Footage has emerged of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou having a play fight on the Old Trafford pitch after the Bodo/Glimt game. Ngannou attended the match alongside two-time world heavyweight contender and United fan Derek Chisora. Both posed for photos in the stands with personalized shirts provided by the club. The former then went pitchside after the match to spend time with Onana. There, they posed for photos and spoke before having a quick scrap on the pitch. A video they have both shared on social media since shows them assuming a boxing stance before Ngannou dives down to grab Onana's right leg, moves up to his waist, and drags the player to the ground from behind. READ MORE: United supporters group announce ticket price protest ahead of Everton fixture READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are betraying United fans over ticket price hike From there, he positions himself on top before pretending to throw elbows at his head. Ngannou then rolls away as they both get back to their feet, after which, Onana comes over to shake hands before they hug each other. The day after, Ngannou shared photos from the visit on his Instagram with the following caption: "It was a lot of fun last night at Old Trafford during the game against Bodo/Glimt. We chatted after the game with the man of the night, the one and only Andre Onana. Thanks to Manchester United and the staff for the jersey." Soon after, Onana shared the footage alongside the caption: "I demand a rematch in a real ring! [ boxing glove emoji] Let's settle this once and for all! Francis Ngannou." Ngannou responded in a separate post: "Andre Onana is asking for a rematch, and I don't think it's a good idea for him, but since he's insisting, I have no choice but to give the man what he wants." He also replied on X, formerly Twitter : "Be careful what you ask for. It won't go well for you bro, but if you insist."
Tesla chief and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken a savage swipe at the Albanese government over its new social media age limit bill. The legislation, introduced on Thursday, seeks to block children under 16 from accessing social media platforms including Musk-owned X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Social media giants could face penalties up to $49.5 million if they breach the laws, which aim to better protect the wellbeing of young Australians online. Musk delivered his blunt assessment of the legislation on Thursday as he reshared a post on X by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. "Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians," the billionaire responded to the post, which has since amassed more than 17 million views. Musk has also been outspoken in his criticism of Labor's online misinformation and disinformation bill in recent months, previously labelling the Albanese government as "fascists". Under the bill, introduced in September, social media companies could be fined up to five per cent of their global revenue if they fail to adequately crack down on misinformation and disinformation on their platforms. Asked about Musk's remarks on Friday, independent MP Zali Steggall claimed the X owner was "looking after his own interests". "I’m not a fan of Elon Musk so in some ways I would say he’s looking after his own interests," Ms Steggall told Sky News Australia host Kenny Heatley. "He’s obviously a multibillionaire trying to preserve his business that I think at the moment is going downhill with a lot of people leaving X for platforms like Bluesky." Under the proposed age limit measures, it will be illegal for children under 16 to access social media platforms unless they meet specific age verification criteria. However, social media platforms will cop any penalties should underage users bypass the restrictions. Ms Steggall said she was concerned the new legislation was a "band aid approach" from the government, claiming the social media ban could have negative impacts for children. "It’s a knee-jerk reaction to very traumatic incidents but many experts an organisations say it will not fix the problem," the independent MP said. "What I would like to see the government be focusing is actually more on legislation that introduces a duty of care and puts responsibility on platforms. "My concern about the ban is it will also have negative impacts on young people who do find their tribe online and access resources that are useful to them. "So we need to find a balance between making sure we protect them from the damaging content and look at the algorithms." Children under the age of 16 are still able to use YouTube, WhatsApp, Messenger Kids, Google Classroom and Kids Helpline under the new bill. Introducing the social media age limit bill on Thursday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government was committed to keeping young Australians safe online. "Social media has a social responsibility. We know they can and should do better to address harms on their platforms," Ms Rowland in parliament. "The online safety amendment social media minimum age bill 2024 will amend the online safety act 2021 by introducing a minimum age of 16. "The bill puts the onus on social media platforms, not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure fundamental protections are in place. "This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them."How Recent Legislation Threatens Global Entertainment in CubaIntertek Group rises Friday, still underperforms market
