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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein announced his choices for a majority of his Cabinet positions Monday before he takes office next month, with two of the seven revealed department secretaries being holdovers from outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. The two current secretaries — Reid Wilson and Pamela Cashwell — have been appointed by Stein to lead departments new to them. Other Cabinet appointees include a top lieutenant for Stein while in his current job as attorney general. Stein’s transition office also said the Cabinet will include its first Latino and first Indian American secretaries in Gabe Esparza and Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, respectively. Wilson, at present the Natural and Cultural Resources Department secretary, is set to become the next head of the Department of Environmental Quality. And Cashwell, the current Department of Administration secretary, is Stein's choice to succeed Wilson. Stein, who defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson last month, and his transition leadership team have been working to fill out positions in the next administration. A public inauguration ceremony for the governor and others elected to statewide executive branch positions is set for Jan. 11 in Raleigh. It’s anticipated that Stein will get officially sworn as governor earlier as the new year begins. His Cabinet appointees — likely 11 in all — will be subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Since a 2016 law that laid out the confirmation process, the Senate has rejected only one Cabinet appointee — Dionne Delli-Gatti as environment secretary in 2021. Wilson's long work history includes stints at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and as national political director for the Sierra Club. Stein picked Sangvai as the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, which in part oversees Medicaid, mental health services and state-run hospitals. Sangvai, a Duke University medical school professor, recently served as Duke Regional Hospital president and is current president of the North Carolina Medical Board, which licenses and disciplines doctors. Esparza, a former U.S. Small Business Administration administrator and previous candidate for state treasurer from Charlotte, is in place to succeed Cashwell leading the Department of Administration. The department oversees many internal business affairs within government, including purchasing and contracting, the state’s motor fleet, and government buildings and property. Leslie Cooley Dismukes, the criminal bureau chief within Stein's state Department of Justice, is the governor-elect's choice to lead the Department of Adult Correction, which includes the state's prisons and probation and parole services. Dismukes was previously a criminal division chief for the U.S. attorney's office for eastern North Carolina. Other Stein Cabinet choices named Monday were McKinley Wooten Jr. leading the Department of Revenue and Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette leading the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Wooten has had a long state government career and is currently an assistant revenue secretary. Mallette has been a private attorney who graduated from the U.S Air Force Academy and served as an Air Force intelligence officer and prosecutor. Cabinet secretaries yet to be announced include those who would lead the commerce, public safety, information technology and transportation departments. 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!Purandeswari supports PK's claim on illegal transport of PDS rice
Mechtron Leads the Trend in Men's Lifestyle Tools with the Launch of an Innovative Product Lineup
Christian Lazore walked to the top of the Central Park concrete exercise staircase in Saugus, then back down. He did it 100 times. And he did it in one day over the course of nine and a half hours without a break, eating and drinking while he walked. According to Melissa Mann, most people participating in the “August 100” challenge of 2023 did no more than 10 to 30 sets at a time on a given day to complete their monthly goal of 100 sets. That was the case for Mann and her friends. On the last day of the challenge, she and her group were finishing their sets when they saw Lazore, who just kept going up and down the steps. “He wasn’t leaving,” Mann said. “Then all of a sudden, it comes out later, he was doing all 100 sets on the last day.” She pointed to the Central Park stairs and added, “He did 100 of these in one day.” Saugus residents Mann, 37, and Lazore, 43, spoke with The Signal earlier this month at Central Park about a movement they lead called the SCV Stairs Project. What started as a Facebook group to encourage local residents to go out to the steps and walk 100 sets in one month has since grown to well over 1,000 followers on multiple social media platforms, and into a community of people who go out to the stairs regularly to exercise and help others. According to city of Santa Clarita Communications Division Manager Carrie Lujan, the response to the stairs, which are open daily to the public from sunrise to sunset, has been enormously positive since the city installed them. The staircase, she said, which is made up of 172 steps, cost approximately $11.87 million and was part of the Central Park Buildout project that was completed in October of 2023. She added that the plan included “much more than just the staircase,” and that funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 Response Fund. “The city was able to utilize these funds,” Lujan wrote in an email, “because they could be used for ‘loss of economic impact’ due to a number of sports tournaments and events, which are held at the park (and) had been put on hold as a result of COVID-19.” Lazore was out at the steps on the Fourth of July in 2023 before the official ribbon cutting ceremony. He and a friend were doing 50 sets of steps for the 50 U.S. states, the two of them carrying full-size American flags while they did their sets. And when they finished, they secured the flags at the top of the staircase. Both flags were still there earlier this month. “The city left them up there,” Lazore said. “And I was like, ‘I want to share this with everybody.’ I really felt like I left a piece of myself up there that day.” The next month, Lazore got the idea to do what has since become the annual “August 100” challenge. The idea was that those who were up to it would, during the month of August, complete 100 sets of the stairs. “There were already quite a few regulars,” Lazore said. “So, I invited them to the ‘August 100’ Facebook group.” The group took off, with many wanting to walk the 100 sets of steps in the span of the month. “I was just looking for 20 or 30 friends to come here and stay motivated together,” Lazore said. According to Mann, the “August 100” drew upwards of 200 people. She didn’t know Lazore at the time. A friend of hers, who knew Lazore’s wife, invited Mann into the group. “I didn’t know what it was,” Mann said. “She (her friend) just added me in there. And I was like, ‘Oh, this is cool. I’m into the health and wellness space, and I’m always up for a good challenge.’ I rallied a bunch of friends, and I asked, ‘Hey, you want to do this with me?’” When she got to the stairs and started walking, she also got to talking with others participating in Lazore’s challenge. Mann thrived on the support she saw among people there, and she enjoyed encouraging others, as well. She admitted it was addicting. She was immediately hooked. Mann later reached out to Lazore through the Facebook group and expressed how impressed she was with what he was doing. “The next day,” Mann said, “he sent me a message, and he was like, ‘Hey, do you want to go grab Starbucks?’ In my mind, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m married. How do I make this clear?’ I didn’t know what he wanted or what his intention was. I wrote back, ‘I need to chat with my husband. What’s on your mind?’” Lazore wrote back, clarifying that he was married, too, and he assured her that he just wanted help. The project, he said, had grown too big for him to manage himself. Mann was eager to get involved. She joined forces with Lazore in September 2023, and that’s when the SCV Stairs Project was born. Lazore and Mann began coming up with new monthly challenges, like the 9/11 climb where participants did 14 sets of steps (14 because the World Trade Center towers were about 1,400 feet tall), and October’s contest where people were challenged to do 31 sets of steps for Halloween. Part of the work that Lazore and Mann do includes collecting pictures and video of people finishing their sets and cataloguing the names of those who finish. Much of that content is on social media. For the “August 100” challenges, the SCV Stairs Project produces T-shirts with the names of those who complete their 100-sets challenge. That’s only fueled the popularity of the project, and more and more people have been joining the community. “It’s incredible,” Mann said. “You had people who were sharing stories of overcoming cancer, some saying, ‘I’m walking for my dad who just passed away,’ and then people like me and my girlfriends who do this because we’re moms and we want to stay healthy and fit for our kids and fit for ourselves. You just had these deep stories that were coming out.” According to 61-year-old Sand Canyon resident Jenny Andrade-Rodgers, she got involved with the SCV Stairs Project last year because of the community that had formed around it. “Honestly, I didn’t even know those stairs existed,” she said in a telephone interview. “I don’t usually go to Saugus. I saw someone posting on Facebook and I got curious and went over there.” Andrade-Rodgers added that she bonded with people right away. They’d constantly challenge each other to top what they’d previously accomplished. “You meet a lot of people — very nice people,” she said. “And then you’re exercising — it’s really good cardio. It’s outdoors, it’s free. The scenery is nice — you get to see the most beautiful sunrises and really beautiful sunsets.” Andrade-Rodgers really got int it. Through the month of October 2023, she did 1,000 sets of steps. That’s not a typo. That’s a thousand. She’s since slowed down because she doesn’t want to overdo it, but she’s still a regular and very active. Canyon Country resident Carlos Soria said he’s seen the SCV Stairs Project community really inspire others. While some in the group enjoy friendly competition, people are mostly there to support one another and do their personal best. “You get people who are wanting to do it as exercise — at all different levels and for different reasons,” he said. “Next thing you know, you get that FOMO — fear of missing out. People are posting, ‘Hey, I was at the stairs.’ And you’re like, ‘Oh, man, I haven’t been there in a while. I’ve got to get out there.’” Mann said that she and Lazore don’t discourage anyone from coming out to the steps. It’s not about how many sets you do or how fast you can do them. Mann used to do a mom’s walking group. But that targeted mostly young moms only. The SCV Stairs Project is for the young and the old, male and female, and everyone in between. “I also don’t just want to appeal to the people who are the regulars who are already motivated,” she said. “I want to help reach the people who are too intimidated to even show up.” She makes an effort to reach out to those people who find themselves in dark places. It’s a place Mann knows well, having dealt with depression and anxiety. She used exercise during her tough times. Much of her passion came out of wanting to help people going through similar battles. “One of the sayings I carry with me always is, ‘You’re best equipped to help your previous self,’” she said. “If we’re not out there advocating for and helping support people who are struggling as we have in the past, then what’s the purpose of this life?” But helping others doesn’t stop there. The SCV Stairs Project also raises money through various challenges for charitable causes. They did a turkey trot last November and donated $1,500 to the Santa Clarita Grocery on Centre Pointe Parkway. They’re planning another one this year. They’ve also done fundraisers for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for children’s cancer and one in memory of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a Santa Clarita Valley resident, who was murdered in September 2023 while on duty in Palmdale. Lazore is thrilled with how the SCV Stairs Project has been making its mark and bringing people together. It has far exceeded his expectations so far, but it’s what he’d hoped for. “My goal has been for these stairs to be like the heartbeat of Santa Clarita,” he said. “It’s a place where we can all come together for whatever needs to be celebrated or mourned. I want it to be a place where everyone could just come and congregate and give and be together, whether it’s laughing or crying.” According to the SCV Stairs Project Facebook page, every step taken on the Central Park stairs represents progress toward a stronger, more connected community. The goal is to elevate the stairs into a symbol of unity, where a simple greeting and a friendly smile become second nature. As Lazore and Mann told their story, several people going up and down the stairs said hello to the two. Mann shouted to a father of two girls, “Good job, dad. Good job getting the girls out here,” to which the father replied, “They’re making me do it.” Some folks walking the steps even wore their “August 100” shirts, one woman showing off her name on the back of the shirt when she stopped by to say hello. Lazore and Mann were all smiles. “I’m so grateful for our community,” Lazore said. “Even though we continue to get larger and larger, I don’t ever want that small-town feel to get away from us. Because every time there’s something that goes on in Santa Clarita, whether it was the Saugus shooting or that deputy going down, this community continues to rally.” Know any unsung heroes or people in the SCV with an interesting life story to tell? Email [email protected] .
Discrete Semiconductor Market to Observe Prominent CAGR of 2.5% by 2030, Size, Share, Trends, Demand, Growth, Challenges and Competitive Outlook 12-10-2024 09:04 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research (DBMR) Discrete Semiconductor Market Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the global discrete semiconductor market which was USD 43.02 billion in 2022, is expected to reach USD 52.42 billion by 2030, and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 2.5% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. Market Definition: Discrete semiconductor refers to the industry focused on the production and distribution of discrete semiconductor components. Discrete semiconductors are individual electronic components that perform specific functions in electronic circuits, such as diodes, transistors, and rectifiers, among others. Browse More About This Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-discrete-semiconductor-market ABB (Switzerland), Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC (U.S.), Infineon Technologies AG (Germany), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION (Japan), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), Diodes Incorporated (U.S.), Nexperia (Netherlands), Qualcomm Technologies Inc., (U.S.), D3 Semiconductor (U.S.), Eaton (Ireland), Hitachi Ltd. (Japan), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (U.S.), Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd (Japan) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (Taiwan) Competitive Landscape and Discrete Semiconductor Market Share Analysis: The global discrete semiconductor market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to global discrete semiconductor market. Browse More Reports: https://articles9555.blogspot.com/2024/12/polyethylene-market-trends-share.html https://articles9555.blogspot.com/2024/12/battery-transportation-packaging-market.html https://articles9555.blogspot.com/2024/12/medical-electronic-market-forecast-to.html About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to predict what the future holds is to understand the current trend! Data Bridge Market Research presented itself as an unconventional and neoteric market research and consulting firm with an unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are committed to uncovering the best market opportunities and nurturing effective information for your business to thrive in the marketplace. Data Bridge strives to provide appropriate solutions to complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is a set of pure wisdom and experience that was formulated and framed in 2015 in Pune. Contact Us: - Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 614 591 3140 UK: +44 845 154 9652 APAC: +653 1251 1629 Email: - sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com This release was published on openPR.
