news: DiMarco, Abiusi & Pascarella hires Leena Trinh Company news: Jeff Reisner and Christina Santone hired by Key Private Bank Company news: Gabriela C. Groman hired by Hancock Estabrook law firm Company news: Dan Phillips retires, Joe McManus promoted by Pathfinder Bank

 

fortune gems technique

2025-01-13
The A-List Clinic, led by Nurse Practitioner Czarina Enriquez , is changing weight loss accessibility with affordable, personalized programs that consider the whole person—not just diet and exercise. The clinic emphasizes open access to weight loss medications and supportive, guided care, making effective weight loss solutions available to everyone. Holistic Approach to Weight Loss Enriquez has been in nursing for over a decade, working in different settings—medical/surgical floor, hospice, and urgent care. The most common thing she noticed in all of these positions was overweight patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Because of her experiences in the field, she formed The A-List Clinic . The clinic focuses on a personalized approach, taking into account factors beyond diet and exercise, such as stress, sleep, hormones, and genetics. This holistic view challenges traditional, oversimplified weight-loss methods and strives to improve how we talk about and treat obesity. Affordable Access to Medications: Semaglutide in California One of the greatest struggles that Enriquez has encountered in running the clinic has been facing shortages of medication for her patients. In addition to this, primary prescriptions such as Ozempic and Mounjaro aren’t always covered by insurance and can cost upwards of $1,500 per month out-of-pocket. She recognizes that price isn’t feasible for a lot of people, especially those who need it most. As such, the team at A-List Clinic has found a solution by using compounding pharmacies that have the same active ingredient as in the brand name drugs, making it much more affordable and available. Through such partnerships with compounding pharmacies, the clinic offers affordable options for popular weight loss medications, such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which are often financially inaccessible through standard insurance. Expert-Led Support: Ozempic in California Czarina Enriquez , with over a decade of nursing experience, ensures patients receive careful, informed support, offering monthly follow-ups and detailed guidance on medication management to optimize outcomes. Enriquez feels medical guidance is essential, saying, “Nurse practitioners also play a key role in medical weight loss. It is very important to be monitored by a provider (MD, NP, etc) while on these medications, as there are side effects, and the dosing must be titrated in a specific way. Patients should not be doing this on their own.” Empowering Through Education The clinic is dedicated to demystifying weight loss, combatting stigma, and providing reliable information through various platforms like The Weigh-In Podcast and an active social media presence. To extend this educational mission, The A-List Clinic has partnered with Just Get Known , a New Jersey-based marketing firm that specializes in brand visibility and community engagement. This partnership enhances the clinic’s ability to reach and inform a larger audience about the complexities of obesity and weight management. By creating proper educational resources on the subject of obesity, Enriquez strives to focus on preventative care. “So many patients in the hospital were diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. It is incredible that we now have access to stop these diseases in their tracks,” she says. This is all in service of ultimately changing the narrative on obesity. It is a chronic disease, but it still has a stigma surrounding it for the general population and even healthcare providers alike. “I always hear, ‘Can’t they just diet and exercise?’ And I’m sure these people have, but there are so many other factors: stress, lack of sleep, other health conditions like PCOS or autoimmune disorders, genetics, and environmental factors. Obesity should be treated like any other disease,” Enriquez elaborates. Future Outlook on Medical Weight Management With plans for expansion and new services like testosterone therapy, The A-List Clinic aims to continue offering accessible, science-backed weight loss solutions across more states, promoting preventative care for long-term health benefits. In Czarina Enriquez’s opinion, weight loss should be personalized to each individual. It’s not as simple as diet and exercise—stress, sleep, hormones, and environmental factors play a big role in weight too. Furthermore, weight loss medication should be accessible to everyone. “You can weigh less for way less than you think,” she says. *The San Francisco Examiner newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.For the first time all season, the Chicago Bulls fully unleashed Jevon Carter on Thursday. Carter then took advantage of that opportunity to show he still can be a productive player in the NBA. Even though the Bulls fell to the Atlanta Hawks 141-133, Carter scored 26 points in 36 minutes of action off the bench. He also added four rebounds and five assists. Carter scored 19 of his total in the first quarter. MUSTARDDDDD @Stacey21King Jevon Carter is 5-for-5 from downtown to start the game @CHSN__ | @nextlevel_03 pic.twitter.com/bfkgyyLRPT — Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2024 Jevon Carter hit 7 threes off the bench in ATL. The franchise list of Bulls reserves hitting 7+ threes in a game: Nikola Mirotic (3x) Coby White (2x) Jannero Pargo Ben Gordon Nate Robinson @nextlevel_03 pic.twitter.com/MW3kTxEqtH — Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2024 This marked the first time Carter even reached double digits in points and the first game he logged 10 or more minutes in a game since playing 14 minutes on Nov. 17. In fact, Carter has only appeared in 14 games so far this season, averaging 3.4 points , 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game when out there. Carter signed with the Bulls , the NBA team he grew up rooting for, before the 2022-23 season. But unlike his lack of usage in his second season in Chicago, he played in 72 games last year. Prior to joining the Bills, the WVU product was most recently with the Bucks for a season and a half after signing with Milwaukee in February 2022. Before that, Carter played for the Brooklyn Nets for a season, was able to experience the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns and was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Carter averaged 7.6 points per game during his Bucks tenure, including 8 per game throughout this past season. While mostly coming off the bench, Carter did have some big performances in brief starting opportunities and even gained notoriety among his peers . This article first appeared on WV Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.jili fortune gems 3

Turkey's President: Turkey Supports Syria Reconstruction, Helps Refugees Return HomeKey Invoice Factoring Market Trend 2024-2033: Innovative Web-Based Invoice Financing SolutionIn addition to Dolby Vision, Shaw Studios is also embracing Dolby Atmos, a groundbreaking audio technology that takes sound to the next level by creating a multidimensional audio experience. Dolby Atmos enables sound engineers to place and move audio anywhere in the theater, allowing moviegoers to feel like they are right in the middle of the action. From the subtlest sound effects to the most explosive action sequences, Dolby Atmos ensures that every sound is crisp, clear, and incredibly realistic.None

NoneHurricane's Sha'lik Hampton (1), right, pushes past George Washington's Jackson Morgan (12) as the Hurricane High School football team takes on George Washington on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Hurricane. Finally, back to football. Welcome back to “At the Game,” a feature we're producing on high school football game nights this season to keep readers in the loop of what's going on across the area, in as close to real time as we can manage. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The flight crew immediately initiated emergency protocols and called for medical assistance from the ground. The onboard medical personnel worked tirelessly to stabilize the passenger, administering emergency care and support. Despite their swift and professional response, the gravity of the situation became apparent as the passenger's condition continued to deteriorate rapidly.

Recently, the news of Liu Yusheng, the former deputy dean of Anhui Provincial Hospital, being placed under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law has sent shockwaves throughout the medical community. Liu Yusheng, a well-respected figure in the healthcare industry, has been a prominent leader at the hospital for many years, known for his dedication to upholding medical ethics and providing quality healthcare services. However, the allegations of misconduct have tarnished his reputation and raised concerns about the integrity of the healthcare system.In a heartwarming turn of events, a young man who had been reported missing and later rescued by villagers in a remote area has spoken out about his ordeal. The man, identified as a Master's degree holder by the name of Alex, was found by locals wandering aimlessly in the woods, disoriented and in a state of distress. However, despite initial concerns that he may have been held captive, villagers have come forward to clarify that he was not being held against his will.

French President Emmanuel Macron accused Haiti’s transitional council of being “total morons” for dismissing the country’s prime minister, according to a video shot at the G20 summit in Brazil this week and shared on social media Thursday. In the footage, the French leader is speaking on the sidelines of the G20 in Rio with an individual accusing Macron and France of “being responsible for the situation in Haiti”. Haiti’s transitional council pushed out then-prime minister Garry Conille after just five months in office, a move Macron called “terrible” in the clip. “They’re total morons,” said Macron referring to the transitional body, adding, “they never should have dismissed him.” Condemning the remarks, Haiti’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that French Ambassador Antoine Michon had been summoned following the “unacceptable comments.” Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste used the meeting to express “indignation” on behalf of the transitional council, which he said viewed the remarks as “an unfriendly and inappropriate gesture that must be rectified,” according to a statement from the ministry. Haiti has suffered from decades of political instability. But in recent months, the Caribbean country has seen a surge in violence with gangs now controlling 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The clip also shows the French president, who is on a multi-leg tour of Latin America with his most recent stop in Chile, blaming Haitians for “letting drug trafficking take over”. “Quite frankly, it was the Haitians who killed Haiti,” the French president said in the clip. Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister on November 12, promising to restore security in the crisis-wracked country. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Some neighbors recalled seeing the man attending local gatherings and social events, but there were conflicting accounts about his role and involvement in these occasions. While some described him as a well-respected organizer with a knack for creating memorable experiences, others expressed doubts about his credentials and experiences in event planning.

However, the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency market has also raised concerns about regulatory oversight and investor protection. As Eric Trump emphasized, the United States must take a proactive approach in developing a comprehensive regulatory framework to guide the expansion of the crypto industry. By establishing clear guidelines for exchanges, wallets, and other crypto-related services, the government can ensure that consumers are protected and that bad actors are held accountable.

Manchester United, once a powerhouse in English football, now finds itself embroiled in a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty. The recent sacking of their manager and director of football has only served to highlight the deep-rooted issues plaguing the club. Amidst all this turmoil, the much-hyped reform under the ownership of the infamous Glazer family has continuously faced backlash and criticism, leaving fans in a state of disillusionment and frustration.

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Amgen AMGN , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in AMGN usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 14 extraordinary options activities for Amgen. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 50% leaning bullish and 42% bearish. Among these notable options, 9 are puts, totaling $525,048, and 5 are calls, amounting to $288,709. Projected Price Targets After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $245.0 and $320.0 for Amgen, spanning the last three months. Volume & Open Interest Development In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Amgen options trades today is 139.83 with a total volume of 1,014.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Amgen's big money trades within a strike price range of $245.0 to $320.0 over the last 30 days. Amgen Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Largest Options Trades Observed: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume AMGN PUT TRADE BEARISH 12/19/25 $34.8 $34.25 $34.8 $280.00 $191.3K 110 55 AMGN CALL SWEEP BULLISH 07/18/25 $17.35 $17.3 $17.35 $270.00 $104.0K 18 64 AMGN CALL TRADE BEARISH 01/15/27 $24.7 $22.3 $22.8 $310.00 $57.0K 33 28 AMGN PUT SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $30.85 $30.65 $30.85 $270.00 $52.4K 289 18 AMGN PUT SWEEP BULLISH 02/21/25 $35.1 $34.5 $34.67 $295.00 $52.0K 97 24 About Amgen Amgen is a leader in biotechnology-based human therapeutics. Flagship drugs include red blood cell boosters Epogen and Aranesp, immune system boosters Neupogen and Neulasta, and Enbrel and Otezla for inflammatory diseases. Amgen introduced its first cancer therapeutic, Vectibix, in 2006 and markets bone-strengthening drug Prolia/Xgeva (approved 2010) and Evenity (2019). The acquisition of Onyx bolstered the firm's therapeutic oncology portfolio with Kyprolis. Recent launches include Repatha (cholesterol-lowering), Aimovig (migraine), Lumakras (lung cancer), and Tezspire (asthma). The 2023 Horizon acquisition brings several rare-disease drugs, including thyroid eye disease drug Tepezza. Amgen also has a growing biosimilar portfolio. Amgen's Current Market Status Trading volume stands at 582,871, with AMGN's price down by -0.55%, positioned at $261.73. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold. Earnings announcement expected in 39 days. What The Experts Say On Amgen A total of 1 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $256.0. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* An analyst from B of A Securities downgraded its action to Underperform with a price target of $256. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Amgen with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Heat say Jimmy Butler will miss 2 more games before rejoining team next week

 

jili fortune gems

2025-01-13
what is fortune 3
what is fortune 3 Friday the 13th might be unlucky for many people, but Mega Millions players could be lucky in tonight’s $695 million jackpot. As the countdown begins to tonight’s drawing, if someone wins the $695 million jackpot, they can take home $322.0 million after taxes, according to the lottery. The lottery said in its news release on Wednesday that a jackpot has been won seven times on the infamous day. The previous Friday the 13th Mega Millions winner was just last year, the lottery said. The lottery said the Maine winner won the $1.348 billion prize on Jan. 13, 2023. The month of December and the number 13 have history, too, with 13 jackpots won in December since Mega Millions began in 2002, the lottery said in a news release . "A $648 million jackpot was shared by winners in California and Georgia on Dec. 17, 2013." Here is what you need to know ahead of the Friday, Dec. 13 drawing and the Mega Millions. Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. Lottery Winner: Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says When is the next Mega Millions drawing? The next Mega Millions drawing is on Friday, Dec. 13 at 11 p.m. ET. What jackpots were won in 2024? There have been three jackpot wins so far in 2024, the lottery said. Here are the dates that the jackpots have been won: What are the top Mega Millions jackpots? According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Dec. 13: How to play the Mega Millions In order to buy a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online. To play, you will need to pick six numbers. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball is one number between 1 and 25. If you believe the odds are against you, ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick," the computer will randomly generate the numbers for you. Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1, which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five times. The Megaplier is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday. There are 15 Megapiler balls in all: Where can you buy lottery tickets? Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network , in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms .

Three leading Egyptian banks—the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Banque Misr, and QNB AlAhli—have extended joint financing worth EGP 4.235bn to Al-Zahi Group. This financing aims to support key development projects, with NBE serving as the lead arranger, financing marketer, financing agent, and document bank within the alliance. Banque Misr acts as an initial main arranger, financing marketer, and account bank, while QNB AlAhli fulfills the role of an initial main arranger. The funding will be directed toward various projects, including facility design, land reclamation, infrastructure development, agricultural land leveling, establishing irrigation and drainage systems, and executing electrical and mechanical works. The signing ceremony was attended by prominent banking and business leaders, including Yehia Abou El-Fotouh, Deputy CEO of NBE; Sherif Riad, CEO of Corporate Banking Credit and Syndicated Loans at NBE; Mohamed Khairat, Head of Corporate Credit and Syndicated Loans at Banque Misr; Abdel Rahman Talaat, Head of Corporate Finance and Investment at QNB AlAhli; and Ahmed El Zahi, Chairman of Al-Zahi Group. Yehia Abou El-Fotouh highlighted that the financing aligns with NBE’s strategy to support vital economic sectors, fostering growth across industries and value chains. He commended the efforts of the bank’s team in conducting comprehensive studies and facilitating cooperation that culminated in this financing deal. Sherif Riad emphasized NBE’s commitment to backing large-scale development projects in Egypt, particularly those that enhance food security and contribute to economic stability. He underscored the importance of expanding agricultural land and production, which reduces imports, improves trade balances, and creates job opportunities by leveraging modern technological methods. Mohamed Khairat reiterated Banque Misr’s dedication to financing vital projects across diverse sectors to stimulate economic growth and enhance Egypt’s competitiveness. He noted that this partnership reflects the bank’s strategic goals of supporting the national economy, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development. Khairat also praised the collaboration among the participating banks, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing the national economy. QNB’s Abdel Rahman Talaat stressed the importance of the banking sector’s role in financing projects with significant economic and social impacts. He emphasized QNB Egypt’s focus on supporting agricultural development to achieve food security, create thousands of jobs, and contribute to sustainable development goals. Talaat also noted QNB Egypt’s growing influence in fostering major national projects through its strong relationships with international financial institutions. Ahmed El Zahi expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Egypt’s leading banks, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in driving the nation’s development. He highlighted Al-Zahi Group’s diverse expertise in integrated general contracting, including river works, sidewalk construction, dredging, thermal and hydropower stations, roads and bridges, dams, and water and sewage networks. The company also specializes in complementary activities such as ready-mix concrete production, insulation, and polyethylene works. This joint financing underscores the critical role of Egypt’s banking sector in fostering economic growth and supporting sustainable development across the nation.ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Senate Republicans recommended on Friday that the state write laws banning transgender girls and women from participating in high school and college sports, setting the stage for action in the 2025 legislative session. The vote by a committee that was studying the issue is hardly a surprise. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — a possible Republican contender for governor in 2026 — announced almost identical goals at the panel's first meeting in August . It’s an issue that’s already been addressed in Georgia. Legislators in 2022 empowered the Georgia High School Association to regulate transgender students' participation in sports. The association, which regulates sports and activities for all public schools and some private schools, then banned transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity. Jones and others argue that doesn't go far enough and that lawmakers themselves need to act. It's a sign Republicans believe there is more political gain in fears about transgender women playing women’s sports or using women’s bathrooms. At least 26 mostly Republican states have passed laws or rules to restrict transgender girls from participating high school sports and, in some cases, transgender women from college sports , according to the Movement Advancement Project, a gay rights group. In Georgia, additional action appears more likely now after House Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, have voiced support for further legislation. Jeff Graham, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Georgia Equality, said his group is playing defense, concerned about the possibility of other bills that could further restrict gender-affirming care or ban transgender people from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity. “We’re expecting that it’ll be at least what we saw in 2023 and 2024, with the number of bills and more than likely laws,” Graham told reporters Friday. But Burns, from Newington, has said he's not interested in other bills dealing with transgender people besides those dealing with girls' and women's sports. Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal, of Cumming, who led the Senate study committee, said Friday that he, too, is not interested in a broader bill regulating bathroom usage, although his committee recommended that schools that host sporting events require athletes to use locker rooms based on their assigned sex at birth. Dolezal said senators would seek to write legislation that regulated public schools and colleges, as well as private institutions that compete against public schools and colleges. The committee also recommends that people be able to sue or file grievances if schools break the rules, and that state money be withheld from schools that break the rules. READ: Supporters of more action have focused on the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, swam for the University of Pennsylvania and won the 500-meter freestyle . The NCAA has since revised its policy on transgender women’s participation, saying it will follow the rules of respective athletics federations. World Aquatics, the swimming governing body, banned transgender women who have been through male puberty from competing in women’s races. That means Thomas wouldn’t be allowed to swim in NCAA events today. “My basic contention that this is a solution in search of a problem remains,” Graham said. He said he fears that many people who oppose laws that seek to restrict transgender people will be afraid to testify and lobby at the Georgia Capitol, citing assault charges against a man accused of shaking U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol office building in Washington, D.C. Dolezal repeatedly tried to turn down the emotional temperature of the issue on Friday. “I think that there’s a group of people that wants to be respected and I think that they deserve respect,” Dolezal told reporters. “But I also think that you can be respectful, but also recognize that in the sporting arena, fairness and competition is important.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

