gstar28 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — J.K. Dobbins will miss at least the next four games after the Los Angeles Chargers placed the running back on injured reserve Saturday. The team also placed safety Alohi Gilman on injured reserve and signed safety Tony Jefferson to the active roster. Dobbins sprained the MCL in his left knee late in the first half of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Dobbins is fourth in the AFC in rushing with 766 yards and averages 4.8 yards per carry, third highest among AFC running backs with at least 100 carries. He has been considered among the candidates for AP Comeback Player of the Year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in last season’s opener. Gus Edwards will be counted on to be the lead back in Dobbins' absence. Edwards missed four games during the middle of the season because of an ankle injury and has 25 carries for 93 yards in three games since returning to the lineup. The Chargers are 7-4 and hold the sixth seed in the AFC going into Sunday's game at NFC South leader Atlanta (6-5). Los Angeles is at Kansas City (10-1) in a prime-time game on Dec. 8, hosts Tampa Bay (5-6) on Dec. 15 and Denver (7-5) on Dec. 19. Gilman suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Ravens. He has 47 tackles, which is fifth on the team, along with one sack. Los Angeles also elevated cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflHomebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracks

RFK Jr to meet Romanian presidential frontrunner in Bucharest next week, local TV saysStock market today: Wall Street’s rally stalls as Nasdaq pulls back from its record“Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York. Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting , health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could "inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence," according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics . Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione , may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday . Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson's killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful," Komendat said. Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Judge dismisses whistleblower lawsuit against Missouri House speaker

Cults shop owners who always goes the extra mile for customers have been crowned champions in a nation-wide retail competition. Chris and Louise Cobb’s Keystore on Kirk Brae was nominated by customers who wanted to acknowledge the care and effort they put into supporting their local community. Mr Cobb, 54 – who lives in Dyce – took over the store 17 years ago. He told The Press and Journal: “We were nominated by a few customers, which is a great feeling.” The couple accepted the award for ‘regional local retail champion’ at a glittering ceremony in London earlier this month, organised by National Lottery operators . From almost 1,000 stores nominated, judges selected two national and 16 regional winners. Cults Keystore honoured in national awards The store was awarded a prize of £5,000 cash, some of which – in true Cobb style – has been donated to a good cause. “In winning this award, we’ve been able to donate £1,000 to the Rotary Club. They’ve managed to make up Christmas boxes for Ukraine, Romania, and people less fortunate in the UK,” Mr Cobb said. He added: “We try our best to help out food banks and PTAs, as well as being lucky enough to secure some funding for local football clubs. “Keystore has a community fund that we always make use of whenever it’s available. It’s about £250 and the next one we’re looking to arrange is a swing for disabled people at Duthie Park. “We have a collection for the foodbank at Mannofield Church in the store and we donate any surplus foods we have. We accept cash donations too which we use to buy food at stock price for the food bank.” With other shops in the Cults area, Mr Cobb said they feel they have to go the extra mile. “We have so much competition with bigger stores, I feel like our role in the community helps set us apart,” he said. “A lot of our loyal customers are from an older generation. It’s really important for me and my staff that we try and brighten up their day. We don’t have self-service tills, we want to talk to everyone. “We also try and look out for them too. Say a regular customer who lives just up the road hasn’t been in for their paper, we would deliver it to them to make sure they’re alright. “Everyone wants to be a ‘community store’, but I don’t think all shops put that in practice like we do.” Cults Keystore is making a difference in the community Regular shopper Ellen Smith helps out at the Mannofield Church food bank and was one of the people who nominated Mr Cobb and the store for the award. She said: “He does a lot for the community. During the pandemic, he would always make sure that older people were OK and got their messages to them. “He wants to help, and whenever he can he gives back to worthy causes in the area. He never wants anything in return, so I was delighted he won the award.” London trip for Cults Keystore couple To claim their prize, a special trip was organised for Mr and Mrs Cobb, which included a memorable experience at Wembley Arena for Mr Cobb explained: “We were invited to the Hilton in London to receive the award. The trophy we received was made out of recycled scratch cards, which I thought was a nice touch. “We were also invited along to the VIP section at the Big Bash later that evening – it was filmed for New Year’s Eve. There were artists like KSI, Ella Henderson, and the cast of Mamma Mia, so it was a brilliant night.”

A new Apple TV and HomePod mini are coming in 2025. At least, that’s what reports. According to the journalist, Apple is prepping for the release of new HomePod mini and Apple TV devices in 2025. While he doesn’t say if Apple plans to upgrade their processors or if they’re going to have a breakthrough new technology, he focuses the story on a new custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Refereed to as “Proxima,” this chip will be available in upcoming Apple TV, HomePod mini, and iPhone 17 models in 2025; iPad and Macs will get it in 2026. He says the custom-designed chip will support Wi-Fi 6E, and it will help “synchronize data more quickly.” This change could help Apple create thinner devices and new wearable technology, as ultimately the company wants to integrate the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip with a cellular modem and the core processor on its devices. This report comes a few days after the journalist suggested Apple will with a new iPhone SE 4. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the and have reviewed the Gurman expects this first-generation 5G modem to offer Sub-6 5G technology and lower data speeds, which shouldn’t be noticeable in daily usage. Later next year, a mid-tier iPhone, most likely the rumored , is also expected to feature this chip. An entry-level iPad model could feature this chip in the near future as well. He also revealed that Apple is already working on a second-generation 5G modem that could power the future iPhone 18 models. By 2026, this chip would finally add mmWave support, download speeds of 6 gigabits per second, six-carrier aggregation when using Sub-6 5G, and eight-carrier aggregation when using mmWave. When the iPhone reaches its 20-year anniversary in 2027, the company hopes it can top Qualcomm with its modem’s performance and AI features. Apple is also aiming to build support for next-generation satellite networks and eventually merge its 5G modem with its main processor, creating the ultimate singular mobile component. will let you know once we learn more about new Apple TV and HomePod mini devices; they haven’t been updated in a few years now, and we now have a better idea when Cupertino is finally updating them.

A CHRISTMAS party for Buckingham Palace staff spiralled “out of control” with cops called to a nearby bar after glasses were hurled and punches thrown. Trouble flared when up to 50 servants arrived for a pre-arranged All Bar One bash after Palace drinks. A woman believed to be a housemaid aimed a punch at the manager, smashed glasses and was arrested. 4 A Buckingham Palace maid has been arrested for assault after a staff Xmas party descended into a boozy brawl Credit: Getty 4 The incident took place in an All Bar One in Victoria Street, London Credit: Simon Jones 4 Police raced to the bar after 9pm on Tuesday and the woman, 24, was arrested for common assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly (stock image) Credit: Alamy Security tried to calm her down but she continued to throw glasses, it is claimed. A witness to the chaotic scenes said: “I’ve never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level.” Police raced to the bar after 9pm on Tuesday and the woman, 24, was arrested for common assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly. She was thrown in a cell for the night and was released almost 24 hours later with a fine. READ MORE ROYAL NEWS EYE SAY Charlotte shares Di's hobby - after fans say she also inherited the ‘Spencer stare’ SMILES BETTER Wills places supportive hand on Kate's shoulder as she greets Qatar's royals A source admitted to The Sun it had been a “tough night” for everyone involved. Another said: “Someone kicked off outside, was smashing glasses, and then got arrested.” Details of the drama emerged as offices across the country hold Christmas parties with warnings they can spiral out of control ahead of Black Eye Friday, or Mad Friday, next week. Royal staff had enjoyed drinks at the Palace at 4pm, with the event passing without incident. Most read in Royals FAIR CARNAGE Horror as Birmingham fairground ride 'collapses' with several people injured STAYING POSITIVE Max George to undergo major heart surgery after terrifying health scare ALL CHANGE Another Rangers executive quits club just a week after key role at club's AGM NEWBORN JOY Huge Scots DJ becomes dad as he reveals baby boy in emotional social media post A group of around 50 including the woman later arrived for a pre-arranged party at the All Bar One — a nine-minute walk away in Victoria Street. One insider told The Sun: “The group walked in and this one girl just got hysterical. Moment raging driver BODYSLAMS man to the floor ‘like something out of a WWE bout’ in horrific CCTV “She started smashing glasses and abusing our staff members, so we had to call the police. “I’ve never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level.” Another added: “It had been a crazy night, we were incredibly busy and we had to deal with so many bookings. She started smashing glasses and abusing our staff members, so we had to call the police A witness “We were fully booked and then we had to deal with a party of 50 people on top of that.” The pub has security and is a popular destination for Christmas parties. 'Drunk and disorderly' It is understood Met Police officers also seized its CCTV. A force spokesperson said: “At 21.21hrs on Tuesday, December 10 officers were called to a bar in Victoria Street, SW1, following reports that a customer had smashed glasses and attempted to assault a member of staff. “Officers attended and arrested a 24-year-old woman on suspicion of common assault, criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly. “She was taken into custody and released the following evening having been given a penalty notice for disorder.” A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident ­outside the workplace involving a ­number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace. Read more on the Scottish Sun WARMING UP Scots set for 21C swing as temperature rise to bring an end to sub zero freeze HOT BUY Shoppers race to Primark for fleecy £14 hoodie will keep you cosy on frosty days “While this was an informal social gathering, not an official Palace Christmas party, the facts will be fully investigated, with a robust ­disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken.” Additional reporting by Emily-Jane Heap and Sam Creed 4 The housemaid aimed a punch at a bar manager and smashed glasses Credit: Getty

Data Journey on Aggressive Growth Track: Announces Purchase of Spartanburg Property from ...(Reuters) - Bitcoin neared $100,000 for the first time on Thursday as the election of Republican Donald Trump as president fuelled expectations that his administration will create a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. The world's biggest and best-known cryptocurrency has more than doubled from this year's low of $38,505 and is up about 45% in the two weeks since Trump's sweeping election win. Here are key events in bitcoin's journey towards $100,000: 2008: Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym used by the cryptocurrency's presumed developer, introduces the concept of bitcoin 2010: The first retail transaction takes place when a user pays 10,000 bitcoin for two Papa John's pizzas 2013: As bitcoin's popularity grows, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, co-founders of crypto exchange Gemini, file their first application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to create a spot bitcoin ETF. Grayscale Investments launches the Bitcoin Investment Trust, an open-ended private bitcoin trust. 2016: The Winklevoss brothers adjust their application numerous times, such as the exchange on which the product would be traded. They also file amendments naming State Street as administrator. Grayscale files with the SEC to convert its bitcoin trust into a spot bitcoin ETF. 2017: The SEC rejects the Winklevoss application on the grounds bitcoin markets were not mature enough. Grayscale withdraws its first attempt to convert its trust into an ETF, saying the regulatory environment was not developed enough. 2018: The SEC rejects the Winklevoss twins' second application to launch a spot bitcoin ETF, saying cryptocurrency exchanges do not have the necessary controls to prevent manipulation. 2020: Grayscale transforms its trust into an SEC-reporting entity, and its shares begin trading on the pink sheets, for stocks that trade over the counter. Although not an ETF, it is the first publicly traded bitcoin fund in the U.S. 2021: The first spot bitcoin ETF launches in Canada. Gary Gensler replaces Jay Clayton as SEC chair in April. In October, the SEC approves the ProShares Bitcoin Trust listed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, noting the CME has a satisfactory mechanism for surveilling abuse in the futures market. It is the first U.S.-listed futures-based bitcoin ETF, accumulating $1 billion in assets within its first days of trading - faster than any other ETF. Also in October, Grayscale again submits an application to the SEC to convert its trust into a spot bitcoin ETF. 2022: The SEC rejects several applications from would-be spot bitcoin ETF issuers, including SkyBridge, Fidelity and Bitwise. The SEC also rejects Grayscale's application, prompting the company to sue the agency. Amid crashing crypto prices, multiple crypto companies file for bankruptcy, including Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network and FTX, whose founder Sam Bankman-Fried is also charged with fraud. 2023: May: Cathie Woods' ARK Investments and CBOE Global Markets file for a spot bitcoin ETF, giving the SEC a maximum of 240 days to approve or reject the application. June: BlackRock files a spot bitcoin ETF application with the SEC, raising industry hopes the agency may approve the product and sending the price of bitcoin to a one-year high. A flurry of other issuers and exchanges, including Fidelity and Invesco, file bitcoin ETF applications in the subsequent weeks and months. August: A federal appeals court in Washington D.C. rules in favor of Grayscale, saying the SEC did not justify why it had rejected its proposal. Europe's first spot bitcoin ETF begins trading on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange. October: The SEC opts not to appeal the court's ruling in the Grayscale case and is required to reexamine the application. 2024: Jan. 10: The SEC approves 11 proposals from issuers including BlackRock, Fidelity and VanEck, among others, to launch spot bitcoin ETFs. February: Net inflows into the 10 largest ETFs hit $4 billion in the first month, according to LSEG data. March: Bitcoin tops $70,000 for the first time to hit a record high, having doubled in value in the five months. June: Trump pitches himself as a champion for cryptocurrency and slammed Democrats' attempts to regulate the sector during a San Francisco fundraiser. July: Trump tells a bitcoin conference that, if elected, he will create a strategic national bitcoin stockpile and will ensure the United States is the "crypto capital of the planet." October: The SEC grants "accelerated approval" to U.S. exchanges to list and trade options tied to 11 spot bitcoin ETFs. Nov 6: Trump is declared winner of the presidential election, sparking a huge rally in a range of assets, with bitcoin being the standout gainer. Nov 12: Total crypto market cap reaches $3 trillion for the first time. Year-to-date ETF net inflows hit $25.8 billion, according to LSEG data. Nov 21: Bitcoin nears $100,000 for the first time in history, driven by a swell of buying from investors in anticipation of Trump dismantling a lot of the regulation around crypto investment. The price has risen by around 40% since the election. (Reporting by Amanda Cooper, Hannah Lang and Suzanne McGee; Editing by Rod Nickel)Elevating Excellence: The All-New Tenorshare Brand Website is Unveiled

Goldman Sachs Asset Management Announces Liquidation of Three Exchange-Traded Funds

NEW YORK (AP) — Kaapo Kaako scored a power-play goal with 24 seconds left, and the New York Rangers stopped a five-game slide by topping the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Saturday. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Rangers, who got their first win since a 4-3 victory at Vancouver on Nov. 19. Adam Fox had two assists, and Jonathan Quick made 25 saves. With Montreal’s Kirby Dach serving a four-minute, high-sticking penalty, Kaako got his fourth goal of the season. The Canadiens trailed 3-1 after two periods. But Cole Caufield scored his 14th goal 4:16 into the third and Nick Suzuki tied it at 14:07. Trocheck tipped the puck past Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault at 19:56 to put New York ahead after Panarin and Montreal’s Mike Matheson scored earlier in the first. Panarin put the Rangers ahead at 9:02, scoring on a 5-on-3 for New York’s first power-play goal since Nov. 12 at home against Winnipeg. Matheson tied it at 11:47. Montembault made 24 saves for Montreal. Takeaways Canadiens: dropped to 3-7-1 on the road. Rangers: Forwards Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil returned to the lineup. Kreider missed three games with an upper-body injury while Chytil was out for seven after colliding with teammate K’Andre Miller on Nov. 14. Reilly Smith and Jonny Brodzinski were scratched. Key moment Seeking an early spark, New York captain Jacob Trouba fought Montreal’s Josh Anderson 1:58 into the contest. It appeared to give the Rangers a collective jolt that was missing in recent games. Key stat The Rangers are 11-1-0 when scoring first. It was the 1,700th home win in franchise history. Up next The Canadiens visit the Boston Bruins on Sunday. The Rangers host the New Jersey Devils on Monday. ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL Allan Kreda, The Associated Press

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson reflects on time with former OC Greg RomanMiddle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in Gaza

Max George reveals he will be spending Christmas in hospital due to heart issues

US Senate chaplain Barry Black hospitalized after brain bleed

gstar288 Man City line up 6ft5in La Liga star as club chiefs look to solve defensive crisis in transfer windowThe must-have toys every Glasgow kid wanted for Christmas in the 1990s

Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chief

Adewale 0-2 0-0 0, Klaczek 0-5 4-4 4, Briggs 4-9 6-6 17, Marshall 3-7 9-10 17, Strand 1-4 2-2 5, Neely 6-14 0-0 12, Matulu 1-1 0-0 2, Lindsey 4-5 0-0 8, Taylor 1-4 0-0 3, Adnan 0-2 0-0 0, Reddish 0-1 0-0 0, Topuz 0-2 0-0 0, Giralt 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 20-56 21-24 68. Fielder 3-6 3-3 10, Sorber 6-9 1-1 14, Epps 4-7 0-0 8, Mack 6-8 1-1 16, Peavy 9-14 3-3 24, Burks 5-6 0-0 11, Mulready 1-3 0-0 2, Ca.Williams 4-6 1-1 9, Cu.Williams 2-3 0-0 4, McKenna 1-1 0-0 2, Asadallah 0-1 0-0 0, Montgomery 0-1 0-0 0, Van Raaphorst 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 41-65 9-9 100. Halftime_Georgetown 49-35. 3-Point Goals_Albany (NY) 7-22 (Briggs 3-5, Marshall 2-3, Strand 1-3, Taylor 1-3, Adnan 0-1, Reddish 0-1, Topuz 0-1, Klaczek 0-2, Neely 0-3), Georgetown 9-22 (Mack 3-4, Peavy 3-6, Burks 1-2, Fielder 1-2, Sorber 1-2, Montgomery 0-1, Cu.Williams 0-1, Epps 0-2, Mulready 0-2). Rebounds_Albany (NY) 21 (Neely 5), Georgetown 33 (Sorber 13). Assists_Albany (NY) 6 (Marshall, Neely 2), Georgetown 26 (Peavy 8). Total Fouls_Albany (NY) 14, Georgetown 17. A_4,227 (20,356).BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.A cyberattack on May 8 against healthcare giant Ascension resulted in the medical data of 5.6 million customers being exposed, according to a filing with the Maine attorney general’s office published on December 20. WHY IT MATTERS In June, the health system determined that an attacker gained access to its systems after an employee at one of its facilities inadvertently downloaded a malicious file, believing it to be legitimate. The organization stated there was no indication that the incident was anything other than an honest mistake. Months of investigation with third-party experts also led to Ascension determining sensitive data belonging to current and former patients, senior living residents, and employees was potentially exposed. A December 19 announcement from Ascension noted the compromised information varies by individual and may include medical details such as medical record numbers, dates of service, lab test types, and procedure codes. Payment information, including credit card or bank account numbers, insurance details ranging from Medicaid and Medicare IDs to policy numbers and claims, government identification, including Social Security numbers, tax IDs, driver’s licenses, or passports, and personal information such as addresses and dates of birth were potentially involved. Ascension also confirmed its electronic health records and other core clinical systems, where full patient records are securely stored, were not accessed during the attack. THE LARGER TREND Among the other major healthcare breaches in 2024 include a cyberattack against Change Healthcare in February, which impacted 100 million people--the largest breach ever reported to federal regulators. In April, Kaiser Permanente reported 13.4 million people were affected by data breach that exposed patient and plan members' information . Meanwhile, legislation is being proposed to bolster healthcare cybersecurity defense in the form of the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act. The bipartisan bill, introduced in November, would offer grants to healthcare organizations to help them shore up their ability to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. Meanwhile, governance remains a concerning weak point in healthcare, even as cyberattacks are becoming more prominent and the risks of IoT medical devices are coming into sharper focus. ON THE RECORD Tim Rawlins, senior adviser and director, Security at cybersecurity consultancy, NCC Group, noted healthcare will always be an attractive target, given the sheer quantity of sensitive data organizations hold and the need to make information available to the medical staff as quickly as possible. "Basic cyber security measures, individual log ins, multi-factor authentication, and patched, secure and monitored systems will go a long way to preventing these attacks," he said. Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin. Email the writer: nathaneddy@gmail.com Twitter: @dropdeaded209

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd ( NASDAQ:CRDO – Get Free Report ) CTO Chi Fung Cheng sold 55,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.04, for a total value of $3,742,200.00. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 8,508,602 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $578,925,280.08. This trade represents a 0.64 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Chi Fung Cheng also recently made the following trade(s): Credo Technology Group Stock Down 3.8 % Credo Technology Group stock opened at $69.29 on Friday. Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd has a twelve month low of $16.82 and a twelve month high of $78.97. The company has a market capitalization of $11.59 billion, a P/E ratio of -461.93 and a beta of 2.26. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $52.82 and its 200 day moving average is $38.21. Analyst Ratings Changes Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CRDO Institutional Investors Weigh In On Credo Technology Group A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CRDO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Credo Technology Group by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 13,142,773 shares of the company’s stock worth $404,797,000 after purchasing an additional 909,578 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Credo Technology Group by 73.6% in the third quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 3,916,447 shares of the company’s stock worth $120,627,000 after buying an additional 1,660,230 shares in the last quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Credo Technology Group by 3.1% during the second quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 3,791,392 shares of the company’s stock valued at $121,097,000 after buying an additional 115,271 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its position in shares of Credo Technology Group by 873.9% during the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 3,300,314 shares of the company’s stock valued at $101,650,000 after acquiring an additional 2,961,454 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Credo Technology Group by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,176,796 shares of the company’s stock worth $97,865,000 after acquiring an additional 170,412 shares during the last quarter. 80.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Credo Technology Group ( Get Free Report ) Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd provides various high-speed connectivity Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd provides various high-speed connectivity solutions for optical and electrical Ethernet applications in the United States, Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and internationally. Its products include HiWire active electrical cables, optical digital signal processors, low-power line card PHY, serializer/deserializer (SerDes) chiplets, and SerDes IP, as well as integrated circuits, active electrical cables. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Credo Technology Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credo Technology Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Eileen Gleeson refused to discuss her future after Ireland’s Euro ambition was ended by Wales in the playoff final. The FAI initially appointed Vera Pauw’s former assistant on a caretaker basis after the Dutchwoman was discarded, but her permanent tenure ended in failure. Ireland were favourites to overcome their Celtic cousins but the 2-1 defeat mothballed any confidence accrued from Friday’s 1-1 draw in Cardiff. Gleeson was head of women’s and girls football within the FAI and is believed to have brokered a deal whereby she remains within their employment if the senior job ends. "It's not something I'm going to talk about tonight,” Gleeson stonewalled in her post-match interview. "I'm not talking about anything else, other than the game tonight. We're going to pick ourselves up and we'll go again." On the match, Gleeson was critical of Rhian Wilkinson and her Welsh staff for ‘provocation’. Captain Katie McCabe was lucky to avoid a second booking before half-time. "We wanted to do the country proud, we wanted to get to Euro 2025 and we haven't - it's devastating. "Overall, we dominated, 17 shots to six. We had chances in the first half we should have done a lot better with and goals win games.” Jubilant Wilkinson said: “We matched Ireland at their game. It was tough, patchy game that rarely flowed. If we had to get in the ring for a dust-up or get it wide, it doesn’t matter. “I’m not popular with the Irish staff right now but it was a battle.”gstar28 login 。

Our HS sports photos like the ones above put you right up close with the action and the whole experience. Check them out by clicking anywhere in the collage above to open the photo gallery. Don’t forget to share the gallery with friends and relatives. These photos are also available for purchase in a variety of sizes and finishes – just click the “BUY IMAGE” link below any photo to see available options and make a purchase. NJ.com subscribers can also get free print-quality digital downloads of any images in this gallery. Note: Because we are trying to make these galleries available for viewing as quickly as possible, the gallery may not be in its final form. If you only see a few photos, you are probably seeing an early version and more photos will be added later. Please return and refresh the page to see additions. RECOMMENDED • nj .com Football photos: St. Augustine at No. 2 Don Bosco Prep, Non-Public A semis, Nov. 22, 2024 Nov. 23, 2024, 12:41 a.m. Football photos: Butler at Cedar Grove, Group 1 semifinals, Nov. 22, 2024 Nov. 22, 2024, 8:47 p.m. Mobile device users: For the best experience downloading high-resolution images (available free and to subscribers only) and making photo purchases, it’s best to visit this page from your desktop or laptop computer. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024-- Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (the “Fund”), a closed-end fund traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FINS, today declared a distribution of $0.109 per share for the month of December 2024. The record date for the distribution is December 17, 2024, and the payable date is December 31, 2024. The Fund will trade ex-distribution on December 17, 2024. The Fund seeks to pay a distribution at a rate that reflects net investment income actually earned. A portion of each distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain, or return of capital. As required by Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice will be distributed to shareholders in the event that a portion of a monthly distribution is derived from sources other than undistributed net investment income. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Fund’s year end. The Fund will send to investors a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will define how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Angel Oak does not provide tax advice; shareholders should consult their tax advisor. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” ABOUT FINS Led by Angel Oak’s experienced financial services team, FINS invests predominantly in U.S. financial sector debt as well as selective opportunities across financial sector preferred and common equity. Under normal circumstances, at least 50% of FINS’ portfolio is publicly rated investment grade or, if unrated, judged to be of investment grade quality by Angel Oak. ABOUT ANGEL OAK CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC Angel Oak Capital Advisors is an investment management firm focused on providing compelling fixed-income investment solutions to its clients. Backed by a value-driven approach, Angel Oak Capital Advisors seeks to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns through a combination of stable current income and price appreciation. Its experienced investment team seeks the best opportunities in fixed income, with a specialization in mortgage-backed securities and other areas of structured credit. Information regarding the Fund and Angel Oak Capital Advisors can be found at www.angeloakcapital.com . Past performance is neither indicative nor a guarantee of future results. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and ongoing expenses of an investment carefully before investing. For more information please contact your investment representative or Destra Capital Advisors LLC at 877.855.3434. © 2024 Angel Oak Capital Advisors, which is the investment adviser to the Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203558524/en/ CONTACT: Media: Trevor Davis, Gregory FCA for Angel Oak Capital Advisors 443-248-0359 trevor@gregoryfca.comCompany : Randy Chrisman, Chief Marketing & Corporate IR Officer, Angel Oak Capital Advisors 404-953-4969 randy.chrisman@angeloakcapital.com KEYWORD: GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/03/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/03/2024 04:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203558524/enUS to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don’t fasten their seat belts

Abandoned mines in the US pose dangers to people and property when land gives wayCentoni, EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Cisco, Brings Proven Expertise in Elevating Customer Success PLEASANTON, Calif. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Workday, Inc . (NASDAQ: WDAY ), a leading provider of solutions to help organizations manage their people and money , today announced the election of Liz Centoni, executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at Cisco, to its board of directors. Centoni is a seasoned leader who has a passion for leveraging technology to drive customer success and deliver unparalleled experiences. Throughout her career, Centoni has been spearheading initiatives that have significantly enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. "Liz's passion for championing customer success aligns perfectly with our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences, making her an ideal addition to our Board," said Carl Eschenbach , CEO, Workday. "Her expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to exceed customer expectations as we innovate and grow." Centoni has held a range of senior engineering and strategy roles during her 24 years at Cisco. In 2024, she led the company's $28 billion acquisition of Splunk, positioning Cisco at the forefront of the AI revolution. Centoni was also instrumental in developing Cisco's responsible AI framework, and has advocated for equity in tech at events including World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting. She is an active mentor and sponsor of underrepresented groups, including serving as Cisco's global executive sponsor for the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program. "Joining Workday's board is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with a company that shares my passion for empowering people and organizations through innovative technology and AI," said Liz Centoni , executive vice president and chief customer experience officer, Cisco. "I'm eager to leverage my experience to further strengthen Workday's customer-centric approach and contribute to its continued growth." Centoni's appointment is effective as of today. About Workday Workday is a leading enterprise platform that helps organizations manage their most important assets – their people and money . The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 10,500 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com. © 2024 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday's plans, beliefs, and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law. Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available. SOURCE Workday Inc.Block, Inc. ( NYSE: SQ ) UBS Global Technology and AI Conference December 3, 2024 1:35 PM ET Company Participants Owen Jennings - Head of Business Conference Call Participants Tim Chioto - UBS Tim Chioto Okay, great. Welcome everyone. We are so glad to have with us today the team from Block. So we're going to be introducing Owen Jennings to the investment community. This is Owen's first time doing a conference like this. Owen is Block's Business Lead. We'll get into his role in a second, but I want to just take a moment to thank Owen, but also Nikhil, Tori, Katie, the IR team that all made it out here today. So thank you for traveling to Arizona and being with us. All right, so we're going to get into introducing Owen and into some great topics, but first I want to read a disclaimer and then we'll get the ball rolling. So during this conversation, Owen may make forward-looking statements, which may include statements about market trends and conditions and Block's preliminary expectations for its future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, assumptions, and uncertainties. Owen may also speak as to certain non-GAAP metrics, which are not intended to be a substitute for Block's GAAP results. Please review Block's filings with the SEC as well as its investor presentation on its investor relations website for comparable GAAP financial measures. Further references to Block's lending and bank products include those that are offered through Block's bank partners. So with that, as I mentioned, Owen is Block's Business Lead. He spent time on the Square Ecosystem. He spent time in Cash App. Owen, if you could introduce yourself and maybe some of the roles that you've played at Block over the last decade. Owen Jennings Sure. Thanks so much, Tim. Thanks

NASA recently released several new documents as part of an , a roadmap meant to guide the space agency in its efforts to explore the surface of the Moon under the Artemis campaign and eventually send crewed missions to Mars. Table of Contents Revised Architecture Definition Document The latest update to the architecture includes a revision of the Architecture Definition Document, which covers exploration plan processes and technical approaches, NASA said Friday. The revised document now offers more information concerning the agency’s decision road-mapping process. The revised document now also lists opportunities that will help technology developers determine what research to prioritize to help enable the Moon to Mars architecture. Nuclear Fission, Lunar Cargo Lander & Initial Habitat The architecture update also includes 12 new white papers, with one highlighting the intent to use nuclear fission as the primary power source to sustain personnel on the surface of Mars. The update also adds two new elements to the architecture. The first is a lunar surface cargo lander, which will deliver various payloads, including those for logistics, communications and science and technology. The second is an initial surface habitat to house astronauts on the lunar surface. Architecture Concept Review The changes come on the heels of an Architecture Concept Review, which NASA Associate Administrator said is “critical to getting us on a path to mount a human mission to Mars.” “We’re taking a methodical approach to mapping out the decisions we need to make, understanding resource and technological trades, and ensuring we are listening to feedback from stakeholders,” Free added.Miller puts up 24, SMU downs Longwood 98-82

Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. “I still got more to write this weekend for sure,” said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. “But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year.” Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That’s more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn’t make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. “It was a great putt. I was very nervous,” Dahmen said. “But there’s still work to do. It wasn’t the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn’t have anything this weekend.” His playing partners weren’t so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. “I’ve had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body’s not moving very well and you’ve got to move your hands,” said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. “Just pretty happy with how I played.” Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. “Playing with him, it’s pretty awesome to watch,” Clanton said. “We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he’s a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he’s done over the last couple years, it’s pretty inspirational.” ___ AP golf:

