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What's On Tap in Chicago Bulls news ? Welcome to the 52nd edition of "Tasting Flight," a daily newsletter to keep fans updated on all the latest news in Bulls Nation. Bulls Set for 1st 2024 NBA Cup Home Game The Bulls return home Friday to host the Atlanta Hawks in their second 2024 NBA Cup group-play game. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT and the game will air on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) . Cup Night action at the UC! ⏰: 7:00 pm CT : https://t.co/dLgvAjfc2T : @670TheScore @MotorolaUS | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/1wYi1L11eL As Friday marks the first Bulls home game of the 2024 NBA Cup, the United Center will feature a new court design. The stage is set! @MotorolaUS | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/z3n7MvuhI1 Stacey King Gives Josh Giddey Defensive Advice Bulls television broadcast analyst and three-time NBA champion Stacey King spoke at length about what Josh Giddey should do to improve his defense. Delivered via his "Gimmer the Hot Sauce" podcast, King's advice covered nuanced fundamental details such as angles, help defense, and more. On Today’s Episode... Stacey King gives a message to Josh Giddey Talks about Billy’s lineup rotations and the impact of Torrey Craig And his thoughts on the new All Star Game setup⭐️ OUT NOW: https://t.co/QnHxOv8Eln pic.twitter.com/VJysZ5krTA Torrey Craig , Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic Appear in Latest NBA Trade Rumors Brett Siegel of Clutch Points published notes on the Golden State Warriors' trade options with guard De'Anthony Melton out for the season. Siegel suggests the Warriors are looking for a "home-run" talent in a trade, but Zach LaVine and Brandon Ingram are the only big names currently on the market. Additionally, Siegel states teams like the Warriors might proceed with caution at the trade deadline and instead seek salary-cap-friendly talent, such as Nikola Vucevic. While LaVine and Vucevic are the Bulls' most frequent subjects of trade rumors, Torrey Craig is reportedly drawing interest from the Milwaukee Bucks. Siegel notes the Bucks have made MarJon Beauchamp and Pat Connaughton available in discussions as they search for wing help. With De'Anthony Melton out for the year, he now becomes a possible trade chip for the Warriors to utilize. New on @ClutchPoints - Breaking down the Dubs' options on the trade market with intel and rumors from around the NBA: https://t.co/Iq3xFKF98T Ayo Dosunmu Speaks on NBA Cup Stakes Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu discussed the NBA Cup with K.C. Johnson of CHSN before Friday's game against the Hawks . Dosunmu specifically touched on the $500,000 reward each player gets if they win the tournament and how it incentivizes players to perform with more effort. Asked Ayo Dosunmu if players talk about NBA Cup games: “Yeah, for sure. That’s $500,000. [share for players on winning team] Everybody in top 4 gets money. You’re getting paid on top of getting paid so that’s fun. I think it brings more competitiveness.” Gotta love the honesty This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.TV news in Central Washington will lose a long-familiar face when Chief Meteorologist Monty Webb signs off for retirement. The 62-year-old's decades-long career in meteorology is an accomplished one, and his personality is a favorite among viewers. Webb announced his retirement last week, and his last day on air is scheduled for Jan. 3. Having always been interested in weather, Webb's start in meteorology came through the Air Force. As a forecaster in the '80s, he'd have to hand analyze large, black and white maps that were printed off from two primary weather models, according to Webb. Then, he was involved in testing for upgraded systems, allowing forecasters to see inside storms for the first time. "It was like comparing your cell phone to the old rotary dial phone," Webb said in an interview with the Herald. After he was medically retired from the military due to a blown-out knee, Webb set his sights on TV meteorology. With some help, he put together a demo reel and was eventually hired by KNDU, the NBC station covering Tri-Cities, Yakima and Eastern Oregon. This led to a fruitful, award-winning career, with meteorology positions in Seattle, Spokane, Boise, Chicago and Louisville. Ten years ago, he returned to his first station in order to work closer to family. "Out of all the places that we've worked at, this has probably been our favorite," Webb said, speaking for himself and his wife. After decades in the industry, Webb has had many unique experiences. From silly bloopers to devastating storms, he's had many memorable moments in meteorology. When asked about standout memories, he had several. Like the time in Boise when he flew off a horse's back on live TV while trying to show off his horseriding skills. Or, while at KNDU, there was the time his shorts slipped while he was getting out of a dunk tank. "We had a half-moon. We almost had a full Monty, live