The Persistence of (High Bandwidth) Memory: Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment and Korean Semiconductor Manufactures Face Harsher Restrictions Under New HBM RulesKurtis Rourke has made the Jon Cornish Trophy a family affair. The Indiana quarterback received the award Monday, which is presented annually to the top Canadian playing football in the NCAA. Rourke's older brother, Nathan, currently with the CFL's B.C. Lions, won the award twice in 2017 and 2018 at Ohio. "It's awesome," Rourke said. "Kind of getting introduced to the Jon Cornish Trophy back when Nathan won it a couple of times, I wanted to be able to have a shot and it was one of my goals to be in the conversation, be in the running. "It just means a ton to be recognized just because Canadian athletes don't get recognized too often. I'm just so glad we're able to get that recognition and continue to do it for our country." Rourke finished first in voting ahead of Montreal's Dariel Djabome, a junior linebacker at Rutgers. Stanford receiver Elic Ayomanor, last year's winner, was third, followed by Vancouver's Ty Benefield (sophomore safety, Boise State) and Jett Elad of Mississauga, Ont., a senior safety at UNLV. Cornish, of New Westminster, B.C., was a standout running back at Kansas who went on to have a decorated CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders (2007-15) before being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Rourke transferred to Indiana last December to boost his NFL draft stock after five years at Ohio, where he began as a backup to his older brother. The junior Rourke then captured the '22 MAC offensive player of the year award despite suffering a season-ending knee injury before heading to Indiana after the 2023 season. Rourke was instrumental in Indiana — traditionally known as a basketball school — emerging as a Big Ten contender in head coach Curt Cignetti’s first season. After winning 11 of their first 12 games, the Hoosiers' stellar campaign ended with a 27-17 loss to Notre Dame in the opening game of the expanded U.S. college football playoff bracket. Rourke finished 20-of-33 passing for 215 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in that contest. Overall, Rourke completed 222 of 320 passes (69.4 per cent) for 3,042 yards with 29 TDs and five interceptions. "What a privilege, opportunity to come join a program that had so much to prove," Rourke said. "It kind of aligned with what I was wanting to do, which was prove I could play at a higher level." The six-foot-five, 223-pound Rourke was named a finalist for the Manning Award, presented annually to the NCAA's top quarterback. He was also ninth in voting for the Heisman Trophy as U.S. college football's outstanding player. "College football has been everything to me," Rourke said. "Starting off my freshman year to be able to watch Nathan grow and play in his senior year and just learn from him in both how to live a college life but also be a college quarterback as well. "I won't forget my time at Ohio at all, it really created me and moulded me into the person, player I am. I’m extremely grateful for the entire college football experience." The former Holy Trinity star becomes just the second Canadian high school graduate to claim the Jon Cornish Trophy. Chuba Hubbard, of Sherwood Park, Alta., and currently with the NFL's Carolina Panthers, did so in 2019 while at Oklahoma State. The six-foot-two, 240-pound Djabome recorded 102 tackles (48 solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles this season. Rutgers faces Kansas State in the Rate Bowl on Boxing Day. The six-foot-two, 210-pound Ayomanor, a redshirt junior, was one of the few bright spots this season for Stanford (3-9). He registered 63 catches for 831 yards and six TDs after recording 62 receptions for 1,013 yards and six touchdowns in 2023. Last week, Ayomanor declared for the '25 NFL draft. The six-foot-two, 204-pound Benefield led Boise State in tackles (73), solo tackles (53) and interceptions (two) while also registering five tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and two recoveries. The Broncos are the third seed in U.S. college football's expanded playoffs and face Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Elad registered 55 tackles, an interception and six pass knockdowns during the regular season. He added 12 tackles (nine solo) and a sack in the Runnin' Rebels' 24-13 win over Cal in the Art of Sport LA Bowl to finish with an 11-3 overall record. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. The Canadian Press
A proposal to ban a transgender Montana lawmaker from using the women’s bathroom in the state's capitol building failed on Tuesday. The proposed amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Jerry Schillinger of Circle, would have required state legislators to use restrooms based on their biological sex at birth. The amendment needed to receive a majority from House members and Senate members on the joint rules committee to advance. It got enough votes to pass on the Senate side, but not the House. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, D-Missoula, was Montana’s first openly transgender female lawmaker. Rep. SJ Howell, D-Missoula, was the first nonbinary lawmaker. Both were first elected in 2022 and reelected this year. RELATED STORY | Montana transgender lawmaker on Capitol Hill's bathroom ban: 'Do not cede ground' On social media, Zephyr thanked her colleagues — particularly her republican colleagues — who she said “recognized this as a distraction from the work we were elected to do.” Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, one of four Republicans to vote against the proposal, said, “This particular action will have the effect of making people famous in the national news and will not contribute to the effective conduct of our business." This comes after some intense moments last month in Washington after a Republican representative from South Carolina proposed a similar ban on Capitol Hill ahead of the first openly transgender member of Congress, Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Delaware, taking office next year. RELATED STORY | Justices seemingly unmoved to overturn transgender health care ban for minors
