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Cellectis announces the drawdown of the third tranche of €5 million under the credit facility agreement entered with the European Investment Bank (EIB)Percentages: FG .381, FT .727. 3-Point Goals: 7-24, .292 (Mackey 4-10, Dawkins 2-7, Samuels 1-2, Johnson 0-1, Williams 0-1, Rogers 0-3). Team Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 3 (Dawkins 2, Rogers). Turnovers: 6 (Brooks 3, Pi.Bazil, Samuels, Williams). Steals: 4 (Johnson, Reynolds, Rogers, Williams). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .472, FT .920. 3-Point Goals: 5-20, .250 (Monsanto 3-8, Spears 2-10, Horton 0-1, Millender 0-1). Team Rebounds: 0. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: 7 (Smith 3, M.Njie 2, B.Njie, Horton). Turnovers: 7 (Spears 4, B.Njie, Horton, Millender). Steals: 4 (B.Njie, Mahmoud, Monsanto, Spears). Technical Fouls: None. A_828 (4,080).National interest must prevail over politics, says PM’s aideLuigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. But Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sharply refuted that perception after Mangione’s arrest on Monday when a customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania spotted Mangione eating and noticed he resembled the shooting suspect in security-camera photos released by New York police. “In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this, he is no hero,” Shapiro said. “The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning.” Mangione’s family and upbringing Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather, Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. Nick Mangione had 37 grandchildren, including Luigi, according to the grandfather’s obituary. Luigi Mangione’s grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes, including Catholic organizations, colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker’s office confirmed. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media by Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Mangione’s education and work history Mangione, who was valedictorian of his elite Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts suggest he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. The children of some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent residents, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have attended the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis’ parent company, Take-Two Interactive, said it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, but has not worked there since 2023, the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company confirmed to the AP. Time in Hawaii and reports of back pain From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, including surfing, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back,” Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. An image posted to a social media account linked to Mangione showed what appeared to be an X-ray of a metal rod and multiple screws inserted into someone’s lower spine. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. An X account linked to Mangione includes recent posts about the negative impact of smartphones on children; healthy eating and exercise habits; psychological theories; and a quote from Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti about the dangers of becoming “well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Police report a darker turn Mangione likely was motivated by his anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by AP. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s handwritten notes and social media posts. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. ___ Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore; Jen Kelleher in Honolulu; Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; and Michael Kunzelman in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Sean Murphy, The Associated Press
World leaders discussed the latest developments taking place in the Middle East and highlighted their implications at a session on the opening day of Doha Forum 2024 Saturday. The panellists at the session on *Conflict Resolution in a New Era included Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, and India's Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. HE Sheikh Mohammed spoke on the current state of negotiations between Israel and Palestine, saying that it has been going through ups and downs since the start of the war. “We have seen on November 23 (2023), the deal was concluded to release the first batch of hostages in exchange of 250 Palestinian prisoners,” he said. “And since that time, we have been back and forth within the same process, within the same framework that we are discussing today.” HE Sheikh Mohammed noted that the situation in Syria is evolving rapidly. “Our worry is that this will bring back the old cycles of internal violence, the civil war, and this is really threatening the integrity, the territorial integrity of Syria,” he stated. “It can damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency to start putting a political framework and trying to address the issue from a political perspective to find a sustainable solution.” Eide stressed that the establishment of the integrated Palestinian statehood is the only way to ensure peace and coexistence in the Middle East. “We need a two-state solution,” the Norwegian minister said. “We want an integrated Palestine, compromising the West Bank and Gaza, the relevant parts of Jerusalem, you know, as was envisaged in the Oslo Accords.” “And the drama, the horror is so deep now that we cannot go back to 6th of October last year,” Eide said, referring to the events of October 7, 2023. He also noted that the world would not be able to solve the problems in the Middle East region without solving the Palestinian question. Dr Jaishankar stated that what is happening in the Middle East region affects all countries, including India. “We have about 500,000 Indians who live in Mediterranean countries,” he said. “We have a trade of about $80bn with the Mediterranean,” Dr Jaishankar continued. “Looking at the Gulf, we have 10mn Indians here and maybe about $180bn of trade.” “I think what's happening in Syria, what's happening in the larger region, what's happening in Gaza and Lebanon, in Iran, the combination of all of this, there is a larger regional instability which is actually growing month on month,” he added. “It is impacting us. As a country on the other side of Asia, we are feeling the impact of this,” the minister said. “I mean, we are feeling it in shipping costs, we are feeling in trade disruptions.” “So today instability anywhere actually is a source of concern. There is no region you can say that is far away,” he added. The session was moderated by CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour. Related Story Qatar celebrates World Soil Day QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and Technology