FG Plans Massive Export Of Cocoa, Sesame, Ginger, Others In 2025JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement. In a speech Monday, Katz said the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems. “We will strike (the Houthis’) strategic infrastructure and cut off the head of the leadership,” he said. “Just like we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon, we will do in Hodeida and Sanaa,” he said, referring to Hamas and Hezbollah leaders killed in previous Israeli attacks. The Iranian-backed Houthis have launched scores of missiles and drones at Israel throughout the war, including a missile that landed in Tel Aviv on Saturday and wounded at least 16 people. Israel has carried out three sets of airstrikes in Yemen during the war and vowed to step up the pressure on the rebel group until the missile attacks stop. Here’s the latest: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon acknowledged Monday that there are more than 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq, the total routinely touted publicly. It also said the number of forces in Syria has grown over the past “several years” due to increasing threats, but was not openly disclosed. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement that there are “at least 2,500” U.S. military personnel in Iraq “plus some additional, temporary enablers” that are on rotational deployments. He said that due to diplomatic considerations, the department will not provide more specifics. The U.S. concluded sensitive negotiations with the government of Iraq in September that called for troops to begin leaving after the November election. The presence of U.S. troops there has long been a political liability for Iraqi leaders who are under increased pressure and influence from Iran. U.S. officials have not provided details about the withdrawal agreement, but it calls for the mission against the Islamic State group to end by September 2025, and that some U.S. troops will remain through 2026 to support the anti-IS mission in Syria. Some troops may stay in the Kurdistan region after that because the regional government would like them to stay. Ryder announced last week that there are about 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria – more than double the 900 that the U.S. had acknowledged publicly until now. On Monday he said the extra 1,100 deploy for shorter times to do force protection, transportation, maintenance and other missions. He said the number has fluctuated for the past several years and increased “over time.” JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement. In a speech Monday, Katz said the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems. BEIRUT — The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon on Monday said it has observed recent “concerning actions” by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of residential areas and road blockages. A spokesperson for the peacekeeping mission, Kandice Ardiel, told The Associated Press that peacekeepers also observed on Monday an Israeli flag flying in Lebanese territory near Naqoura. The town hosts the headquarters of the peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL. Under the terms of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli army is required to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon within 60 days of the agreement’s signing on Nov. 27. Since the ceasefire went into effect, the Israeli army has conducted near-daily military operations in southern villages, including firing gunshots, house demolitions, excavations, tank shelling and strikes. These actions have killed at least 27 people, wounded more than 30, destroyed residential buildings and, in one case, a mosque. “Peacekeepers continue to monitor the situation on the ground and report violations of Resolution 1701,” Ardiel said. “We reiterate our call for all actors to cease and refrain from violations of Resolution 1701 and any actions that may upset the current delicate balance.” On Monday, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Khiam as part of a tour of front-line areas alongside army chief Joseph Aoun and UNIFIL Head of Mission Aroldo Lazaro. Mikati and Lazaro urged the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory to allow the army to fully assume its duties. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says three soldiers were killed Monday in combat in northern Gaza. The military did not provide details of the circumstances. According to a statement released Sunday, the brigade in which the three were serving completed its operational activities in the northern town of Beit Lahiya on Sunday. It then began operating in the nearby town of Beit Hanoun following intelligence suggesting the presence of militants there. Since the start of the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, 389 Israeli soldiers have been killed. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday there is “some progress” in efforts to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, although he added he could not give a time frame for a possible agreement. Of the roughly 250 people who were taken hostage in the Hamas-led raid on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that sparked the war, around 100 are still inside the Gaza Strip, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Speaking in the Knesset, Netanyahu said “we are taking significant actions through all channels to return our loved ones. I would like to tell you cautiously that there is some progress.” Netanyahu said he could not reveal details of what was being done to secure the return of hostages. He said the main reasons for the progress were the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israel’s military actions against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants who had been firing rockets into Israel from neighboring Lebanon in support of Hamas. “Hamas hoped that Iran and Hezbollah would come to its aid but they are busy licking the wounds from the blows we inflicted on them,” he said, adding that Israel was also putting “relentless military pressure” on Hamas in Gaza. “There is progress. I don’t know how long it will take,” Netanyahu said. JERUSALEM — Israel's military said Monday it intercepted a drone launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli territory, days after a long-range rocket attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people from shattered glass. The military said no air raid warning sirens were sounded Monday. Israel says the Iran-backed Houthis have fired more than 200 missiles and UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Houthis have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — attacks they say won’t stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza. The attacks on shipping and Israel are taking place despite U.S. and European warships patrolling the area. On Saturday night and early Sunday, the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Yemen. Last week, Israel launched its own airstrikes on Yemen, killing at least nine people, and a Houthi missile damaged a school in Israel. DAMASCUS, Syria — A Qatari delegation visited the Syrian capital on Monday for the first time in more than a decade and met with the country's top insurgent commander, who said strategic cooperation between Damascus and Doha will begin soon. Qatar, along with Turkey, has long backed the rebels who now control Damascus, and the two countries are looking to protect their interests in Syria now that former President Bashar Assad has been overthrown. The Qatari delegation was headed by the minister of state for foreign affairs, Mohammed al-Khulaifi, who met with Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the insurgent group that overthrew Assad on Dec. 8. Al-Sharaa was quoted as saying by Syrian media that they have invited the emir of Qatar to visit Damascus adding that relations will return to normal soon. Al-Sharaa said Qatar will back Syria during the transitional period and the two countries will soon start “wide strategic cooperation.” Al-Sharaa also met Monday with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as well as a Saudi official. Unlike Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan had relations with Assad’s government until he was removed from power. JENIN, West Bank — The Palestinian Authority says a second member of its security forces has been killed in the West Bank town of Jenin during clashes with Palestinian militants . Brig. Gen. Anwar Rajab, the spokesman for PA security forces, said 1st Sgt. Mehran Qadoos was killed on Monday by “outlaws” in the volatile northern town, where the security forces launched a rare crackdown earlier this month. A member of security forces also was killed on Sunday. An Associated Press reporter in Jenin heard heavy gunfire and explosions, apparently from a battle between the security forces and Palestinian militants. There was no sign of Israeli forces in the area. Militant groups had earlier called for a general strike across the territory, accusing the security forces of trying to disarm them in support of Israel’s half-century occupation of the territory. The Western-backed Palestinian Authority is internationally recognized but deeply unpopular among Palestinians , in part because it cooperates with Israel on security matters. Israel accuses the authority of incitement and of failing to act against armed groups. The Palestinian Authority exercises limited authority in population centers in the West Bank. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast War, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. Israel’s current government is opposed to Palestinian statehood and says it will maintain open-ended security control over the territory. Violence has soared in the West Bank following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. JENIN, West Bank — Palestinians in the volatile northern West Bank town of Jenin are observing a general strike called by militant groups to protest a rare crackdown by Palestinian security forces. An Associated Press reporter in Jenin heard gunfire and explosions, apparently from clashes between militants and Palestinian security forces. It was not immediately clear if anyone was killed or wounded. There was no sign of Israeli troops in the area. Shops were closed in the city on Monday, the day after militants killed a member of the Palestinian security forces and wounded two others. Militant groups called for a general strike across the territory, accusing the security forces of trying to disarm them in support of Israel’s half-century occupation of the territory. The Western-backed Palestinian Authority is internationally recognized but deeply unpopular among Palestinians , in part because it cooperates with Israel on security matters. Israel accuses the authority of incitement and of failing to act against armed groups. The Palestinian Authority blamed Sunday’s attack on “outlaws.” It says it is committed to maintaining law and order but will not police the occupation. The Palestinian Authority exercises limited authority in population centers in the West Bank. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast War, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. Israel’s current government is opposed to Palestinian statehood and says it will maintain open-ended security control over the territory. Violence has soared in the West Bank following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has begun a tour of military positions in the country’s south, almost a month after a ceasefire deal that ended the war between Israel and the Hezbollah group that battered the country. Najib Mikati on Monday was on his first visit to the southern frontlines, where Lebanese soldiers under the U.S.-brokered deal are expected to gradually deploy, with Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops both expected to withdraw by the end of next month. Mikati’s tour comes after the Lebanese government expressed its frustration over ongoing Israeli strikes and overflights in the country. “We have many tasks ahead of us, the most important being the enemy's (Israel's) withdrawal from all the lands it encroached on during its recent aggression,” he said after meeting with army chief Joseph Aoun in a Lebanese military barracks in the southeastern town of Marjayoun. “Then the army can carry out its tasks in full.” The Lebanese military for years has relied on financial aid to stay functional, primarily from the United States and other Western countries. Lebanon’s cash-strapped government is hoping that the war’s end and ceasefire deal will bring about more funding to increase the military’s capacity to deploy in the south, where Hezbollah’s armed units were notably present. Though they were not active combatants, the Lebanese military said that dozens of its soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on their premises or patrolling convoys in the south. The Israeli army acknowledged some of these attacks.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy Services of America Corporation (the "Company" or "Energy Services") (Nasdaq: ESOA) has completed the previously announced purchase of Tribute Contracting & Consultants, LLC ("Tribute"), an underground utility contractor that employs approximately 90 construction workers and primarily specializes in water and wastewater system installations in Ohio , Kentucky , and West Virginia. As previously noted, Energy Services purchased substantially all of the assets of Tribute for $22 million in cash, less any assumed debt and working capital adjustments, and $2.0 million of Energy Services' common stock. Todd Harrah and Tommy Enyart will continue their employment with Energy Services' new subsidiary and commented on the announcement, "We are excited to join forces with Energy Services and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success." Douglas Reynolds , President, commented on the announcement. "We are excited to add Tribute to the Energy Services team. This acquisition is consistent with our strategy of buying companies that are familiar to us and further enhances our presence in the water distribution and wastewater categories." About Energy Services Energy Services of America Corporation (NASDAQ: ESOA), headquartered in Huntington, WV , is a contractor and service company that operates primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Central regions of the United States and provides services to customers in the natural gas, petroleum, water distribution, automotive, chemical, and power industries. Energy Services employs 1,200+ employees on a regular basis. The Company's core values are safety, quality, and production. Certain statements contained in the release including, without limitation, the words "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "expects" or words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general economic and business conditions, changes in business strategy or development plans, the integration of acquired business and other factors referenced in this release. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/energy-services-of-america-completes-acquisition-302319926.html SOURCE Energy Services of America CorporationTexas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.

MYRTLE BEACH BOWL: UTSA cruises past Coastal Carolina

 

fortune gems withdrawal

2025-01-12
fortune gems 3 jili slot
fortune gems 3 jili slot If you are stressed about finding the perfect holiday gift for the person who has everything or dreading making a grocery list for your big holiday dinner, try A.I. We hear about artificial intelligence all the time but many of us aren't using it. But we think you will after you see how it can help you. "It's kind of like you're a smart work buddy. Ask it the things that your smart work buddy would be able to help with, but be aware that it's not always right," explained Robertson Price. Price, a Philadelphia native, is the founder and CEO of Ragu , a global AI platform. His professional track record includes founding and leading MyVideoDaily and Rebates.com to successful acquisitions. He also founded The Answers Network, which grew to serve 32 million monthly visitors. With pending A.I. patents and over two decades of experience helping businesses adopt new technologies, Price launched Ragu two years ago. Ragu builds custom A.I.s for businesses but Price is helping us harness the power of A.I. at home. " ChatGPT is a great one. Perplexity.ai is a great search engine, so if you have questions go there. Claude.ai is a fantastic tool." All three are available for free. Each also offers an upgraded, "smarter" version for about $20 per month. But we took the free options for a spin. We asked ChatGPT to find a Christmas gift for a man who likes to cycle indoors, likes sporting events and local Philadelphia sports teams. Within seconds ChatGPT had a long list of great gift ideas: like a hydration water bottle or a massager. Next we used Perplexity to shop for the best price with free shipping on a massager. It provided a chart with the product, features, price, and store plus actual links. We use Claude to whip up a holiday dinner. It made an invitation to send to guests plus provided dishes with recipes and created a grocery list. But there are a few things to be aware of: the platforms themselves warn up front that it's not perfect and responses can be inaccurate. Price said A.I. sometimes has hallucinations. "Where they literally make up stuff," he said. "So be aware, double check your work." And Claude said it "is not intended to give advice, including legal, financial, & medical advice." ChatGPT also warns, "Don't share sensitive information. Chats may be reviewed and used to train our models." But bottom line? "This technology isn't going away. I wouldn't hide from it. I wouldn't be scared of it. I'd lean into it," Price said. Using A.I. can actually give you back time! "20 to 30-percent of everyone's day is spent just looking for information. So that 20 to 30 percent can just be reclaimed back. Automations account for 60 to 70 percent of someone's work day, so really what we're talking about on a business level is giving every worker four days of extra time per week. Can you imagine getting four out of every five work days back? A lot of that you can put to productive use, but a lot of that can be used spending time with your family and friends," said Price. Parents can also use A.I. to help kids with homework. He said it's imperative we teach our kids to use A.I. and to use it wisely and responsibly. Another platform you might want to try is Gemini by Google . Price put together an ABCs of AI for your use.

Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition, the International Chess Federation said. The federation said in a Friday statement that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. "The Chief Arbiter informed Mr Carlsen of the breach, issued a $US200 ($A322) fine, and requested that he change his attire," the federation said in the statement posted to its website. "Unfortunately, Mr Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players." The 34-year-old Norwegian chess grandmaster said in a video from his Take Take Take chess app that he posted on the social platform X that he accepted the fine. But he refused to change his pants before quitting the competition in New York. "I said, 'I'll change tomorrow if that's OK," Carlsen said in the video. "But they said, 'Well, you have to change now.' At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me." The federation said in its statement that the dress code is "designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants." It said fellow participant Ian Nepomniachtchi was also fined earlier Friday for breaching the dress code by wearing sports shoes. "However, Mr Nepomniachtchi complied, changed into approved attire, and continued to play in the tournament," the statement said. "These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event."In conclusion, the recent optimization of fiscal and monetary policies has been a positive development that has met market expectations and strengthened unconventional countercyclical adjustments. By aligning with market sentiments, communicating effectively, and adopting proactive measures, policymakers have shown their ability to adapt to changing circumstances and support economic recovery. Moving forward, continued collaboration between experts, policymakers, and market participants will be essential in sustaining this positive momentum and building a more resilient and robust economic framework.