By STEVE LEBLANC, ERIC TUCKER and TARA COPP BOSTON (AP) — Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, who relied on technology funneled from the U.S. by his alleged co-conspirator, officials said. “We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands,” said U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts. “Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating.” The defendants were identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who prosecutors say works at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, who was arrested Monday in Italy as the Justice Department seeks his extradition to Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Abedininajafabadi, who also uses the surname Adedini and operates an Iranian company that manufactures navigation systems for drones, has connections to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. They allege that he conspired with Sadeghi to circumvent American export control laws, including through a front company in Switzerland, and procure sensitive technology into Iran. Both men are charged with export control violations, and Abedini separately faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran. A lawyer for Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was arrested Monday in Massachusetts, did not immediately return an email seeking comment. U.S. officials blamed the January attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah. Three Georgia soldiers — Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross — were killed in the Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in northeastern Jordan called Tower 22. In the attack, the one-way attack drone may have been mistaken for a U.S. drone that was expected to return back to the logistics base about the same time and was not shot down. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. “To the people who were injured by this attack, to the loved ones and family members of the people who lost their lives, as the son of a combat veteran I humbly hope that today’s charges bring some measure of justice and accountability,” Levy said. Tower 22 held about 350 U.S. military personnel at the time. It is strategically located between Jordan and Syria, only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Iraqi border, and in the months just after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Israel’s blistering response in Gaza, Iranian-backed militias intensified their attacks on U.S. military locations in the region. Following the attack, the U.S. launched a huge counterstrike against 85 sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Iranian-backed militia and bolstered Tower 22’s defenses. ____ Tucker and Copp reported from Washington.None
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Trump’s back: East Asian allies must adapt to the MAGA worldVice President Kamala Harris ’ bruising defeat is still a sore subject for supporters more than three weeks after Election Day . And that was all made worse by revelations this week that efforts by Harris’ campaign to get her on the popular YouTube show “Hot Ones” were reportedly turned down by the program. The popular YouTube talk show features a format in which celebrities answer questions as they eat progressively spicier chicken wings, coated in increasingly hot sauces. By Wednesday, the reports spurred heated reactions from social media users – particularly Harris supporters – with reactions ranging from spicy to more thought-provoking. ALSO READ: Merrick Garland and his 'Justice' Department should never be forgiven “Kamala Harris going on Hot Ones and/or Joe Rogan wouldn’t have changed the election results, but this still sucks a--,” author Ella Dawson wrote to her social media followers on Bluesky. “Sad: Harris didn’t do Hot Ones because they didn’t want to get into politics, via Harris campaign leadership on @podsaveamerica.bsky.social,” political reporter Adrian Carrasquillo wrote on Bluesky. Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell pointed out to his Bluesky followers that, “Trump had no problem getting on podcasts.” He then linked to an article and added: “Whereas the vice president was deemed too political.” Sociology professor Jessica Calarco summed up her feelings in three words, before offering her own analysis: “This is infuriating,” she wrote linking to a Daily Beast report . “This is particularly infuriating given how she got dragged for not doing enough interviews, and for not seeming 'regular' enough." The University of Wisconsin-Madison professor followed that up with a subsequent post delving deeper into what she believes was the root cause of Harris not being booked on the show. “I'm guessing a lot of this is pure racism and sexism," she wrote. "But part of what's going on here might also be that Republicans don't seem 'political' because they're read as anti-government, while Democrats, as the pro-government party, are read as inherently more 'political,' no matter what they say." The Daily Beast noted that in Hot Ones’ more than 350 episodes over nearly a decade, the show “has never hosted a political candidate for office." "Leading up to the 2024 election , guests included musician Pharrell Williams, comedian Ali Wong and 'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon, with episodes generally racking up over a million views on YouTube.”Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force conference in Estonia where he met leaders of Baltic states. The Prime Minister is set to visit British troops serving on Russia’s border as he says Ukraine will require more funding and capability. Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states. After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. “Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. “It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. “But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.