Friend of Quebec man killed in Florida boat explosion says his sister also injured
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after the president-elect's threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City . It was unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada from Florida, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. A person familiar with the details of the leaders' hastily arranged meeting Friday night said it was a “positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours.” The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said topics included trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast and pipelines, as well as the the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year. The Republican president-elect 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 their borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. As he was leaving his West Palm Beach hotel, Trudeau stopped briefly to answer a reporter’s question about the dinner meeting, saying it was "an excellent conversation." Trump’s transition team did not respond to questions about what the leaders had discussed. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Among those at the dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump's pick for commerce secretary; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, in line to lead the Interior Department; and Mike Waltz, Trump's choice to be his national security adviser. Accompanying Trudeau were Canada's public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, and Katie Telford, Trudeau's chief of staff. Trudeau had said earlier Friday that he would resolve the tariffs issue by talking to Trump. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said a day earlier after speaking with Trump that she is confident a tariff war with the United States will be averted. Trudeau said Trump got elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now he's talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said before his leaving for Florida. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. To Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, Trump "doesn’t need convincing that new tariffs on Canadian products would not be in U.S. interests. He knows that, but cannot say it because it would detract from what he has said publicly. His goal is to project the image that he gets action when he talks.” Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. Trump made the tariff threat Monday while citing an influx of migrants entering the country illegally, even though the numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison to those at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also spoke about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border are few in comparison to the Mexican border. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are ready to make new investments in border security. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. 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. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto.Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.TradingView Empowers Investors to Blend Passion with Profit Through Innovative Lifestyle Investing Strategies!
A melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday. After the Wolverines' fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block "O" to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section. When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines' flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out. Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag. A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read: "Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate." Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said: "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man. "You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better." Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers. Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn't sure what happened. "I don't know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren't going to let that happen," he said. "I'll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we're embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there's some prideful guys on our team that weren't just going to let that happen." The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident. --Field Level MediaWorld leaders discussed the latest developments taking place in the Middle East and highlighted their implications at a session on the opening day of Doha Forum 2024 Saturday. The panellists at the session on *Conflict Resolution in a New Era included Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, and India's Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. HE Sheikh Mohammed spoke on the current state of negotiations between Israel and Palestine, saying that it has been going through ups and downs since the start of the war. “We have seen on November 23 (2023), the deal was concluded to release the first batch of hostages in exchange of 250 Palestinian prisoners,” he said. “And since that time, we have been back and forth within the same process, within the same framework that we are discussing today.” HE Sheikh Mohammed noted that the situation in Syria is evolving rapidly. “Our worry is that this will bring back the old cycles of internal violence, the civil war, and this is really threatening the integrity, the territorial integrity of Syria,” he stated. “It can damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency to start putting a political framework and trying to address the issue from a political perspective to find a