GameAbove Sports Partners with Sports Travel Group to Accelerate Golf Traveller’s Growth Across North AmericaFox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Jason Kelce’s media career has taken off in his first year away from the NFL, and his next adventure will be joining late-night television. "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" will premiere Jan. 3 on ESPN, running five Friday nights through February 1, starting at 1 a.m. Late-night TV is a competitive space, and Kelce got some advice from a longtime host as he prepares for his new show. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Jimmy Kimmel (Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images) Kelce revealed the news on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," and the future Pro Football Hall of Fame center said Kimmel has given him "tons of advice" about how to make his show a hit. "To be able to go on his show and promote my show that’s coming out, but also to just go there and talk to him, get all the ins and outs about how to run a late-night show — how you talk into the camera, how you choose topics, how you prepare. It was honestly a very beneficial trip to take," Kelce said on his "New Heights" podcast. TRAVIS KELCE JOKES THAT JASON AND KYLIE SHOULD ‘GO FOR THE STARTING FIVE’ AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF 4TH CHILD Travis Kelce , Jason’s younger brother who stars for the Kansas City Chiefs, called Kimmel "one of the best in the business for a reason," noting he got to meet the host over the summer. Former NFL player and ESPN commentator Jason Kelce on the sidelines during the first half of a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley/Imagn Images) Jason said he is also a big fan of Conan O’Brien, though he likes all the current late-night greats. Jason has been to football stadiums all over this year despite being retired after joining the "Monday Night Countdown" panel for ESPN while making appearances at "College GameDay" and doing his podcast with Travis throughout the year. Jason’s wife, Kylie Kelce, is also launching her own podcast, "Not Gonna Lie." Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after announcing his retirement from the NFL at NovaCare Complex March 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Jason will embark on his first solo act with this late-night show, and he’s making sure to use all his resources to make it stick. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.Tottenham Hotspur return to action for the first time since their 4-0 demolition of Manchester City when they welcome Roma to North London on Thursday night in the Europa League . Ange Postecoglou 's side will look to recover from dropping their first points in the league phase away to Galatasaray last time out, while this will be Claudio Ranieri 's first European game in charge since rejoining the club as manager for the third time earlier this month. © Imago Out: Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Mikey Moore (illness), Will Lankshear (suspended), Richarlison (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) Doubtful: Cristian Romero (foot) Sports Mole's predicted XI: Forster; Spence, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Werner Out: Eldor Shomurodov (muscle) Doubtful: Mario Hermoso (muscle), Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle) Sports Mole's predicted XI: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; Soule, Baldanzi, Cristante, Zalewski; Dybala, DovbykA subtle but potentially significant shift is occurring in artificial intelligence (AI). Machines are advancing beyond processing commands to undertaking tasks with more autonomy. Google’s release of Gemini 2.0 may mark a turning point in this evolution, showcasing AI systems that can independently navigate complex tasks across multiple platforms. For example, Gemini 2.0 powers projects like Astra, a universal assistant for Android devices, and Mariner, an agent capable of autonomous web navigation. These developments suggest the system could transform user interactions and task automation. For businesses, such advancements indicate possibilities for AI to impact operations ranging from warehouse management to customer service. “Gemini 2.0 improves on previous AI systems by advancing the capabilities of autonomous decision-making through the integration of more sophisticated AI agents that leverage real-time data processing and adaptive learning models,” Prashant Kelker , chief strategy officer, partner and lead consulting sourcing and transformation – Americas, with global technology research and advisory firm ISG , told PYMNTS. “As a result, enterprises will need to strengthen the cross-functional alignment between technology, business and compliance teams. As agentic AI goes into production, we are expecting cloud and edge computing capabilities to scale.” AI Agents and Commerce The key innovation lies in Gemini 2.0’s ability to handle multistep processes with reduced human oversight. Unlike traditional AI that responds to specific prompts, this system aims to autonomously coordinate across platforms, potentially managing inventory or processing orders. “Rather than completely redesigning their eCommerce systems, businesses will likely extend existing accessibility and structured data standards to create an ‘AI-enhanced HTML’ layer that sits between pure visual interfaces and full APIs,” Dev Nag , CEO of QueryPal , a support automation company, told PYMNTS. A distinguishing feature of Gemini 2.0 is its unified approach to processing different types of information. While previous systems often required separate tools for handling text, images and audio, this new model reportedly integrates them—a development seen as critical for real-world applications where data often spans multiple formats. For retailers and logistics companies , such advancements might manage supply chains, from tracking shipments to predicting inventory needs, while also handling customer interactions across multiple channels. Financial institutions might consider deploying it to enhance fraud detection systems, potentially allowing human analysts to focus on strategic tasks. With further development, Gemini’s agentic approach could have massive usefulness for practical and inefficient consumer tasks, Kevin Green , COO of Hapax , an AI for the financial services industry , told PYMNTS . But, he said, there are a few important things to note. “First, agentic is not a tidal wave. It will not come in and impact every aspect of consumer life. Much of what we do is already incredibly efficient and will not be improved upon, or at least not improved upon quickly, by agents. “Take online shopping for example. While AI may allow us to more quickly find what we are looking for or better introduce us to new products, the act of purchasing on Amazon is already incredibly efficient so products like AI shoppers are not something I’m expecting to take hold.” Race for AI Autonomy Gemini 2.0 could be an indicator of broader changes in business operations. The ability to process multiple data types and make decisions autonomously could have implications for retail and manufacturing industries. Some early adopters are already exploring applications. For instance, logistics companies are testing AI agents for tasks like tracking shipments and rerouting them based on real-time conditions and customer preferences. Similarly, Salesforce recently announced Agentforce 2.0 , a platform designed to enhance sales, marketing and customer service through AI-driven solutions. Customer service departments are experimenting with agents capable of resolving complex support issues by accessing multiple systems without human intervention. However, these advancements raise concerns. As AI systems gain more autonomy, ensuring their security becomes critical. A compromised AI agent could disrupt supply chains or execute unauthorized financial decisions. The potential cost savings and efficiency gains are considerable but not guaranteed. By automating routine processes, companies might reduce operational overhead and improve response times, though the extent of these benefits remains to be seen. For instance, SoundHound AI’s voice technology, used in automotive and restaurant sectors, highlights the interest in AI-driven solutions but also underscores the challenges in scaling such systems effectively. For businesses, the outlook is complex. Autonomous AI is no longer just a theoretical prospect — it is beginning to influence how companies operate and compete. However, success will likely depend on balancing automation with appropriate human oversight. Companies starting small-scale implementations now may position themselves better as these technologies evolve.

In light of this serious offense, the local police have taken strict measures against the factory owner. The individual has been placed under administrative detention for obstructing public services, a clear violation of traffic regulations, and a breach of moral responsibility. This decision underscores the importance of upholding the law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in society.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources Limited ( NYSE:CNQ – Free Report ) (TSE:CNQ) by 4.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,290,648 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after selling 663,567 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s holdings in Canadian Natural Resources were worth $441,382,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. American Trust bought a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the third quarter worth $2,345,000. Synovus Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the third quarter valued at about $219,000. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 55.0% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 26,832 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $891,000 after buying an additional 9,526 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Canadian Natural Resources during the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Canadian Natural Resources by 88.9% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 184,910 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $6,442,000 after buying an additional 87,021 shares in the last quarter. 74.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Desjardins upgraded Canadian Natural Resources from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $51.00. Canadian Natural Resources Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:CNQ opened at $30.16 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $63.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.71 and a beta of 1.47. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a 12 month low of $29.23 and a 12 month high of $41.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $33.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.35. Canadian Natural Resources ( NYSE:CNQ – Get Free Report ) (TSE:CNQ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $7.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.40 billion. Canadian Natural Resources had a return on equity of 20.07% and a net margin of 18.45%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.96 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Canadian Natural Resources Limited will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current year. Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.388 per share. This represents a $1.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.15%. This is a positive change from Canadian Natural Resources’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 13th. Canadian Natural Resources’s payout ratio is presently 64.59%. Canadian Natural Resources Profile ( Free Report ) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Natural Resources Limited ( NYSE:CNQ – Free Report ) (TSE:CNQ). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

As the deadline day approached, the tension surrounding Havertz's transfer reached its peak, with both Liverpool and Chelsea eagerly awaiting the final decision. The football world held its breath as the clock ticked down, and the outcome of the bidding war remained uncertain. Ultimately, it was Chelsea who emerged victorious, as Havertz chose to join the Blues in a record-breaking deal worth £115 million, effectively fending off Liverpool's advances.

NFC-leading Lions host Bears on Thanksgiving, trying to stop 7-game losing streak on the holiday

Vijilan Security Partners with Cribl to Modernize Data Management for MSPs and Enterprises 12-16-2024 11:30 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Comms Factory Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1734369767.jpg HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla - December 16, 2024 - Vijilan Security, a leading provider of managed cybersecurity services, today announced its partnership with Cribl [ https://cribl.io/ ], the Data Engine for IT and Security. This collaboration enhances Vijilan's ThreatSensor platform, offering Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and enterprises a future-ready solution that enables sophisticated management and security for their complex and ever-growing volumes of data across private networks, public clouds, and hybrid environments. With data growing year over year and sensors becoming smarter, organizations are faced with a double-edged challenge: an increasing volume of richer, more actionable data and the challenge of efficiently managing and analyzing this data for both IT and security needs. Sensors are also proliferating across diverse environments, generating data that requires advanced tools to process, visualize, and route effectively. Working with Cribl's technology, Vijilan now offers an effective solution to these challenges. Kevin Nejad, Founder and CEO of Vijilan Security, explained, "I see data growing year over year, but data management tools aren't keeping up. Sensors are getting smarter and generating richer data for analysis, but a lot of enterprises and MSP clients are playing catchup when it comes to managing and analyzing these immense repositories of telemetry data. The problem is manifesting in all environments. This is the problem we are solving through our partnership with Cribl. This relationship represents a significant advancement in our commitment to providing cutting-edge data management solutions. By integrating Cribl's technology, we empower our MSP partners and enterprise clients to navigate the complexities of data management with greater efficiency and confidence." Key Benefits for Vijilan Partners: Comprehensive Data Control: Full visibility and management of data from ingestion to storage, enabling clients to make data-driven decisions with confidence. Simplified Compliance: Enhanced capabilities for meeting regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, and SOX, including data masking and secure routing. Flexible Data Routing: Seamlessly send data to preferred destinations-whether on-premises, in private data centers, or leaders cloud providers Cost Efficiency and Scalability: Handle increasing data volumes while minimizing unnecessary storage and processing costs, ensuring scalability for future growth. "Vijilan security is at the forefront of modernizing their Managed Detection and Response services. Using Cribl Stream, Vijilan is able to completely optimize their data flow and effectively reduce the noise, improve the signal, and provide faster detections at a lower cost. In a very noisy MDR space, Vijilan stands out as a true innovator and market leader," said Zac Kilpatrick, vice president of global go-to-market partners at Cribl. About Vijilan Security Vijilan Security is a trusted provider of cybersecurity services, including SIEM, SOC, XDR, and MDR solutions. With a focus on empowering MSPs and enterprises, Vijilan offers advanced threat detection and response capabilities tailored to meet today's data-driven challenges. Contact Information Vijilan Security Phone: +1 (954) 334-9988 Email: info@vijilan.com Website: https://vijilan.com/incribl/ [ https://vijilan.com/incribl/][LM1 ] [ https://vijilan-my.sharepoint.com/personal/luis_medici_vijilan_com/Documents/Documents/Attachments/vijilan%20crib%2011.24clean+Cribl.docx#_msocom_1 ] Media Contact Company Name: Vijilan Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=vijilan-security-partners-with-cribl-to-modernize-data-management-for-msps-and-enterprises ] Phone: +1 (954) 334-9988 Country: United States Website: https://vijilan.com/ This release was published on openPR.SMU has plenty to play for when it closes the regular season against California on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. The Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who checked in at No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, would like to send their seniors off the right way. They would also like to complete a perfect regular season before appearing in the ACC title game in their first year in the conference. Most importantly, they want to continue to strengthen their playoff case. "You've got the College Football Playoff, so every game matters. That's what's so cool about it now. The regular season is important," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "We'd like to finish well in everything we do, particularly on Saturday, to finish off the regular season, continue our momentum into the following week. Hopefully, continue to show the committee and others that we're worthy of continuing to play this year." The Mustangs are a worthy playoff team to date. Kevin Jennings has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,521 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 315 yards and four TDs. Brashard Smith has been another standout, rushing for 1,089 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs rank tied for 14th in the country with 20 takeaways. "Obviously they've had a phenomenal season," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of SMU. "As soon as you turn the tape on, it doesn't take very long to see why their record is what it is. They're very, very good really in every phase of the game - extremely explosive and quick and fast. They've got a dominant D-line. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us and our guys are excited for that." Cal (6-5, 2-5) is coming off an emotional win, defeating rival Stanford 24-21 on Saturday to secure a bowl berth. The Golden Bears will appear in consecutive bowls for the first time since 2018-19 and are now looking to clinch their first winning season since 2019. SMU is not overlooking Cal, as all five of the Golden Bears' losses have come by one score. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better 6-5 team in America," Lashlee said. "I think you can conservatively say they very, very easily could be 9-2." Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end Jack Endries leads the team with 555 yards receiving, while wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has caught a team-leading five touchdowns. Defensively, Cal has the ACC's top scoring defense (20.7 points per game) and is tied with Clemson for the ACC's best turnover margin (plus-13). Defensive back Nohl Williams is the star of the group -- he leads the country with seven interceptions. Even though oddsmakers are heavily favoring SMU, Cal is going into the game with a simple mindset. "Our task at hand is to make the best bowl game right now," Mendoza said. "And the way to do that is to go into Dallas, give it our best and ruin SMU's season." Saturday will mark the first conference meeting between these ACC newcomers, and just the second meeting between the programs all time. SMU won a 13-6 game back in 1957. --Field Level Media

Two charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle EastNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

 

fortune gems 3 slot

2025-01-13
Letter: You heard what?Sierra Leone consults to amend civil registration legislationWASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. It passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because "we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint." He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. "It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity," said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. "They don't get paid very much, so they're going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats voted for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against it. "It's disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission," Johnson, R-La., said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. High rents make it difficult to save up, even when applying for a VA loan—a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that typically has more favorable terms. While the VA does not require a downpayment, some lenders, who ultimately provide the loan, do. They're not entirely risk-free either, and veterans can still lose their homes if they are unable to keep up with their mortgages. In November 2023, the VA put a six-month pause on foreclosures when an NPR investigation found thousands of veterans were in danger of losing their homes after a COVID forbearance program ended. Biden officials pointed to high rents and the end of COVID-era housing restrictions like eviction moratoriums to explain the spike in Americans experiencing homelessness. In the last year, homelessness rose 12%—to more than 650,000 people—the highest level since data began being collected in 2007. Overall, more than half of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 live in states with high living costs. Most were in California, followed by New York and Florida. Western states, including Montana and Utah, experienced massive population growth during the pandemic, becoming hubs for remote workers who drove home prices and rents even further. For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. 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.fortune gems hack