NoneRaphinha scores 2 and Barcelona ends Spanish league slump with 5-1 rout of Mallorca MADRID (AP) — Barcelona got back to winning in the Spanish league in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday with a pair of goals by Raphinha. Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Dec 3, 2024 2:53 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Barcelona's Pau Victor, right, celebrates with Raphinha after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Barcelona at the Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton) MADRID (AP) — Barcelona got back to winning in the Spanish league in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday with a pair of goals by Raphinha. Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Víctor also scored for Barcelona, which hadn't won in three consecutive league games to allow Real Madrid to inch closer at the top of the standings. Madrid is now four points back although it has two games in hand. Torres, who got to start in place of league-leading scorer Robert Lewandowski, opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Mallorca defenders failed to clear an easy ball from inside the area. One defender tried to kick it away but it ended ricocheting off a teammate to give Ferran an easy shot on goal. The hosts equalized with Vedat Muriqi in a breakaway just before halftime in what was Mallorca's only shot on target, but Raphinha put Barcelona back in front by converting a 56th-minute penalty kick. He added to the lead in the 74th after a nice assist by Lamine Yamal. Raphinha now has 11 goals in 16 league games this season. “This is probably my best moment, but I want to do more,” Raphinha said. “We knew it was important to win again after three matches in which something was lacking. It wasn't our best match, but it was important to win.” Yamal also helped set up De Jong's goal five minutes later, not long after the midfielder had come off the bench. It was De Jong who then assisted Víctor's goal in the 84th. Barcelona has scored five or more goals in a match for the sixth time this season across all competitions. It has outscored opponents 48-17 in the league alone. Barcelona had lost twice in its last three league matches — 2-1 to Las Palmas at home on Saturday and 1-0 at Real Sociedad three rounds ago. Its other setback was a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo when it was winning 2-0 until late in the match. The game against Mallorca was moved forward in the schedule because both clubs will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, the other two clubs in the Super Cup, will meet on Wednesday in Bilbao. Barcelona, which beat Brest in the Champions League last week, will visit Real Betis in its next league match on Saturday. Mallorca, sitting in sixth place in the Spanish league, faces Celta on Friday. Mallorca was coming off two straight league victories — against Valencia and at Las Palmas. Copa del Rey In the second round of the Copa del Rey, fourth-division club Barbastro ousted top-flight club Espanyol 2-0, while Celta Vigo trounced Salamanca 7-0, Las Palmas defeated Europa 2-1 and Valladolid beat Ávila 4-2. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Guardiola denies rift with De Bruyne during Man City's dramatic slump Dec 3, 2024 3:31 PM USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's final match Dec 3, 2024 3:20 PM Vardy helps Van Nistelrooy to first win with Leicester as Guehi defies the FA with religious message Dec 3, 2024 3:17 PM
Reports: Yankees sign LHP Max Fried to 8-year, $218M dealTORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products from Canada and as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” - Alan Kay This sentiment captures the essence of Pakistan’s ongoing journey through a landscape marred by deep-seated corruption and significant economic challenges, reflected in its 2023 ranking of 133rd out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. This persistent issue of corruption, with an average rank of 113.04 since 1995, undermines the social contract between the government and its citizens, hampering trust in institutions and stalling progress. Furthermore, the country’s economic landscape is precarious, as illustrated by a GDP contraction of 0.2% in 2023, following a robust growth of 6.2% the previous year. This volatility highlights the direct impact of governance on economic performance, with historical data revealing a fluctuating growth rate that has often been undermined by cronyism and systemic corruption. Amid these challenges, the necessity for substantial fiscal policy reform is critical. Pakistan’s low tax-to-GDP ratio, one of the lowest in South Asia, reflects ongoing inefficiencies that hinder revenue generation, despite a slight increase from 0.