sustainable solution.” Eide stressed that the establishment of the integrated Palestinian statehood is the only way to ensure peace and coexistence in the Middle East. “We need a two-state solution,” the Norwegian minister said. “We want an integrated Palestine, compromising the West Bank and Gaza, the relevant parts of Jerusalem, you know, as was envisaged in the Oslo Accords.” “And the drama, the horror is so deep now that we cannot go back to 6th of October last year,” Eide said, referring to the events of October 7, 2023. He also noted that the world would not be able to solve the problems in the Middle East region without solving the Palestinian question. Dr Jaishankar stated that what is happening in the Middle East region affects all countries, including India. “We have about 500,000 Indians who live in Mediterranean countries,” he said. “We have a trade of about $80bn with the Mediterranean,” Dr Jaishankar continued. “Looking at the Gulf, we have 10mn Indians here and maybe about $180bn of trade.” “I think what's happening in Syria, what's happening in the larger region, what's happening in Gaza and Lebanon, in Iran, the combination of all of this, there is a larger regional instability which is actually growing month on month,” he added. “It is impacting us. As a country on the other side of Asia, we are feeling the impact of this,” the minister said. “I mean, we are feeling it in shipping costs, we are feeling in trade disruptions.” “So today instability anywhere actually is a source of concern. There is no region you can say that is far away,” he added. The session was moderated by CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour. Related Story Qatar celebrates World Soil Day QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and Technology
In his first public reaction to indictment by US prosecutors, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani said Saturday that "every attack" makes the group stronger and affirmed its "absolute commitment to world-class regulatory compliance ". "This is not the first time we have faced such challenges... despite a lot of the vested reporting, no one from the Adani side has been charged with any violation of FCPA (America's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) or any conspiracy to obstruct justice," Adani said while speaking at the 51st India Gem & Jewellery Awards in Jaipur. In today's world, negativity spreads faster than facts - and as we work through the legal process, I want to reconfirm our absolute commitment to world-class regulatory compliance, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani said Saturday. He recalled that in Jan last year, just as the group was getting ready to launch a follow-on public offering, it faced a short-selling attack initiated from abroad, a reference to the US-based Hindenburg Research report. "This was not a typical financial strike; it was a double hit - targeting our financial stability and pulling us into a political controversy. All of this was further amplified by certain media with vested interests. But even in the face of such adversity, our commitment to our principles remained strong," said Adani. He said that after successfully raising Rs 20,000 crore from India's largest-ever FPO, the company made "the extraordinary decision" to return the proceeds. "Moreover, our all-time record financial results in the same year showcased our commitment to operational excellence. Not a single Indian or foreign credit rating agency downgraded us. Finally, Supreme Court's affirmation of our actions validated our approach," said Adani. He said that he had come to accept that the roadblocks the group faces are "price of pioneering". "The bolder your dreams, the more the world will scrutinise you. But it is precisely in that scrutiny that you must find the courage to rise, to challenge the status quo, and to build a path where none exists. To pioneer is to embrace the unknown, to break limits, and to believe in your vision even when the world cannot yet see it," said Adani. He also recalled the resistance to the group's investment in a coal mine in Australia. "In fact, it was so intense that we ended up funding the entire project of $10 billion with our own equity," Adani said, referring to opposition from NGOs. "While we now have a world-class operating mine in Australia, and it could be seen as a great sign of our resilience, the fact is that 100% equity funding took away over $30 billion of debt financing from our green energy projects," said Adani. "Looking back, while we have had our successes, our challenges have been even bigger. However, these challenges have not broken us. Instead, they have defined us. They have made us tougher and give us the unshakeable belief that after every fall, we will rise again, stronger, and more resilient than before," the Adani Group chairman said. Adani Green Energy Ltd had said on Wednesday that Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain have not been charged with any violation of FCPA on the counts mentioned in the criminal indictment of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) or the civil complaint of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Kazakhstan has solidified its position as the leading investment destination in North and Central Asia, drawing USD 15.7 billion in new projects in 2024, as per the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) report released on Dec. 25. This marks an 88 per cent year-on-year surge, with Kazakhstan accounting for 63 per cent of the region's total investments, The Astana Times reported. The region witnessed a 27 per cent rise in overall foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, totaling USD 24.8 billion in 2023. ESCAP highlighted Qatar's UCC Holding as a significant contributor to Kazakhstan's FDI growth, with USD 11 billion committed to the development of critical gas infrastructure projects. "The growth in Kazakhstan now sees it attracting 63 per cent of the region's total FDI in thus far 2024, led by investments totaling USD 11 billion from Qatar's UCC Holding to establish two gas processing plants, a new compressor station, and two additional trunk gas pipelines throughout the country," stated the report. The projects include gas processing plants with annual capacities of one billion and 2.5 billion cubic meters, aimed at optimising raw gas