Prosecutors have suggested to a New York judge the possibility of sparing Donald Trump any prison time for his conviction on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star in light of his US presidential election victory, but opposed dismissing the case. Login or signup to continue reading In a court filing made public on Tuesday, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office urged Justice Juan Merchan to deny the Republican businessman-turned-politicians' request to throw out the case so it does not hang over him and impede his ability to govern once he takes office on January 20. Noting that many of Trump's concerns involve the possibility that he could be incarcerated, prosecutors noted that there is no requirement that Merchan sentence him to prison - and said the judge could conclude that presidential immunity from prosecution would require a non-incarceration sentence. "Such a constitutional limitation on the range of available sentences would further diminish any impact on defendant's presidential decision-making without going so far as to discard the indictment and jury verdict altogether," prosecutors wrote. Merchan has not said when he will rule on Trump's bid for dismissal. Trump has called the case an attempt by Bragg, a Democrat, to harm his 2024 campaign. In a statement on Tuesday, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, "Today's filing by the Manhattan DA is a pathetic attempt to salvage the remains of an unconstitutional and politically motivated hoax." The case stemmed from a $US130,000 ($A204,000) payment that Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she has said she had a decade earlier with Trump, who denies it. A Manhattan jury in May found Trump, 78, guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up his reimbursement of Cohen. It was the first time a US president - former or sitting - had been convicted of or charged with a criminal offence. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison, but incarceration is not required. Before his Nov. 5 election victory, legal experts told Reuters it was unlikely that Trump would be sentenced to prison due to his lack of a criminal history and advanced age, but that incarceration was not impossible. The US Supreme Court in July ruled in a separate criminal case involving Trump that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions taken in office, and that evidence of official acts could not be used in prosecuting a president over personal acts. Trump's lawyers have argued that meant the case should be dismissed because prosecutors used statements that Trump made while president and testimony from his White House aides. The filing by Bragg's office on Tuesday said the hush money case involved "purely unofficial conduct." Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended on October 27, 2024. Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our performance in the third quarter shows the enduring strength of lululemon globally, as we saw continued momentum across our international markets and in Canada. Looking to the future, we are pleased with the start to our holiday season, and we remain focused on accelerating our U.S. business and growing our brand awareness around the world. Thank you to our dedicated teams for continuing to deliver for our guests and stakeholders." The adjusted non-GAAP financial measures below exclude asset impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio during the third quarter of 2023, and the related income tax effects of these items. For the third quarter of 2024, compared to the third quarter of 2023: Net revenue increased 9% to $2.4 billion, or increased 8% on a constant dollar basis. Americas net revenue increased 2%. International net revenue increased 33%, or 30% on a constant dollar basis. Comparable sales increased 4%, or 3% on a constant dollar basis. Americas comparable sales decreased 2%. International comparable sales increased 25%, or 22% on a constant dollar basis. Gross profit increased 12% to $1.4 billion. Adjusted gross profit increased 9%. Gross margin increased 150 basis points to 58.5%. Adjusted gross margin increased 40 basis points. Income from operations increased 45% to $490.7 million. Adjusted income from operations increased 12%. Operating margin increased 520 basis points to 20.5%. Adjusted operating margin increased 70 basis points. The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2024 was 30.2% compared to 28.5% for the third quarter of 2023. The adjusted effective tax rate was 28.1% for the third quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $2.87 compared to $1.96 in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.53 in the third quarter of 2023. The Company added 28 new company-operated stores during the third quarter, including 14 company-operated stores from the acquisition of the Mexico operations, ending with 749 stores. Meghan Frank, Chief Financial Officer, stated: "Our third quarter results, which exceeded our expectations, demonstrate the ability of our teams to be agile in a dynamic operating environment. With the majority of the fourth quarter still in front of us, we are focused on deepening engagement with our guests and bringing new consumers into the brand. We are committed to delivering on our Power of Three ×2 revenue target of $12.5 billion in 2026 and look forward to all that lies ahead." Stock Repurchase Program During the third quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased 1.6 million shares of its common stock for a cost of $408.5 million. On December 3, 2024, the board of directors approved a $1.0 billion increase to the Company's stock repurchase program. Including this increase, as of December 5, 2024, the Company had approximately $1.8 billion remaining authorized on its stock repurchase program. Balance Sheet Highlights The Company ended the third quarter of 2024 with $1.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and the capacity under its committed revolving credit facility was $393.5 million. Inventories at the end of the third quarter of 2024 increased 8% to $1.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2023. 2024 Outlook For the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company expects net revenue to be in the range of $3.475 billion to $3.510 billion, representing growth of 8% to 10%, or 3% to 4% excluding the 53rd week of 2024. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $5.56 to $5.64 for the quarter. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 29.5%. For 2024, the Company now expects net revenue to be in the range of $10.452 billion to $10.487 billion, representing growth of 9%, or 7% excluding the 53rd week of 2024. Diluted earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $14.08 to $14.16 for the year. This assumes a tax rate of approximately 30%. The guidance does not reflect potential future repurchases of the Company's shares. The guidance and outlook forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and do not incorporate future unknown impacts, including macroeconomic trends. The Company undertakes no duty to update or to continue to provide information with respect to any forward-looking statements or risk factors, whether as a result of new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those stated below. Power of Three ×2 The Company's Power of Three ×2 growth plan calls for a doubling of the business from 2021 net revenue of $6.25 billion to $12.5 billion by 2026. The key pillars of the plan are product innovation, guest experience, and market expansion. Conference Call Information A conference call to discuss third quarter results is scheduled for today, December 5, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-844-763-8274 or 1-647-484-8814, if calling internationally, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online at: https://corporate.lululemon.com/investors/news-and-events/events-and-presentations . A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days. About lululemon athletica inc. lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) is a technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories company for yoga, running, training, and most other activities, creating transformational products and experiences that build meaningful connections, unlocking greater possibility and wellbeing for all. Setting the bar in innovation of fabrics and functional designs, lululemon works with yogis and athletes in local communities around the world for continuous research and product feedback. For more information, visit lululemon.com . Non-GAAP Financial Measures Constant dollar changes and adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures. A constant dollar basis assumes the average foreign currency exchange rates for the period remained constant with the average foreign currency exchange rates for the same period of the prior year. The Company provides constant dollar changes in its results to help investors understand the underlying growth rate of net revenue excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Adjusted gross profit, gross margin, income from operations, operating margin, income tax expense, effective tax rates, net income, and diluted earnings per share exclude certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio, and the related income tax effects of these items. The Company believes these adjusted financial measures are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information that enable evaluation of the underlying trend in its operating performance, and enable a comparison to its historical financial information. Further, due to the finite and discrete nature of these items, it does not consider them to be normal operating expenses that are necessary to run the business, or impairments or disposal gains that are expected to arise in the normal course of its operations. Management uses these adjusted financial measures and constant currency metrics internally when reviewing and assessing financial performance. The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year while 2024 will be a 53-week year. The expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week excludes the expected net revenue for the 53rd week of 2024. This enables an evaluation of the expected year-over-year increase in net revenue based on 52 weeks in each year. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or with greater prominence to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the accompanying financial tables, which includes more detail on the GAAP financial measure that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure, and the related reconciliations between these financial measures. The Company's non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release includes estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives, and expected operating results that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "outlook," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements also include the Company's guidance and outlook statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the Company's ability to maintain the value and reputation of its brand; changes in consumer shopping preferences and shifts in distribution channels; the acceptability of its products to guests; its highly competitive market and increasing competition; increasing costs and decreasing selling prices; its ability to anticipate consumer preferences and successfully develop and introduce new, innovative and updated products; its ability to accurately forecast guest demand for its products; its ability to expand in light of its limited operating experience and limited brand recognition in new international markets and new product categories; its ability to manage its growth and the increased complexity of its business effectively; its ability to successfully open new store locations in a timely manner; seasonality; disruptions of its supply chain; its reliance on a relatively small number of vendors to supply and manufacture a significant portion of its products; suppliers or manufacturers not complying with its Vendor Code of Ethics or applicable laws; its ability to deliver its products to the market and to meet guest expectations if it has problems with its distribution system; increasing labor costs and other factors associated with the production of its products in South Asia and South East Asia; its ability to safeguard against security breaches with respect to its technology systems; its compliance with privacy and data protection laws; any material disruption of its information systems; its ability to have technology-based systems function effectively and grow its e-commerce business globally; climate change, and related legislative and regulatory responses; increased scrutiny regarding its environmental, social, and governance, or sustainability responsibilities; an economic recession, depression, or downturn or economic uncertainty in its key markets; global or regional health events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and related government, private sector, and individual consumer responsive actions; global economic and political conditions; its ability to source and sell its merchandise profitably or at all if new trade restrictions are imposed or existing trade restrictions become more burdensome; changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax liabilities; its ability to comply with trade and other regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; imitation by its competitors; its ability to protect its intellectual property rights; conflicting trademarks and patents and the prevention of sale of certain products; its exposure to various types of litigation; and other risks and uncertainties set out in filings made from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov , including, without limitation, its most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. lululemon athletica inc. The fiscal year ending February 2, 2025 is referred to as "2024" and the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024 is referred to as "2023". Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts Third Quarter First Three Quarters 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net revenue $ 2,396,660 $ 2,204,218 $ 6,976,629 $ 6,414,175 Costs of goods sold 995,054 947,554 2,887,770 2,708,195 Gross profit 1,401,606 1,256,664 4,088,859 3,705,980 As a percentage of net revenue 58.5 % 57.0 % 58.6 % 57.8 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 909,827 842,795 2,624,212 2,407,683 As a percentage of net revenue 38.0 % 38.2 % 37.6 % 37.5 % Impairment of assets and restructuring costs — 74,501 — 74,501 Amortization of intangible assets 1,118 1,253 1,118 5,010 Income from operations 490,661 338,115 1,463,529 1,218,786 As a percentage of net revenue 20.5 % 15.3 % 21.0 % 19.0 % Other income (expense), net 13,743 9,842 55,020 25,229 Income before income tax expense 504,404 347,957 1,518,549 1,244,015 Income tax expense 152,534 99,243 452,336 363,293 Net income $ 351,870 $ 248,714 $ 1,066,213 $ 880,722 Basic earnings per share $ 2.87 $ 1.97 $ 8.57 $ 6.94 Diluted earnings per share $ 2.87 $ 1.96 $ 8.55 $ 6.92 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 122,697 126,460 124,471 126,892 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 122,803 126,770 124,668 127,218 lululemon athletica inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Unaudited; Expressed in thousands October 27, 2024 January 28, 2024 October 29, 2023 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,188,419 $ 2,243,971 $ 1,091,138 Inventories 1,800,893 1,323,602 1,663,617 Prepaid and receivable income taxes 257,388 183,733 300,258 Other current assets 358,589 309,271 309,886 Total current assets 3,605,289 4,060,577 3,364,899 Property and equipment, net 1,697,759 1,545,811 1,413,918 Right-of-use lease assets 1,360,589 1,265,610 1,048,607 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 178,185 24,083 23,912 Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets 241,847 195,860 170,928 Total assets $ 7,083,669 $ 7,091,941 $ 6,022,264 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 385,960 $ 348,441 $ 309,324 Accrued liabilities and other 561,615 348,555 392,949 Accrued compensation and related expenses 190,169 326,110 250,479 Current lease liabilities 290,368 249,270 217,138 Current income taxes payable 96,808 12,098 27,231 Unredeemed gift card liability 238,327 306,479 213,256 Other current liabilities 40,286 40,308 37,737 Total current liabilities 1,803,533 1,631,261 1,448,114 Non-current lease liabilities 1,223,733 1,154,012 950,954 Non-current income taxes payable — 15,864 15,864 Deferred income tax liability 33,231 29,522 53,833 Other non-current liabilities 37,440 29,201 27,650 Stockholders' equity 3,985,732 4,232,081 3,525,849 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,083,669 $ 7,091,941 $ 6,022,264 lululemon athletica inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Unaudited; Expressed in thousands First Three Quarters 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 1,066,213 $ 880,722 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (194,890 ) 31,344 Net cash provided by operating activities 871,323 912,066 Net cash used in investing activities (575,214 ) (445,325 ) Net cash used in financing activities (1,328,510 ) (510,583 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (23,151 ) (19,887 ) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,055,552 ) (63,729 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,243,971 1,154,867 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,188,419 $ 1,091,138 lululemon athletica inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Unaudited; Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts Constant dollar changes The below changes show the change for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. Net Revenue Change Foreign exchange Change in constant dollars United States — % — % — % Canada 9 — 9 Mexico (1) n/a n/a n/a Americas 2 — 2 China Mainland 39 (3 ) 36 Rest of World 27 (4 ) 23 Total international 33 (3 ) 30 Total 9 % (1 )% 8 % Comparable Sales (2) Change Foreign exchange Change in constant dollars Americas (2 )% — % (2 )% China Mainland 27 (3 ) 24 Rest of World 23 (3 ) 20 Total international 25 (3 ) 22 Total 4 % (1 )% 3 % (1) On September 10, 2024, the Company acquired the lululemon branded retail locations and operations run by a third party in Mexico. Wholesale sales to the third party by lululemon athletica canada inc. prior to the acquisition are disclosed as net revenue recognized within Canada. (2) Comparable sales includes comparable company-operated store and e-commerce net revenue. Comparable company-operated stores have been open for at least 12 full fiscal months, or open for at least 12 full fiscal months after being significantly expanded. Comparable company-operated stores exclude stores which have been temporarily relocated for renovations or have been temporarily closed. Adjusted financial measures The following tables reconcile adjusted 2023 financial measures with the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, and restructuring costs recognized in relation to lululemon Studio and their related tax effects. Please refer to Note 4. Impairment of Assets and Restructuring Costs included in Item 1 of Part I of the Company's Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on or about December 5, 2024 for further information on the nature of these amounts. Third Quarter 2023 Gross Profit Gross Margin Income from Operations Operating Margin Income Tax Expense Effective Tax Rate Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share GAAP results $ 1,256,664 57.0 % $ 338,115 15.3 % $ 99,243 28.5 % $ 248,714 $ 1.96 lululemon Studio charges: lululemon Studio obsolescence provision 23,709 1.1 23,709 1.1 23,709 0.19 Impairment of assets 44,186 2.0 44,186 0.35 Restructuring costs 30,315 1.4 30,315 0.24 Tax effect of the above 26,085 (0.4 ) (26,085 ) (0.21 ) 23,709 1.1 98,210 4.5 26,085 (0.4 ) 72,125 0.57 Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $ 1,280,373 58.1 % $ 436,325 19.8 % $ 125,328 28.1 % $ 320,839 $ 2.53 First Three Quarters 2023 Gross Profit Gross Margin Income from Operations Operating Margin Income Tax Expense Effective Tax Rate Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share GAAP results $ 3,705,980 57.8 % $ 1,218,786 19.0 % $ 363,293 29.2 % $ 880,722 $ 6.92 lululemon Studio charges: lululemon Studio obsolescence provision 23,709 0.3 23,709 0.3 23,709 0.19 Impairment of assets 44,186 0.7 44,186 0.35 Restructuring costs 30,315 0.5 30,315 0.24 Tax effect of the above 26,085 (0.2 ) (26,085 ) (0.21 ) 23,709 0.3 98,210 1.5 26,085 (0.2 ) 72,125 0.57 Adjusted results (non-GAAP) $ 3,729,689 58.1 % $ 1,316,996 20.5 % $ 389,378 29.0 % $ 952,847 $ 7.49 Expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to January 31st of the following year, typically resulting in a 52-week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a 53-week year. Fiscal 2023 was a 52-week year while 2024 will be a 53-week year. Fourth Quarter 2024 Fiscal 2024 Expected net revenue increase 8% to 10% 9% Impact of 53rd week (5)% to (6)% (2)% Expected net revenue increase excluding the 53rd week (non-GAAP) 3% to 4% 7% lululemon athletica inc. Company-operated Store Count and Square Footage (1) Square footage expressed in thousands Number of Stores Open at the Beginning of the Quarter Number of Stores Opened During the Quarter Number of Stores Closed During the Quarter Number of Stores Open at the End of the Quarter 4 th Quarter 2023 686 26 1 711 1 st Quarter 2024 711 5 5 711 2 nd Quarter 2024 711 11 1 721 3 rd Quarter 2024 721 28 — 749 Total Gross Square Feet at the Beginning of the Quarter Gross Square Feet Added During the Quarter (2) Gross Square Feet Lost During the Quarter (2) Total Gross Square Feet at the End of the Quarter 4 th Quarter 2023 2,797 173 3 2,967 1 st Quarter 2024 2,967 35 14 2,988 2 nd Quarter 2024 2,988 90 3 3,075 3 rd Quarter 2024 3,075 156 — 3,231 (1) (2) View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205433612/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contacts: lululemon athletica inc. Howard Tubin 1-604-732-6124 or ICR, Inc. Joseph Teklits/Caitlin Churchill 1-203-682-8200 Media Contact: lululemon athletica inc. Madi Wallace 1-604-732-6124 KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FASHION ONLINE RETAIL RETAIL HEALTH OTHER RETAIL FITNESS & NUTRITION SPECIALTY SOURCE: lululemon athletica inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205433612/en