While most investors around the world are scrambling to ditch coal plants like bad habits, a defiant European billionaire is still pushing all his chips in for this technology - scooping up these assets in a brazen move to cement coal’s place in the energy mix for many more decades to come. Czech billionaire Pavel Tykac, who owns Sev.en Global Investments, is on globe-trotting coal acquisition expedition - snapping up these power plants like rare collectibles. His reported latest conquest? A two-unit coal plant in Vietnam, but he’s not stopping there—his sights are still set on expanding his coal empire across Asia, Australia, and the United States, eyeing everything from coal mines to coal-fed plants. Sources in the coal industry suggest that Tykac’s buying spree is fueled by a fire-sale frenzy sweeping through energy markets, as many companies and even some countries are eager to flaunt their ESG credentials and have been seriously embracing energy transition goals, hence, they tend to unload coal plants even at bargain basement prices. The Czech business magnate started his pursuit to extend coal’s reign in his own country -- seizing both a coal mine and a power station, then he expanded his venture in other European energy markets. Coal’s defiance of the energy transition Whether at the negotiation chambers of the United Nations-led climate change diplomacy or at the power-laden policy tables of energy markets, the burning question persists: will coal be finally cast aside in the evolving energy mix, or does its grip on the future remain unyielding? And this very question echoes at home - that despite Philippine policymakers’ fervent drive to propel renewable energy (RE) investments on a massive scale - a relentless tug-of-war still rages between ambitious green goals and the deep-rooted reliance on fossil fuels to still power the nation’s economic growth. The Department of Energy (DOE) has steadfastly declared that: despite the 2020 coal moratorium, projects already in the pipeline—or those with permits and pre-development milestones—will continue to underpin the nation’s energy capacity, a harsh necessity in the face of a glaring baseload supply deficit that demands immediate action. Clashing voices reverberate: staunch anti-coal environmentalists and advocacy groups ferociously condemn the government for greenlighting new coal plants, while pro-coal investors argue that developing nations like the Philippines deserve a slower, more measured energy transition – all that while pointing fingers at industrialized nations for the lion's share of the climate crisis now jeopardizing the planet. For now, at least three major players have thrown their hats into the ring, unveiling plans for additional coal plant developments: the Aboitiz group’s 150-megawatt Therma Visayas expansion in Cebu, Meralco PowerGen’s massive 1,200MW Atimonan planned coal facility in Quezon, and Semirara Mining and Power Corp's targeted move to resurrect its 700MW Saint Raphael project in Batangas. In bold strokes, several of the country’s leading banks - chief among them RCBC of the Yuchengco group and Ayala-led BPI - have unflinchingly declared that they will no longer finance new coal plants, though they’ve tempered this commitment by acknowledging that existing coal projects, those funded before the shift and already on their books, will continue to be part of their loan portfolios. Other banks, however, have taken ‘more conservative stance’ on coal project financing, leaving the field still open, thus, it is interesting to see which financial giants will blink first to reinforce the gamble for the continued installation of new coal plants in the country despite the growing pressure for change. It’s also a guessing game whether the DOE’s coal retirement plan will be taken seriously under the current administration, or if the government will hold on to every last megawatt of existing coal capacity to stave off tight supply predicaments - particularly for the overburdened grids of Luzon and Visayas. Suffice it to say that the domestic energy market has morphed into an unforgiving mystery puzzle—packed with more questions than answers about coal's future, as this well-entrenched tech is now fighting tooth and nail for its reign while it locks horns with the country's ambitious green energy transformation. For over two decades, the Philippines has been caught in an endless loop of threatening power crisis—that was since the deregulation and restructuring of its power sector in 2001 by virtue of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). Then each time, the default solution has been coal plants as project sponsor-firms claim that this technology remains the cheaper, albeit not a cleaner option, if compared to gas-fired plants that could promise lower carbon emissions. In the grand scheme, it’ll be intriguing to see if the future will prove that Czech billionaire Tykac’s play on stretching coal plant lifecycles will persist as a defining force in global energy mix— that in addition to his coal asset acquisitions fattening his bank account, the energy transition might still be clinging to coal like a stubborn old friend, powering economies long after it was supposed to have left the party. For feedback and suggestions, please email at: [email protected]Wall Street stocks surged to fresh records Wednesday on hopes about easing US monetary policy, shrugging off political upheaval in South Korea and France. All three major US indices scored records, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average finishing above 45,000 for the first time. "The market at this point is looking for excuses to go up, and there's not really anything that might work against that narrative," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. "Over the last couple of days, it's managed to ignore all sorts of inconvenient things and decided that the situation in France doesn't matter for them," Sosnick said of the stock market. "The situation in Korea doesn't matter." South Korea's stock market fell less than feared and the won rebounded from earlier losses after President Yoon Suk Yeol swiftly reversed a decision to impose martial law. In Europe, Paris stocks managed to advance as France's government faced looming no-confidence votes. Late Wednesday in Paris, French lawmakers voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office, pushing the country further into political uncertainty. For the first time in over sixty years, the National Assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left but which crucially was backed by the far-right headed by Marine Le Pen. "Political turmoil in both France and South Korea provide a uncertain backdrop for global markets, with the likely removal of both Barnier and Yoon bringing the potential for both countries to find a fresh direction," said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets. Thomas Mathews, head of Asia-Pacific markets at Capital Economics, said the losses in Seoul could have been "much worse" had the president not aborted his plan. "Rarely does a combined sell-off in a country's stocks, bonds and currency feel like a relief rally," he said. Oil prices turned lower after surging around 2.5 percent Tuesday, mainly after the United States sanctioned 35 companies and ships it accused of involvement with Iran's "shadow fleet" illicitly selling Iranian oil to foreign markets. Major producers at the OPEC+ grouping led by Saudi Arabia and Russia were set to meet Thursday to discuss extending output limits. Back in New York, major indices were led by the Nasdaq, which piled on 1.3 percent to finish at a third straight record. Wednesday's gains came after payroll firm ADP said US private-sector hiring in November came in at a lower-than-expected 146,000 jobs, while a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed weaker sentiment than expected in the services sector. But the lackluster data boosts expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this month. At a New York conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell refrained from tipping his hand, but he "didn't say anything that would scare the market," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. O'Hare noted that Wednesday's gains were led by large tech names such as Nvidia and Microsoft, which are major AI players. The boost followed strong results from Salesforce, which was the biggest gainer in the Dow with an 11 percent jump. New York - Dow: UP 0.7 percent at 45,014.04 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.6 percent at 6,086.49 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.3 percent at 19,735.12 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 8,335.81 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.7 percent at 7,303.28 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 1.1 percent at 20,232.14 (close) Seoul - Kospi Index: DOWN 1.4 percent at 2,464.00 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 39,276.39 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 19,742.46 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,364.65 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0510 from $1.0509 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2702 from $1.2673 Dollar/yen: UP at 150.56 yen from 149.60 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.71 from 82.92 pence Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.8 percent at $72.31 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 2.0 percent at $68.54 per barrel burs-jmb/jgcNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Aidan O'Connell passed for two touchdowns, tight end Brock Bowers broke two rookie NFL records , and the Las Vegas Raiders won for just the fourth time this season, 25-10 over the struggling New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Bowers' seven catches for 77 yards gave him 108 receptions for 1,144 yards this season, eclipsing Mike Ditka's 1961 rookie tight end mark of 1,067 yards receiving and Puka Nacua's 2023 mark of 105 catches by a rookie at any position. Bowers also surpassed Darren Waller's franchise mark of 107 receptions in a season, which had stood since 2020. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 115 yards for the Raiders (4-12) — the journeyman running back's first 100-yard game in his 10 NFL seasons. O'Connell finished with 242 yards passing, including a 3-yard TD pass to Jakobi Meyers and an 18-yarder to Tre Tucker. Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals — his longest from 54 yards — for the Raiders, who didn't look fazed by flight delays on Saturday that got them into their hotel after midnight, less than 12 hours before kickoff. With former Raiders QB Derek Carr unable to suit up for the Saints (5-11) because of his injured left, non-throwing hand, rookie Spencer Rattler received his fifth career start. He remained winless as a starter after completing 20 of 36 passes for 218 yards and one TD with two interceptions. Rattler also rushed for 46 yards to finish as New Orleans' leading rusher for a second straight week. The Saints used trickery to take an early 7-3 lead . Running back Kendre Miller took what looked like a toss sweep to the right before throwing a lateral back to his left, where Rattler caught it and threw 30 yards downfield to wide-open tight end Foster Moreau in the end zone. Las Vegas moved in front for good on O'Connell's short scoring pass to Meyers with a minute left in the second quarter. Saints: Miller left the game with concussion symptoms in the second quarter. LB Jaylan Ford appeared to suffer a serious lower right leg injury on punt coverage in the fourth quarter. DE Payton Turner left with an ankle injury. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling was treated on the field late in the game — but walked off on his own — after a hard collision over the middle. Raiders: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Saints: Visit Tampa Bay on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Brian Chesky Sells 38,461 Shares of Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB) StockNone

SINGAPORE: The site of the former Henderson Primary School in Singapore will soon be transformed into an intergenerational co-living space with shared facilities and 107 rooms for both young and old. It will be the first state property to take on such a concept, and operators told CNA in November that they hope to have the place up and running “within the next three to four months”. Earlier in the same month, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) announced it had awarded the tender for 98 Henderson Road to dormitory provider TS Group and co-living operator The Assembly Place. The 77,551 sq ft site was first put up for tender in June to encourage “intergenerational co-living concepts”. TS Group and The Assembly Place jointly submitted the highest out of six bids. The two companies said they see intergenerational co-living as a viable alternative to existing eldercare residential options for a rapidly greying population in Singapore. Current choices include " retirement kampungs ", community care apartments and private sector offerings such as assisted living facilities. The intergenerational co-living concept is already available in other countries such as Japan and the Netherlands, said TS Group’s chief operating officer Tome Oh, noting that these inclusive spaces can provide seniors with “meaningful social engagement” to help improve their overall well-being. “Seniors also have many experiences they can share with the younger people,” Mr Oh added. “So, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle that you can nicely put together.” Co-living in Singapore may attract more of a younger crowd for now but TS Group and The Assembly Place believe their upcoming space at Henderson Road can also appeal to seniors who lead active lifestyles and want easy access to organised activities. Other potential residents include seniors who currently live alone and wish to find new friends and be part of a community, or those looking for temporary accommodation that offers some form of care in a non-hospital setting, said Mr Oh. To meet the needs of the intergenerational residents, the companies said they have been “mindful” in planning for “functional” facilities and services. For example, rooms for the seniors will be located on the ground floor - as the site has no lifts. These will come with their own bathrooms and safety features such as grab bars and fall detection sensors. Full-time nurse aides will be stationed on site, and regular doctor consultations will be available through a partnership with Crawfurd Hospital, a private facility already working with TS Group to offer assisted living care services and accommodation, said Mr Oh. Other facilities include shared kitchens and lounges, a community garden, a multi-purpose hall for events and a gym with smart equipment to help senior residents track their fitness progress. An existing basketball court may also be converted into a venue for low-impact sports such as pickleball, which has been gaining popularity here among both young and old , said Mr Eugene Lim, director of The Assembly Place. Like all co-living spaces, the site will have dedicated community managers who organise events to help build a sense of community among residents, said Mr Lim, whose firm operates 135 co-living spaces in Singapore. “We are not a nursing home,” he added. “We want to promote active ageing and also come up with unique programming that allows both the young and old to come together.” Taking reference from similar multi-generational co-living models overseas, the upcoming space is also mulling a “benefits programme” where younger residents can receive discount vouchers - to apply to rent or other services - if they contribute back to the community. For instance in Taiwan, a co-living space called Yang-Ming Senior Apartments rents out rooms to both seniors and university students. Students pay lower rent to encourage them to organise activities and interact with their older neighbours. MORE TO COME? The 98 Henderson Road plot will be offered for lease for an initial term of four years, with an additional tenancy term of three years. Experts previously described this as a “ fairly short” lease that may make it challenging for businesses to recover their investments. The bid from TS Group and The Assembly Place was S$102,888 (US$76,373) a month, nearly S$21,000 more than the second-highest offer. Asked if their bid amount would mean a higher price point for the co-living space, Mr Oh said: “If you charge too high, nobody will come, so that will have to be balanced with market demand and expectations.” The aggressive bid also stemmed from confidence in the potential of the intergenerational co-living concept. “We are going in with our eyes open,” said Mr Lim, describing the tender as “a pilot project with a lot of unknowns”. “It is not high margins that we are looking at. Instead, we are investing in the future because we know this is going to be a necessity in the market in the long run.” In the past two years, SLA has launched a total of seven state property tenders for co-living use, and attracted more than 70 bids. “With the ongoing demand for varied co-living spaces, suitable state properties have been repurposed to meet the real estate accommodation needs of various demographic groups, including seniors, as Singapore’s population matures,” the authority said in a Facebook post on Nov 18. Looking ahead, it will explore the "adaptive reuse" of more asset classes within its state property portfolio for “differentiated co-living environments”. And one potential site being explored, said SLA, is a cluster of heritage bungalows in the Admiralty area north of Singapore.