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2022. The fluctuating ratios reported by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) indicate struggles with compliance and enforcement, essential for maximizing government revenues. While there have been positive developments, such as a 55% increase in foreign direct investment and remittances in 2024, these indicators are inconsistent and come with political and social costs. The pervasive issues of illegal economic activities, exemplified by smuggling and unauthorized spectrum usage, further illustrate the critical need for effective governance and a collaborative tax system to foster sustainable development. The failure of governance reflects Milton Friedman’s assertion about the essential relationship between control and freedom, as unregulated operations ultimately erode both economic and social sovereignty. Amid these challenges, the role of accountability becomes essential. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been positioned as guardians against corruption, but their efficacy in addressing the ongoing crises remains under scrutiny. As former British Prime Minister William E. Gladstone aptly stated, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” This encapsulates the frustrations of a populace that yearns for swift and fair accountability mechanisms that can provide recourse against systemic injustices. Moreover, amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance further complicate these narratives. As Socrates noted, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. The rule of law, conflict of interest, blurred vision about bona fide and mala fide, differentiation between economic activity and accountability and vague definition of criminalization of economic activity are the unexamined aspects of social and economic life, to say the least. However, the discretion given to the bureaucracy is posing a critical challenge to system of accountability, which has led to almost complete erosion of trust in institutions. The technological advancement, the intersection of governance and innovation presents a critical focus area for Pakistan’s transformation. Automation, when integrated effectively into administrative frameworks, holds the potential to drastically enhance operational efficiencies and reduce corruption. Furthermore, the public sector has made strides towards modernization through e-government initiatives designed to streamline operations and enhance service delivery. These efforts aim to bridge the chasm between governance and citizen engagement by facilitating greater transparency and reducing bureaucratic red tape. The possibilities here are substantial; as efficiency increases, so too does the capacity to combat corruption and promote accountability, echoing the sentiments of modern economists who advocate for the use of technology as a fundamental driver for economic growth. The evolution of tax collection methods, the reduction of human discretion in administrative processes, and the digitization of services can alter the prevailing narrative about inefficiencies deeply rooted in systemic practices particularly the use of AI in FBR, judicial system, law enforcement The algorisms will substitute the discretionary powers of executive without prejudice and bias. Hopefully, it will depoliticize and demilitarize the bureaucracy Though world is thinking of embarking upon journey of laying off its debts through cyber currency, Pakistan can also envision the long-term project parallel to it because Pakistan faces the existential challenge of circular debt, though it is a day dream but ‘I think, therefore I am,’ Rene Descartes claimed To truly effect a change, meaningful strategies must manifest that elevate the development and consequent happiness, which is fundamental right. Though the numbers in economy of Pakistan are vacillating but as Albert Einstein said, ’’not everything that can be counted counts not everything that counts can be counted“ it is more than a numbers game, that is; development, satisfaction, contentment and pursuit of happiness of common man for common good. This can only be achieved through objective, quantifiable, trustworthy new social contract, which is only possible through medium of technology that is universal truth defying the multiple truths of social world rationalizing contradictory phenomenon. This can help foster a culture of change that transcends individual interests and promotes collective aspirations. Plato eloquently reminded us that “The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” This cautionary reflection should resonate deeply, inspiring citizens and state to cultivate a commitment to common good. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024Crystal Intelligence and Banxa Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Compliance for Embedded Crypto SolutionsEx-Nine chief Hugh Marks appointed new ABC boss
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Consumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
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