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U.S. low-income voters fear Trump may slash benefits: reportDUBLIN (AP) — Vote counting was underway Saturday in Ireland’s national election after an exit poll suggested the contest is a close-fought race among the country’s three largest political parties. Election officials opened ballot boxes at count centers across the country, kicking off what could be several days of tallying the results. If the exit poll is borne out, that could be followed by days or weeks of negotiations to form a coalition government. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military didn't immediate respond to questions about the WHO chief's statement. The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home.". He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. What is known about a plane crash in Kazakhstan that killed 38 of 67 people on board The crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has killed 38 of 67 people on board. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t fully clear yet. It crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea. Officials in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia haven't commented on a possible cause of the crash pending an official investigation. Some commentators pointed out holes in the plane's tail section pictured after the crash as a sign that it could have been fired upon by air defense systems. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.
Virajini Thennakoon’s novel ‘Camellia’ has won the Golden Book Award Sri Lanka 2024. Since it was published last year, there have been many discussions and reviews claiming that this novel is a work of magical realism. But labeling it as a magical realism work won’t do justification for this amazing novel about Sri Lanka’s underrepresented community who are earning foreign exchange for a long time. This review clarifies the work explaining how the aspects of magical realism are covered in the novel. As we know, the term ‘Magical Realism’ first used by the German critic Franz Roh to explain paintings emerged in 1920s Germany. However, to highlight how ordinary objects may appear magical, amazing, and odd when you pause and gaze at them, Roh coined the word “magischer realismus.” Later, this genre was popular among Latin American writers who tried to write against colonialism. They found a new voice in magical realism to criticise colonial oppressors. Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges identified as the first Latin American author who used magical realism. But it was Gabriel Garcia Marquez who made it popular around the world with his famous novel ‘One Hundred Years in Solitude’ which won the Nobel Prize for him. Although Virajini’s novel has many layers of socio-political issues, gender issues and many themes, this review is to identify the aspects of magical realism in the novel. Since the term magical realism came to light there were different opinions about the aspects of magical realism. But there were few common aspects among all the critics who described the aspects of magical realism. Familiar setting The first aspect is ‘Realistic Setting.’ Every magical realism novel takes place in a setting in this world that’s familiar to the reader. If we closely look at the ‘Camellia’, the setting is nothing new to the Sri Lankan reader. The setting takes place in a familiar tea estate in the era of the British Government. The characters, environment, equipment, political and social events that occurred during the time of the novel were related in history, familiar to the reader. The second aspect is ‘Magical Elements.’ From speaking objects to dead characters walking, telepathy and many supernatural powers, magical realism stories have magical elements that do not happen in the real world. But in the stories those elements are represented as normal. When reading ‘Camellia’ the reader would find many magical elements as mentioned above. For instance, Ambhiga, a character in the novel, who hangs her tea plucking casket on her back for her lifetime, would not occur in the real world. But the idea of using these magical elements was to showcase the weight on her people from the beginning would carry on for generations. If the author wanted to explain this weight it would take many pages to describe the whole thing. Magical elements can work as a metaphor. When Ambiga died, people couldn’t remove her cane basket because it was tightly bound with her like a new organ. Also, when Appan died, it was impossible to move his dead body from the store room. It was there for many days without rotting. Instead the body became more beautiful and healthier. ‘’During this time, particular changes began to happen in the Appan’s body. He was a thin, hunched back, black man, but after he died, day-to-day he left those physical features like he was resurrected with a new soul.” – Page 131 After the betrayal of Henry, Camellia didn’t change her wedding dress for six months. “After spending six months in the upstairs of Seram Bungalow, one evening when Camellia appeared in front of the school with a torn veil and holding up the dirty wedding dress, the children ran