DES MOINES — Secretary of State Paul Pate and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today announced a lawsuit against Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), demanding that the Biden-Harris Administration hand over information about known noncitizens on Iowa’s voter rolls. The Biden-Harris Administration’s USCIS has refused the State’s repeated requests for information on the hundreds of noncitizens confirmed on Iowa’s voter rolls. USCIS’s failure meant that the State had to rely on the best—imperfect—data it had available to ensure that no Iowan’s vote was canceled by an illegal, noncitizen vote. The State was then sued, due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s failure, right before election day. Senators Grassley and Ernst also called for the election integrity data that the federal government continues to withhold from Iowans. “I am suing for the Biden-Harris Administration to finally release the election integrity data that it has been hiding from Iowa,” said Attorney General Bird. “The Biden-Harris Administration knows who the hundreds of noncitizens are on our voter rolls and has repeatedly refused to tell us who they are. But the law is clear: voters must be American citizens. Together, with the Secretary of State, we will fight to maintain safe and secure elections that Iowans can count on.” The lawsuit demands that the Biden-Harris Administration follow the law and give Iowa access to data on identified noncitizens on the State’s voter rolls. “The role of Iowa Secretary of State requires balance between participation and integrity. We have identified solutions that will allow us to verify voter eligibility at registration – not at the time of voting,” said Secretary Pate. “The combination of access to the SAVE list, citizenship verification already completed by USCIS, and the ability to verify using social security numbers will not only make processes more efficient but will also provide another important tool in our toolbox to safeguard our elections process.”DENVER , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TTEC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEC ), a leading global CX (customer experience) technology and services innovator for AI-enhanced CX with solutions from TTEC Engage and TTEC Digital , today announced that TTEC Digital has been recognized as the Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year – Americas. "In collaboration with Cisco, TTEC Digital is helping industry leaders in banking, healthcare, insurance, government services, and more improve their customer experiences with a strong mix of CX strategy and technology. We are honored to be recognized by Cisco for our shared success and look forward to continued partnership," said John Wolf , global Cisco lead at TTEC Digital. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- EVgo Inc. (NASDAQ: EVGO) (“EVgo” or the “Company”) announced today that EVgo Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of LS Power Equity Partners IV, L.P. (“LS Power”), intends to offer for sale in an underwritten public secondary offering 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Shares”) of the Company. LS Power expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,450,000 Class A Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. No Class A Shares are being sold by the Company. LS Power will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of Class A Shares in the offering, and the Company will not receive any proceeds from this offering. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley and Evercore ISI are acting as lead book-running managers for the offering. The Company has filed a registration statement (including a base prospectus) and a preliminary prospectus supplement relating to these securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The registration statement became effective on August 25, 2022. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement (including the accompanying base prospectus), copies of which may be obtained, when available, from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by email at and , Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, or by telephone: (866) 471-2526 or email: , Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, and Evercore Group, L.L.C., Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10055, or by telephone at (888) 474-0200 or email: . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful without registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. EVgo (Nasdaq: EVGO) is one of the nation’s leading public fast charging providers. With more than 1,000 fast charging stations across 40 states, EVgo strategically deploys localized and accessible charging infrastructure by partnering with leading businesses across the U.S., including retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, shopping centers, gas stations, rideshare operators, and autonomous vehicle companies. At its dedicated Innovation Lab, EVgo performs extensive interoperability testing and has ongoing technical collaborations with leading automakers and industry partners to advance the EV charging industry and deliver a seamless charging experience. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “going to,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern the Company’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion, timing and size of the public offering and LS Power’s expectation to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to the ability of EVgo and LS Power to complete the proposed offering on the anticipated terms or at all, market conditions and the satisfaction of closing conditions related to the proposed public offering. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company’s financial results are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in EVgo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 as well as its other filings with the SEC, copies of which are available on EVgo’s website at , and on the SEC’s website at . All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and EVgo does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by applicable law. View source version on : CONTACT: For Investors: Media: KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES BATTERIES ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES/FUELS GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET TECHNOLOGY AUTONOMOUS DRIVING/VEHICLES AUTOMOTIVE OTHER TRANSPORT AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING TRANSPORT MANUFACTURING SOURCE: EVgo Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 04:10 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 04:10 PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves delayed their game against the San Antonio Spurs by one hour on Sunday night due to an issue with the court at Target Center. The Timberwolves announced the decision about three hours before the originally scheduled tipoff time. The Spurs discovered the problem during their morning shootaround, Timberwolves spokesman Patrick Rees said. The team decided to delay the game so arena staff had enough time to install the replacement court that had to be delivered from elsewhere. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Where to put YOUR money in 2025: Our share guru reveals her best tips to boost returns By ANNE ASHWORTH Updated: 06:30 EST, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments Most investors make a New Year's resolution to revamp their portfolio. But, in 2025, an unusual amount of uncertainty surrounds this annual makeover. How will President-elect Donald Trump's plans for tariffs play out - in the US and around the globe? Will new firms emerge to slow the ascent of the big tech firms that have been boosted by the generative artificial intelligence (AI) revolution? John J Hardy, chief strategist at Saxo Bank, argues that 2025 will be a year of 'big questions' but it will also be a year of excitement. 'We're entering a new era,' he says. 'Old economic models are breaking, but that creates opportunities.' What is the best way to make the most of these perplexing conditions? Top markets: US was the best performer by a clear margin, with Germany runner up in 2024 Be an optimist, says Mike Fox, head of equities at Royal London Asset Management. 'This is not to say that investments can only go up,' he adds. 'Clearly they do not in some years. But, over the long term, societies improve, economies grow, innovation thrives - and optimism wins.' If you like this way of thinking, here are the themes predicted to set the direction of the major stock markets in the months ahead. America Donald Trump will be sworn in as US president on January 20, and thereafter embark on the implementation of policies that include the imposition of import tariffs and cutting the federal budget by $2tn (£1.6tn), with the help of Tesla boss Elon Musk. The scale of the endeavour is huge, but there is a conviction that the results could be rewarding. Niamh Brodie-Machura, co-chief investment officer at Fidelity, believes that the profits of US companies will exceed those of other developed counties, 'reinforcing American exceptionalism'. Rathbone Asset Management stresses that investors should be prepared for disruption: 'It's Trump, so it's prudent to expect some good, some bad - and some wild.' Donald Trump: Policies include the imposition of import tariffs and cutting the federal budget by $2tn Peter Branner, chief investment officer at Abrdn, warns that it would be perilous to underestimate the extent of the disruption. Against this background, Rathbone argues that 'US stock prices may not be cheap but aren't expensive either', adding that growth should come from a mix of 'tighter finances, less bureaucracy, more private enterprise, cheaper energy and interest rate cuts'. In 2024, the best way to profit from American exceptionalism has been to back the tech stocks that make up the mega-cap Magnificent Seven - Google owner Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta (the Facebook and Instagram group), Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. The Magnificent Seven should continue to dominate, but Goldman Sachs Asset Management is urging investors to look beyond this gang if you want more exposure to the generative AI revolution. For example, the semiconductor group Broadcom, which designs processors to accelerate AI systems, is being seen as 'the new Nvidia'. Stephen Yiu, manager of the Blue Whale Growth fund, says Nvidia, which is already a $3.3tn firm, would find it hard to grow another 50pc. As a $1tn company, Broadcom stands a better chance of such expansion. For a wider bet on the 'America first' strategy, consider an investment trust such as JPMorgan American, which holds Apple, Meta, Nvidia and Trane Technologies, which builds cooling systems for the vast data centres on which the AI revolution relies. Mike Fox of Royal Asset Management describes the building of these centres as a 'once-in-a-generation investment boom'. McDonald's is another holding. Jack Caffrey, the trust's manager, says that this fast food chain has 'an iconic, quintessential American brand - and a very defensive model'. A third of the US population eats there every week. America's smaller companies are also worth your consideration in light of the prediction from BNP Paribas that their profits could rise by 30pc in 2025 and 2026. Artemis US Smaller Companies and Premier Miton US Opportunities are the experts' fund picks to make the most of potentially remunerative disruption in this sector. Trump's desire to deregulate the takeover rules could produce merger mania. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Shoppers may not have noticed yet, but we face a grave... Retailers face collapse as costs rocket and High St distress... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP What you need to know each week: Listen to the This is Money podcast UK Anxiety over the fallout from the Autumn Budget, inflation and the cost of borrowing seem set to loom over the UK markets. But the gloom is not all-pervasive. For one thing, since our manufacturing sector is small, we should be less affected by Trump's tariffs. As many as two-thirds of respondents to a survey by the broker Jefferies expect the FTSE 100 to rise in 2025. Analysts contend that many British companies have strong balance sheets - and are generating cash. This suggests they should be more resilient if interest rates stay higher for longer and inflation proves sticky. Guy Anderson, manager of the Mercantile investment trust, sees reasons to be cheerful in low unemployment, real wage growth and the nation's low level of household debt. Given these factors, Anderson is sanguine about the prospects for housebuilders, such as Bellway. Since the Budget, these firms' shares have tumbled, amid doubt over the Government's building targets, but they are now beginning to look oversold. The perception that UK shares are a bargain could mean another burst of takeover activity, following this year's merger mania, with £52bn of deals for British businesses struck by early November. FundCalibre suggests the TM Tellworth UK Smaller Companies fund as one route to take advantage of this trend. As 2024 ends, there is talk that the focus on the US means that UK markets are no longer 'relevant'. Carl Stick and Alan Dobbie, managers of the Rathbone Income fund, are keen to dispel this notion, resolving to champion the cause of UK plc as a source of dividends for the millions who invest primarily for income. AJ Bell forecasts that the members of the FTSE 100 will pay out £83.6bn in dividends in 2025, a 6.5pc increase on 2024 - and a new record. Help with financial advice and planning Financial planning can help you grow your wealth, sort your pension, or make sure your finances are as tax efficient as possible. A key driver for many people is investing for or in retirement and inheritance tax planning. If you are looking for help sorting your finances and want to work out whether you need advice, planning, or coaching, the following links can help you understand more: >Do you need financial planning or financial advice - and is it worth it? > Financial advice: What to ask and how much it might cost > Are you retirement ready? Take our quiz and get financial planning help > Inheritance tax planning - what you need to know to protect your wealth Europe Summoning enthusiasm for Continental Europe will be hard in the months ahead. Germany, formerly the EU powerhouse, has been in recession in all but name, while France is politically gridlocked and facing fiscal problems of such magnitude that Abrdn argues it should be seen 'as a peripheral market, rather than a core one'. This sounds unappetising but contrarian investors may think differently. Jules Bloch, co-portfolio manager of the JPMorgan European Discovery trust, says the valuations of European smaller companies are 'at some of their most attractive since 2012 - interest rates have peaked, real wages are growing, and consumer sentiment is improving'. Bloch argues these companies include the next winners from AI and drug-assisted weight loss. This month the heady rise of Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, was halted by poor results for its new Cagrisema drug. But a more obscure Danish firm is waiting in the wing: Zealand Pharma, whose products also include a weight-loss treatment. The woes of France and Germany have overshadowed the bounceback in Spain, whose Ibex index is up by 13pc this year, and in Italy where the Borsa Italiana has increased by 10pc. The European Smaller Companies trust is a way to take a stake in the recovery of the beautiful south - and a bounceback elsewhere. China China will be the primary target of Trump's tariffs. But there are indications that Beijing is readying itself for a trade war, preparing to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency and expand domestic demand. The world's second largest economy will be endeavouring to arrest its decline with a three trillion yuan (£327bn) bond issue to finance innovation. But betting on a successful outcome will require strong nerves, in light of this year's failed stimulus packages. Nevertheless, as John Citron of the JP Morgan Emerging Markets investment trust says, China's advanced manufacturing and electric vehicle sectors are thriving, thanks to government policies that do seem effective. BYD, the electric vehicle maker, is on track to sell more cars in 2024 than Ford or Honda. Its shares have soared by 634pc since 2019. But analysts still rate the shares a 'buy'. Can the combative Trump (pictured) block BYD's progress? Or will the company continue to move faster than the European car makers in 2025? That is one of the things that investors will be watching in 2025 - in a year when no one can assume that they have all the answers. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Where to put YOUR money in 2025: Our share guru reveals her best tips to boost returns e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.

LOS ANGELES — In what could be considered the end of an era, the Industry on Thursday announced that Yuval Sharon will step down as artistic director of the groundbreaking L.A. opera company. The company's executive director, Tim Griffin, who came on board in summer 2023, will expand his title to become both executive and artistic director. The Industry's co-artistic directors, Ash Fure and Malik Gaines, who joined forces in an artistic director cooperative with Sharon in 2021, will form a new artistic advisory council. Its goal, the company said, will be to encourage dialogue about opera across the arts and help Griffin select future artists-in-residence. Sharon will need to spend more time in New York City, where earlier this year the Metropolitan Opera announced that Sharon would direct its next "Ring" cycle beginning in 2028. He's set to make his debut with the company next season with a new production of "Tristan und Isolde." In 2012 Sharon landed the Industry on the map with an exuberantly unconventional new opera by Anne LeBaron called "Crescent City." When the show premiered at an experimental art space in Atwater Village, Times Classical Music Critic Mark Swed wrote: "LeBaron's opera is the first project of an industrious, and potentially groundbreaking, new enterprise called The Industry that was founded by Yuval Sharon, a young director with his fingers in many of L.A.'s different and distinctive art pies." The prescient headline to that review? "Industry's remarkable 'Crescent City' reshapes L.A. opera." In the years that followed, the Industry didn't just reshape the city's opera scene, it radically transformed it. Sharon rose to become a major star of a cadre of artists working to disrupt the art form — to make it less refined and restrictive, and more responsive to the changing landscape of the 21st century. Sharon also sought to broaden opera's tent, to welcome in young, diverse audiences and to expand opportunities for women and artists of color. He won a MacArthur genius grant in the process and penned the book "A New Philosophy of Opera," which detailed a thriving future for the changing genre. Among Sharon's most memorable — and mind-bending — accomplishments was his 2015 opera "Hopscotch," which took place in 24 vehicles driving on the roads of L.A. The logistics were staggering, and when naysayers said it couldn't be done, Sharon became fond of asking, "why not?" If "Hopscotch" seemed tailor made for the fast-moving age of social media, 2020's "Sweet Land," staged at Angeles State Historic Park, plunged into deeper water. By exploring themes of immigration, displacement and the genocidal conquest at the heart of the American origin story, the production earned rave reviews before closing early as COVID darkened stages across the country. That same year, Sharon expanded his reach by signing on as artistic director of Detroit Opera and quickly making a splash with a drive-through production of Wagner's "Götterdämmerung" in a parking garage. His contract with the company was recently extended through 2028. Sharon also has worked with Berlin State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Santa Fe Opera. Fans of the Industry will no doubt wonder if last summer's "The Comet/Poppea" was the last show that Sharon directed for the company. The announcement Thursday about Sharon's transition to the title of founder notes that he will "continue supporting The Industry's next steps, attending upcoming performances and conceiving future projects unique to The Industry's identity." Sharon and the Industry will celebrate the company's legacy and future on Jan. 30 at downtown's Bradbury Building with a Decade Party. Tickets can be purchased, at theindustryla.org . ------- ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.It's time for a brief break from discussing Colorado's current goaltending situation. Instead, it feels like a good time to check in on the top three prospects the Avalanche have in their system, all of which could play a role in the makeup of the NHL team over the next year. And yes, one of them might just be the much needed long-term solution for the team in net. Goaltender Ilya Nabokov Might as well start with said goaltender. After moving out of the first round in June's NHL Entry Draft, the Avalanche selected Nabokov with their top pick. Most high draft picks are 17-18 years old, but not Nabokov. He was 21 at the time and in his final year of draft eligibility. It was a surprise to many to see him drafted that high, but no one can deny the season he had in the KHL last year. He was named Rookie of the Year after a terrific regular season, and followed it up with a dominant postseason where he was named the KHL Playoffs MVP. Nabokov's team has taken a bit of a step back this season and so have his numbers, but not by much. His save percentage sits at 92.5% after he was at 93% last season and his goals against average has only gone up a minuscule amount. He's been a workhorse for his team and leads the league in games played, mostly because his backup has been inconsistent. Colorado's current goaltending situation has fans pining for Nabokov to come over to North America right away, but that isn't possible this season. It's very possible for next season though, as he's in the final year of his KHL contract. There were rumblings recently that SKA, one of the richer teams in the league, was looking to pursue Nabokov, but those are just rumors. Over the summer, The Gazette reached out to Nabokov's representation regarding his future. His agent, Shumi Babaev, responded by saying he would "make a decision soon." That decision has not been made yet, but is expected in the near future, although Babaev hasn't responded to recent inquiries. The Avalanche have just one goaltender under contract beyond this season, so they certainly have room to bring Nabokov to North America. Whether their plan would involve throwing him into the NHL immediately or letting him start in the AHL is another question entirely, but there is plenty of optimism that he can become the goalie of the future for the Avalanche. The franchise hasn't drafted and developed a starting goaltender of their own since David Aebischer nearly two decades ago. Yes, it's been that long. Center Calum Ritchie Ritchie got a taste of NHL action early in the year, but it was clear he wasn't ready for prime time just yet. After seven games, the Avalanche decided to send him back to the Ontario Hockey League, which was the only option they had. Although he was in a bit over his head at the NHL level, it doesn't appear to have shattered his confidence. Since returning to Oshawa, he's been dominant, which is what the Avalanche wanted to see. The 19-year old has picked up 26 points in just 13 games. His average of two points-per-game is tied for second best in the league, and Oshawa has gone 10-1-2 since he returned to the lineup. Many scouts believe he's the best player in the league. If he's not, he has a case for being the most valuable player, as Oshawa has been a different team with him in the lineup the last two years. He's expected to play a big role on Team Canada at the World Junior Championships late next month, and after the tournament, he'll likely go on a long playoff run with Oshawa. The hope from the organization is that he continues to develop his all-around game this season and comes to camp next September ready to stick in the NHL. For good. Defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev The smooth skating 19-year old defenseman isn't likely to play for the Avalanche next season, as his KHL contract runs until 2026. Gulyayev has gone on the record saying that he doesn't want to play in the AHL, so when he eventually makes his way to North America, he plans to play in the NHL right from the get-go. Gulyayev established himself as a regular in the KHL at the age of 18, which is a little rare in that league. They don't give ice-time to teenagers unless they really earn it, and Gulyayev's role expanded as last year went on. His start to this season was a little slow, but it's really picked up of late. He's starting to get more power play time and has been playing 20 minutes a night of late. That's major progress for the former first round pick. The Russian defenseman fits the prototype of how the Avalanche like their defensemen to play. His skating ability is already well above average by NHL standards, and he uses it to his advantage all over the ice. Size will always be an issue for him (he's listed at 5'10"), but he brings a lot of other things to the table. Given the Avalanche aren't likely to see him make an impact in the NHL for a few years, could he be be used as trade bait? While the team needs to rebuild it's prospect pipeline and keep an eye towards the future, all of Colorado's stars are currently in their prime. It would make sense to dangle a talented prospect like this to help the team right away, especially if he's years away from making an impact. Trading Gulyayev would really sting, but he could bring back a solid player who may help the team take another run at a Stanley Cup.International MICE Summit (IMS) opening day delivers transformation, 19 announcements to drive event industry growth in the Kingdomgstar28 legit 。

‘What is the fastest, cheapest way we can get the school built’: Concord school board reconsidering middle school optionsAtria Investments Inc Has $267,000 Position in Qorvo, Inc. (NASDAQ:QRVO)After U.S. military officials reported they’re unsure who is behind the increasing number of drones reported in the skies above New York and New Jersey, Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday called for new technology to help local officials “determine what the heck is going on.” The Senate majority leader advocated for the Department of Homeland Security to deploy a special drone-detection technology called “Robin” in local airspace, which is also used to track the movement of birds. “Our local people who have questions about these drones should not have to shake an 8-ball for an answer,” he said during a news conference. Schumer’s demand came two days after New York’s Stewart Airport was temporarily shut down due to drone activity, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to call for action from the federal government. Federal officials announced Sunday they would deploy a new drone detection system in New York after calls from Hochul for more resources. U.S. Defense Department officials wrote in a press release on Saturday they’ve confirmed drone sightings above New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. Drones have also been reported recently above President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey. “We have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent," the release said, while also noting the military has “not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin." The Defense Department release also claimed the military is “prohibited from conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the United States which might be used to determine the origins of who might be flying the drones.” But Schumer said he wants to deploy technology that helps give local governments answers. He said state and local leaders currently do not have the authority to use drone detection systems like the one he's calling for, and said he plans to co-sponsor a bill in Congress that would extend drone detection privileges to local officials.

Talkiatry Ranked Number 6 Fastest-Growing Company in North America on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500TMWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system . The dollar represents roughly 58% of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMF and major commodities like oil are still primarily bought and sold using dollars. The dollar's dominance is threatened, however, with BRICS' growing share of GDP and the alliance's intent to trade in non-dollar currencies — a process known as de-dollarization. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy." At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of “weaponizing” the dollar and described it as a “big mistake.” “It’s not us who refuse to use the dollar,” Putin said at the time. “But if they don’t let us work, what can we do? We are forced to search for alternatives.” Russia has specifically pushed for the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network, SWIFT, and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners. Trump said there is "no chance" BRIC will replace the U.S. dollar in global trade and any country that tries to make that happen "should wave goodbye to America.” Research shows that the U.S. dollar's role as the primary global reserve currency is not threatened in the near future. An Atlantic Council model that assesses the dollar’s place as the primary global reserve currency states the dollar is “secure in the near and medium term” and continues to dominate other currencies. Trump's latest tariff threat comes after he threatened to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to do more to halt the flow of illegal immigration and drugs into the U.S. He has since held a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after meeting Trump, without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on Canada.