US indictment accuses two Syrian officials of torture at notorious prison

7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes now

From PSX highs to debt traps: Pakistan’s economic reality in 2024 A foreign currency counts Pakistani rupee notes at a shop in Karachi, on March 2, 2023. — Online The year 2024 marked a transformative yet tumultuous chapter for Pakistan’s economy, blending breakthroughs with setbacks. From record-breaking stock market performance to persistent inflation and systemic issues, the economic narrative reflected both resilience and fragility. Shaped by crucial policy decisions, global trends and structural challenges, the year encapsulated a complex journey of growth amid volatility. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); One bright spot was the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) hitting record highs. Improved investor sentiment and foreign inflows buoyed the benchmark KSE-100 index, reflecting optimism over macroeconomic stabilisation. Progress on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) front played a significant role, with stringent reforms beginning to yield results, narrowing the fiscal deficit and stabilising foreign exchange reserves. Despite these gains, structural challenges persisted. The tax-to-GDP ratio remained low, corruption and inefficiencies plagued public institutions and political instability hampered economic decision-making. Frequent turnover of key policymakers further complicated long-term planning. Former finance minister Miftah Ismail offered a grim assessment, accusing the government of failing to meet IMF commitments and implement necessary reforms. “This government has done nothing to rise up to the challenges facing our economy,” he said, listing unfulfilled promises such as pension reforms, taxation of shopkeepers and reducing government ministries. He criticised the administration for prioritising political survival over economic measures. Debt remained a pressing concern. External debt exceeded $130 billion, creating immense repayment pressures. Domestic debt also burgeoned due to fiscal shortfalls and borrowing. “We are in a debt trap where net governmental revenues after taxes are less than the interest on the debt,” Ismail noted, urging measures to widen the tax base and rationalise fiscal policies. Agriculture emerged as a rare success, growing by 6.3 per cent in FY24. Wheat production surged 11.6 per cent, cotton rebounded 108.2 per cent, and rice grew 34.8 per cent, driven by favourable weather and policy interventions. This performance contributed to a modest GDP growth of 2.5 per cent, though systemic issues like low productivity and inadequate investment persist. Rupee stability and monetary policy The rupee displayed intermittent stability, closing the year at around Rs280 to the dollar, aided by tighter monetary policies and reduced speculation. Measures like anti-smuggling initiatives narrowed the gap between interbank and open-market rates. Sana Tawfiq of Arif Habib Limited credited these efforts with maintaining manageable deficits and stabilising the currency. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) played a crucial role, keeping interest rates high to curb inflation, which eased from alarming peaks. In June, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) reduced the policy rate by 150 basis points (bps) to 20.5 per cent, reflecting easing inflationary pressures. Economist Ammar Habib Khan commended the SBP’s efforts but noted high rates earlier in the year dampened industrial activity. IMF engagement: a necessary lifeline The country’s engagement with the IMF defined 2024. Fulfilment of IMF conditions facilitated financial inflows, stabilising foreign exchange reserves from a precarious $4 billion. However, reliance on IMF programmes underscored the country’s inability to generate sustainable growth independently. Experts stressed the importance of structural reforms to reduce this dependency. Experts agree that sustainable recovery hinges on overdue reforms. Dr Khaqan Hassan Najeeb outlined a roadmap focusing on fiscal consolidation, energy sector reforms, and privatisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He criticised the government’s inaction, particularly regarding entities like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). “The government’s reluctance to act has thwarted privatisation,” he said, lamenting the absence of advertisements for utility company sales. The energy sector’s inefficiency remains a significant drag, contributing to high circular debt and unaffordable tariffs. Reducing technical and non-technical losses and rationalising government expenditures are essential. While macroeconomic indicators improved, ordinary Pakistanis faced harsher realities. Poverty rates rose from 40.2 per cent in FY23 to 40.5 per cent in FY24. Inflation, though lower than its peak, continued to erode purchasing power, and high tax rates stifled growth. Dr Najeeb highlighted the need for inclusive policies to address challenges like inadequate education and high stunting rates. A glimpse into 2025 Looking ahead, experts predict GDP growth of 2-3 per cent in 2025, with inflation falling to single digits. Achieving these targets will require disciplined fiscal management and meaningful reforms. Khan emphasised reducing subsidies and investing in productive sectors. Ismail advocated for privatisation, empowered local governance, and rationalised expenses to drive sustainable growth. The lessons of 2024 are clear: Pakistan must use the breathing room provided by the IMF to address structural deficiencies. “Authorities need to focus on deregulation, private sector participation, and finding new growth engines,” said Dr Najeeb. Without significant changes, Pakistan risks remaining trapped in a recurring pattern of crises and external dependence. The writer is a Geo.tv staffer.

At The Money: Optimizing Personal Health in Finance

In industrial stamping processes, several hundred sheet metal parts are typically produced per minute. Together with the stamped parts manufacturer Quittenbaum GmbH, researchers at Fraunhofer IPM have now for the first time developed and installed an optical inspection system that checks the dimensional accuracy of every single component in high-speed stamping processes—with an accuracy in the range of 100 micrometers. Connectors, sleeves or pins are stamped from sheet metal with high precision and in high volumes. They are used in numerous high-tech products such as automobiles, in telecommunications, in or in medical technology. Until now, has not been able to keep pace with the high production cycle in stamping processes. As a result, stamped parts are usually only tested on a random basis by visual or with the help of CT scans. Using a free-fall inspection system, a team from Fraunhofer IPM has succeeded in checking the geometric dimensional accuracy of 3D precision parts in the production cycle for the first time. The system was tested in a production process for plug connectors made of copper sheet, of which 330 parts per minute are manufactured. A component feeder developed by the manufacturer transports the individual parts, which are up to 40 mm in size, from the punching machine into a test sphere without any further handling. As the parts fall through the sphere, they are captured from different perspectives by 16 high-resolution cameras. The objects are captured without shadows or reflections thanks to an indirect LED flash illumination. The measurement data is checked against the nominal CAD model so that defective parts can be ejected immediately. The high processing rate for this computationally intensive analysis is achieved by fast inspection algorithms, parallelized camera control and several evaluation computers. During test operation, defective parts with geometric deviations in the range of 100 micrometers were reliably identified. The measurements were verified on a random basis using CT scans. In a follow-up project, the partners from Fraunhofer IPM and Quittenbaum intend to investigate how the surface of the stamped parts can be efficiently inspected.San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level MediaSAN FRANCISCO: US auto giant General Motors announced Tuesday it will abandon its robotaxi development efforts after a highly publicized incident last year stymied its progress in the autonomous vehicle field. The Detroit-based manufacturer plans to merge the Cruise robotaxi vehicle unit with GM’s technical teams to concentrate on developing advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles, a statement said. The company said it abandoned the Cruise project “given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market.” It marks a major turnaround for GM, which bought the Cruise startup in 2016 and has since spent billions of dollars to make the operation viable. “A robotaxi business is not General Motors’ core business,” said GM CEO Mary Barra in a call with analysts. But Barra said GM’s commitment to autonomous technology “is unwavering.” Honda, an investor in Cruise, had planned to launch a robotaxi service in Japan in 2026, but the Japanese group will now “reassess the project’s future and make necessary adjustments, including potential cancellation, once Cruise finalizes its restructuring,” Honda’s US subsidiary told AFP. The halt of operations comes a year after Cruise was forced to suspend all operations in San Francisco after one of its self-driving cars dragged a woman who had first been hit by a hit-and-run driver in the city. Cruise lost its operating permits from regulators, paused expansions into other states and laid off 900 employees - a quarter of its workforce. Shortly before the incident, California authorities had allowed for expanded driverless taxi services in San Francisco, giving the go-ahead for Alphabet-owned Waymo and Cruise. Cruise’s exit confirms Waymo as the dominant player in the business, which was valued at $45 billion after a fundraising round in October, according to Bloomberg. The company has been expanding its reach and currently runs robotaxi fleets in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. And in a team-up with Uber, the company is planning to offer Waymo robotaxi rides in Atlanta and Austin. Amazon’s Zoox meanwhile is conducting robotaxi testing in California and Las Vegas, while Elon Musk recently unveiled what he said was a robotaxi capable of self-driving, predicting it would be available by 2027. GM’s strategic pivot comes as embattled automakers worldwide face mounting pressure to balance investments in emerging technologies with near-term profitability. The auto giant said that the restructuring is expected to generate annual savings exceeding $1 billion once completed in the first half of 2025. GM’s share price was up by more than three percent in after hours trading on Wall Street. — AFP

By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

What's Happening: Week of Dec. 9, 2024In one of his most famous statements, former PM Manmohan Singh before demitting office as the prime minister in 2014 had said, "history will be kinder to me", asserting that his leadership was not as weak as projected at that time. In what can be termed his last press conference as the Prime Minister, the former PM said in 2014, "I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister." He added, "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter the Opposition in Parliament. Given the political compulsions, I have done the best I could do. I have done as well as I could do according to the circumstances." He was responding to a volley of questions regarding criticism that his leadership was "weak" and he was not decisive on many occasions. Singh had also chosen the press conference to launch a blistering attack on BJP's then prime ministerial candidate Modi and referred to the 2002 Gujarat riots under the Chief Minister. The BJP at that time had projected Modi as a strong leader while targeting Singh over the issue of "weak" leadership in the run-up to the next Lok Sabha polls. "If you measure the strength of Prime Minister by presiding over mass massacre of innocent citizens on streets of Ahmedabad, then I do not believe in it. I do not think that this kind of strength this country needs least from its Prime Minister," Singh had said. "I have full confidence that the next Prime Minister will be from the UPA. It will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. I sincerely believe what Narendra Modi is saying is not going to materialise," he had said. Maintaining that his two terms as prime minister in UPA I and UPA II displayed the Congress's ability to run a coalition government and dispelled the perception that this party cannot run coalitions, Singh said though some compromises were made in the process, they were on "peripheral issues and not on national problems". "Nobody has asked me to step down because of any inadequacy that characterised my tenure as prime minister," was his response when asked about "negative" perceptions within Congress about his leadership. (With agency inputs)UniAbuja Council Approves Promotion Of 154 Staff, Elevates 33 Professional RankArticle content Quebec medical specialists are urging the provincial government to halt budget cuts to direct health services, saying the cuts are already undermining patient care. The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), which represents approximately 11,000 specialist doctors, has described the cuts as unacceptable and poorly planned. “Any cut that reduces access to services is unacceptable,” said FMSQ president Dr. Vincent Oliva in a statement. “We are calling for an immediate moratorium on cuts affecting patient services until a complete and rigorous analysis has been carried out.” Oliva also took aim at previous assurances from Health Minister Christian Dubé that the impact of the cuts would be minimal. The FMSQ’s demand comes as the government’s new provincial health authority, Santé Québec, plans to cut $1.5 billion from the health-care budget — up from the initially announced $1 billion. The Gazette learned in late November that Santé Québec was considering “ a selective reduction of services ” as a last resort. Now, however, the FMSQ says patient care is already being affected — an outcome health-care unions in Quebec had raised warnings about for months. “There’s a line not to be crossed, and right now they’re crossing it,” FMSQ vice-president Dr. Serge Legault told The Gazette. “If they continue like this, there’s going to be damage for the patients. It’s inevitable.” Legault pointed to waiting lists as the most pressing concern. More than 160,000 patients are awaiting surgeries, while 800,000 are waiting for consultations with specialists. “These numbers are mind-staggering,” he said. “If they keep treating their financial worries on the backs of patients, it cannot improve.” When pressed on which hospitals are facing the most strain, Legault did not specify but said that care is adversely affected across the province. The FMSQ is calling for these immediate measures: Dubé, however, has rejected the FMSQ’s approach and accused the federation of prioritizing doctors’ financial interests over patient care. “I’m happy to see that we have the same concern for patients, though we do not have the same solution,” Dubé told reporters on Thursday. “I will be very, very clear here: What the doctors are asking at the moment during the negotiation is more money, and I want this money to go for the patients,” he said. “So what I’m asking from the FMSQ is to sit down and negotiate seriously, to ensure that we find solutions together.” Earlier in the week, Dubé proposed legislation that would compel newly trained doctors to work in the public system for their first five years or face fines of $20,000 to $100,000 per day, with harsher penalties for repeat violations. Dr. François-Pierre Gladu, a family physician and vice-president of the Association des médecins omnipraticiens de Montréal, criticized the bill as little more than political “virtue signalling” by the Quebec government. hnorth@postmedia.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.Chiefs earned a rest after their third win in 11 days. For some, the rest could be 24 daysRaipur, Dec 26 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh as a "giant of economics" while former CM Bhupesh Baghel called him a "great national worker". Dr Singh died in AIIMS Delhi late evening. He was 92. "The news of the death of former Prime Minister, eminent economist Manmohan Singh ji is very sad. Manmohan Singh ji was one of those giants of economics, who held important positions like Finance Minister of the country, Governor of Reserve Bank of India and Head of Planning Commission. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to God for peace of the departed soul and to provide strength to the bereaved family and their well-wishers. Om Shanti!'' Sai said in a post on X. Former CM and assembly speaker Raman Singh said Dr Singh's contribution cannot be forgotten, adding that his demise was an irreparable loss for Indian politics. Sharing a photo with the former PM, Baghel, in a post on X, said, "The country will be grateful to you Sir. History will always be filled with your contribution. A great national worker has departed from us today on the last journey of his life. Words are not enough to describe his personality, contribution and service to the country." (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

 

fortune gems 3 download apk mod

2025-01-13
Share Tweet Share Share Email In the modern world, influencers gone wild and fashion are two closely intertwined realms that drive cultural conversations and set the tone for what’s trendy. Social media platforms have revolutionized how fashion is perceived, consumed, and created, largely thanks to influencers who wield immense power over their audiences. But how do these influencers shape fashion, and what are the underlying stories and topics that dominate this space? This article delves into the dynamic relationship between influencers and fashion, exploring their impact, trends, and the future of this captivating industry. The Role of Influencers in Modern Fashion Influencers have emerged as pivotal players in the fashion world. They are no longer just people with a knack for style; they are tastemakers and trendsetters who redefine what it means to be fashionable. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have given these individuals a stage to showcase their creativity, authenticity, and unique perspectives on fashion. Unlike traditional celebrities, influencers are perceived as more relatable, which is one of their greatest assets. They connect with their audience on a personal level, making their fashion choices seem attainable and aspirational. Whether it’s an outfit of the day post, a haul video, or styling tips, influencers make fashion feel approachable for the everyday person. Their ability to mix high-end luxury brands with affordable, accessible pieces has democratized the fashion industry, breaking down barriers that once separated elite fashion from the masses your topics | multiple stories . Micro-Influencers vs. Macro-Influencers When discussing influencers, it’s essential to differentiate between micro-influencers and macro-influencers. Micro-influencers, with their smaller but highly engaged audiences, often focus on niche topics. In fashion, they might specialize in sustainable clothing, thrifted outfits, or specific styles like bohemian or streetwear. Macro-influencers, on the other hand, have millions of followers and often work with high-profile fashion brands. Both types of influencers play significant roles in the fashion ecosystem. Micro-influencers bring authenticity and relatability, often fostering close-knit communities around their fashion choices. Macro-influencers, with their broad reach, amplify trends and introduce new styles to global audiences. Together, they create a balanced dynamic that drives the fashion conversation forward. Fashion Trends Driven by Influencers Influencers are at the forefront of setting and spreading fashion trends. They’re often the first to experiment with bold styles, colors, and designs, which then gain traction among their followers. The power of influencers lies in their ability to make trends viral, turning niche ideas into mainstream movements. The Rise of Sustainable Fashion One of the most significant trends in recent years is the push for sustainable fashion, and influencers have played a crucial role in this movement. Many influencers use their platforms to promote eco-friendly brands and educate their followers about the environmental impact of fast fashion. By sharing content about thrift shopping, upcycling, and supporting ethical brands, they’ve made sustainable fashion not just a choice but a statement. The Revival of Y2K Aesthetics Y2K fashion, characterized by bold colors, metallics, and nostalgic designs from the early 2000s, has made a massive comeback—largely thanks to influencers. Platforms like TikTok are filled with influencers sporting low-rise jeans, chunky accessories, and baby tees, reviving the iconic looks of the millennium era. Their embrace of this aesthetic has brought it back into mainstream retail stores and fashion collections worldwide. The Impact of Viral Challenges Fashionisk .com influencers have also leveraged viral challenges to popularize trends. Whether it’s styling a single piece of clothing in multiple ways or recreating runway looks on a budget, these challenges engage audiences and encourage participation. They blur the lines between influencer and follower, making fashion a collaborative experience. The Stories Behind Influencers and Fashion Behind every fashion influencer is a unique story that shapes their perspective and approach to style. These stories are what make their content resonate with audiences. From Passion to Profession Many influencers start their journey out of a genuine love for fashion. They begin by sharing their personal style and gradually build a following. Over time, their passion transforms into a profession, with opportunities to collaborate with brands, attend fashion weeks, and even launch their own fashion lines. This journey inspires their followers, showing that pursuing one’s passion can lead to extraordinary success. The Power of Authenticity Authenticity is the cornerstone of an influencer’s success in the fashion industry. Audiences value genuine recommendations and personal anecdotes over polished, overly commercial content. Influencers who share their struggles with body image, the challenges of finding inclusive clothing, or their efforts to adopt sustainable practices foster deeper connections with their followers. Diverse Voices in Fashion The rise of influencers has also brought more diversity to the fashion industry. Influencers from various cultural backgrounds, body types, and gender identities are challenging traditional beauty standards and redefining what’s considered fashionable. This inclusivity enriches the fashion world, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring a broader audience. Challenges Influencers Face in the Fashion World While influencers wield significant influence, their journey is not without challenges. The fast-paced nature of social media requires them to constantly produce new content, stay updated on trends, and maintain relevance in an increasingly competitive space Drew Pritchard New Wife . The Pressure to Stay Relevant Fashion trends evolve rapidly, and influencers must adapt quickly to stay ahead. The pressure to be on top of trends can be overwhelming, leading to burnout for some. Balancing authenticity with the need to produce trendy content is a delicate act that many influencers grapple with. Criticism and Backlash Influencers often face scrutiny for their choices, whether it’s partnering with controversial brands or promoting expensive products that alienate their audience. Navigating such criticism requires resilience and a strong sense of identity. The Future of Influencers in Fashion The relationship between influencers and fashion continues to evolve, with new possibilities on the horizon. As technology advances, so does the potential for influencers to reshape the fashion landscape. Virtual Influencers Virtual influencers, computer-generated characters with lifelike appearances, are gaining popularity. These digital personas collaborate with fashion brands, blurring the lines between technology and style. While they lack the relatability of human influencers, their ability to embody futuristic aesthetics makes them intriguing players in the fashion world. The Metaverse and Fashion The metaverse offers exciting opportunities for influencers to create and promote digital fashion. Virtual clothing and accessories, which can be worn by avatars in digital spaces, are becoming a new frontier for self-expression. Influencers are poised to lead this movement, merging fashion with the digital world of Malia Manocherian . Continued Focus on Sustainability As sustainability remains a priority, influencers will play a key role in promoting ethical fashion practices. Their platforms will continue to serve as powerful tools for raising awareness and driving change in the industry. Conclusion The synergy between influencers and fashion is undeniable. Influencers have transformed how we perceive and engage with fashion, making it more accessible, inclusive, and dynamic. From setting trends to advocating for sustainability and diversity, they shape the stories and topics that define the industry. As the fashion world evolves, influencers will undoubtedly remain at the heart of this transformation, driving innovation and inspiring millions. Their ability to connect, influence, and inspire ensures that their impact on fashion will endure for years to come. Related Items: fashion , influencers Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Shop Designer Bags Worldwide: Guide to Bags on Bolsino Global Fashion Trends The Evolution of Fashion: From Classic Elegance to Modern Statements CommentsSingapore's inflation rate falls in October, hitting lowest point since March 2021how much is fortune 3

