Trump brings back government by social mediaA record 38,189 permits for foreign, non-European workers, to come to Ireland were issued this year, a 24% increase on 2023. With the Irish economy experiencing full employment against a backdrop of increased economic activity firms have sought increased levels of work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) across various sectors and industries. New data shows the department received almost 45,000 applications this year and granted more than 38,000, made up of 32,480 new permits and 5,709 renewals. The increase came despite a rise last January in the income thresholds for various positions. January also saw a major expansion of the programme with 43 new occupations added to the list including mechanics, electricians, meteorologists, butchers and bakers. More than 12,000 were issued for workers in the healthcare sector mainly for roles in nursing and healthcare assistants. More than 6,500 work permits were granted for professionals working in the tech sector and in excess of 3,500 permits were granted for the Agri sector, mainly for workers in meat processing plants. In terms of nationalities, the Department's figures show India topped the list with 13,147 permits issued followed by Brazil (4,458), Philippines (3,944), China (1,903) and Pakistan (1,690). Over half of all new permits issued were Critical Skills Employment Permits for workers who are qualified in professions where there is a shortage of skills in Ireland such as doctors, nurses, engineers and ICT professionals. The Department said the average salary for these roles was €58,746. "With 2.7m people in Ireland now at work, many industries are finding it difficult to recruit and retain staff in a tight labour market," Minister of State with responsibility for Employment, Emer Higgins said. "Hiring from outside of the European Economic Activity helps supplement our workforce in areas of critical skills." Based on data up until November, meat processing firm Dawn Meats Ireland was the largest single company to be issued permits with 662 workers followed by healthcare facility firms Redwood Extended Care (457), Mowlam Healthcare Services (390), and Nua Healthcare (371). Within the technology sector, Google Ireland was issued 368 permits Amazon Development Centre was issued 341 permits and Amazon Web Services was issued 218. The data shows that 2024 was the first year that Dublin accounted for less than half of the permits issued.
Microsoft Azure customers worldwide now gain access to Impartner's Partner Relationship Management (PRM) platform to take advantage of the scalability, reliability, and agility of Azure to drive partner program growth and enhance business strategies. SALT LAKE CITY , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Impartner , a leading provider of partner management and partner marketing automation solutions, today announced the availability of its Partnership Relationship Management (PRM) platform in Microsoft Azure Marketplace , an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. Impartner customers can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment and management. Impartner PRM enables businesses to effectively manage and scale their partner ecosystems. By integrating seamlessly with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure, the platform offers real-time data synchronization, scalable cloud infrastructure, and enterprise-grade security. Impartner's PRM leverages Dynamics 365 to provide bi-directional data synchronization, streamlining partner management and optimizing the sales pipeline. Customers benefit from improved partner engagement, increased scalability through Azure, and secure compliance with global standards. Impartner's PRM includes AI-powered tools, such as an AI-driven chatbot, that enhance resource accessibility and partner engagement with 24/7 support. By integrating with Dynamics 365 and Azure, Impartner ensures customers can scale their operations and benefit from a cloud infrastructure that supports growth, efficiency, and innovation. "We're excited to make Impartner's PRM available in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, enabling businesses to manage and grow their partner ecosystems more effectively," said Ryan Knapp , Global Head of Partnerships at Impartner. "By combining our advanced platform with Microsoft cloud infrastructure, we're helping companies streamline operations, strengthen partnerships, and drive growth. This integration opens up new possibilities for businesses to scale efficiently and innovate with confidence." "Microsoft welcomes Impartner to Azure Marketplace, where global customers can find, try, and buy from among thousands of partner solutions," said Jake Zborowski , General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. "Azure Marketplace and trusted partners like Impartner help customers do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently, and spending smarter." The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud-based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use. About Impartner Impartner is the fastest-growing, most awarded provider of channel management technologies, including its flagship Partner Relationship Management (PRM) and Partner Marketing Automation solutions. These tools empower organizations worldwide to effectively manage partner relationships, drive demand through partners, and accelerate revenue via indirect sales channels. For more information, visit impartner.com . For more information, press only: Lola Phonpadith Impartner Lola.phonpadith@impartner.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/impartner-partner-relationship-management-platform-now-available-in-the-microsoft-azure-marketplace-302339325.html SOURCE ImpartnerTrump Poaches Another Florida Official to Serve in His Administration