Michael Jordan named only coach who could've made him stay with Bulls after Phil Jackson left: "I don't think he's coming back"

g star 28

Trump Cabinet picks, appointees targeted by bomb threats and swatting attacks

None

Just 40 years old, Taylor Jenkins is now in his sixth season as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach. He entered the coaching ranks before the age of 30 as he spent five seasons as an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks and one with the Milwaukee Bucks prior to joining the Grizzlies. Even before that, He joined Memphis at the young age of 34. On Wednesday, Memphis was able to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers by the score of 117-111. With the victory by the Grizzlies, Jenkins became the franchise leader in wins by a head coach. Jenkins Sets Grizzlies Coaching Record At Just 40 Years Old Jenkins Is Now The Franchise Leader In Career Wins Last night’s victory pushed the Grizzlies record to 9-7 thus far on the season. It also gave Taylor Jenkins his 215th win as a head coach for Memphis which is the new all-time record for the Grizzlies. Those 215 wins surpassed the previous record holder’s total of 214. Those 214 wins were accomplished by Lionel Hollins . Hollins was the head coach for the Grizzlies for much of the “Grit and Grind” era. He was the head coach from 2008-09 to 2012-13 (also was interim coach for the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999-00). Jenkins commented after the victory, and he clearly took great pride in becoming the Grizzlies new franchise leader in coaching wins. “It’s an unbelievable honor to be among the company of so many great coaches that have come before me,” Jenkins said . “I always talk about the unbelievable responsibility to be the coach of this franchise. It’s a privilege and an honor.” The Grizzlies inaugural season was in 1995-96, so they are currently taking part in their 30th season in the NBA. They played in Vancouver for the first six seasons before moving to Memphis beginning in the 2001-02 season. Jenkins and Hollins are two of the three head coaches in Grizzlies history to reach triple-digits in wins for the team. The other is Dave Joerger, who resided over the team from 2013-14 to 2015-16. Jenkins Has Career Winning Percentage Of .528 Thus Far In the 2021-22 season, Jenkins helped guide the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record. That tied the franchise record for best in team history along with 2012-13. Memphis reached the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, losing to the Golden State Warriors . Under Jenkins, they also reached the 2021 and 2023 postseason losing in the opening round. Last season was a disappointing one for Memphis as they finished with just a 27-55 record. It was the team’s worst record since they went 22-60 in the 2017-18 season. The Grizzlies dealt with a boatload of injuries in 2023-24 which was a major reason for their downfall. Star point guard Ja Morant began the season suspended, and then came back to play just nine game before missing the rest of the season with injury. Desmond Bane missed 40 games, Jaren Jackson Jr. missed 16, Marcus Smart missed 62, and Luke Kennard missed 43. Despite finishing 28 games under .500, Taylor Jenkins’ career record is still a winning one. He currently sit with a record of 215-192, good for a .528 winning percentage. In the postseason, Jenkins has a record of 9-14. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.Walkinshaw Automotive has converted Ram Trucks Australia's final Hemi V8-powered to right-hand drive, ahead of the full-size American pickup's move to twin-turbo six-cylinder 'Hurricane' power in 2025. or signup to continue reading The last with a Hemi V8 under the bonnet – a Limited with Granite Crystal paint, to be precise – rolled off the production line in Clayton, Melbourne, last Friday (December 6, 2024). Ram Trucks Australia – a joint venture between Walkinshaw and Ram's local distributor Ateco Automotive – has been 'remanufacturing' the 1500 since June 2018 at the former home of Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). While the larger and heavy-duty pickups came first, Ram's volume-selling 1500 debuted in previous-generation DS-series form, before the DT-series pickup arrived in May 2021 with mild-hybrid power, though both featured the famed Hemi engine under their big and bluff bonnets. . While there are several unofficial Ram converters in Australia, the final factory-backed Ram 1500 with a V8 engine was the 28,495th example to be produced by Walkinshaw. However, the total number of 1500s converted for Ram Trucks Australia is higher, as it was briefly available with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups continue with a 6.7-litre Cummins straight-six turbo-diesel. Following an intensive local development program, more than 400 locally-engineered parts are installed by 200 employees across 14 working hours before each Ram pickup is sold in Australia or exported to New Zealand. But the Ram 1500 V8 wasn't the only vehicle to reach the end of the road at the Clayton facility during the month of December. On December 29, 2017, HSV built the final GTSR W1 there, just a few months after Holden shut up shop. The V8-powered 1500 has been , and limited stock is currently available. The entire range is offered with free on-road costs, with the brand covering the cost of dealer delivery, stamp duty and 12 months of registration and compulsory third-party insurance. "We haven't put a 'final V8' badge on this particular example because, to us, they're all special. But once they're gone, they're gone." said Ram Trucks Australia general manager, Jeff Barber, in a media statement. While you soon won't be able to buy a new V8-powered Ram 1500, Walkinshaw will continue to employ its circa 250-strong workforce across the Clayton factory and its engineering teams to bring the new twin-turbo six-cylinder Ram 1500 to local showrooms in 2025. Revealed in the US , the facelifted DT-series Ram 1500 swaps the Hemi for the Stellantis group's newer Hurricane 3.0-litre straight-six, which out-muscles the V8 it replaces. Australian specifications have yet to be confirmed, however, government approval documents first showed Ram has received design certification to sell five variants of the latest 1500, with the choice of two power outputs between them. The standard-output version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine (named SST SO) produces 313kW and 636Nm, while the high-output version (called SST HO) develops 403kW and 706Nm. For context, the Hemi V8 produces 291kW and 556Nm. The Ram 1500 will join the and in only being available with six-cylinder power – though its rivals feature V6s, not straight-sixes – while the becomes the only remaining full-sized pickup with a V8 engine. Ram 1500 sales peaked in Australia at 5922 deliveries in 2023, representing more than half of all local US pickup sales at the time. Such was its popularity that the Ram 1500 alone outsold entire brands including Jeep, which is owned by the same parent company but imported by different distributors in Australia. However, Ford Australia's official release of the Ford F-150 at the end of 2023 and the subsequent rollout of the Toyota Tundra has resulted in Ram 1500 deliveries taking a dive, with just 2962 examples registered between January and November 2024 – a 47.5 per cent decrease on the same period last year. Though it's officially still Australia's best-selling pickup, the Silverado 1500 found 2161 new homes in the opening 11 months of this year (also courtesy of Walkinshaw), while 2084 Ford F-150s were delivered despite numerous rollout pauses. Content originally sourced from: Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . AdvertisementNexPoint Comments on Cancellation of United Development Funding IV (UDF IV) 2024 Annual Meeting

Iran says will hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK on Friday

The family of a teenage girl who died after a medical emergency at a rugby club have paid tribute to her. Seren Jenkins, 14, was at Amman United Rugby Club in Carmarthenshire last Friday when emergency services were called. Her family said they were "devastated" by the loss of Seren, from Tycroes, Ammanford, who they called "a loving daughter, big and little sister". "Seren lived her short life to the full and was a budding artist, rugby player and social media lover," they said. "Seren was loved by all who knew her and no doubt will also be remembered for her sense of humour," they added in a statement. The family thanked everyone who has donated to a fundraiser for Seren, and those who have given "their kind words and support at this horrific time". They said the money was likely to go to various asthma services, the Wales Air Ambulance, "and a possible memorial for her friends to remember her".Iran said on Sunday that it would hold nuclear talks in the coming days with the three European countries that initiated a censure resolution against it adopted by the UN's atomic watchdog. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would take place on Friday, without specifying a venue. "A range of regional and international issues and topics, including the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the nuclear issue, will be discussed," the spokesman said in a foreign ministry statement. Baghaei described the upcoming meeting as a continuation of talks held with the countries in September on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On Thursday, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution denouncing Iran for what it called a lack of cooperation. The move came as tensions ran high over Iran's atomic programme, which critics fear is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon -- something Tehran has repeatedly denied. In response to the resolution, Iran announced it was launching a "series of new and advanced centrifuges". Centrifuges enrich uranium transformed into gas by rotating it at very high speed, increasing the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235). "We will substantially increase the enrichment capacity with the utilisation of different types of advanced machines," Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman, told state TV. The country, however, also said it planned to continue its "technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA". During a recent visit to Tehran by IAEA head Rafael Grossi, Iran agreed to the agency's demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, has said he wants to remove "doubts and ambiguities" about his country's nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran and world powers reached an agreement that saw the easing of international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed biting economic sanctions, which prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On Sunday afternoon, the United Kingdom confirmed the upcoming meeting between Iran and the three European countries. "We remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback if necessary," London's Foreign Office said. The 2015 deal contains a "snapback" mechanism that can be triggered in case of "significant non-performance" of commitments by Iran, allowing many sanctions to be reimposed. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group think tank, told AFP that Friday's meeting was set to happen earlier, but "those plans were derailed as a result of Iran-Israel tensions" over the Gaza war. Though the parties will be meeting "without knowing what the incoming Trump administration wants to do", Vaez said that "after a lose-lose cycle of mutual escalation, now both sides are back to realising that engagement might be the least costly option." Tehran has since 2021 decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices monitoring the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, it has increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium and the level of enrichment to 60 percent. That level is close, according to the IAEA, to the 90 percent-plus threshold required for a nuclear warhead, and substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. pdm/smw/ami

FMC Corporation announces election of Anthony DiSilvestro to Board of DirectorsWhen fire threatened a California university, the school says it knew what to do

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) ("Enerflex” or the "Company”) today provided an update of a modularized cryogenic natural gas processing facility in Kurdistan (the "EH Cryo project”). As previously announced, during the second quarter of 2024, Enerflex suspended activity at the EH Cryo project, demobilized its personnel and provided its customer with notice of Force Majeure following a fatal drone attack at an adjacent facility. Due to the continuing Force Majeure and circumstances that make it impossible for Enerflex to fulfill its obligations under the EH Cryo project contract, Enerflex today provided its customer with formal notice of termination. As previously announced, Enerflex's customer has commenced arbitration proceedings against the Company, asserting certain baseless and unsubstantiated claims. Enerflex is disputing these claims and, following today's termination, Enerflex will seek to recover amounts owing in connection with the EH Cryo project. At the end of Q3/24, the net asset position associated with the EH Cryo project was $161 million. Approximately $75 million of work associated with the EH Cryo project was included in the Company's Engineered Systems ("ES”) backlog at the end of Q3/24. With the termination of the EH Cryo project, Enerflex expects to reverse this amount during the fourth quarter of 2024. The future ES revenue associated with the EH Cryo project was expected to contribute minimal gross margin. Since inception of the EH Cryo project, Enerflex has maintained a $31 million letter of credit to support its obligations under the EH Cryo project contract. Enerflex would view any drawing of this financial security in the prevailing circumstances as improper and would increase the amount owing by the customer. Any drawing of the financial security would not have a material impact on the Company's financial position or liquidity. At the end of Q3/24, Enerflex had $588 million available for future drawings, which reflects the $31 million letter of credit funded with the Company's revolving credit facility. ADVISORY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains "forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements” (and together with "forward-looking information”, "forward-looking information and statements”) within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking information and statements. The use of any of the words "future", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "could", "believe", "predict", "potential", "objective", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking information and statements. In particular, this news release includes (without limitation) forward-looking information and statements pertaining to the Company's expectations to recover amounts owing in connection with the EH Cryo project, if any; and the Company's expectations to reverse approximately $75 million included in the Company's ES backlog in the fourth quarter of 2024. All forward-looking information and statements in this news release are subject to important risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which may affect Enerflex's operations, including, without limitation: the impact of economic conditions; the markets in which Enerflex's products and services are used; general industry conditions; changes to, and introduction of new, governmental regulations, laws, and income taxes; increased competition; political unrest and geopolitical conditions; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Enerflex. As a result of the foregoing, actual results, performance, or achievements of Enerflex could differ and such differences could be material from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including but not limited to those factors referred to under the heading "Risk Factors" in: (i) Enerflex's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, (ii) Enerflex's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, and (iii) Enerflex's Management Information Circular dated March 15, 2024, each of the foregoing documents being accessible under the electronic profile of the Company on SEDAR+ and EDGAR at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information and statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are based on the information available to the Company at such time and, other than as required by law, Enerflex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This news release and its contents should not be construed, under any circumstances, as investment, tax, or legal advice. ABOUT ENERFLEX Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, deploying natural gas, low-carbon, and treated water solutions - from individual, modularized products and services to integrated custom solutions. With over 4,600 engineers, manufacturers, technicians, and innovators, Enerflex is bound together by a shared vision: Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. The Company remains committed to the future of natural gas and the critical role it plays, while focused on sustainability offerings to support the energy transition and growing decarbonization efforts. Enerflex's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFX" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFXT". For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com . For investor and media enquiries, contact: Marc Rossiter President and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: [email protected] Preet S. Dhindsa Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer E-mail: [email protected] Jeff Fetterly Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected]ExxonMobil: Let’s talk LNG

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence sustained a hit on Sunday against the Houston Texans that will knock him out indefinitely. It was the hit seen around the world. While Trevor Lawrence was having far from the best season of his campaign, the hit he sustained is likely to be what is remembered from his entire year. Seemingly everyone, including former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman, had thoughts on the tackle . On Sunday, Trevor Lawrence slid to the ground on a routine scramble play, but linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair didn’t stop . The linebacker dove into the quarterback, striking him in the head and knocking him out of the game. Since the hit, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. As the controversy continue to drag into Week 14, the linebacker has taken to Twitter/X to respond to the situation. Azeez Al-Shaair’s response draws criticism Per “First Take,” the linebacker’s response to the suspension was to declare himself a villain, refusing to claim responsibility. “If you want me to be your villain, I’ll be your villain! See you soon...” he posted. Speaking in response to the post on a December 5 edition of “First Take,” former Cowboys and Giants veteran Chris Canty expressed frustration with the linebacker. “I guess that’s my most frustrating part about what Al-Shaair did yesterday. We’re taking to social media because he showed no contrition after his head coach and general manager tried to defend his character [after] the incident and in response to the scathing rebuke that Jon Runyan gave not only for the hit, but for the aftermath and his part in the melee that ensued,” he said. “So he completely misses the mark. It’s completely tone-deaf. And I just hope that over the three-game suspension, he has an opportunity to refocus and get back to doing what he does best, which is leading that Texas defense because he’s a key part of that locker room,” he added. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans came out in defense of the linebacker, pointing at the ensuing melee that took place after the hit. Texans GM Nick Caserio also pointed out the state of the tackling rules as a problem in their own right. When will Azeez Al-Shaair return? The Texans linebacker is expected to miss the next three games due to suspension. It doesn’t guarantee he will return in Week 18, but it does make him eligible to return. If all goes according to schedule, Al-Shaair will return against the Tennessee Titans in the season finale. Of course, considering how things shake out, the Texans may wish to rest their starters for the game, which could include Al-Shaair. This would potentially set him up to play his first game in a month in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.gstar28 casino login 。

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. stock falls Friday, underperforms marketMiddle East latest: Israel bombs new central areas of Beirut

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Kobe Magee had 23 points in Drexel's 83-71 win against Chicago State on Tuesday. Magee had nine rebounds for the Dragons (5-3). Yame Butler shot 6 of 10 from the field and 8 for 11 from the line to add 20 points. Cole Hargrove went 5 of 7 from the field to finish with 10 points. Troy McCoy finished with 19 points and six rebounds for the Cougars (0-8). Jalen Forrest added 14 points for Chicago State. Matthew Robinson finished with 10 points and two steals. Jason Drake led Drexel in scoring with eight points in the first half to help put them up 35-28 at the break. Magee scored 16 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

This smart home accessory made the biggest difference in my kitchen decorCox Enterprises Nearing One-Third of its Ambitious Goal to Empower 34 Million People to Live More Prosperous Lives by 2034

Jalandhar: Although the reasons for the prevailing crisis in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the upheaval within the Sikh polity are usually projected as religious, they fundamentally stem from issues of justice and equitable law enforcement. Law was not allowed to take its own course in multiple cases and at multiple levels. Rather, the govt and law enforcement agencies helped those who were on the wrong side of the law. In the four points outlined by the SAD Sudhar Lehar leaders in their complaint to Akal Takht, which were read out by the Akal Takht Jathedar to SAD former president Sukhbir Singh Badal as charges against him, only one — pardon to Sirsa dera chief by the Akal Takht — pertained to the religious domain. That too was a case of using state and political influence over religious affairs. The other three points — withdrawing the 2007 blasphemy case against the Sirsa dera chief, failure to find and punish the accused in sacrilege cases of 2015, police firing at peacefully protesting Sikhs and killing two of them at Behbal Kalan, appointment of Sumedh Saini as DGP and rewarding former DGP Izhar Alam despite serious allegations of fake encounters against them — pertained to the justice delivery system . In the blasphemy case of May 2007, in which Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was accused of imitating Guru Gobind Singh and there was huge turmoil in the state, even the state home department gave sanction for his prosecution. But the justice delivery system was blocked and the charge-sheet was never filed in the trial court, even as a senior Punjab Police officer filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana high court stating that the case was registered against the dera chief after investigations and they had enough evidence to prosecute him. Instead, police filed a cancellation report in a Bathinda court just ahead of the 2012 assembly elections. In Aug 2014, the district and sessions judge, Bathinda, discharged the dera chief on the ground that the charge-sheet was not presented against him within the stipulated time of three years and accepted the cancellation report. In the case of sacrilege, the issue was primarily of enforcement of law as initially it was a case of theft of “bir” of Guru Granth Sahib from the gurdwara of Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village, Faridkot district, on June 1, 2015. The final act of sacrilege happened well after four months on Oct 12, that too after an abusive warning through posters, at least two weeks before the final act. In this connection, Sudhar Lehar’s allegation was that there was a failure in finding the culprits and getting them punished. The police firing at Behbal Kalan on Oct 14, 2015, was also found blatantly illegal and even a murder case was registered against unidentified police officials initially, and action against them happened during the Congress regime. The issue of appointment of Sumedh Saini as Punjab DGP and the induction of former DGP Izhar Alam in the SAD and giving his wife an assembly ticket, even though both the top officers faced allegations of extrajudicial killings in Punjab, also pertained to helping or rewarding those who faced allegations of gross illegalities, whereas before coming to power in 1997, Parkash Singh Badal promised justice in such cases. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet.