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” Everyone who has encountered Adames so far can’t wait for him to get to work as an example both on the diamond and in the clubhouse. “He’s a unique connector of people,” Posey shared from Craig Counsell's description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. “That really struck me because I think to win championships you have to have personalities like Willy that they're able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse, and that's not just players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy, he plays with joy and I know that our fans are just going to be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis.” Adames' deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013. “I didn’t know 'til it was done. I was like ‘wow,’" Adames said. From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far beyond the baseball diamond. And that's as important to Adames as playing all 162 after he appeared in 161 games last season for Milwaukee. He considers part of his role to help the young players learn “to be a professional" and lead a club that has missed the playoffs the past three years in winning the right way. “For me that comes first, it comes first to be a great human being. I've got to thank my parents for that, they raised me the right way, to try to treat everybody the same, it doesn't matter what you're doing,” Adames said. “I think that's something that I'm really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there's a lot of hate out there and I don't really like that.” The Giants know Adames' positive influence could go far. Asked about the instability at shortstop, Melvin noted, “Well, it's not a problem now.” Adames gives the Giants a power bat and reliable defense at his position. This year for the Brewers, he produced his best offensive season in the big leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. “Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I'd watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day,” Melvin said. “It always looked like every day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that — Matt Chapman is like that, too — it's easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It's easier said than done but really for me that's the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball.” Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise. It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I'm a little nervous about this." A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home. “It looks amazing.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

The University of NSW has signed an Australian-first deal with ChatGPT to roll out a special version of the technology on campus, as universities increasingly embrace AI and acknowledge bans are no longer viable despite fears of a “new wave” of cheating. The deal with ChatGPT would allow students, academics, and staff to use the tool securely, ensuring any information shared with the chatbot remained private and was not used to train AI models. UNSW students Matthew Kuk and Gemma Ahearne have found benefits in using AI to enhance their study. Credit: Rhett Wyman It comes after the University of Sydney overhauled its cheating policy to allow the use of AI in all assessments not held in exam-like conditions, in a sign institutions were conceding they could not control students’ use of the rapidly evolving technology. UNSW’s deal with ChatGPT – a chatbot widely used to answer questions, generate ideas and write content – will start with a pilot across about 500 staff and students with the view of rolling it out more widely. It is the first Australian university to introduce ChatGPT Edu – a tool specifically built for higher education – joining other institutions including Arizona State, Oxford and Columbia. UNSW has paid the US company behind the chatbot, OpenAI, to deploy the tool, but would not reveal how much. Third-year UNSW law and commerce student Matthew Kuk welcomed the move, saying it could make the technology more accessible by eliminating the need for students to pay for the premium version, ChatGPT4. He regularly uses it to summarise papers he doesn’t have time to read in full and to help understand difficult ideas. UNSW student Gemma Ahearne. Credit: Rhett Wyman “It has freed up so much more time in my studies now, so I’m able to spend more time on concepts that I would have just skipped over,” he said. Kuk said when ChatGPT was first rolled out, its use was stigmatised, and it was labelled by students a “cheat bot”. “In my experience, it’s quite the contrary,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to cheat well with ChatGPT. That’s because you’re probably going to fail if you use ChatGPT as your bible because it can’t critically think. “It’s only really good at explaining concepts and it’s really, really bad with numbers.” ChatGPT’s emergence about two years ago has upended universities’ cheating policies and caused widespread concern about a new and undetectable wave of cheating on campus. UNSW revealed it had seen an increase in cheating using AI tools such as ChatGPT, with 166 serious cases referred for investigation in 2023. But experts warned this would just be the tip of the iceberg because the available technology used to detect AI plagiarism only picked up the most unsophisticated cheaters. Students have also raised concerns that tools used by universities to detect AI cheating are rife with false positives and caused unnecessary stress. Unlike Sydney University, UNSW does not have a blanket rule on AI. Instead, teachers determine whether students can use AI in assessments on a subject-by-subject basis. UNSW Business School senior deputy dean Paul Andon said there were vast uses for the tool for both staff and students, including creating bespoke “AI tutors”, and it would help develop students into “AI natives”. Andon said the university had evolved its policies to reflect the realities of AI, conceding students could not be effectively stopped from accessing AI in non-supervised settings. “I actually think in many ways [AI access is] a good thing. It helps them in terms of their learning, it’s not something to shy away from,” he said, adding they also needed to be assessed in secure settings without access to AI. UNSW design student Gemma Ahearne said she started using AI widely this year and describes it as her “personal assistant”, helping her with brainstorming ideas, giving personalised feedback and summarising academic articles. “When we were initially told, ‘no you’re not allowed to use it’, it scared me away, but now I understand it a lot more,” she said. “The world is infused with AI. If you’re not using it you’re going to fall behind.” But she said students needed to actively reflect on their reliance and consider if they were starting with their own ideas or going straight to ChatGPT. “When you go into a job interview or exam, for example, you’re going to have to think for yourself,” Ahearne said. The higher education watchdog said institutions imposing strict bans on the use of generative AI did not constitute an effective long-term approach to managing integrity risks, and universities need to consider how to redesign teaching and assessments. UNSW vice chancellor Attila Brungs said the collaboration would be used to enhance research, teaching and the student experience. “From engineering to health, business and science, AI is revolutionising research and education by making learning more personalised, accessible, and impactful,” he said. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .

Neuberger Berman sells $10.1 million in Getty Images stockSpecial counsel moves to abandon election interference and classified documents cases against Trump

Arterial and interior stretches in Tambaram remain pothole-ridden

CALGARY — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is putting $29 million toward creating a new sheriff patrol unit to shore up security at the Canada-United States border. The unit is to be supported by about 50 armed sheriffs, 10 cold weather surveillance drones and four drug detection dogs. It is expected to be operational early next year. "Together with federal law enforcement, we'll ensure that our section of the American border is well protected," Smith said Thursday in Calgary. "We'll deny safe haven to criminals looking to operate in both countries and, if we succeed and maintain proper border security, I expect we will have a very strong relationship with the United States, as we always have." Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said the unit would focus on commercial vehicle inspections along major highways near entry points of the 298-kilometre portion of the border that the province shares with Montana. He said a two-kilometre deep zone along the border will be deemed critical infrastructure, so sheriffs can arrest without a warrant anyone found attempting to cross illegally or trafficking illegal drugs or weapons. Bob Andrews, chief of the Alberta Sheriffs, said collaboration with the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency will be key. "Access to federal and international border intelligence will ensure these teams have an immediate impact on the trafficking of people, drugs and guns between Alberta and the United States," he said. The announcement comes after incoming U.S. president Donald Trump pledged to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports on his first day back in office in January. Trump has said the tariffs would remain in place until the countries put an end to illegal immigration and drug trafficking at their borders. Smith has said Trump is right to be concerned, and she has called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act accordingly. The federal government is expected to announce its border security plan with the fall economic update on Monday. Ellis said he had already been working on a plan to create a sheriff-led team targeting fentanyl and gun trafficking at the border, and that plan was accelerated. "We were going to do this regardless of what president-elect Trump said," said Ellis. Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested this week that Canada cut off electricity supplies to the U.S., but Smith has consistently dismissed the idea of retaliatory action. "Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," said Smith. “I don’t support tariffs on Canadian goods and I don’t support tariffs on U.S. goods. Because all it does is make life more expensive for everyday Canadians and everyday Americans.” She said Alberta is taking a diplomatic approach. She recently returned from a Western Governors’ Association meeting in Las Vegas. Canada has also vowed to beef up border security in the face of Trump's threats, despite a lack of evidence for his claim about illicit fentanyl pouring into the U.S. from Canada. Insp. Angela Kemp of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams said the majority of fentanyl being seized in the province is manufactured in Western Canada. But the chemicals, or precursors, to form the fentanyl are imported from other countries. "ALERT integrated and specialized enforcement teams have seized over a quarter of a million fentanyl pills. It has seized nearly 90 kilograms of fentanyl powder and has seized a literal ton of fentanyl precursors and buffing agents," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. The Canadian PressINGLEWOOD, Calif. — When Saquon Barkley glanced up at a SoFi Stadium replay of his latest huge run for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, he happened to see a graphic indicating he had 173 yards rushing — only 16 shy of what he knew to be his career high. “I said, ‘Aw, I wish I never saw that,'" Barkley said with a grin. “That's just the devil talking, that's how I look at it. ... I'm a big believer that if it happens, it happens. Just let it come to you.” Barkley decided to continue to run for his teammates, not for records. A few carries later, both his personal best and several additional superlatives fell right to him with his second massive touchdown run on a historic night. Barkley ran for scores of 70 and 72 yards in the second half and finished with an Eagles-record 255 yards rushing in Philadelphia’s seventh consecutive victory, 37-20 over the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley racked up the ninth-most yards rushing in a game in NFL history largely thanks to his huge TD runs bookending the second half. He sprinted for a 70-yard score on the opening snap of the third quarter, and he added another huge run up the middle with 2:44 to play. “Saquon has that ability to hit home runs, and so sometimes that’s how it goes,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "You get some short gain, short gain, short gain — boom, home run. Saquon is that type of player, and our offensive line did a good job of handling the variations of the front.” Barkley had 302 total yards — becoming the 12th player in NFL history to top 300, and the first Eagles player — while also becoming the first NFL player with two 70-yard TD runs in a game since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2009. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after a run against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun Barkley leads the league with a career-best 1,392 yards rushing, including a league-best seven 100-yard rushing games in his seismic first season with Philadelphia after six frustrating years with the Giants. “To be honest, I’m not surprised,” said Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. “I didn’t know I would have this much success, (but) I’m thankful to be here. I’m thankful for the fresh start. A big reason why I wanted to come here (is) I felt like this is a spot where I could rewrite my story and show everyone the type of player that I feel like I can be and was meant to be, and it’s working out right now.” While averaging 9.8 yards per carry, Barkley obliterated the Eagles franchise records of 217 yards rushing by LeSean McCoy in 2013 and 296 total yards by Duce Staley in 2000. He also had the biggest rushing performance ever against the Rams, exceeding DeMarco Murray's 253 yards for Dallas in 2011. A.J. Brown caught six passes for 109 yards and a TD from Jalen Hurts, who threw for 179 yards while NFC East-leading Philadelphia (9-2) surged in a 24-point second half. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, runs against Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Ryan Sun Kyren Williams rushed for a score and Demarcus Robinson caught a TD pass for the Rams (5-6), who lost their second straight home game. Matthew Stafford passed for 243 yards while getting sacked five times by Philadelphia's top-ranked defense, and Los Angeles couldn't keep up with a Super Bowl contender in the second half of only its second loss in six games. Puka Nacua had nine catches for 117 yards, and Cooper Kupp caught a 27-yard touchdown pass with 1:07 to play. The Los Angeles defense gave up 480 yards, undoing several weeks of progress for a unit that also looked overmatched early in the season. “(Barkley) is getting tough, hard-earned yards, and then you give him a vertical seam like he got a couple of times,” McVay said. “He has the explosiveness and long speed and the ability to finish. That is what opened and blew the game up for him. He was outstanding.” The Eagles improved to 4-0 against the Rams in the Los Angeles area since the franchise returned home, but they led just 13-7 at halftime despite dominating both sides of the ball in the second quarter. Barkley had a mere 73 yards rushing in the first half for Philadelphia, but he broke open the game and the Rams’ defense with his deft run up the middle to start the third quarter. “He makes a cut that I didn’t think anybody else could make,” Sirianni said. “Like, he just stopped on a dime.” Los Angeles answered with Robinson's short TD catch, but Kenneth Gainwell rushed for a 13-yard TD moments later, one play after Barkley's 31-yard catch-and-run on third and long. In the final minutes, Barkley found another gaping hole in the middle of Los Angeles' defense. “One of our guys got out of the gap backside,” Rams nose tackle Kobie Turner said. "Once you give that guy space to run and now he’s up on the second level, he can make guys miss and has the speed to break away.” Injuries Eagles: CB Darius Slay (concussion) left in the second half. ... WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) sat out for only the third time in his four-year career. ... Afterward, 15-year veteran DE Brandon Graham said he is out for the season with a torn triceps. Rams: Starting RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) missed his third straight game, and backup Warren McClendon struggled in pass protection. Up next Eagles: At Baltimore next Sunday. Rams: At New Orleans next Sunday.

OpenAI officially launches the AI video generation model Sora in Suqian, Jiangsu, China, on December ... [+] 10, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) OpenAI’s Sora launched with overwhelming demand, forcing operations to pause within one day. This public enthusiasm underscores AI’s potential to revolutionize media. AI videos are set to transform how people engage with content by making it more interactive. Consumers who once passively consumed media can now easily create their own. No longer confined to text, sound, or static images, AI now generates short videos and is being explored for longer films , though challenges with accuracy and consistency remain. Companies such as Runway AI, Luma AI, Pika Labs, Meta, Hailuo AI, and among others, are at the forefront, racing to enhance their tools. Runway’s Act-One and Camera Control offer professional tools to add nuances to videos. Luma AI and Hailuo AI excel at animating figures from user-uploaded images, seamlessly transforming static visuals into dynamic scenes aligned with textual prompts. This empowers everyday users to experiment with creative ideas, stepping into the role of a producer or director effortlessly. Potential of AI Videos Across Industry AI video generators are reshaping industries like advertising, e-commerce, education, and entertainment by making content creation more dynamic, personalized, and accessible. In advertising, brands can produce localized and interactive campaigns tailored to diverse audiences without costly production teams. This trend is visible in the growth of AI video advertisement startups. In e-commerce, AI-generated videos can create immersive shopping experiences, turning static images into dynamic product showcases or crafting personalized promotion videos that boost engagement. In education, AI has the potential to bring complex concepts to life through explainer videos, virtual tours, or localized instructional content, expanding global access to learning. iOS 18.2—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Microsoft Warns 400 Million Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC Selena Gomez And Benny Blanco Are Engaged—And The Internet Has Opinions In entertainment, filmmakers and musicians are experimenting with AI to produce fantastical visuals and animations, democratizing tools that were once limited to big-budget studios. For instance, the 2024 Tribeca Festival and OpenAI collaborated to debut five original short films. Runway AI held AI film festivals, and initiated the Hundred Film Fund, which will provide grants ranging from $5,000 up to $1 million to selected filmmakers using its technology. Across these fields, AI video technology is lowering barriers, enabling creativity, and transforming how businesses and individuals engage with media. While AI video tools increase efficiency and allow small budget productions, they also raise an important question: How can we preserve human touch and meaningful stories? Strengths and Challenges of AI Video Generators AI video generators are particularly strong at creating surreal and fantastical visuals, similar to the revolutionary art movements of Dadaism and Surrealism. They allow creators to produce scenes that would be impossible in real life, opening new avenues for storytelling. For instance, the Toronto-based pop band Shy Kids created a short film titled “ Air Head ,” featuring a quirky character with a balloon face navigating various scenarios—working, driving, exploring city streets, celebrating at a party, traveling to Rome in one scene, and soaring over the Arctic Ocean in another. In OpenAI’s Sora showcase, a Singaporean artist depicted elderly women emerging from eggs, riding a giant cat, and painting a massive foot. These whimsical scenes offered a humorous yet poignant commentary on aging. Another artist used Sora to show a singer perched on Ionic Greek columns transforming into a bird, blending styles and eras seamlessly. AI thrives at juxtaposing disparate elements, enabling creators to visualize imaginative narratives that are difficult to shoot with a camera in real world. However, AI’s ability to fabricate fantastical scenes comes with risks. These tools blur the line between reality and fiction, which can confuse audiences, especially younger viewers. Clear labeling is essential to help users distinguish AI-generated visuals from real-life content. AI video generators also face limitations. They lack the depth to authentically portray human life, as their creations are based on algorithms rather than lived experiences. AI videos might exacerbate the problems of deepfakes and misinformation, as AI can create realistic yet deceptive visuals. Overreliance on AI may discourage the effort and thought needed for meaningful storytelling. In addition, the machine learning models behind AI video apps often struggle with technical limitations, leading to awkwardly morphing characters, distorted objects, abrupt lighting changes, and unnatural interactions between characters. Coca-Cola’ s recent AI-generated holiday ad, criticized as “soulless,” reveals the absence of human touch in many AI creations. To leverage AI’s strengths, creators should focus on fantastical storytelling and blending unique styles. At the same time, they must address these challenges by merging human elements into AI videos. Preserving Human Creativity in an AI Era Historically, humans have continuously developed new mediums and forms of media to connect with and interpret the world. In Shakespeare’s time, public theater brought people together to witness the power struggles among aristocrats, the tragedy of impulsive romances, and the twists of human folly—performed live before their eyes. Cinema shifted these performances to the screen, where audiences gathered to experience stories through the lens of cameras and projection systems, replacing the immediacy of live actors with the magic of film. History of British theatre: early playhouse from 1570 - 1629 . Early English Elizabethan theatres ... [+] . Note audience standing around stage and looking through open windows. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Television brought entertainment into individual homes, changing how we spent time with family and friends. It encouraged hours of passive viewing, turning the couch into a central hub of leisure. The internet further revolutionized engagement by connecting people not through letters, phone calls, or face-to-face interactions, but through fiber-optic cables that transmitted electronic signals and vast streams of information instantly across the globe. Platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and other video-streaming services introduced a new era of media consumption, shifting preferences from reading stories and reflecting on their meaning to indulging in visual spectacles. These tantalizing displays appealed to our senses, offering quick and captivating content that increasingly prioritized immediacy and entertainment over depth and contemplation. AI video generators build on this evolution, making content creation interactive and more efficient than ever. However, they risk stripping media of its sensitivity to human emotions and experience. German philosopher Walter Benjamin famously argued that art’s “aura” stems from the “here and now” that embodied the physical and intellectual engagement of the artist at the moment of creation. While AI-generated content boasts efficiency, it often lacks the deliberate labor and human touch that give traditional art its depth and meaning. Ease of use removes the challenges that drive creativity. Just as hand crafted furniture and haute couture retain their appeal in a world of mass production, human-created art will always hold a unique place in culture. AI tools should complement creativity, not replace it. As we engage with AI videos, thoughtful adoption is key. By using AI as a collaborator, not a substitute, we can amplify our imagination and push the boundaries of storytelling.