usage. Agreements for these initiatives were formalised between QazaqGas, the national gas company, and Qatar's UCC Holding during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Qatar. Additional developments encompass the construction of the Aktobe-Kostanai gas pipeline and the expansion of the Beineu-Bozoi-Shymkent pipeline, which is anticipated to enhance Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure. ESCAP emphasised the pivotal role of proactive investment strategies in sustaining such momentum, particularly for emerging markets. "In this context, proactive investment promotion by line ministries and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) becomes increasingly crucial, particularly in sectors contributing to sustainable development. For emerging investment destinations, success depends not only on creating the right policy environment but also on offering investors a comprehensive suite of support services and aftercare," the report noted. While Kazakhstan led the subregion, Uzbekistan secured USD 4 billion in FDI, followed by the Kyrgyz Republic with USD 2.1 billion, Azerbaijan with USD 1.2 billion, Turkmenistan with USD 339 million, Georgia with USD 126 million, and Armenia with USD 67 million, reported The Astana Times. Despite robust inflows into certain countries, outward investments from North and Central Asia declined significantly in 2024, with total outflows falling by 58 per cent to USD 2.3 billion. Russia accounted for 90 per cent of these outflows, channeling USD 847 million into India and Belarus's coal, oil, and gas sectors. The broader Asia-Pacific region recorded USD 292 billion in FDI between January and September 2024, down from USD 339 billion during the same period in 2023. India led the region with USD 76 billion in inflows, followed by Australia at USD 38 billion, China at USD 28 billion, and Japan at USD 25 billion. ESCAP attributed the decline to global economic uncertainties and geopolitical shifts. "The landscape of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia-Pacific continues to evolve rapidly amid global economic uncertainties, geopolitical shifts, and technological transformations. While 2024 has witnessed some moderation in investment flows following the record-breaking announcements of 2023, the region has demonstrated remarkable resilience and maintained its position as a premier destination for international capital," the report highlighted. The report identified several factors reshaping investment patterns, including the acceleration of digital economy investments post-COVID-19, heightened energy security concerns, and supply chain restructuring influenced by geopolitical tensions. Experts also noted a transition in investment pace as projects announced in 2023 moved into implementation. The services sector continued to dominate FDI inflows in the Asia-Pacific, accounting for 55 per cent of the total, while manufacturing contributed 41 per cent. The share of the primary sector declined to 4 per cent in the first three quarters of 2024, compared to 9 per cent during the same period in 2023. Within manufacturing, semiconductors, electronic components, and metals attracted the highest investments, with USD 28.2 billion, USD 19 billion, and USD 12.5 billion, respectively, in the first three quarters of 2024. However, metals investments saw a steep 61 per cent decline compared to 2023 due to weakened global steel demand, falling prices, increased Chinese exports, and reduced domestic consumption, The Astana Times reported. Kazakhstan's remarkable performance in attracting FDI underscores its growing appeal as a hub for regional development and international collaboration. The investments, driven by strategic agreements and infrastructure projects, signify the nation's proactive approach to fostering economic growth and sustainable development. Disclaimer: This is a syndicated feed, except for the headline the article is not edited by the FPJ editorial team.Shekar Kapur, who was appointed as the director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), shares that he accepted the position because of his love for films. “How could I not support the Indian film industry? However, I think we have a way to go,” he says. In this exclusive conversation, the veteran filmmaker speaks about creative freedom, business side of the film industry, and more Excerpts: A filmmaker should have a belief system. If it’s because of abusive content, then what is it? There is nothing like that. I don’t put anything in the abusive content category. Didn’t I make Bandit? We fought censorship. Then it was released. Then there was a case in the High Court. The film was banned. Subsequently, we went to the Supreme Court, where we won. We succeeded because of the Indian Constitution. It was written in the Constitution that nothing can be pornographic if it is good for the Government and society. We were accused of pornography. We were accused of everything. If I could make it then, I would make it now. But then you have to fight. You can’t just keep grudging. You have to fight. I’ll join you. You go ahead. We are a country in the throes of change. How many people do we have? 1.3 billion. How many cultures? How many states? We are still forming as a nation. There is turmoil and chaos in formation. We are a democracy. Otherwise, the country would have fallen apart. If we don’t protest, how will we think ahead? I am now making a film called 'Paani'. Before that, I made 'Masoom'. Art is like that. That’s how it grows. Rebellion causes art. It is an artist’s right to rebel. How will you do it? My parents didn’t tell me to make a film. They told me to get a job. First, there was rebellion. Then there was art. Then the rebellion kept on going. Every film cannot become a business proposition. But that’s the problem with our industry. Every film is looked upon in terms of the money it has made. That’s not a film. That’s an industry. Filmmaking or film industry? It’s a different thing. Reason for making 'Masoom 2'? When I made Masoon, I knew nothing. I was a chartered accountant. I was naive and knew nothing about filmmaking. It was a simple human story. I want to bring back that experience. I don’t know what is happening. I don’t know how to do it. I am looking for new ways to make the film. It took me ten years to write the script. We will start shooting in March next year.
ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show hit with complaints as fans say same thing about guestMILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo was available for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Washington Wizards Saturday night after missing one game with swelling in his left knee. Antetokounmpo sat out the Bucks' 106-103 NBA Cup victory at Miami on Tuesday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
If you have room in your portfolio for some new ASX 200 shares, then it could be worth checking out the two listed below. That's because they have recently been named as buys by analysts and tipped to have very bright futures. Here's what they are saying: ( ) The first ASX 200 growth share that analysts are tipping as a buy is Megaport. It offers scalable bandwidth for public and private cloud connections, metro ethernet, data centre backhaul, and internet exchange services. The company's software layer provides users with a clever and easy way to create and manage network connections. Through the Megaport network, businesses can deploy private point-to-point connectivity between any of the locations on Megaport's global network infrastructure. This leaves the company extremely well-positioned to benefit from the structural shift to the cloud and the artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, Goldman Sachs believes Megaport has an enormous growth potential. It has previously stated that it estimates that the company's "opportunity for further growth is immense [with] GSe A$129bn p.a. spent on fixed enterprise networking across MP1 geographies." It adds: While acknowledging mixed near-term execution around the partner channel and the new MVE product, we are Buy rated on the name as we remain confident MP1 has a clear product advantage vs. peers and a decade-long runway for robust growth. Despite the soft operational trends in recent periods, we expect still robust top-line growth, with the increased focus on profitable growth supporting an attractive earnings profile over FY25-26. The broker has a buy rating and $10.40 price target on its shares. ( ) Another ASX 200 growth share that has been named as a buy is WiseTech Global. It is the logistics solutions company behind the popular CargoWise One platform. The company notes that CargoWise One is regarded as the logistics industry's most advanced enterprise-class management system, with a deeply feature-rich set of vertical and horizontal, whole-of-enterprise capabilities that provide comprehensive functionality for logistics execution needs across the supply chain. Given the quality of its platform, the company boasts incredible industry adoption rates, high recurring revenue, and ultra low churn rates. This has been underpinning strong earnings and revenue growth for some time and Bell Potter believes more of the same is coming. It said: At its recent AGM, WTC downgraded its FY25 guidance by up to around 10% at revenue and 15% at EBITDA, principally due to the delay in the release of one of the company's new products – Container Transport Optimisation – due to "distractions flowing from the recent media attention and the organisational changes that have subsequently been implemented." The release is now expected to occur in 2HFY25 rather than 1HFY25, and we note that the releases of the company's other new products – ComplianceWise and CargoWise Next – are on track. In our view, WTC appears oversold at current levels and as one of the best growth names on the market, the recent downgrade presents a buying opportunity. Bell Potter has a buy rating and $140.00 price target on its shares.Western Michigan beats Eastern Michigan 26-18 to become bowl eligible
Examinations: Time for fresh thinkingA proposal to honor vice president-elect J.D. Vance at a city council meeting in tiny Middleton, Ohio, was disrupted when a dispute broke out this week after his mother made a plea to the city fathers to acknowledge his part in Donald Trump's 2024 election win. According to a report from WCOP, a local ABNC affiliate, Beverly Aikins, Vance’s mother, spoke to the city council on Thursday to request that her son get some type of honor for becoming vice president. The report notes she explained, "I am just here because I am JD Vance’s mother and as you know he is our new vice president-elect and he thinks of Middletown as his home. I still live here and his sister still lives in Middletown. He’s got two nieces who live here and I just think it would be nice if we could acknowledge that this is his hometown and put up some signs." ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Senate Dems consider whether Biden should ‘clear the slate’ and pardon Trump She then added, "He graduated from Middletown High School, he comes back here frequently to visit me and take me to dinner, and I humbly request that.” That, in turn, led to a debate, where, reportedly, her plea was not greeted with unanimous enthusiasm. As Lauren Pack of the Journal-News reported, "Councilman Paul Lolli said there are two issues concerning the JD Vance recognition — what wasn’t done by the city after the election through social media and what is going to be done going forward." Lolli proposed, "To me, our communication department should have done this weeks ago. I would like to ask the communications department to get something out by the end of the week. That is what a lot of people in Middletown are extremely upset about." That received pushback from Councilwoman Jennifer Carter who claimed, “I would think that we would wait and see what happens. (Kayla Harrison, Kyle Schwarber, etc.) proved themselves before we put those signs up.” After Lolli replied, "JD won,” Carter parried, "Let’s see what he does ... what’s the rush.” “What we are saying is the fact that the city won’t even recognize that a Middletonian has been elected as vice president that is a problem. I would say the same thing if it were an independent or a Democrat. We should be proud," Councilman Steve West II, offered to which Mayor Elizabeth Slamka added, “It is fair to recognize. That is in the works. I am not a political person. It can be very polarizing. But I think we can recognize.” You can read more here.