Horizon Aircraft Secures $8.4 Million Strategic InvestmentNation Mourns the Loss of Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: Tributes Pour In

A grieving Melbourne community will turn their suburb blue and yellow in memory of two teens who died from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos. or signup to continue reading Holly Bowles, 19, died on Friday in a Bangkok hospital, one day after her best mate Bianca Jones, also 19, died in another hospital in the Thailand capital. The girls from Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast had been on holiday in Laos last week when they became ill along with a dozen other tourists in the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng. Both girls were heavily involved with the Beaumaris Football Club which on Saturday posted a tribute to the pair, showing ribbons of blue and yellow, the club's colours, tied to a signpost of their home ground at Banksia Reserve. "Join in and turn Beaumaris Blue & Yellow in loving memory of both girls gone too soon and in support of their grief-stricken parents," the club posted on Instagram. It had held a "private get-together" for players and coaches on Friday night. Ms Bowles' parents confirmed her death on Friday, saying they were always so incredibly proud of their daughter and she was "now at peace". "We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people," they said in a statement. "Holly was living her best life travelling through Southeast Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences." Frank's cafe where Ms Bowles worked for more than two years, paid tribute to their co-worker, whom they described as a "staple" of the team. "Holly was the best of us. She was sweet, incredibly kind, reliable, funny, diligent, hardworking and extremely capable," the cafe posted on Instagram. "Believe me when I say that I couldn't fault her." Ms Bowles was "loved and adored with all our hearts and we'll miss her so, so much", her co-workers said. "Finally, to Holly, I'm just so thankful you walked through our door with a resume, kid. I'll never forget you mate." Thai authorities have already confirmed Ms Jones had died of "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system". The manager and owner of the hostel, where the two teens were staying, have since been detained by Laotian police. Local federal MP Zoe Daniel offered her condolences to the teens' families, friends and local community. "Both of these young friends were on the trip of a lifetime, a journey countless young Australians have enjoyed for generations," she said. "That they were cruelly lost to a methanol poisoning event in Laos, so far from home, when they were supposed to be having the time of their young lives makes the pain all that more acute." Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to both girls, saying "all Australians will be holding both families in their hearts". The pair didn't leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13 before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok. The suspected methanol poisoning event in Vang Vieng has been linked to six deaths so far, including the two Australians, a British woman, an American and two Danish tourists. It's believed all the affected tourists, consumed drinks laced with methanol. The Australian government has updated its , telling residents to be alert to the potential risk of spirit-based drinks including cocktails. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

By Seun Adeuyi Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has pardoned Segun Olowookere, a young man convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to death in 2014. In a statement on Thursday, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that Olowookere was pardoned alongside his accomplice, Sunday Morakinyo. The claim that the duo got a death sentence for stealing a fowl went viral on social media. But the Osun State Judiciary has clarified that they were convicted for armed robbery, including robbing a poultry in 2010. According to the governor, 51 other inmates were also pardoned following recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. Jigawa gov loses mother Stampedes: Arrest Abuja, Anambra event organisers or release Ibadan organisers – MURIC “In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service,” Adeleke said. “In the case of inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences of the following 30 (thirty ) inmates in whole. “I have also decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to the following 12 (twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences. “In the case of the following 6 (six) convicts sentenced to death, I have approved the commutation of their sentence from death to outright release while Ojekunle Timothy has his sentence commuted from death sentence to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment having spent at least 10 (ten) years in custody. “The following 4 (four) convicts also have their sentences commuted from death sentence to outright pardon: Sunday Morakinyo, Segun Olowookere, Tunde Olapade, Demola Odeyemi.” In 2010, Olowookere and his accomplice were arrested for breaking into the homes of a police officer and another person. In 2014, Justice Falola of the Osun State High Court sentenced the duo to death by hanging after they were found guilty of breaking into the officer’s house and stealing his property. Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. armed robbery Osun state Segun Olowookere sentenced to death

Photo: Oregon Releases Special Edition Kobe VI UO PE Cleats for Rose Bowl CFP GameTrump brings back government by social media

ZYNL Real Estate Innovations Ltd.: Revolutionizing Real Estate Investments through Blockchain and AIJalandhar: Although the reasons for the prevailing crisis in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the upheaval within the Sikh polity are usually projected as religious, they fundamentally stem from issues of justice and equitable law enforcement. Law was not allowed to take its own course in multiple cases and at multiple levels. Rather, the govt and law enforcement agencies helped those who were on the wrong side of the law. In the four points outlined by the SAD Sudhar Lehar leaders in their complaint to Akal Takht, which were read out by the Akal Takht Jathedar to SAD former president Sukhbir Singh Badal as charges against him, only one — pardon to Sirsa dera chief by the Akal Takht — pertained to the religious domain. That too was a case of using state and political influence over religious affairs. The other three points — withdrawing the 2007 blasphemy case against the Sirsa dera chief, failure to find and punish the accused in sacrilege cases of 2015, police firing at peacefully protesting Sikhs and killing two of them at Behbal Kalan, appointment of Sumedh Saini as DGP and rewarding former DGP Izhar Alam despite serious allegations of fake encounters against them — pertained to the justice delivery system . In the blasphemy case of May 2007, in which Sirsa dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was accused of imitating Guru Gobind Singh and there was huge turmoil in the state, even the state home department gave sanction for his prosecution. But the justice delivery system was blocked and the charge-sheet was never filed in the trial court, even as a senior Punjab Police officer filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana high court stating that the case was registered against the dera chief after investigations and they had enough evidence to prosecute him. Instead, police filed a cancellation report in a Bathinda court just ahead of the 2012 assembly elections. In Aug 2014, the district and sessions judge, Bathinda, discharged the dera chief on the ground that the charge-sheet was not presented against him within the stipulated time of three years and accepted the cancellation report. In the case of sacrilege, the issue was primarily of enforcement of law as initially it was a case of theft of “bir” of Guru Granth Sahib from the gurdwara of Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village, Faridkot district, on June 1, 2015. The final act of sacrilege happened well after four months on Oct 12, that too after an abusive warning through posters, at least two weeks before the final act. In this connection, Sudhar Lehar’s allegation was that there was a failure in finding the culprits and getting them punished. The police firing at Behbal Kalan on Oct 14, 2015, was also found blatantly illegal and even a murder case was registered against unidentified police officials initially, and action against them happened during the Congress regime. The issue of appointment of Sumedh Saini as Punjab DGP and the induction of former DGP Izhar Alam in the SAD and giving his wife an assembly ticket, even though both the top officers faced allegations of extrajudicial killings in Punjab, also pertained to helping or rewarding those who faced allegations of gross illegalities, whereas before coming to power in 1997, Parkash Singh Badal promised justice in such cases. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .ASUP tasks members on two-week strike compliance

Trump brings back government by social media( MENAFN - AFP) A federal jury in the United States on Friday delivered a key win to mobile commputing titan Qualcomm in a licensing dispute with Arm, although proceedings between the chipmakers ended in mistrial. The jury ruled that Arm central processor designs that Qualcomm had acquired when it bought technology company Nuvia had been properly licensed. Arm had contested that claim, demanding Qualcomm pay a higher licensing fee under a bilateral agreement between the two chipmakers, rather than the lower fee in Arm's agreement with Nuvia. The difference in royalties purportedly saved Qualcomm tens of millions of dollars. British chipmaker Arm said it would seek a retrial. Qualcomm bought Nuvia, a CPU design company, in a $1.4 billion deal that closed in 2021, according to the California-based chip maker. The acquisition was seen as a key move in Qualcomm's expansion into the laptop market. The federal jury did not, however, reach an agreement on whether Qualcomm breached a licensing agreement with Arm. "We are pleased with today's decision," Qualcomm said in a statement posted online. "The jury has vindicated Qualcomm's right to innovate and affirmed that all the Qualcomm products at issue in the case are protected by Qualcomm's contract with Arm." In response to an AFP inquiry, an Arm spokesperson said they would seek a retrial "due to the jury's deadlock." "From the outset, our top priority has been to protect Arm's (intellectual property) and the unparalleled ecosystem we have built with our valued partners over more than 30 years," they said. Qualcomm shares were up about 2 percent in after-market trades to $155.99 while Arm shares shed more than one percent to $130.50. MENAFN20122024000143011026ID1109018589 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Caracas, December 5, 2024 ( ) — Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is in China on an official visit to “review and strengthen” the cooperation map established last year when the countries elevated their relationship to an Upon her arrival in Beijing on Wednesday, Rodríguez stated that the allies nations will revise cooperation agreements in “multiple strategic areas,” including politics, energy, economy, finance and technology. “We will strengthen our framework for cooperation as well as ties of complementarity and mutual development in different areas to continue solidifying a historical relationship and deep friendship that reached in 2024,” Rodríguez on social media. Rodríguez went on to add that China and Venezuela have a “shared vision” regarding a new multipolar world “where the sovereignty and self-determination of the peoples of the Global South are respected.” She remarked that the BRICS organization would play a key role in advancing multipolarity. On Thursday, the Venezuelan vice president met with her Chinese counterpart Han Zheng, with both officials reportedly committing to achieve “greater progress” in bilateral relations. According to the , Han said China is eager to fully implement the “all-weather strategic partnership” reached last year as well as “strengthen practical cooperation.” For her part, Rodríguez reiterated Venezuela’s respect for the one-China principle and emphasized the need to strengthen multilateral coordination to “oppose unilateral illegal sanctions, safeguard national security and development, and international fairness and justice.” In recent years, Venezuela and China have deepened their strategic political and economic ties as both governments aim to counteract Western hegemony and unilateral coercive measures. Since 2017, the Caribbean nation has faced severe hardships caused by the US-led economic blockade which has particularly targeted the crucial . In September 2023, Presidents Nicolás Maduro and Xi Jinping the countries’ relations to an “all-weather strategic partnership” and signed 31 agreements to boost collaboration in areas such as oil, scientific development, healthcare, and space exploration. The new level of bilateral partnership was considered historic with Venezuela being the first Latin American country to enter the “all-weather” category reserved by Beijing for its closest allies. The upgrade reflects China’s growing role as Venezuela’s primary trading partner in Asia, particularly in crude oil purchases. On the eve of her trip to China, Vice President Rodríguez the country’s 2025 budget proposal to the National Assembly (AN), estimated at USD $22.7 billion. The figure represents an increase of nearly 11 percent from this year’s $20.5 billion budget and nearly doubles the $11.6 billion allocated in 2023. It still stands at around a fifth of the government’s $118 billion budget for 2015. Rodríguez attributed the recent sustained increase to “consistent ” since 2021, citing an 8.5 percent GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2024 as measured by Venezuela’s Central Bank. The Caribbean nation is set for a fourth consecutive year of economic improvement, though GDP remains below 30 percent of its high mark in 2014. “This budget reflects the victorious resilience of the Venezuelan economy amid adversity and economic suffocation that have targeted our workers and production processes,” she told lawmakers on Tuesday. “In these challenging conditions, Venezuela is now one of the fastest-growing countries in Latin America.” The vice president detailed that 77.6 percent of next year’s budget will be dedicated to social investment, focusing on education, healthcare, security, science and technology, public infrastructure, and housing. The spending plan incorporates input gathered from thousands of popular assemblies held across the country. Rodríguez also highlighted that the budget includes a special fund for chosen and managed directly by the Venezuelan people through communal circuits, as well as an additional allocation for the Essequibo region. According to , tax revenues are expected to contribute $5.25 billion to the budget, financing 28 percent of total spending. Venezuelan authorities have praised tax collection, which has more than doubled year-on-year in 2024. In contrast, Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA will cover 53 percent of expenditures, amounting to $10.1 billion, down from an estimated $11.9 billion this year. The remainder of the country’s annual financing will come from mining, loans, and debt issuances. On Thursday, Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez that the 2025 budget proposal had been approved by the legislature and sent to the Maduro government for its promulgation.

A stroke changed a teacher’s life. How a new electrical device is helping her move

gstar288 login DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. New York also agreed to assist Soto's family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed Soto will have uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Soto's suite will be valued at the Mets' prevailing prices, presumably for tax purposes, and after 2025 he can by each Jan. 15 modify or give up his suite selection for the upcoming season. He can request the premium tickets, to be used by family members, no later than 72 hours before the scheduled game time. The Yankees had refused to offer Soto a free suite. “Some high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites they buy them ... whether it's CC (Sabathia), whether it’s (Aaron) Judge, whether it’s (Gerrit) Cole, whether it’s any of these guys," general manager Brian Cashman said. "We've gone through a process on previous negotiations where asks might have happened and this is what we did and we’re going to honor those, so no regrets there." Cashman said the Yankees have a shared suite for player families and a family room with babysitting. Soto gets a $75 million signing bonus, payable within 60 days of the agreement’s approval by the commissioner’s office. The deal for the 26-year-old, which tops Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers, was reached Sunday pending a physical that took place Tuesday. Soto receives salaries of $46,875,000 each in 2025 and 2026, $42.5 million in 2027, $46,875,000 apiece in 2028 and 2029 and $46 million in each of the final 10 seasons. Soto has a contingent right to opt out of the agreement within three days of the end of the 2029 World Series to become a free agent again, but the Mets have the an option to negate the opt-out provision by increasing the yearly salaries for 2030-39 by $4 million annually to $50 million and raising the total value to $805 million. If the club exercises its option to negate the opt-out provision, Soto can make his opt-out decision by the fifth day after the World Series. He has a full no-trade provision and gets a hotel suite on road trips. Soto would receive a $500,000 bonus for winning his first Most Valuable Player award and $1 million for each MVP award. He would get $350,000 for finishing second in the voting and $150,000 for finishing third through fifth. Soto was third in the AL voting this year. He would earn $100,000 for each All-Star selection and Gold Glove, $350,000 for World Series MVP and $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP. Soto would get $100,000 for selection to the All-MLB first or second team, $150,000 for Silver Slugger and $100,000 for the Hank Aaron Award. Award bonuses are to be paid by the Jan. 31 after the season in which the bonus is earned. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate