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SHOPPERS are racing to get hold of the best deal on a litre bottle of Baileys as they stock up for Christmas. With just over a month to go until the big day , we wanted to let you know the cheapest place this week to buy a litre of the liqueur. Baileys has always been pretty pricey, usually being sold at around £20 for a litre of its original Irish Cream flavour. Supermarkets like Aldi and Asda have their own versions available for those looking for a dupe. But if it's the real thing you're after, you should always check where you can get the most for your money . As always, remember to check elsewhere in case we missed a cheaper price - there's never a bad time to catch a bargain. READ MORE ON XMAS Prices may vary day to day as well depending on what deals are on, and remember to look at delivery costs too if you're ordering online. There's a really easy-to-use comparison site called Trolley.co.uk, which compares the prices of 130,000 products across 14 major supermarkets. The Latest Deals app also lets you search items and helps you compare prices at several supermarkets to see where it's cheaper. When it comes to Baileys , it is always worth noting that the closer to Christmas we get the more likely it is that even better deals will crop up. Most read in Money Back in 2022, Tesco was selling a litre for £7.50 - which is its lowest price ever. By using Trolley and Google shopping we've narrowed down some of the cheapest places for you to grab a bottle of Baileys this week. Please drink responsibly and for advice or support about drinking alcohol please visit drinkaware.co.uk Cheapest shops to buy Baileys this week Retail giant Sainsbury's has slashed the price of its Baileys 1L bottles to £10 for customers. The deal is available to those with a Nectar Card, which slashes the usual price of £21.95 down by more than half. You can sign up for the scheme for free online or in store. Nectar customers can add the card to their Sainsbury's Groceries account when they check out to access all sorts of discounts . For those shopping in person, all you need to do is scan the Nectar card or app on your phone to bag the bargain. You may have heard of loyalty pricing, but do you know what it is? Sainsbury's , Tesco and Morrisons are three supermarkets that offer customers signed up to their loyalty schemes exclusive discounts - known as loyalty pricing. All three retailer's schemes, Nectar Card, Clubcard and More Card, are free to sign up to as well. The obvious advantage to loyalty pricing is that you can save potentially hundreds of pounds a year on your shopping, all without spending a penny. But different supermarkets offer exclusive discounts on different products, so do some research before doing your shopping. Either way, be wary of supermarkets artificially inflating prices to make it seem like you're getting a better deal than you are. A previous investigation by consumer group Which? found Sainsbury's and Tesco have increased the price of everyday goods then slapped loyalty prices on them thinking customers wouldn't notice. Either way, it's worth shopping around though. Supermarkets change their prices all the time, sometimes multiple times daily, so it's worth researching to ensure you're getting the best price on an item. You can use websites like Trolley to see how the major supermarket's compare in terms of price on any number of goods. Tesco also has the same deal for shoppers through its loyalty scheme. A litre of the original Irish Cream is now just £10 with a Clubcard, a whopping saving of £12. Despite being a festive favourite it's the cheapest it's been all year. The deal is running until December 9, so shoppers need to be quick to snatch the tipple. You can sign up for Tesco's Clubcard scheme for free and bag special prices like this one. Loyalty members can collect points every time they shop which then can be exchanged for vouchers. If you don't have a Nectar or Clubcard then you'll be stuck paying full price which is £21.95 and £22 respectively. The next cheapest stores selling the liqueur are Ocado and Asda which are both selling a litre for £13. READ MORE SUN STORIES Morrisons is the most expensive chain, selling a bottle for £22. But it's worth noting that at the beginning of November the supermarket was selling a bottle for £8.50 - the cheapest its been all year - so do keep an eye out for better deals. Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping. Limit the amount of presents - buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb. Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you're not having to buy multiple presents. Plan ahead - if you've got the stamina and budget, it's worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales. Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you're not forking out more than you should though. Buy in Boxing Day sales - some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25. Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent. Shop via outlet stores - you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts. They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.Closing First Nations infrastructure gap could generate $635B: report
Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. ( NASDAQ:LOCO – Free Report ) by 372.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 70,409 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after acquiring an additional 55,510 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.24% of El Pollo Loco worth $951,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of LOCO. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. raised its position in El Pollo Loco by 91.8% during the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 2,094 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,002 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its stake in shares of El Pollo Loco by 7.5% in the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 15,606 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 1,090 shares during the period. Point72 DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in El Pollo Loco in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in El Pollo Loco during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in El Pollo Loco during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.28% of the company’s stock. El Pollo Loco Trading Down 1.4 % NASDAQ LOCO opened at $11.59 on Friday. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $8.17 and a one year high of $14.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.31 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $346.99 million, a P/E ratio of 14.67 and a beta of 1.45. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of El Pollo Loco from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. View Our Latest Analysis on El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco Company Profile ( Free Report ) El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc, develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the El Pollo Loco name. It operates and franchises restaurants located in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Louisiana. It also licenses its brand to restaurants in the Philippines. Read More Five stocks we like better than El Pollo Loco 3 Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December What is a Stock Market Index and How Do You Use Them? Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 How Can Retail Investors Trade the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)? These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Receive News & Ratings for El Pollo Loco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for El Pollo Loco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .A stroke changed a teacher’s life. How a new electrical device is helping her move
Monday, December 30, 2024 Türkiye’s tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable surge in Chinese visitors, with 381,200 arrivals recorded in the first 11 months of 2024. This marks a 70.88% increase compared to the previous year. The growth is attributed to intensified promotional efforts by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and regional travel agencies to showcase both iconic landmarks and lesser-known destinations. Chinese travelers continue to flock to world-renowned sites such as: While these landmarks remain popular, efforts are underway to shine a spotlight on the Eastern Black Sea region , noted for its: According to Irfan Karsli, head of Ligarba Tourism Agency, familiarization trips and specialized tours for Chinese travel agents are being planned to promote the Eastern Black Sea region, particularly Trabzon. This city is emerging as a focal point for cultural and natural tourism. Gaziantep’s gastronomy, recognized by UNESCO, also plays a significant role in attracting Chinese tourists. Fatma Sahin, the mayor of Gaziantep’s central municipality, recently showcased her city’s rich culinary heritage at a high-profile event. “Our diverse and flavorful cuisine offers an authentic experience for international visitors,” she stated. Bertan Oner, CEO and founder of Hotelz, Türkiye’s first online travel agency, highlighted the influence of the Z generation in shaping travel trends. “Chinese Z generation travelers, inspired by social media, are eager to experience new destinations firsthand,” Oner explained. This demographic is driving interest in off-the-beaten-path locations, aligning perfectly with Türkiye’s strategy to diversify its tourism offerings. The Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, in collaboration with regional agencies, has adopted innovative strategies to attract Chinese tourists, including: The significant rise in Chinese visitors underscores the success of Türkiye’s targeted promotional efforts. By combining the allure of iconic sites with the appeal of hidden gems like the Black Sea region, the country is poised to sustain this upward trend. With continued focus on innovation and inclusivity, Türkiye is cementing its reputation as a premier destination for Chinese travelers and beyond. Türkiye’s tourism strategy is yielding impressive results, drawing record numbers of Chinese tourists while unveiling new destinations. As the sector continues to evolve, the blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and gastronomic excellence positions Türkiye as a global leader in travel innovation.
Franklin Resources Inc. Has $1.08 Million Holdings in CNA Financial Co. (NYSE:CNA)LA Clippers Value Makes Shocking Leap in 2024
These five food titles, ranging from a chef’s memoir to a foodie crime novel, offer a smorgasbord of perspectives on the ways food shapes our culture, our identities, our environment and ourselves. A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain A Cook’s Tour (2001) follows late chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain on a global culinary adventure as he searches for “the perfect meal”. While Bourdain doesn’t find perfection, he does discover the centrality of food in preserving culture and building relationships. In Portugal, he gets involved in the yearly pig slaughter – visceral and confronting, despite his experience as a chef – and revels in the celebration, conviviality and hospitality that accompanies this centuries-old tradition. In Vietnam, he builds tentative relationships with locals by joining them in drinking “moonshine from a plastic cola bottle” on the banks of the Mekong. The book is engaging, witty and sharp, but also poignant. It encourages us to not only think about where our food comes from, but about the meanings we ascribe to it and the communities we build around it. My Life in France by Julia Child (with Alex Prud’homme) Julia Child was an unlikely culinary icon. She didn’t really learn to cook until she moved from the United States to France with her husband, Paul, in 1948. On her return, she introduced not just her home country but the English-speaking world to the art of French cooking. My Life in France (2005), co-written with journalist Alex Prud’homme, tells the story of “a crucial period of transformation” in which she found her “true calling” and started writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. My Life in France is bursting at the seams with Child’s signature joie de vivre : she certainly doesn’t take herself seriously. It is also a snapshot of postwar French cuisine, as experienced by someone encountering something completely transformative – and deciding to share her experience with the world, despite the obstacles. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat Judging by the subtitle, Mastering the Art of Good Cooking, Samin Nosrat’s 2016 book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat , took some inspiration from Mastering the Art of French Cooking . However, it is eminently more beginner-friendly. While the book has recipes (good ones), it is not a recipe book per se . Rather, it is a set of instructions on how to cook: or, if you already have the basics down, how to cook better. Yet, unlike other cooking reference books, it tells a story. Iranian–American Nosrat, who trained at the acclaimed restaurant Chez Panisse , introduces her readers to her four elements of good cooking, one at a time. She introduces culinary theory, scientific principles and tips and tricks, in an accessible and engaging way. This information is interspersed with vignettes from Nosrat’s culinary life and supported by excellent illustrations. It is not only a good read, but a cookbook you will reach for time and again. Death in the Dordogne by Martin Walker It may be strange to see a mystery novel on this list, but sometimes we want a palate cleanser, a sweet treat to end a meal. Martin Walker’s Death in the Dordogne (2009) is just the thing. Bruno Courrèges is chief of police in the small town of St. Denis in the Dordogne, in south-west France. While there is a murder to be solved (the death of an elderly war veteran), Bruno’s other major obsession is the food and wine of the Périgord region, which Walker describes in delicious detail. As Bruno travels around the countryside solving the mystery, he eats: omelettes scented with black truffle, ripe red strawberries, flaky croissants, and fresh trout cooked in the open air. Alongside this feast, the book also probes the complexities of a changing, modern France – including the impact of immigration and the rise of right-wing politics . Cod by Mark Kurlansky Cod: a Biography of the Fish that Changed the World (1997) is a book about the voracious appetite of the human race and the effects of appetite. The story Kurlansky tells is not just the millennia-long saga of the low-fat, white-fleshed fish that was indispensable to cuisines across Europe. It is that, of course – but it’s also a story about the rise of colonialism and capitalism, international conflict, the slave trade, the insatiable search for commodities, and the environmental legacy of new technologies. Cod was first published almost 30 years ago, soon after the North Atlantic cod fishing industry had reached a point of collapse due to overfishing. In 2024, for the first time since the early 1990s, the Canadian government lifted its moratorium on commercial cod fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, in light of improved cod stocks. Kurlansky’s writing is evocative – you can feel the chill and the fog of the cod banks. Intrepid cooks may even attempt some of the recipes. Lauren Samuelsson is an Honorary Fellow in History, University of Wollongong. This article was first published on The Conversation .Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations
Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died
NASHVILLE — Ten people face felony charges and more than a dozen victims have been identified in a large-scale, collaborative operation to target online child exploitation and sextortion in Tennessee. Over a three-month period, from October through December, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, housed within the Cybercrime and Digital Evidence Unit (CDEU), conducted “Operation Autumn Shield”. The purpose of this operation was to identify and locate children who were victims of sextortion and online sexual exploitation, and to identify and arrest individuals whose goal is to harm children online. “Operation Autumn Shield” resulted in 19 child victims being identified and located as victims of online sexual exploitation and sextortion, and 10 subjects arrested on various internet crimes against children. This operation included an instance involving artificial intelligence, where a male subject used AI technology applications to produce an image of his minor daughter into a nude photograph, and shared it online. Agents also identified and located a 14-year-old male who founded “101”, an online extremist group that extorts minors into self-harm and producing child sexual abuse material. The “101” is a spin-off of “764′′, which the Department of Justice describes as a network of violent extremists that seeks to normalize the production, sharing, and possession of child sexual abuse and gore material to corrupt and groom their victims toward future violence. TBI ICAC Task Force Agents identified and located 14 known child victims of sextortion in Tennessee that were reported through NCMEC cybertips. Agents are still attempting to identify and locate an additional 8 more children who are victims of sextortion. The ages of these children were 12-17 years old. Most of these victims were on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. These companies did make the initial report to NCMEC. Five of the 19 child victims were identified and rescued as they were victims of brand-new sexual exploitation content being created by the offender and shared on social media platforms. The actions of this operation extended to 19 counties in the state, including the work of 18 local, state, and federal law enforcement partners: Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Paris Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Robertson County Sheriff’s Department, 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Humbolt Police Department, Pickett County Sheriff’s Department, 13th District Attorney’s Office, 27th District Attorney’s Office, Martin Police Department, Cannon County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, and Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department. The individuals were arrested during “Operation Autumn Shield” and charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children and other related offenses. More arrests may be forthcoming in these investigations upon the completion of forensic processing of the seized electronic devices. The 10 arrested were identified as: Michael Houston Williford, Joshua James Long, Rory Cullen Frerichs, Rodney W. Griffin, Stephen Thomas Dyer, Brandon Gene Collier, a 16-year-old Juvenile, Anthony Loughton Spicer, Wade Ellis Williams, and Cody Baird. The booking photos are posted on the TBI Newsroom blog at TBInewsroom.com The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is an ICAC affiliate of the Tennessee ICAC Task Force. Anyone with information about these cases or other cases of online child exploitation should contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Tipline at 1-800-TBI-FIND, TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov , or report via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org .None