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Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Cuts Stock Position in Independent Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX)Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipFormer Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit is one of the most well-known figures in college football. A longtime host of ESPN's venerable 'College Gameday' pregame show, Herbstreit is often singled out for his unique takes on the Buckeyes and Big Ten games along with college football games from across the nation. On Saturday, virtually all of the college football world expected Herbstreit's alma mater to snap its three-game losing streak against "The Team Up North," coach Sherrone Moore's Michigan Wolverines. What unfolded was an upset for the ages that had Herbstreit taking to social media to send a message to Michigan's rookie coach. Junfu Han/USA Today "Rivalry weekend. Ya just never never know," Herbstreit said on his X account after the game. "That's why they play the games. Congrats to @Coach_SMoore and @UmichFootball." Herbstreit's colleague Desmond Howard was the only member of the "College GameDay" crew who picked the Wolverines to win the game, an unsurprising turn of events considering Michigan was an underdog of 23 or more points in some circles. Herbstreit's tweet was viewed over 215,000 times heading into the evening as Ohio State players and coaches were left to pick up the pieces, their fate for the 2024 12-team College Football Playoff still undecided. Related: Gus Johnson Throws Shade at Michigan, Sherrone Moore After Win vs. Ohio State
Shedeur Sanders uses his cleats to send message about NFL DraftTravis Hunter is still six months shy of his 22nd birthday, but he already has the entire world at his fingertips. And yet, he has not let the fame or money go to his head. He remains as down-to-earth and mature as you can imagine for a young Heisman Trophy finalist. During a visit to The Pivot podcast, former NFL player Ryan Clark acknowledged this trait that Hunter has and called the two-way star “wise beyond his years.” And Hunter added that he intends to pass that wisdom on to his younger brother. Travis may be just 21 years old, but he’s the oldest of four children in the Hunter clan. He has a younger sister, Taylor, and two younger brothers, Junior and Trayvis. The latter seems to be following in Trav’s footsteps already, as Trayvis has already started to turn heads as a high school sophomore. Travis, however, wants to make sure his brother is “gonna get it just like” he himself got it: on his own. Hunter is speaking to the hustle-and-grind mindset that helped many athletes in previous generations reach the greatest heights in their sport. Things weren’t handed to them. And Travis wants Trayvis to have the same type of mentality he did when he was coming up without a famous older brother. Travis spoke about how “being the oldest” means he has to set an example, not just hold their hands through the process. Travis doesn’t want his newfound wealth and fame to make things too easy for his siblings. But he’s also not ignoring them. The Colorado Buffaloes WR/CB hybrid spoke about how he still supports his brother. He won’t market Trayvis on his social platforms, but he says that his main focus is to “help” him and his other siblings. Trayvis played his freshman season at the same school as Travis: Collins Hill in Suwanee, Georgia. He transferred to Effingham County High School in Springfield, Georgia this past year. As a sophomore, Trayvis—who plays as a receiver like Travis but not as a cornerback—chipped in with 36 receptions for 496 yards and six touchdowns as his team made it to the 5A Georgia state playoffs.36 Fun Things To Buy Because Practicality Is For Squares
World leaders discussed the latest developments taking place in the Middle East and highlighted their implications at a session on the opening day of Doha Forum 2024 Saturday. The panellists at the session on *Conflict Resolution in a New Era included Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, and India's Minister of External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. HE Sheikh Mohammed spoke on the current state of negotiations between Israel and Palestine, saying that it has been going through ups and downs since the start of the war. “We have seen on November 23 (2023), the deal was concluded to release the first batch of hostages in exchange of 250 Palestinian prisoners,” he said. “And since that time, we have been back and forth within the same process, within the same framework that we are discussing today.” HE Sheikh Mohammed noted that the situation in Syria is evolving rapidly. “Our worry is that this will bring back the old cycles of internal violence, the civil war, and this is really threatening the integrity, the territorial integrity of Syria,” he stated. “It can damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency to start putting a political framework and trying to address the issue from a political perspective to find a sustainable solution.” Eide stressed that the establishment of the integrated Palestinian statehood is the only way to ensure peace and coexistence in the Middle East. “We need a two-state solution,” the Norwegian minister said. “We want an integrated Palestine, compromising the West Bank and Gaza, the relevant parts of Jerusalem, you know, as was envisaged in the Oslo Accords.” “And the drama, the horror is so deep now that we cannot go back to 6th of October last year,” Eide said, referring to the events of October 7, 2023. He also noted that the world would not be able to solve the problems in the Middle East region without solving the