on TV," Webb said. "And the producer was like 'I tried to avert my eyes, but every monitor I looked at, I saw your butt.'" But there are also many serious moments he'll remember forever. Webb really cherishes his time in the Air Force as well, as he realized just how life-or-death weather can be. He told the Herald he got to forecast for just about every location in the northern hemisphere during that time, sometimes for special missions that relied on weather conditions. But one of the most memorable took place when he was Chief Meteorologist in Louisville, during the March 2012 tornado outbreak. It produced numerous tornadoes, including a massive EF4 tornado that nearly completely took out the town of Henryville, Indiana. Webb told the Herald that the tornado reached speeds over 260 miles per hour, was a half-mile long and stayed on the ground for an hour straight. His team was on air for five hours that day without breaks. While surveying the site with the National Weather Service the day after, Webb was looking at what remained of a local gas station. The owner approached and thanked the meteorologist, saying he watched Webb while preparing for the tornado. Following the broadcast team's direction to take cover, the owner instructed all customers to enter the walk-in freezer. They all lived. "That's probably the most serious and the most impactful," Webb said. "That one is the one that just will forever be in my mind." Webb says he's had a blessed career, and one full of growth and vast change in the field as well. Throughout his career, meteorology has advanced a lot, as has TV news. Instead of hand analyzing printed maps, forecasts are now done using computers, with three times as many models and generated analyses. With each technological advancement, Webb has had to learn new systems and adapt to changing daily responsibilities. "As a meteorologist, you have to be willing to adapt, you have to be willing to deal with the unpredictable," he said. This skill goes beyond forecasting weather, and he says it has kept him adapting with the field for several decades. He's had to stay up-to-date with advancements in technology, working with computers and social media. When Webb started in TV, the daily expectation of a meteorologist was one main forecast. Now, there's numerous forecasts each day, with streaming channels, social pages and web updates. Though he's kept up with the developing industries, and still loves the work he does, Webb felt it was the right time to retire. One thing he's loved about KNDU is its designation as a teaching station, meant to introduce young talent to the ways of the industry and shape them for jobs in bigger markets or with more responsibilities. Webb says he's loved growing the industry, since someone has to take over for him now. The majority of his trainees have gone back to school to get their meteorology degree, including his morning show counterpart at KNDU, Sigmund Seroka. But don't fret, you'll still see Webb on KNDU from time to time. He told the Tri-City Herald he'll be filling in as needed. In retirement, Webb will spend time with his family. He has two daughters here in Tri-Cities and a son living on the west side, plus 12 grandchildren. A thirteenth grandchild is expected in January. Webb and his wife love camping, especially with the grandchildren. They go on regional trips every year, and are planning a larger trip to celebrate retirement. Beginning in March, they're going to visit Oregon then head to Phoenix and stay at the Luke Air Force Base's family campground. He also plans to do a lot of fishing, especially at the Columbia River. Webb says he once caught an 11-foot sturgeon out of the Columbia. Webb is also planning to get a Veterans Service Officer certification, which he'll use to help other veterans navigate the services and resources available to them. In a parting message to viewers, Webb said the viewers have become an extended family to him, and he's always happy to meet them while out and about. "Thank you for inviting me into your home every single day," he said. "I appreciate all of the viewers because without them, I really wouldn't have a job. They are the ones who, in my view, have always been responsible for feeding my family, for putting a roof over my head, because they watch and I can't express enough gratitude towards them." (c)2024 Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.) Visit Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.) at www.tri-cityherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Musk's millions for Trump make him biggest US political donorESCONDIDO, CA -- The stars of "Mufasa: The Lion King": Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Tiffany Boone opened up to On The Red Carpet about playing the three lead lions in the upcoming Disney adventure. Pierre voices the title character, Mufasa, the father of Simba who was first introduced in the original 'Lion King' movie in 1994. Harrison Jr. plays his adoptive brother Taka who fans know better as the villain, Scar. And Boone plays Sarabi, a female lion