for the hills scared by her appearance.” – page 176 Magical elements artfully weave into the fabrics of mundane life in above sentences to normalise the magic. The author didn’t try to explain these incidents with full information but penned it down like a very normal incident. This can be explained as another aspect of magical realism. To normalise the magic as much as possible and reinforce that it as a part of everyday life, authors of magical realism deliberately leave the magic in their works of literature unexplained. Limited information is the third aspect of magical realism. In the novel, the author used limited information for several events that happened in ‘Moon Melt’ estate. How Anita went to sleep for seven days to Camellia’s six months in the same dress. Subtle criticism The next aspect is ‘Social or Political Critique. Magical realism is frequently used by writers to subtly criticise society, particularly politics and the ruling elite. In regions of the world, such as Latin America, that were exploited and economically oppressed by Western nations, the genre received popularity. Authors of magic realism used the genre to criticise and express their distaste for American imperialism. While reading ‘Camellia’ readers would find the critique against colonial oppressors and their local agents, social dilemma of tea plantation workers, the place of a woman in feudal society. And about relationships too. It is obvious with these examples that Virajini’s novel ‘Camellia’ is a work of magical realism. Apart from that it has socio-political themes that need to be discussed among the readership. While reading it I found one similarity between Marquez novels, ‘One hundred Years of Solitude’ and ‘Camellia’. Both novels have a hypothetical place, Marquez created ‘Macondo’ back in the 60s and Virajini created ‘Moon Melt’ in 2023. It is obvious that Virajini’s novel would pave a new way for the next generations to follow if they want to use magical realism. While trying to explain how this novel could be claimed as a magical realism work, there is not enough space to describe the language used in the book. This article would not be enough to discuss it. However, ‘Camellia’ will be an all-time novel.
David Maialetti / Staff Photographer There's tension thick enough to be cut with a knife following the Washington Commanders jaw-dropping comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles , and it wasn't just what happened on the field. There were rumors circulating regarding a heated argument between former Eagles star Zach Ertz and head coach Nick Sirianni , claims which had to be physically split up by no less than the Eagles' infamous head of security, "Big Dom" DiSandro. Was it really the case, or is it just overhyped? Ertz Addresses the Incident Facing reporters on Thursday, Ertz downplayed the postgame drama, insisting there's no bad blood between him and Sirianni. But he didn't deny that something went down. "I'm not really going to get into the specifics," Ertz started, clearly trying to keep things diplomatic. "Just two people that really love to compete. Nick and I had a great relationship when I was there, we still have a great relationship. I think it's definitely been blown way out of proportion." The tight end, now with the Commanders, added that he and Sirianni had already smoothed things over. "We spoke, we're good. There's no ill feelings on my part, and I don't think there's any on his part either." Was It Really Heat Of The Moment? While Ertz insists the interaction was no big deal, he acknowledged it stemmed from the heat of competition—and maybe a bit of a misunderstanding. "Just something in the heat of the moment. Probably got blown out of proportion and maybe a misunderstanding, but at the end of the day, he and I are fine," he said, emphasizing his respect for the Eagles organization. Ertz’s return to Lincoln Financial Field was already an emotional one, as it marked his first visit as a member of the Eagles' divisional rivals. After nearly a decade in Philly, where he became a fan favorite and Super Bowl champion, Sunday’s game was bound to stir up feelings. A Bittersweet Homecoming Ertz's one reception for 12 yards isn't going to be making anyone's highlight reel, but his being on the field—and certainly in postgame drama—meant he was still at center stage. Ertz spent eight memorable seasons with the Eagles before being traded to the Cardinals in 2021. Now in his first season with the Commanders, he's fully embraced his new team, though Sunday's win carried extra weight given his history in Philadelphia. At the end of the day, Ertz wants to focus on the positives. "Everyone knows how I feel about that place and that building, but at the same time, I love being here," he said. So was it a spat, a misunderstanding, or just some harmless postgame banter? Whatever it was, Ertz and Sirianni seem ready to move on-even if fans and media can't stop dissecting it. Also read - Patrick Mahomes Eyeing To Score Russell Wilson’s Star Target: NFL Analyst Sparks SpeculationNEW DELHI: Eminent economist and former prime minister of India Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday at AIIMS Delhi. He was 92. Singh was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on Thursday after experiencing breathing difficulties. It was Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra, who first announced the news through his X page. “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ji. My deepest condolences for his family and loved ones. Thank you for your service to our Nation. You will always be remembered for your Economic revolution and progressive