The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they reflect world opinion. Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct in Gaza as it fights Hamas militants, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in the besieged and heavily destroyed territory. Israeli airstrikes in northern and central Gaza killed at least 33 people overnight and into Wednesday, Palestinian medical officials said. Hospital records show one Israeli strike in northern Gaza killed 19 people in a home, including a family of eight — four children, their parents and two grandparents. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas militant in the vicinity of the hospital, part of a blistering offensive in Gaza’s isolated and heavily destroyed north . The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people, including children and older adults. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials. They say women and children make up more than half the dead but do not distinguish between fighters and civilians in their count. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli hospital officials say a young boy is fighting for his life after a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. An Israeli bus came under fire from a suspected Palestinian attacker late Wednesday, the military said, and Israeli forces are searching for the shooter. Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem says at least three people were wounded in the shooting, which took place just outside the city in an area near major Israeli settlements. The hospital says the boy, who is about 10, is in grave condition. It says two other people, ages 24 and 55, were also hurt. UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions. BEIRUT — Israeli forces withdrew from a strategic town in southern Lebanon and handed it back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, the two militaries said Wednesday, marking an important test of the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants. It appeared to be Israel's first pullout from a Lebanese border town captured during this fall’s ground invasion, and comes as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire. The Lebanese army said Wednesday it has deployed units to five positions around the town of Khiam coinciding with the Israeli army’s withdrawal. Israel's military confirmed this was the first town it has turned over to the Lebanese army under the truce, which — if it endures — would end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. The Lebanese army warned civilians to stay out of Khiam until it can clear the area of any unexploded munitions. The strategic hilltop town, located less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. Thousands of Lebanese displaced by the war returned home two weeks ago after a ceasefire took hold , driving cars stacked with personal belongings and defying warnings from Lebanese and Israeli troops to avoid some areas. WASHINGTON — All Russian naval ships that were docked at the Syrian port of Tartus have left and it appears Moscow is now looking for a new base along the coast now that its key ally, Bashar Assad, has been ousted a ruler of Syria, a U.S. official said. It’s not clear where the ships will go, but Russia may seek a new port on the Mediterranean Sea along the African shoreline, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss U.S. assessments. The official did not say how many vessels Russia had in Syria at the time Assad was overthrown. Moscow has dedicated the bulk of its military assets to the war in Ukraine. Asked about Tartus on Wednesday, Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said that the U.S. is seeing some Russian forces and naval vessels leaving Syria. “They just had one of their key political allies, ousted,” said Singh. “We’re seeing Russia consolidate assets.” — By Lolita C. Baldor UNITED NATIONS – The Palestinians are urging United Nations member countries to vote in favor of resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and supporting the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, which Israel has moved to ban in Palestinian territories. The Palestinian mission to the United Nations issued the urgent appeal to the 193 U.N. member nations ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s votes on the resolutions in the General Assembly, whose members have has been listening to two days of speeches overwhelmingly supporting the measures. Israel and close ally the United States have spoken against the resolutions. The Palestinians and their supporters went to the General Assembly after the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution last month demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza. It was supported by the 14 other Security Councilmember nations, but the U.S. objected because the resolution did not include a link to an immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The General Assembly resolution being voted on Wednesday mirrors the Security Council language: It “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Unlike the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly. But while council resolutions are legally binding, assembly resolutions are not, though they do reflect world opinion. The second resolution being voted on supports the mandate of the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA which was established by the General Assembly in 1949. It “deplores” legislation adopted by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Oct. 28 banning UNRWA’s activities in the Palestinian territories, which takes effect in 90 days. It calls on the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.” JERUSALEM — Israel has lifted restrictions on public gatherings and outdoor activities in areas near the Lebanese border in the northern Golan Heights, two weeks after a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The army’s Home Front Command said it was changing its public safety guidelines to “full activity” from “partial activity.” Israel had tightened restrictions on Nov. 25, reflecting concerns that fighting could intensify ahead of any possible cease-fire between Israel and Lebanese militants. The truce went into effect on Nov. 27. In recent days, Israeli tanks and troops have advanced out of Israeli-held territory in the Golan Heights and pushed into a buffer zone inside Syria — a move Israel said it took to prevent attacks on its citizens. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally, except by the United States. BEIRUT - Syria-based Palestinian factions have formed a unified delegation to meet with the country's new rebel-led authorities. The factions said in a statement after their meeting Wednesday at the Palestinian Embassy that they stand by the side of the Syrian people. The factions condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Syria over the past few days that have destroyed much of the assets of the Syrian army. The factions decided to form a joint committee to run the affairs of Palestinians in Syria as well as to be in contact with the new insurgent-led transitional government, following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in Syria, many of them refugees, and the factions that have been based in Damascus were close to Assad’s government. Hamas was based in Syria until it left in 2012 a year after the county's civil war began. PRETORIA, South Africa — The United Nations chief says the fall of Syria’s authoritarian government has brought hope to the troubled Middle East, and pledged the global body’s support to the country's new leaders to ensure a smooth transition. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that the U.N. wants to see “an inclusive political process in which the rights of all minorities will be fully respected, and paving the way towards a united sovereign Syria, with its territorial integrity fully re-established.” The jihadi-led Syrian rebels took control of the capital Damascus after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving many areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. A Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed force also controls large parts of northeastern Syria. Guterres said he fully trusts the people of Syria to be able “to choose their own destiny”. “I think it is our duty to do everything to support the different Syrian leaders in order to make sure that they come together and are able to guarantee a smooth transition, an inclusive transition in which all Syrians can feel that they belong," Guterres said. “The alternative does not make any sense.” Guterres is in South Africa to discuss the country’s role as it takes over the G20 presidency, among other issues. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike in central Gaza Strip killed four people and injured 16 others Wednesday, health officials said. Those killed and injured were taken to Awda Hospital after the strike hit a house in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the press center at the hospital. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began in October last year, at least 44,805 people have been killed and 106,257 others have been injured, according to the latest update by the Gaza Health ministry. BEIRUT — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East was in Lebanon on Wednesday meeting with the head of the Lebanese army. In the wake of shocking overthrow of the government in neighboring Syria, the two military leaders discussed the security situation in Lebanon, a statement from the country's army said. U.S. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, met with the head of the Lebanese army Gen. Joseph Aoun to discuss ongoing American support for the implementation of the U.S.-and French-brokered ceasefire agreement, which ended more than a year of war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israel has said the truce deal gives it the right to use military force against perceived ceasefire violations. Israel has launched near-daily strikes, mostly in southern Lebanon, that have killed at least 28 people and wounded 25 others since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27. Still, the shaky truce appears to be holding. Five people were killed Wednesday by at least three Israeli strikes in different towns in the southern municipality of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state news agency said. On Tuesday, Kurilla was in eastern Syria visiting U.S. military bases and meeting with members of a Kurdish-led Syrian force that is backed by the U.S. He was assessing what CENTCOM described as efforts to counter a resurgence of the Islamic State group. He also visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials on regional security and counter-IS operations. DAMASCUS — With the fall of Damascus, security forces of the deposed Bashar Assad government and staff withdrew from the Damascus International airport, grounding flights and stranding passengers. The airport has not been functional since. Now, security members of the rebel alliance in control of Syria have taken control of the airport, hoping to restore security, a sense of confidence, and the legitimacy needed to restart flights out of the capital, and from one of the country’s three international airports. “Damascus international airport is the heart of the city because it is the gateway for international delegations and missions,” Omar al-Shami, a security official with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the shock offensive that led to the fall of Assad, told The Associated Press, calling it "the passage for Syria to breathe.” Al-Shami said security was restored at the international airport nearly 12 hours after the fall of Damascus. The factions entered the capital before dawn, and security members of the rebel alliance took charge before sunset on Sunday. He said he hoped the airport would be operational in less than a week. On Wednesday, a handful of engineers were inspecting four planes that were on the tarmac. Cleaning staff were removing broken furniture, glass windows, and trash from ransacking by looters following the fall of Damascus. The attack, reportedly by mobs and looters from the neighboring areas, left parts of the airport halls destroyed, with smashed furniture and merchandise. “There was a lot damage in the airport’s equipment and facilities in 90% of the sections,” Anis Fallouh, the head of the airport, told the AP. Fallouh said the operations to clean up the airport aim to convince international airlines to resume their flights to Damascus. “Soon in the coming days, flights will resume when we reopen air traffic to Syria and inform countries that Damascus airport is operational. We may start with domestic or test flights to ensure that everything in the airport is operational and avoid any mistakes. Then we can resume international flights.” Engineers were inspecting the four planes on the tarmac, from two Syrian airlines. Some administrative staff were visiting the airport as the new administrators of Damascus work to convince state officials to return to their posts. “We are on the Airbus 320, the technical team. Because of the security vacuum that happened on Sunday, some ill-intentioned people tried to cause damage but thank God the plane is fine — the body, the engines and its systems. Some things are missing and we are trying to fix that,” said Bassam Radi, the engineer in charge of maintenance, said. BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday addressed Berlin's reservations but also willingness to work the Syrian militant group in control of Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. “Nobody overlooks the origins of HTS in the al-Qaeda ideology. It is therefore clear that we will measure HTS by its actions,” Baerbock told reporters in Berlin. “Any cooperation presupposes that ethnic and religious minorities are protected, women’s rights are respected and acts of revenge are prevented.” She said that “whether we like it or not, the HTS militia ... is one of the decisive actors for the future of Syria.” “Together with our partners, we are therefore looking for an adequate way of dealing with HTS, with whom many have had no direct contact for good reasons,” she added. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the insurgent leader also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicted himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike near the southern Lebanese town of Bin Jbeil killed one person and wounded another, the state news agency reported. National News Agency said Wednesday’s airstrike hit a home. It gave no further details and there was no immediate comment from Israeli military. More than a dozen people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since a ceasefire went into effect on Nov. 27, ending the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Assad's departure has sparked new fears of instability in the region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Jordan and Turkey on Thursday and Friday for talks expected to focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the territory since October 2023. The State Department said Blinken would meet Jordanian officials, including King Abdullah II, in the port of Aqaba on Thursday before flying to Ankara for meetings with Turkish officials Friday. Other stops in the region are also possible, officials said. Blinken “will reiterate the United States’ support for an inclusive, Syrian-led transition to an accountable and representative government,” department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. BEIRUT — Insurgents have set on fire the tomb of Syria’s former President Hafez Assad in his hometown in the northwest, a war monitor and a local journalist said Wednesday. Hafez Assad had ruled Syria for 30 years until his death in 2000, when his son, Bashar, succeeded him. Both ruled Syria with an iron fist and were blamed for crackdowns that left tens of thousands dead, mainly in the central city of Hama in 1982, and in much of the country since the civil war in 2011. Bashar Assad was ousted over the weekend and fled to Russia where he was given political asylum. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian journalist Qusay Noor told The Associated Press that the tomb was set on fire Wednesday in the town of Qardaha in Latakia province. JERUSALEM — The United Nations is asking donors for over $4 billion to fund humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, most of it earmarked for war-ravaged Gaza. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also called for the “lifting all impediments to the entry of aid” in its appeal issued Wednesday. U.N. agencies say aid operations in Gaza are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames the U.N. for not distributing it within the territory. The appeal for 2025 includes $3.6 billion for Gaza and about $450 million for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has destroyed vast areas of the besieged territory and displaced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million. Many have been displaced multiple times and are now crammed into squalid tent camps with little in the way of food or other essentials. Most of the population relies on international aid. JERUSALEM — The president of Paraguay addressed the Israeli parliament Wednesday ahead of the reopening of the country’s embassy in Jerusalem. The decision to reopen the embassy in Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel is a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and puts Paraguay in a small group of countries that have taken the move. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn't recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. “Without Jerusalem, the land of Israel is a body without a soul,” President Santiago Peña said in a speech to the Knesset. “So I say here today that without an embassy in Jerusalem, diplomatic relations with Israel do not have a real heart.” He said he hoped the move would inspire other countries to do the same. The embassy is set to open Thursday. Pena’s move was welcomed by Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with other Israeli leaders. “Tomorrow we will inaugurate together the embassy of Paraguay in our eternal capital, and that will happen not for the first time, but for the second time,” Netanyahu said. Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Israel reopened its embassy in September. MOSCOW — Russia said Wednesday it has maintained contacts with the new authorities in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “we are monitoring most closely what is happening in Syria.” “We, of course, maintain contacts with those who are currently controlling the situation in Syria,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “This is necessary because our bases are located there, our diplomatic mission is located there and, of course, the issue related to ensuring the security of these facilities is extremely important and of primary significance.” Peskov wouldn’t give details of those contacts, saying only that Russia has contacted “those who are controlling the situation on the ground.” He wouldn’t give the number of Russian troops in Syria. Asked to comment about Israel’s seizure of a buffer zone on the border with Syria, Peskov called them destabilizing. “The strikes and actions in the Golan Heights area, in the buffer zone area, are unlikely to help stabilize the situation in an already destabilized Syria,” he said. Russia has granted political asylum to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his family after they fled rebels who seized Damascus over the weekend. TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the recent events in Syria, including the fall of its government, were part of a joint plan by the United States and Israel. “There should be no doubt that what has happened in Syria is the result of a joint American and Zionist plan," Khamenei said in a speech in Tehran on Wednesday that was broadcast on state TV. “We have evidence, and this evidence leaves no room for doubt.” The Supreme leader added: “A neighboring state of Syria has played a clear role in this matter, and it continues to do so. Everyone can see this.” Khamenei also rejected speculation by analysts who have said that Iran will be weakened by the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government. “Those ignorant analysts are unaware of the meaning of resistance. They think that if resistance weakens, Islamic Iran will also weaken. But I say, with the help and power of God — by the will of Almighty Allah — Iran is powerful and it will become even more powerful," he said.WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Why University of Rwanda has reverted back to four-year degree programsMarket for Pete Alonso sluggish as Mets progress through Winter Meetings

Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate

A celebrated author argues that it's not at all impractical to study subjects like writing, languages, music and history Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.Educational institutions closed amid political turmoil in twin citiesSINGAPORE: South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has terrible timing. His declaration of martial law has tested the resilience of his country’s democracy, at a time when the economy is under pressure, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has been furthering his nuclear weapons ambitions. A little stability would have been nice. Yoon managed to avoid impeachment over the weekend by just a handful of votes, but pressure for him to step down is intensifying. On Monday (Dec 9), the justice department banned the president from travelling overseas, while he is under investigation for leading an insurrection. Beyond this turmoil, he is facing a number of challenges to an economy already in jeopardy. At home, unionised workers at auto factories, railroads, public schools and hospitals are saying they won’t go to work if Yoon doesn’t step down. Another group plans to hold a candlelight vigil everyday in front of parliament to get the president to resign. This could be a huge potential blow to the trade-reliant economy, at a time when it is already struggling with slower exports and a declining growth rate. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has steered South Korea away from economic dependence on China and boosted trade ties with the US, its main security treaty ally. Putting aside historical tensions with Japan, he’s pushed for closer military, diplomatic and economic ties with Tokyo, part of President Joe Biden’s push to build a network of partners to help combat Beijing’s increased assertiveness in the region. But those relationships are now under pressure in the leadup to Yoon’s inevitable, messy exit. A LEADERSHIP VACUUM Internationally, things are complicated, too. The political crisis, now in its second week, will dilute the government’s ability to navigate difficult foreign policy issues and to address outstanding national security threats from across the border. It is a precarious picture. There’s a war in Ukraine, a crisis in the Middle East, and now the rebuilding of Syria. China has launched military exercises in the waters around Taiwan this week, a timely reminder of the potential of a conflict breaking out in the Strait. Skirmishes escalating in the South China Sea between Beijing and Manila are also worrying Asian policymakers. And there’s always the prospect of Kim Jong Un launching new missiles over South Korea and Japan, the most recent in November just hours ahead of the US election. A leadership vacuum in South Korea is the last thing Washington needs right now. A July report from the Commission on the National Defense Strategy determined the US is facing a growing anti-American alliance unhappy with the status quo. “China and Russia are major powers that seek to undermine US influence,” it notes. “They want more control over their regions than they now have.” South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed that the president retains command of the armed forces. That means in the event of any foreign policy incidents, including a possible threat from North Korea, Yoon is still able to make executive decisions. Still, it’s hardly the image of a well-run country, at a time when the deepening relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow is also a new headache for Seoul, as Chung Min Lee, senior fellow for the Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace notes. In return for the use of Pyongyang’s soldiers, Russia may feel obliged to transfer more modern weapons to North Korea, such as advanced combat jets and missile technologies. A weakened government just as more North Korean soldiers join the fight alongside Russia in the Ukrainian war, and the potential for worsening US-China trade wars as Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, will both have critical ramifications for Seoul, he adds. SOUTH KOREA’S REPUTATION TARNISHED Yoon’s vanishing political capital following his brief declaration of martial law has diminished South Korea’s growing brand as a responsible player in global affairs. It has had its fair share of flipflopping, both in terms of policy as well as presidents, but it is still considered a strategic and reliable partner for Washington and Tokyo in the region. That reputation has now been tarnished by the president’s cynical actions. The opposition is exploiting the situation for its own benefit. On Tuesday, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, sought to force through a highly contested budget in a show of political clout designed to put even more pressure on Yoon ahead of another impeachment vote. Rather than use this moment for political gain, parties should work together to ensure the country keeps running smoothly and protests don’t expand to paralyse institutions as they did in 2016 during the impeachment of former president Park Geun-hye. Voters should be reassured that they can trust the resilience of their core institutions. One of the key priorities will be ensuring that national security issues remain stable until difficult political impasse is resolved. Working with the new Trump administration, but also leveraging the goodwill Seoul has built with Tokyo, would be a sensible approach. Yoon’s miscalculations have put South Koreans at risk, and they face considerable political instability ahead. Their experience is a stark reminder: Democracy is always a work in progress.