who attracts the attention of the two males, putting their brotherly bond to the test. The new film opening in theaters December 20, isn't the first time Pierre and Harrison Jr. have worked together. The pair also portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in Nat Geo's "Genius: MLK/X." Harrison Jr. jokingly calls Pierre his "big brother" because they're "months apart." But! Pierre quickly clarified their birthdays are only a month apart. Boone revealed to On The Red Carpet what if feels like to see her character on screen as an animal singing, "Strange. Yes, when I finally saw it or even when we would see some of the sketches come to life it was like 'this is really, really strange' especially how intense the technology is. It's so life-like." Speaking of "intense," Pierre opened up about starring in a highly anticipated film hitting theaters before the holidays, "I'm very nervous but you know I'm really hopeful that people will connect with this and it resonates with people whether they choose to see it on their own or with their loved ones, I just hope people leave feeling inspired and feeling joyous!" Boone shared similar sentiments about voicing Sarabi. "It's an amazing opportunity to be in this cast of actors, to be working with (Lin-Manuel Miranda), to be working with (director) Barry (Jenkins). It's one of those moments where you have to pinch yourself and be like, 'oh, ok you are in this amazing opportunity, what are you gonna do with it and hopefully be present in it." Pierre says he's pinching himself too. "I still can't quite believe that this is a reality," He said. "So, I'm still pinching myself and I'm happy to be pinching myself with other people who are pinching themselves about this movie." "Mufasa: The Lion King" will be in theaters on December 20. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.
Ahead of the 2025 fiscal year, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube faced a daunting task on Thursday: revitalising Zimbabwe’s economy and filling the coffers of a Government encountering challenges to meet its obligations. In 2024, Government coffers came short, forcing Treasury to order ministries, departments and Government agencies (MDA) to prioritise spending. In a letter to the MDAs, Treasury said during the last quarter of the year, priority will be given to support social protection programmes, “which are still lagging behind in terms of their budget utilisation”. This is after revenue projections fell short of expenditures. During the first nine months of the year, total revenue collections amounted to ZiG62,4 billion, against expenditures amounting to ZiG66,5 billion. Consequently, a budget deficit of ZiG4,1 billion was recorded. Total revenue collections to year end are projected at ZiG110,7 billion, while expenditures are expected at ZiG119,97 billion (18,4 percent of GDP), resulting in a projected deficit of ZiG9,3 billion. With a constrained fiscal space, Treasury relied heavily on borrowing and even faced accusations of excessive money printing. The fiscal deficit as at September 2024 stood at ZiG4,1 billion and was financed through issuance of securities amounting to ZiG2,3 billion and drawdown of bank balance carried forward from the previous financial year. The year 2025 is not expected to be any better. In line with the projected GDP growth of 6 percent, during 2025, revenue collections are estimated at ZiG 270,3 billion (19,6 percent of GDP) while the 2025 fiscal framework provides for overall expenditures of ZiG276,4 billion or 20,1 percent of GDP. In US dollar terms, the Fiscal Framework translates to a GDP of approximately US$38,2 billion, revenues of US$7,5 billion and expenditures of US$7,7 billion. Mthuli said the budget deficit will be financed from the domestic markets and external sources. However, even after accounting for borrowing, the spending envelope still fell short of vote allocations. During the 2025 National Budget formulation stage, MDAs submitted total bids of over ZiG$700 billion, against the available budget envelope of ZiG 276,4 billion. This is more than double the ceiling of revenue collection capacity of 19,6 percent of GDP. To address this, Mthuli embarked on an ambitious plan to broaden the tax base by tightening existing tax administration and introducing new taxes and regulations. One such measure was the imposition of a “Fast Foods Tax” on popular items like pizza, burgers, and shawarma that will attract a tax rate of 0,5 percent on the sales value, with effect from 1 January 2025. The betting industry was not spared. A 10 percent withholding tax was imposed on the gross winnings of sports betting punters, aiming to tap into this growing sector. Furthermore, a wide range of businesses, from fabric and clothing merchandisers to car dealers and lodges, are now mandated to register for corporate and personal income tax. Failure to comply would result in hefty penalties. Mthuli proposed that any operator that fails to register and account for taxes be compelled to pay tax between US$9 000 and US$15 000. “I, further, propose