Global CAM & CAD Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-AutoCAD, SketchUp, MicroStation, LabVIEW, Tinkercad 12-15-2024 06:36 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Market Research Intellect CAM & CAD Software Market USA, New Jersey- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global CAM & CAD Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 11.51 Billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 21.65 Billion by 2031, driven by factors such as CAM & CAD Software and CAM & CAD Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for CAM & CAD Software across various sectors. The CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) & CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software Market is growing rapidly as industries across the globe embrace digitalization to streamline design and manufacturing processes. The increasing adoption of automation in manufacturing, the need for enhanced precision, and the demand for cost-effective production are driving the market's expansion. CAD and CAM software solutions enable businesses to design, prototype, and produce products more efficiently, reducing errors and time-to-market. The integration of AI, cloud computing, and 3D printing technologies is further fueling the growth, allowing for more advanced design capabilities and improved production workflows. As industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics continue to evolve, the demand for innovative CAM and CAD software is expected to surge, making it a critical component of modern manufacturing operations. The dynamics of the CAM & CAD Software Market are shaped by technological advancements, the need for increased efficiency, and industry-specific demands. The integration of AI, machine learning, and cloud-based solutions into CAD and CAM software is transforming design and manufacturing processes, offering enhanced capabilities like real-time collaboration and predictive analytics. Additionally, the rise of 3D printing and additive manufacturing is driving the need for more sophisticated design tools. However, challenges such as high software costs, the complexity of implementation, and the need for skilled professionals may limit market adoption. As industries increasingly require customization and faster product development cycles, the demand for advanced CAM and CAD solutions will continue to grow, pushing software developers to innovate and deliver more powerful, user-friendly solutions. Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=4248860&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 Key Drivers: The growth of the CAM & CAD Software market is driven by several key factors. Technological advancements in CAM & CAD Software have enabled greater efficiency and enhanced capabilities, spurring adoption across industries. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is pushing companies to innovate and adopt greener practices. Expanding applications in sectors like CAM & CAD Software and CAM & CAD Software are further contributing to market demand, as these industries seek advanced solutions to streamline operations and enhance product quality. Favorable government policies and incentives in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific support investment and growth. Moreover, an increasing focus on CAM & CAD Software for improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness is encouraging businesses to embrace new technologies, fostering sustained market expansion. Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in the CAM & CAD Software market, as companies look to expand their capabilities, access new technologies, and strengthen market presence. Leading players engage in strategic acquisitions to consolidate their position and gain a competitive edge. These transactions often facilitate the integration of advanced CAM & CAD Software solutions, helping firms broaden their product portfolios and meet growing customer demands. Additionally, M&A activities support companies in achieving economies of scale and penetrating new regional markets, particularly in high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific. Through such strategic alliances, businesses aim to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and address evolving market challenges, ultimately driving the overall growth of the CAM & CAD Software market. Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=4248860&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report By Type CAM Software CAD Software By Application Large Enterprises SMEs Major companies in CAM & CAD Software Market are: AutoCAD, SketchUp, MicroStation, LabVIEW, Tinkercad, ActCAD, TurboCAD, Dassault Systà ̈mes, CATIA, PTC, IronCAD, Shapr3D, Fusion 360, BricsCAD Global CAM & CAD Software Market -Regional Analysis North America: North America is expected to hold a significant share of the CAM & CAD Software market due to advanced technological infrastructure and the presence of major market players. High demand across sectors like CAM & CAD Software and CAM & CAD Software is driving growth, with the U.S. being a key contributor. Additionally, ongoing investments in R&D and innovation reinforce the region's strong market position. Europe: Europe is projected to experience steady growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards and a rising focus on sustainability in CAM & CAD Software practices. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading due to their advanced industrial base and supportive government policies. The demand for eco-friendly and efficient CAM & CAD Software solutions is expected to continue fostering market expansion. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to expanding consumer bases and increasing investments in infrastructure. The region's robust manufacturing sector and favorable economic policies further enhance growth opportunities in the CAM & CAD Software market. Latin America: Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to show moderate growth in the CAM & CAD Software market. In Latin America, growth is supported by rising industrial activities in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Meanwhile, in the Middle East & Africa, infrastructure development and an increasing focus on innovation in sectors like CAM & CAD Software are key drivers of market expansion. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa represent emerging markets in the global CAM & CAD Software market, with countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nigeria showing promising growth potential. Economic diversification efforts, urbanization, and a young population are driving demand for CAM & CAD Software products and services in the region. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the current size of the CAM & CAD Software market? Answer: The CAM & CAD Software market was valued at approximately 11.51 Billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it will reach 21.65 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.1%. 2. What factors are driving the growth of the CAM & CAD Software market? Answer: The market's expansion is attributed to several factors, including increased demand for CAM & CAD Software, advancements in CAM & CAD Software technology, and the adoption of CAM & CAD Software across various sectors. 3. Which regions are expected to dominate the CAM & CAD Software market? Answer: Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to lead due to the presence of major industry players and growing investments in CAM & CAD Software. 4. Who are the key players in the CAM & CAD Software market? Answer: Prominent companies in the CAM & CAD Software market include CAM & CAD Software, CAM & CAD Software, and CAM & CAD Software, each contributing to market growth through innovations and strategic partnerships. 5. What challenges does the CAM & CAD Software market face? Answer: The market faces challenges such as CAM & CAD Software, regulatory compliance, and competition from alternative solutions. However, ongoing advancements aim to address these issues. 6. What are the future trends in the CAM & CAD Software market? Emerging trends include the integration of CAM & CAD Software technology, sustainability practices, and digital transformation in processes, all expected to shape the market's future. 7. How can businesses benefit from the CAM & CAD Software market? Answer: Businesses can leverage growth opportunities in the CAM & CAD Software market by adopting new solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding their offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. 8. Why invest in a CAM & CAD Software market report from MRI? Answer: MRI's report provides in-depth analysis, future projections, and key insights to support strategic decision-making, enabling businesses to stay competitive and capitalize on growth trends in the CAM & CAD Software market. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-cam-cad-software-market-size-and-forecast/?utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=042 About Us: Market Research Intellect Market Research Intellect is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. Our research spans a multitude of industries including Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverages, etc. Having serviced many Fortune 2000 organizations, we bring a rich and reliable experience that covers all kinds of research needs. For inquiries, Contact Us at: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Market Research Intellect APAC: +61 485 860 968 EU: +44 788 886 6344 US: +1 743 222 5439 This release was published on openPR.

ASML Deadline: ASML Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K Have Opportunity to Lead ASML Holding N.V. Securities Fraud LawsuitAlberta to put $29M into border security patrol unit with sheriffs, dogs, drones

Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) Unveils Groundbreaking Player Insights Ahead of NFL Draft

Field Hockey: Ashley Sessa has two assists as Northwestern routs St. Joe’s for NCAA title

Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion

Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travelChandigarh: The Haryana Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Saturday approved the use of Aadhaar authentication services for candidates appearing in examinations for Group A and B posts conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC). The authentication will be mandatory during the registration process for these posts on the HPSC portal, an official statement said. The introduction of Aadhaar authentication aims to streamline the application procedure, eliminate fraudulent candidates, and ensure the accuracy of candidate data through de-duplication. This move will enhance the credibility and reliability of the recruitment process, maintaining public confidence in the competitive exams, said the government. The Cabinet decided to increase the maximum limit on the death-cum-retirement gratuity for government employees by 25 per cent, raising it from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This enhancement will take effect from January 1, 2024. Similarly, the Cabinet approved a 25 per cent increase in the maximum limit of death-cum-retirement gratuity for judicial officers, raising it from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. This enhancement will also be effective from January 1, 2024. These decisions are aimed at providing enhanced financial security to government employees and their families as well as judicial officers. It also approved the standing operating procedure (SOP) for the implementation of Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana (MMPSY) for 2024-25. As per the SOP, instead of reimbursing the premium to the beneficiaries of PMJJBY, PMSBY, PMKMY, PMSYMY and PMLVMY under Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana, Rs 1,000 per eligible family per year will be transferred to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana (DAYALU) for payment of compensation under DAYALU having family income from all sources less than or equal to Rs 1.80 lakh per annum, and having a Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP). The Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana was notified on February 6, 2020, with an aim of providing financial assistance and social security, including life and accident insurance and pension benefits to eligible families belonging to economically weaker sections. The Cabinet approved the revision of the ex-gratia to the families of battle casualties of Central armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. The revised ex-gratia has been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. –

Fiji cruiserweight champion Alivereti Kauyaca is gunning for an impressive win over Paulo Ratumaikoro at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on February 22 if he is to secure major overseas fights. “I need this win because I’m in a build-up phase,” Kauyaca told SUNsports yesterday. “I need two or three wins in order to fight for other regional titles, like the one that I fought with John Parker.” Kauyaca said there is a need for boxers to get active at the start of the year. “We need game time as we need records as we age,” he said. “I think boxers in Fiji usually blame the lack of resources then how come some Fijian boxers before us were able to rise to the world’s top 15 rankings despite the limited resources here.” Kauyaca said there is a need for local boxers to be consistent with their boxing. “You just need hard work and with divine intervention to everything will fall in place if you utilise the available resources and put in those hard yards,” he said. “The overseas boxers have the resources and strict diet which is why they are able to be consistent in their boxing.” Kauyaca said the main thing is for boxers to refrain from the typical Fijian mindset. “After the fight the boxers will drink. Discipline is the key and the need to remain consistent in training.” Kauayca said he would begin his training as he returns to Nadi after the Bluewater promotions launch. “We can make our own world champion here in Fiji,” he added. Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Monday, Dec. 16 COLLEGE SOCCER (MEN’S) 8 p.m. ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Vermont vs. Marshall, Championship NFL FOOTBALL 8 p.m. ABC — Chicago at Minnesota 8:30 p.m. ESPN — Atlanta at Las Vegas NHL HOCKEY 8:30 p.m. NHLN — Florida at Edmonton SOCCER (MEN’S) 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: West Ham United at AFC Bournemouth SOCCER (WOMEN’S) Noon FS2 — Final Draw For The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by TV listings provided by .The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "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?" 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.

Hindi played important role in development of India: Om Birla

 

fortune gems legit

2025-01-12
what is the easiest way to get fortune 3
what is the easiest way to get fortune 3 Clement: Rangers disappointed with Spurs draw - and I like that

Disinformation: CA asks Meta to address push against Bangladesh



Israel’s barbaric war on Gaza people must end, says South African presidentShopping on Shein and Temu for holiday gifts? You're not the only oneNFL Rumors: Sean Payton Almost Flew to Bo Nix to Tell QB Broncos Were Drafting HimLouisiana Tech earns 108-60 win over Rust

Infamous MAGA Republican and Texas congressional candidate posted a graphic video calling for the public execution of undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes against Americans. Valentina Gomez, a far-right political activist, has gained attention for her provocative stances, including burning LGBTQ+ books and advocating for controversial immigration policies. After a failed bid for Missouri Secretary of State in 2024, Gomez announced her congressional campaign in Texas, Daily Mail reported. In the now-viral video, posted December 23 on X, Gomez reenacted the "public execution" of a hooded dummy, stating undocumented immigrants who rape or kill Americans "deserve" death rather than deportation. "It's that simple. Public executions for any illegal that rapes or kills an American. They don't deserve deportation. They deserve to be ended," Gomez said . The clip quickly amassed nearly 5 million views on X, where the platform restricted its visibility for violating violent speech policies. While Gomez defended her actions as a stand against the "establishment," critics denounced the video as promoting hatred and extremism. Originally published by Latin Times

Lexus: A guide to everything you need to knowTrump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death rowBiden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.

Milan's Via MonteNapoleone usurps New York's Fifth Avenue as world's most upscale shopping streetPinoys got more resourceful in 2024MILAN — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan's swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season. There's even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world's most expensive retail destination, displacing New York's Fifth Avenue. The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield's annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone's desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands. A man walks past a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The average rent on the Milan street surged to $2,047 per square foot, compared with $2,000 per square foot on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue. Via MonteNapoleone's small size — less than a quarter-mile long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street's key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association. "Not everything can fit, which is a benefit," since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan's Fashion Quadrilateral. Women look a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and longtime tenant Fendi is expanding. The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there's no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue. The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car's limited trunk space notwithstanding. A mannequin is seen Dec. 12 in a shop in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays. A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home. "I got a lot," Chen acknowledged. "It's a fantastic place, a good place for shopping." A man waits for a taxi Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleon street in Milan, Italy. A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, yardslong knit scarf priced at 980 euros. "I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours," Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal. Buildings are decorated Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street's guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone's achievement. "Milan's investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole," said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association. She also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, "we'll be back on top in no time." The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's. After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant contributor to climate change: methane gas. "Greening" the holidays is essential, and one simple tip is to think more about how sustainable the materials are in your decorations, decor, and, of course, gifts. Instead of plastics, you could opt for items that can be reused, are made of renewable materials or natural fibers that boast a smaller environmental impact in both production and durability. Due to consumers' desires for more eco-friendly goods, sustainable materials are among the biggest trends in home decor. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable—and earth-conscious—home goods that make perfect holiday gifts. Made Trade rounded up a list of sustainable home decor trends in 2025 that offer dozens of creative options for holiday gift-giving. Each trend includes examples of great gifts for the home and advice for ensuring items are sustainably produced or can help create a more eco-friendly space. In the depths of winter's gray days, it's a real gift to see a little green, which is why indoor gardening gifts are a wonderful idea. Not only are they eco-friendly and promote sustainability—the more food you can grow yourself, the less you have to buy—they also foster an appreciation of nature and bring the natural world indoors to enjoy. Sprouting kits and microgreens require minimal amounts of space and sunlight, but a sunny, south-facing window will permit a small herb garden or leafy greens for salads. If you're not sure what kind of light your recipient has access to, go with gifting indoor grow lamps along with the plants, or pick a hardy, low-water houseplant—some can act as natural air purifiers too. When buying gifts for the home, consider what materials the items are made from and how far away they come from—not only are natural materials like rattan, jute, palm leaves, clay, organic cotton and linen, and ceramics more sustainable, but if they are being used by a local craftsperson, gifters are also saving on fossil fuels for the transportation. Plus, you're helping the local economy by supporting local craftspeople, so it's a win-win. Natural fiber pillows, sheets, blankets, and even doormats offer comfort and consideration of the environment. The most sustainable and eco-friendly gift is one you already have, so get creative about reusing materials already in or around your home (raid the recycling bin, find nice pieces of wood outside, wash out and reuse glass jars) to fashion them into new, thoughtful goods. Similarly, think vintage and secondhand—what items can you give a second life to by passing them along to someone who will find new meaning in them? Some of the most thoughtful gifts are small heirlooms—pieces of jewelry or a beloved ceramic dish—passed along to the next generation that will appreciate them. Green technology offers ways to reduce our carbon footprint in everyday life, and smart thermostats, solar lights, smart sprinklers, and smart plugs all make great gifts, saving people money and conserving our valuable resources. For those looking into home renovations or updating decor, try a new light fixture paired with smart blubs, or a new window treatment with smart shades. Even something as simple as a rain barrel can reduce energy use—and while the technology for that isn't very sophisticated, it certainly is, like composting, "smart." Integrated outdoor living is the ultimate gift, allowing us to bring the natural world into our homes. However, doing so sustainably takes a little more effort than simply leaving the doors to the deck open all the time. First, find eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor furniture, perhaps thrifting it or buying it used and fixing it up for a one-of-a-kind gift. If you can't go secondhand, choose furniture made of sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic (great for outdoor rugs), or bamboo. For smaller gifts, consider solar lights, a water feature that recycles water, a rain barrel, or even a set of handmade wind chimes made from seashells. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Made Trade and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.AI cameras installed at 52 locations on Pune-Mumbai Expressway