changes, you brought to the country,” Robert Vadra on X. Singh remains India’s only Sikh prime minister and rose to prominence with his path-breaking liberal economic policies floated during his tenure as Finance minister in PV Narasimha Rao’s government. It was his brain that helped India’s economy to trudge the road of liberalization. A representative of the upper House from Assam for five consecutive times, Singh in 2019, changed course and got elected to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. Manmohan Singh was born in Gah, now in Pakistan. His family migrated to India during the partition. He studied at Panjab University and later went to Cambridge to earn a degree in economics. In 2004, when the United Progressive Alliance came to power, the then-chairperson Sonia Gandhi befuddled political analysts after suggesting Singh to be the prime minister of India. His tenure lasted for 10 long years until Narendra Modi dethroned the UPA government in a landslide victory.ISSAQUAH, Wash., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: COST) today reported net sales of $21.87 billion for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended December 1, 2024, an increase of 5.6 percent from $20.71 billion last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 24, 2024, the Company reported net sales of $60.99 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent from $56.72 billion last year. Net sales for the first thirteen weeks were $66.52 billion, an increase of 7.2 percent from $62.04 billion last year. Comparable sales were as follows: Comparable sales excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange were as follows: E-commerce sales in November were negatively impacted by an estimated 15 percentage points, due to Thanksgiving / Black Friday / Cyber Monday occurring a week later this year versus last year. Total and comparable sales were negatively impacted by approximately one and one-half percent as a result of the shift in E-commerce sales. Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Costco currently operates 897 warehouses, including 617 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Certain statements contained in this document and the pre-recorded message constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For these purposes, forward-looking statements are statements that address activities, events, conditions or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, domestic and international economic conditions, including exchange rates, inflation or deflation, the effects of competition and regulation, uncertainties in the financial markets, consumer and small business spending patterns and debt levels, breaches of security or privacy of member or business information, conditions affecting the acquisition, development, ownership or use of real estate, capital spending, actions of vendors, rising costs associated with employees (generally including health-care costs and wages), workforce interruptions, energy and certain commodities, geopolitical conditions (including tariffs), the ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, regulatory and other impacts related to environmental and social matters, public-health related factors, and other risks identified from time to time in the Company’s public statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update these statements, except as required by law. Comparable sales and comparable sales excluding impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange are intended as supplemental information and are not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. COST-Sales
A Brief Guide To Calvin Klein's Gulfstream JetBeing an election year, the city has seen an increase in the number of hoardings, banners, and posters across various areas. From January to December 18, approximately 70,930 illegal banners and posters have been removed throughout the city. Despite the fact that the police were informed in 29 cases, it is surprising that not a single FIR has been registered against the violators. While the number of such advertisements continues to grow, the BMC has failed to finalize and enforce a comprehensive 'Outdoor Advertisement Display' policy to regulate the proliferation of these hoardings. Illegal banners and posters spike during festive seasons, particularly in September, when celebrations for Ganeshotsav and Navratrotsav lead to an increase in displays. This year, the city has seen a surge in political hoardings during the Lok Sabha elections in June and the state assembly elections in November. The Bombay High Court had reprimanded the Maharashtra government and civic bodies across the state for failing to adhere to its directives on curbing illegal hoardings and banners. However, even after the elections, these hoardings continue to clutter the city's landscape, contributing to the growing visual pollution. According to data received from the BMC's License Department, a total of 39,187 religious, 25,402 political, and 3,373 commercial illegal posters and banners were removed between January 1 and December 18, 2024. The highest number of illegal banners and posters were removed in the months of September and October, with 25,689 removed in September and 10,953 in October. The new draft policy mandates that no agency may erect or display advertisements such as banners, boards, or flags, without written permission. Unauthorised displays will be punishable under section 471 of the BMC Act, 1888, and The Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, which can lead to up to three months imprisonment, a fine of Rs2,000, or both.