to empower ZIMRA to temporarily close businesses which fail to adhere to the above requirements, including failure to register for tax purposes, until such registration and payment of applicable taxes are completed,” said Mthuli. To monitor transactions and enhance tax compliance, even small businesses were required to adopt the Virtual Fiscalisation System. “I, propose to extend the Virtual Fiscalisation System for the recording of VAT taxable transactions to Micro and Small Enterprises whose turnover falls below the VAT registration threshold for purposes of monitoring sales, during the first quarter of 2025. “This will assist in promoting transparency and ultimately enhance tax compliance by Micro and Small Enterprises,” said Mthuli. The mining sector also came under scrutiny. Mineral royalties were included in the definition of taxes, and mining companies were required to register for income tax before applying for mining rights. “I, therefore, wish to emphasise that, in the general interest of the public, royalties shall be payable on any mineral or mineral bearing ore or products during any period of assessment. “In addition, I propose that the Minister responsible for Finance be empowered to designate any mineral as being subject to royalties, notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation. The Government also introduced a Special Capital Gains Tax on the transfer of mining rights. “I propose that no mining company should be allowed to make any application for mining rights without registration for Personal and Corporate Income Tax. “While these measures aimed to increase revenue, Mthuli also acknowledged the need for tax relief. The personal income tax-free threshold was adjusted to provide relief to taxpayers. “I propose to review the local currency Tax-Free Threshold to ZiG2 800 per month and accordingly adjust the tax bands,” said Mthuli. Additionally, the Capital Gains Withholding Tax on marketable securities was reduced. “I, therefore, propose that marketable securities be subject to Capital Gains Withholding Tax at a rate of 1 percent on the gross value of the price at which the security is sold, with effect from January 1, 2025. To promote environmental sustainability, the Government introduced a 20 percent Plastic Carrier Bag Tax and provided incentives for the use of electric vehicles and solar power. Trigrams Investment analyst, Walter Mandeya, said the success of these measures will depend on effective implementation and enforcement. “As Zimbabwe navigates its economic challenges, the Government’s ability to strike a delicate balance between taxation and economic growth will be crucial,” he said. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s economy is poised for significant growth in 2025, with projections indicating a 6 percent expansion. While slightly lower than the initial forecast of 6,5 percent, this figure represents a significant rebound from previous years including 2024, which is expected to grow by just 2 percent. Key sectors driving this growth include agriculture, which is expected to surge by 12,8 percent, powered by favourable weather conditions and increased investment. The energy sector, specifically electricity generation, is projected to grow by 10.6 percent, alleviating power shortages and boosting industrial activity. The information technology sector, a burgeoning industry, is anticipated to expand by 9,9 percent, fueled by increasing digital adoption and innovation. The mining sector, a traditional economic mainstay, is expected to grow by 5,6 percent, driven by rising commodity prices and increased investment in mining operations. On the demand side, private consumption is projected to be the primary driver of growth in 2025, with an estimated 6,6 percent increase. This is attributed to a strong recovery in household spending as economic conditions improve. Government consumption is also expected to contribute to growth, albeit at a more modest pace of 5,3 percent. Gross fixed capital investment is projected to rebound significantly from 0.5 percent in 2024 to 4,6 percent in 2025. This surge in investment is expected to be driven by the private sector, which is increasingly confident in the country’s economic outlook. The economy is expected to experience stable inflation in 2025, with a projected average month-on-month inflation rate of less than 3 percent. This stability is attributed to the implementation of tight fiscal and monetary policies. While US dollar year-on-year inflation increased from -2,9 percent in January 2024 to 3,3 percent in November 2024, the outlook for the exchange rate remains positive. Mandeya, however, called for caution. “While these projections are promising, it is crucial to note that several challenges remain. These include high levels of debt, infrastructure deficits and political uncertainty. ‘However, with prudent economic policies, sustained reforms, and a conducive business environment, Zimbabwe has the potential to unlock its economic potential and achieve sustainable growth,’ said Mandeya. Source: Business Weekly