Call to exempt listed firms from tax on mergersEnzo Maresca says he has never seen Cole Palmer practice penalties, admitting the Chelsea playmaker is “not normal” after he set a new Premier League spot-kick record. Palmer scored twice from the spot during Sunday’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Chelsea, the second a wonderful ‘Panenka’ that all-but secured the three points. The Englishman has now scored 12 consecutive penalties in the league, breaking the record for the longest successful streak that was previously held by Manchester City legend Yaya Toure. Palmer claimed in an interview soon after signing for Chelsea that he does not practice penalties in training and Maresca confirmed that that remains the case now. “Since we started I haven’t seen Cole shooting penalties,” Maresca said. “In terms of the second penalty? It’s Cole and you have to expect anything. “Yeah, absolutely [it is remarkable]. Cole belongs to that kind of players that are not normal players. They are top players. Top players do things that normal players, or us, say: ‘How can he do that?’ “It’s because he’s Cole, it’s because he’s top. We expect this from Cole.” Chelsea were 2-0 down inside 11 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski both scored as a result of Marc Cucurella slips. The Spanish defender changed his boots immediately after the second of those goals and later showed on social media that the initial pair had been thrown straight in the bin. However, Maresca’s side fought back in fine style, with Jadon Sancho reducing the deficit, before Palmer’s penalties came either side of an Enzo Fernandez strike. “Marc Cucurella said he was trying to give a bit of emotion to the game,” Maresca said. “Probably it was too much. “Since we stared, we’re trying to work on the way we want to play on and off the ball, but also in terms of mentally and togetherness. To come to this stadium and think you’re going to win or compete without suffering or without some bad moments is impossible. We were ready for that. “Probably it’s too much after 15 minutes, to give away two goals. But it’s the perfect win, probably, because of this.”

A Dutch court on Tuesday passed the first five sentences over last month’s attacks against Israelis in Amsterdam, prescribing punishments critics said were inappropriately mild. The sentences, the heaviest of which was six months in prison, prompted indignation from Dutch Jews, who were shocked by the coordinated mass assaults by dozens of Arabs and Muslims on fans of Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv team who were in Amsterdam for a match. Herman Loonstein, a prominent lawyer and Jewish community activist, said the prosecution bore some of the responsibility for the sentences, which he found excessively lenient. “The prosecution rushed this but at the expense of their preparedness,” he told JNS. “A better preparation could have led to an attempted homicide indictment,” which did not happen. The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel, or CIDI, called the sentences “a regrettable sign,” but added that it was “good that prison sentences were imposed and that community service alone was not enough. This shows that the legal order is also shocked.” Brigitte Wielheesen, a veteran journalist who is Jewish, called the sentences “meager” considering the maximum terms of 4.5-12 years for the prosecuted offenses. “Are aggravating factors, such as discriminatory aspects and major social impact, not taken into account?” she queried. Defendant Sefa Ö., 32, received the heaviest sentence of six months in prison, De Telegraaf reported . The prosecution had sought two years. A hairdresser whose wife is pregnant, he was filmed kicking a man against a moving tram and punching another who was already lying on the ground. Umutcan A., a 24-year-old man from The Hague, was sentenced to a month behind bars instead of the five months requested. He was seen kicking a man in the face and stealing a scarf from another victim. He described his actions as a “Jew hunt” in text messages, according to the indictment. Rachid O. directed people on a WhatsApp group to where they could find Jews to assault and inquired whether any had died. He was convicted of incitement to violence but sentenced to 10 weeks in prison as opposed to the requested four months. Lucas D. from Monnickendam received a sentence of 100 hours of community service instead of the requested three months of jail time. A spokesperson for the prosecution said it “disagrees” with the court’s decision to try Lucas D., 19, as a minor. The spokesperson said the prosecution was “satisfied” with how the court “rejected all the defense’s claims” regarding the prison sentences for the four other defendants. He added, however, that his office is “looking at the number of months of prison sentence imposed compared to our demand.” Stopping short of mentioning an appeal, the spokesperson told Het Parool that his office plans to “study” the sentences. Of the dozens of perpetrators documented assaulting Israelis on the night of Nov. 7, only seven have been prosecuted. The trial of the remaining two is ongoing. The attacks were together one of the worst antisemitic incidents in the Netherlands since the Holocaust, featuring real-time coordination online by hundreds of locals. The sentencing follows a gradual shift in the narrative in the Netherlands around the occurrence, which initially prompted condemnations from across the political spectrum. However, left-wing politicians, including Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, gradually changed their rhetoric, implying the mass assault was provoked by the Maccabi fans. Halsema earlier this month retracted her earlier use of the word “pogrom” in connection with the assaults.The Saturday college basketball schedule includes three games featuring a ranked team in action. Among those contests is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish taking on the USC Trojans. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.Mitchell scores 32, Idaho defeats Pacific 95-72Prime Video has unveiled the first footage and premiere date for Season 3 of fantasy epic series The Wheel of Time . The upcoming season will launch globally on Prime Video on March 13, the streamer revealed during the show’s panel Saturday at CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil. The teaser trailer unveils a changing world, where the Shadow’s roots have taken hold and the battle between Light and Dark has become so consequential that Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) and Egwene (Madeleine Madden) will stop at nothing to keep from losing Rand (Josha Stradowski) to the darkness. You can watch it above. The Wheel of Time, set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists but only women can use it, is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television and comes from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Chuck writer Rafe Judkins, who is showrunner and exec producer. The show is based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy book series The Wheel of Time, in which a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor, learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world ... or break it. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches. At the end of Season 2, after defeating Ishamael, Rand reunites with his friends at Falme and is declared the Dragon Reborn. But in Season Three, the threats against the Light are multiplying: the White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon... including Lanfear, whose relationship with Rand will mark a crucial choice between Light and Dark for them both. As the ties to his past begin to unravel, and his corrupted power grows stronger, Rand becomes increasingly unrecognizable to his closest allies, Moiraine and Egwene. These powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark...no matter the cost. In addition to Pike, Stradowski and Madden, Daniel Henney stars as al’Lan Mandragoran, Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara, Marcus Rutherford as Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon, Ceara Coveney as Elayne Trakand, Kate Fleetwood as Leandrin Guirale, Natasha O’Keeffe as Lanfear, Ayoola Smart and Kae Alexander as Min Farshaw. Judkins adapted The Wheel of Time for television and executive produces with Pike, along with Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon of iwot productions ( Winter Dragon ), Ted Field of Radar Pictures ( Jumanji: The Next Level, Winter Dragon ), Mike Weber ( Jumanji: The Next Level, Beirut ), Marigo Kehoe (Outlander, The Crown ), Ciaran Donnelly ( Kin ), Justine Juel Gillmer (The Survivor, Halo ) and Dave Hill ( Game of Thrones ). All episodes of the first two seasons of The Wheel of Time are now available on Prime Video.

Pantheon review: can we live forever?Mitchell had six assists and three steals for the Vandals (5-8). Kristian Gonzalez added 20 points while shooting 7 for 11 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line while they also had six rebounds. Julius Mims went 7 of 10 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding nine rebounds and three blocks. Tyler Linhardt also had 14 points. Elias Ralph led the Tigers (5-9) in scoring, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds. Lamar Washington added 14 points, six assists and two blocks for Pacific. Petar Krivokapic also had 13 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

MILAN — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan’s swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season. There’s even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world’s most expensive retail destination, displacing New York’s Fifth Avenue. The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield’s annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone’s desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands. A man walks past a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The average rent on the Milan street surged to $2,047 per square foot, compared with $2,000 per square foot on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue. People are also reading... Via MonteNapoleone’s small size — less than a quarter-mile long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street’s key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association. “Not everything can fit, which is a benefit,” since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral. Women look a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and longtime tenant Fendi is expanding. The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there’s no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue. The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car’s limited trunk space notwithstanding. A mannequin is seen Dec. 12 in a shop in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays. A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home. “I got a lot,” Chen acknowledged. “It’s a fantastic place, a good place for shopping.” A man waits for a taxi Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleon street in Milan, Italy. A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, yardslong knit scarf priced at 980 euros. “I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours,” Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal. Buildings are decorated Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street’s guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone’s achievement. “Milan’s investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole,” said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association. She also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, “we’ll be back on top in no time.” Holiday shopping season is upon us. Keep gifting green with sustainable presents for the home. Holiday shopping season is upon us. Keep gifting green with sustainable presents for the home. The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's. After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant contributor to climate change: methane gas. "Greening" the holidays is essential, and one simple tip is to think more about how sustainable the materials are in your decorations, decor, and, of course, gifts. Instead of plastics, you could opt for items that can be reused, are made of renewable materials or natural fibers that boast a smaller environmental impact in both production and durability. Due to consumers' desires for more eco-friendly goods, sustainable materials are among the biggest trends in home decor. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable—and earth-conscious—home goods that make perfect holiday gifts. Made Trade rounded up a list of sustainable home decor trends in 2025 that offer dozens of creative options for holiday gift-giving. Each trend includes examples of great gifts for the home and advice for ensuring items are sustainably produced or can help create a more eco-friendly space. Indoor gardening In the depths of winter's gray days, it's a real gift to see a little green, which is why indoor gardening gifts are a wonderful idea. Not only are they eco-friendly and promote sustainability—the more food you can grow yourself, the less you have to buy—they also foster an appreciation of nature and bring the natural world indoors to enjoy. Sprouting kits and microgreens require minimal amounts of space and sunlight, but a sunny, south-facing window will permit a small herb garden or leafy greens for salads. If you're not sure what kind of light your recipient has access to, go with gifting indoor grow lamps along with the plants, or pick a hardy, low-water houseplant—some can act as natural air purifiers too. Warm (and undyed) neutrals When buying gifts for the home, consider what materials the items are made from and how far away they come from—not only are natural materials like rattan, jute, palm leaves, clay, organic cotton and linen, and ceramics more sustainable, but if they are being used by a local craftsperson, gifters are also saving on fossil fuels for the transportation. Plus, you're helping the local economy by supporting local craftspeople, so it's a win-win. Natural fiber pillows, sheets, blankets, and even doormats offer comfort and consideration of the environment. Adaptive reuse The most sustainable and eco-friendly gift is one you already have, so get creative about reusing materials already in or around your home (raid the recycling bin, find nice pieces of wood outside, wash out and reuse glass jars) to fashion them into new, thoughtful goods. Similarly, think vintage and secondhand—what items can you give a second life to by passing them along to someone who will find new meaning in them? Some of the most thoughtful gifts are small heirlooms—pieces of jewelry or a beloved ceramic dish—passed along to the next generation that will appreciate them. Smart technology Green technology offers ways to reduce our carbon footprint in everyday life, and smart thermostats, solar lights, smart sprinklers, and smart plugs all make great gifts, saving people money and conserving our valuable resources. For those looking into home renovations or updating decor, try a new light fixture paired with smart blubs, or a new window treatment with smart shades. Even something as simple as a rain barrel can reduce energy use—and while the technology for that isn't very sophisticated, it certainly is, like composting, "smart." Integrated outdoor living Integrated outdoor living is the ultimate gift, allowing us to bring the natural world into our homes. However, doing so sustainably takes a little more effort than simply leaving the doors to the deck open all the time. First, find eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor furniture, perhaps thrifting it or buying it used and fixing it up for a one-of-a-kind gift. If you can't go secondhand, choose furniture made of sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic (great for outdoor rugs), or bamboo. For smaller gifts, consider solar lights, a water feature that recycles water, a rain barrel, or even a set of handmade wind chimes made from seashells. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Made Trade and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Exploring Tesla’s Stock Evolution Tesla’s market movements have long captivated investors, yet their latest venture may revolutionize gaming. While Tesla is predominantly known for its innovative advances in electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions, its implications extend far beyond automobiles. The intriguing connection between Tesla’s stock performance and the future of gaming is an unfolding narrative, leading enthusiasts to reconsider technology integration across industries. Game-Changing Tech: A Shared Vision As Tesla continues to soar on the stock market, driven by dynamic breakthroughs in AI and autonomous technologies, the trickle-down effects are influencing various sectors, including gaming. The company’s cutting-edge advancements in virtual environments and battery efficiencies are set to redefine gaming hardware and software. Concepts like Tesla’s “Dojo” supercomputer aren’t just for cars; they open up immense computational abilities that gaming developers can only dream of harnessing. The Crossroads of Opportunity This evolving relationship between Tesla’s stock trajectory and gaming opens pathways for transformative growth. Imagine hyper-realistic gaming worlds powered by energy-efficient drivers reminiscent of Tesla’s design. The ongoing dialogue between automotive and gaming technologies bolstered by market successes hints at new collaborations. Savvy investors now contemplate a future where buying Tesla stock not only supports the electric vehicle industry but also catalyzes new gaming innovations. A New Era on the Horizon As Tesla continues pushing boundaries, the gaming industry’s future appears thrillingly unpredictable. These intertwining paths may just herald a new digital renaissance, redefining how virtual experiences are crafted and consumed globally. Unlocking the Future: Tesla’s Influence on the Gaming Industry In recent years, Tesla’s pioneering advances have captured widespread attention, especially within the realms of electric vehicles and sustainable energy. However, an exciting frontier is emerging where Tesla’s technological capabilities may significantly impact the gaming industry. This intersection between Tesla’s market evolution and gaming technology presents a potential for groundbreaking innovation, offering a glimpse into future possibilities that extend well beyond conventional automotive applications. Tesla’s endeavors in developing high-performance computing systems, particularly with their “Dojo” supercomputer, are reshaping what is possible in both automotive engineering and gaming. The “Dojo” supercomputer provides vast computational capabilities, which can be a massive boon for game developers seeking to create more sophisticated and immersive virtual worlds. By utilizing Tesla’s cutting-edge AI technologies, the gaming industry could experience unprecedented enhancements in realism and interactivity. The intersection of Tesla’s innovations with gaming offers numerous collaborative possibilities, poised to drive a new wave of creativity and growth. As Tesla’s stock continues to perform well, with investors increasingly interested in its diversified technological portfolio, the company’s influence might extend into strategic partnerships with gaming firms. This could lead to more accelerated development of energy-efficient gaming hardware that leverages Tesla’s battery technologies, paralleling trends toward sustainable tech solutions in gaming. For gamers, the infusion of Tesla-inspired advancements translates into tangible benefits, including reduced power consumption and enhanced gaming experiences. Improvements in battery efficiency could result in longer-lasting devices and quicker charging times, while AI-driven enhancements could level up gaming realism to unprecedented levels. These features promise to not only change gameplay experiences but also promote broader sustainability within the industry. Looking ahead, if Tesla continues to influence gaming, we can anticipate an era of innovation where virtual experiences are defined by seamless technology integration. This might spur new trends where gaming is not only a form of entertainment but also a critical component of digital expression and interaction. Ultimately, as Tesla’s technologies extend into gaming, the industry may witness a paradigm shift that redefines how digital worlds are constructed and engaged. For more insights on Tesla’s transformative technologies, visit their official website .Shopping on Shein and Temu for holiday gifts? You're not the only oneStock market today: Wall Street’s rally stalls as Nasdaq pulls back from its record

Milan's Via MonteNapoleone usurps New York's Fifth Avenue as world's most upscale shopping streetMega Millions jackpot nears $1 billion for Christmas Eve drawing