Palestinian question. Dr Jaishankar stated that what is happening in the Middle East region affects all countries, including India. “We have about 500,000 Indians who live in Mediterranean countries,” he said. “We have a trade of about $80bn with the Mediterranean,” Dr Jaishankar continued. “Looking at the Gulf, we have 10mn Indians here and maybe about $180bn of trade.” “I think what's happening in Syria, what's happening in the larger region, what's happening in Gaza and Lebanon, in Iran, the combination of all of this, there is a larger regional instability which is actually growing month on month,” he added. “It is impacting us. As a country on the other side of Asia, we are feeling the impact of this,” the minister said. “I mean, we are feeling it in shipping costs, we are feeling in trade disruptions.” “So today instability anywhere actually is a source of concern. There is no region you can say that is far away,” he added. The session was moderated by CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour. Related Story Qatar celebrates World Soil Day QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and TechnologyConcerns raised about enforcement in baby eel fishery if licences redistributed HALIFAX — Fishers raised questions today about how federal enforcement officers will cope if a proposal to increase the number of people licensed to net baby eels in the Maritimes goes ahead next year. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press Dec 10, 2024 1:01 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Baby eels, also known as elvers, swim in a tank after being caught in the Penobscot River, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Brewer, Maine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Robert F. Bukaty HALIFAX — Fishers raised questions today about how federal enforcement officers will cope if a proposal to increase the number of people licensed to net baby eels in the Maritimes goes ahead next year. The concerns emerged during a meeting held by the federal Fisheries Department at which current licence holders heatedly suggested the federal minister hadn't thought through the proposed changes. The Fisheries Department is proposing to redistribute about 28 per cent of the allowable catch of 9,960 kilograms from nine commercial licence holders -- creating about 150 new commercial licence holders -- and providing half of the total catch to First Nations fishers. Robert Mark Weldon, a fisher who works for Atlantic Elver Fishery, said during the meeting he may receive one of the licences but is worried about his safety as the number of people on the rivers seeking the lucrative baby eels increases. Dawn Reiss, who works for commercial licence holder Atlantic Canada Eels, asked enforcement officers at the meeting how enforcement will change in 2025 under the proposed pilot project and questioned whether there will be enough officers. Chris Wagner, an enforcement officer with DFO, told the meeting that he couldn't say how the project would affect enforcement as it wasn't yet clear how many people would be taking part in the fishery. Trevor Lushington, another DFO enforcement officer, said his fellow officers tried to deter illegal fishing this year but their staffing is limited, and "there is a lot more (illegal fishing) going on," where arrests aren't being made. Lushington described the current enforcement climate as "hell," saying both fishers and officers have been threatened while working on the rivers during the spring elver season. Wagner said 169 arrests were made on the rivers this year, but it is not clear how many of those will proceed to prosecutions. Under the federal government's proposed changes, the nine existing commercial licence holders will be left with just under 22 per cent of the total catch. Fisheries Department officials have said the federal minister "supports broadening the distribution of benefits of the elver fishery,” including an increased participation of First Nations in the regulated fishery. Under the proposed pilot project allocation, the federal department is offering licences to 120 fishers currently employed by commercial licence holders, representing 27 per cent of the overall quota. A further 1.5 per cent would be allocated to licences offered to 30 fishers who currently catch adult eels. During the meeting, federal fisheries officials said under the pilot project the goal would be to have the "one licence holder per river approach," on the roughly 123 rivers where elvers are fished. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Michael Tutton, The Canadian 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 More The Mix Premiers to meet with Trudeau Wednesday about trade and tariffs, Ford says Dec 10, 2024 1:34 PM Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer suing Jay-Z as part of civil cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs? Dec 10, 2024 1:29 PM S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points Tuesday, U.S. stock markets also lower Dec 10, 2024 1:25 PM Featured Flyer
Gus Malzahn is resigning as Central Florida's head coach to become Florida State 's offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Seminoles have not confirmed Malzahn's move, which is pending a state background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights made official that Malzahn is leaving in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) concluded its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
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FBI sought to record calls of Chicago Democrat who earlier ran Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign
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