Attorney Tony Buzbee is certain more victims will emerge amid the ongoing civil cases against Sean Diddy Combs. Buzboo claimed on Wednesday an estimated 3,000 calls since he urged potential victims to come forward via social media and a press conference on October 1. The lawyer added he has been receiving calls "every single day" from potential victims. "I think that the potential [number of] cases is probably in the 300 range, but I think realistically, it'll ultimately be about 100 to 150," Buzbee told the BBC. The accusations span over a 20-year period, BBC reported. Buzbee also raised that an equal number of men and women have accused Combs of misconduct, with 20 lawsuits already filed against the disgraced music mogul. Combs' legal team immediately issued a response to Buzbee's claim of 300 legal cases. “The press conference and 1-800 number that preceded today’s barrage of filings were clear attempts to garner publicity. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone—adult or minor, man or woman,” the statement read. Combs is currently in federal custody in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre following his September indictment on charges of sex trafficking. Previously, Combs' legal team said in a statement that Buzbee's "barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs" are "shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs." On December 8, Jay-Z was also named in a lawsuit alongside Diddy, accusing both rappers of raping a 13-year-old girl 24 years ago after attending MTV Video Music Awards. The suit was originally filed in October but Jay-Z's identity was kept anonymous at the time. Shortly after, Jay-Z called out Buzbee in a lengthy response on Roc Nation's X account. "What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!" the Grammy-winner wrote in part.

TALKING TRASH: LUCKY ENERGY DEBUTED AT ART BASELNone

NoneWhen baseball historian Bill Humber first heard about the golden at-bat idea that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred floated on a recent podcast, he was a little taken aback. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! When baseball historian Bill Humber first heard about the golden at-bat idea that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred floated on a recent podcast, he was a little taken aback. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? When baseball historian Bill Humber first heard about the golden at-bat idea that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred floated on a recent podcast, he was a little taken aback. “I kind of laughed, actually,” Humber said Wednesday. “I thought it was one of the stupidest ideas I’d ever heard.” MLB has seen its share of change of late, but the thought of a team using one at-bat each game to send any hitter it wants to the plate — even if it’s not their turn in the batting order — was quite a curveball. “This can’t be real,” former Blue Jays pitcher and seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens posted on social media. Wild-card playoff tinkering, pitch clocks, shift rules and automatic runners are some of the more significant changes to the game in recent years. All had varying levels of detractors and the golden at-bat discussion is no different. Critics are eyeing it like a meatball thrown across the middle of the plate. “It doesn’t really fit within the logic of the game in my mind,” said Humber, a Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer. “I look upon it quite askance to be honest with you. I don’t see the point of it in a way. “I mean to some extent, the magic of baseball is those unheralded batters who arrive at a situation that one wouldn’t have thought that they would ever have been in, and allowing them to bat in place.” Humber cited a number of grand baseball moments that might not have happened if a golden at-bat rule were in effect. “One can imagine when Bobby Thomson hit his famous home run against the (Brooklyn) Dodgers in 1951, Willie Mays was on deck,” he said of the ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ that gave the New York Giants the National League pennant. “What if they had a golden at-bat and put Mays at bat, maybe he would have struck out or popped up or hit into a double-play or who knows what. There’s lots of situations like that.” What about the two famous World Series-winning walkoffs? Would the skippers have used a golden at-bat to get their best pure hitter to the plate? Bill Mazeroski went deep to give Pittsburgh the Fall Classic in 1960 and Joe Carter’s walkoff blast in 1993 gave the Blue Jays their second straight World Series title. Mazeroski’s power numbers were middling while Carter, who led the Blue Jays in homers and RBIs that year, had a mediocre batting average. “I think the magic of the game are those moments that are unpredictable and yet kind of create some of the joy of the game in our memories,” Humber said. ” I think this kind of runs afoul of that tradition. “I’m not a fan, let me say that. But that’s not to say it won’t happen.” Manfred first mentioned the golden at-bat idea publicly in an interview with John Ourand on Puck’s “The Varsity” podcast. The commissioner said the subject came up at a recent owners’ meeting. Retired sportswriter Dave Perkins, who covered the Blue Jays for years over his long career at the Toronto Star, said use of a golden at-bat would be “a travesty.” “On the surface I say it’s absolutely stupid and ridiculous,” he said. “But a lot of other things I thought were stupid and ridiculous worked their way into the games and they’re even OK with me now.” The subject of potential rule changes like the golden at-bat came up when Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins met with the Toronto chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America earlier this week. “It’s interesting to me because we went through so much change over the last couple of years,” he said. “Getting to that change was a scratch and a claw and a climb. And then once the change happened, everyone — for the most part — thought, ‘OK, that went OK and it seems like there’s a better product on the field.’ “So now the dialogue around change is with a much more open mind whether it be players, staff, the exchanges, the ideas, even if they seem very difficult to wrap your head around. They’re not getting stiff-armed as much as they were the first go-round.” Scott Crawford, operations director of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said he prefers a traditional setup where any player can be a hero at any time. “I like the team aspect of the game where you get your shot,” he said. “You can be a No. 8 hitter and you can come up with a big hit and win a World Series and (a superstar like Shohei) Ohtani can strike out.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Follow @GregoryStrongCP on X. Advertisement Advertisement

TALKING TRASH: LUCKY ENERGY DEBUTED AT ART BASELNEW ALBANY, Ohio, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) today announced a new multi-year, franchise partnership with Myntra Jabong India Private, Ltd., Myntra’s business-to-business wholesale entity (Myntra Jabong), to expand the global reach of its brands in India. Over the life of the franchise agreement, Myntra Jabong will build a brick-and-mortar retail store presence in the country, regional e-commerce sites and branded digital storefronts operated by a network of licensed and independent third parties. As one of India’s leading players in the fashion and lifestyle space, Myntra Jabong is well-positioned to help grow A&F Co.’s brands across the country and deliver a seamless, shopping experience. Fran Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., said, “With the strength of A&F Co.’s brands today, we are thrilled to partner with Myntra Jabong to more deeply engage with new and existing customers in India. It’s an incredibly dynamic and diverse market, and one where we see tremendous long-term potential as we continue to pursue global brand growth.” She added, “Staying close to our customers and putting them at the center of everything we do has been the foundation of our transformation and the key to our success in recent years. In Myntra Jabong, we have found a like-minded partner whose expertise and capabilities will allow us to go to market with these same strategies in India.” Talking about the partnership, Nandita Sinha, Chief Executive Officer of Myntra, said , “We are delighted to bring the much-sought-after and iconic brands, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, renowned for their commitment to enduring quality and exceptional comfort, to India, for our fashion-forward customers. We will apply Myntra's fashion and tech expertise to connect Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister with the country's thriving fashion audience and help them scale as we have done with numerous other global brands. The Indian lifestyle market offers potential to global brands, and we are pleased to be their preferred partner in crafting their India growth journey.” Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This press release may contain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our brands, distribution channels, and business partnerships, relate to our current assumptions, projections, and expectations about our business and future events. Any such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the company’s control. The inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the company, or any other person, that the objectives of the company will be achieved. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “are confident,” “will,” “could,” “outlook,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Factors that may cause results to differ from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, and otherwise in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) is a global, digitally led, omnichannel specialty retailer of apparel and accessories catering to kids through millennials with assortments curated for their specific lifestyle needs. The company operates a family of brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister, each sharing a commitment to offer products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that support global customers on their journey to being and becoming who they are. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates 750+ stores across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the e-commerce sites abercrombie.com and HollisterCo.com . About Myntra Myntra is one of the leading platforms for fashion, beauty and lifestyle in India. An integral part of the Flipkart Group, Myntra brings together technology and fashion to create the best experience for millions of its customers. Myntra offers a wide range of over 9700 brands such as MANGO, H&M, Levi’s, U.S. Polo Assn., Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Philippe, Jack & Jones, Forever 21, Marks & Spencer, MAC, Huda Beauty and Estee Lauder. With a wide reach, Myntra services over 95% of the pincodes covering the length and breadth of the country. Myntra Jabong India Private limited is a wholesale entity of Myntra.

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85

UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New YorkRescuers reassess safety in search for woman they think fell into a Pennsylvania sinkholeColorado’s adoption of electric vehicles surpasses California in market share, according to report

A fresh Netflix documentary is set to offer an exclusive glimpse into the workings of The Jerry Springer Show. The two-part docuseries, titled Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, will delve into the talk show's ascent to fame, including its historic moment of dethroning Oprah Winfrey from the ratings summit, as well as the behind-the-scenes disputes concerning its genuineness and the notorious on-air brawls. In the documentary's teaser, the late Springer, who passed away following a short illness in April 2023, is heard confessing: "I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise for everything I've ever done, I have ruined the culture." An accompanying voiceover remarks: "The bigger that show got, it raised questions about what really went on backstage." Get all the latest TV and showbiz news and gossip from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter Throughout the trailer, past participants allege that they were instructed by producers "coaching us on what to say and how to act" and express concerns that there was no regard for "weren't interested in what kind of impact it was going to have on you". Additional commentary from show insiders reveals: "Teeth were knocked out. It really was the modern version of the Roman Colosseum." Often compared to the UK's own The Jeremy Kyle Show and dubbed the "anti-Oprah", this sensationalist broadcast stirred up much debate with its explicit content, ranging from expletives to nudity. Among its most unforgettable broadcasts were those tackling taboo topics such as infidelity and incest, with episode titles that included I Married a Horse and I'm Happy I Cut Off My Legs. What started as a fairly conventional format in the early 1990s, tackling political matters such as homelessness and gun ownership, underwent a significant transformation in early 1994. This change came about when Springer and his fresh producer, Richard Dominick, decided to overhaul the format in an attempt to increase viewership. The documentary is set to premiere on Netflix on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community Join our Court & Crime community Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community Join our Northumberland community Join our County Durham community Join our Sunderland community Join our NUFC community Join our SAFC community Join our Great North Run community

Aditxt, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ADTX – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 99,100 shares, a drop of 45.2% from the November 30th total of 180,800 shares. Currently, 0.7% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 3,270,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Insider Activity at Aditxt In related news, major shareholder Financial Lp Hrt sold 25,534 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.17, for a total transaction of $29,874.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . 1.72% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Aditxt Stock Down 2.3 % NASDAQ ADTX opened at $0.19 on Friday. Aditxt has a 12 month low of $0.18 and a 12 month high of $338.80. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $0.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.08. Aditxt Company Profile Aditxt, Inc, a biotech company, engages in the development and commercialization of technologies that focus on improving the health through monitoring and modulating the immune systems. The company develops AditxtScore that allows individuals to understand, manage, and monitor their immune profiles in order to be informed about attacks on or by their immune system; and Apoptotic DNA Immunotherapy, a nucleic acid-based technology that utilizes an approach that mimics the way the body naturally induces tolerance to its tissues. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Aditxt Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aditxt and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Report: Heat agree to trade Thomas Bryant to Pacersgstar28 app 。

Estonia's Aron becomes Alpine F1 reserveHerro leads Heat over Rockets in game marred by fight and ejections in final minute

USC signs veteran CB to class of 20257 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes nowWILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Keller Boothby's 16 points helped William & Mary defeat Navy 82-76 on Sunday. Boothby went 6 of 8 from the field (4 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Tribe (6-7). Gabe Dorsey scored 16 points and added three steals. Noah Collier went 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding seven rebounds. Austin Benigni finished with 16 points for the Midshipmen (3-10). Jinwoo Kim added 15 points for Navy. Donovan Draper had 14 points and seven rebounds. The loss was the Midshipmen's sixth in a row. Collier scored 10 points in the first half for William & Mary, who led 41-33 at the break. William & Mary took the lead for good with 3:03 left in the second half on a layup from Dorsey to make it a 73-71 game. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

This Timberwolves roster is different than the one from a year ago. That much is obvious in games, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistent scoring and general size is missed, as is the playmaking and ball security of guys like Kyle Anderson and Jordan McLaughlin. ADVERTISEMENT But their absences have been felt in the locker room, as well. Towns was a consistent source of positivity for the team. Anderson was one of the loudest vocal leaders. The latter can be especially difficult to replace, especially because it can be uncomfortable to speak up when things are going poorly and something needs to change. That was the position Anthony Edwards has found himself in early this season. Edwards has been praised for his leadership through his first four years on Minnesota’s roster. Mostly, that all came via positivity and example. Edwards can be coached hard, which gave the greenlight for the coaches to treat everyone else the same way. Edwards was also quick to credit his teammates around him for their contributions to the cause, and was eager and willing to spend time with and talk to anyone on the roster, players No. 1-15. He’ll also stand up for any of his teammates if the occasion ever arises. That’s why he has been so beloved in the locker room and why he was viewed as such a leader, even at his young age. ADVERTISEMENT But with Anderson’s departure, Edwards was now tasked with leading even through choppy waters. And the waves have been rather large through the first quarter of the season. Minnesota’s defense has fallen off a cliff in comparison to where it was a year ago. After never even as many as three consecutive games during the 2023-24 regular season, the Wolves endured a four-game losing skid earlier this week. At that point, words were exchanged, both publicly and privately. A halftime hash out during Minnesota’s loss Wednesday to Sacramento got the conversation rolling. Mike Conley got the dialogue started, but all indications are that Edwards was a healthy participant. Edwards noted it’s difficult to know what to say in those times. “Because you look at everybody, and everybody got a different agenda. It’s like, ‘What the (heck) am I supposed to say?’ You know what I mean?” Edwards said. “I’m trying to get better in that aspect, figure out what the hell to say to get everybody on the same agenda, because everybody right now is on different agendas. I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing, because everybody out there got their own agenda. I guess their imagination of what’s supposed to be going on, and what’s really happening.” Nickeil Alexander-Walker told reporters at Friday’s shootaround that this is the most vocal Edwards has ever been. And while the intention of everyone’s messages are pure, “sometimes it’s not always worded the right way.” ADVERTISEMENT “I think we’ve crossed that line of, ‘Man, I feel like you’re not hearing the message.’ It’s tough to be called out, because you start to feel like, ‘OK, are you saying I’m the reason?’ No one wants to be at fault,” Alexander-Walker said. “But at the end of the day, I definitely think that guys are open to hearing it better. And I think it just came from a stand point of, at a point and time in the conversation, there was a comeback. It was going back and forth now, as opposed to receiving it (and saying), ‘OK, I got you.’ That’s how it’s going to be. It’s very rare that someone is just going to be able to be called out and not have anything to say. “It’s human nature to be defensive, at the end of the day. But kind of remembering what we’re here for, and if I’m being called out, chances are I’ve got to look in the mirror and be better.” It’s a delicate dance. There has to be an environment rooted in accountability, but you also have to be sure not to lose teammates, as Jimmy Butler was criticized for doing during his short stint in Minnesota a few years ago. ADVERTISEMENT And while it’s never ideal for a team to be living through a stretch of basketball the quality of which falls significantly short of the expectation, these stretches will likely lead to growth for Edwards, if not on the court, then in the locker room. You can’t steer a ship to a title if you don’t know how to navigate turbulent tides. Day by day, loss by loss, Edwards is learning how to spin the wheel. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Jimmy Carter Remembered As Faithful Public Servant In Tributes From Both Sides of The Aisle

Court Docs: Seattle-Area Teens Tied 14-Year-Old Victim to Tree Before Disemboweling HimTrump's lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money convictionAdams puts up 21, CSU Northridge defeats Montana State 72-69 in OT

Ducks starting to ‘play with an identity’ ahead of hosting Ottawa

7 tips to prepare for next year’s taxes now

Ukraine will block Russian gas supplies via its territory in several days, effectively halting its transit to Slovakia, Moldova and, to some extent, Hungary. Kyiv said it would not renew an agreement on Russian gas transit expiring on December 31 as Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted last week Kyiv would not let Moscow “earn additional billions on our blood”. – Strong dependence – Russian gas accounted for less than 10 percent of the European Union’s gas imports in 2023. In 2021, a year before the invasion started, it made up over 40 percent. But eastern European EU members still depend largely on Russian gas for geographical and political reasons. EU and NATO members Hungary and Slovakia have maintained close ties with the Kremlin despite the invasion. Russia has been delivering gas to Europe by two routes since a series of underwater explosions in 2022 damaged the Nord Stream pipeline that carried gas to northern Germany via the Baltic Sea. The TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea and its mainland extension Balkan Stream supply Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. Supplies via Ukraine are based on a five-year contract signed by Ukraine’s Naftogaz and GTSOU pipeline operator with Russian giant Gazprom in 2019, which will now expire. Official data put gas volume transported by this route in 2023 at 14.65 billion cubic metres, slightly less than half of all Russian gas flowing into Europe. – Slovakia on the front line – Austria, which still bought 90 percent of its gas from Russia last summer, terminated its deal with Gazprom in December after six decades. “Austria has solved it by quasi cancelling the Russian contract, citing its past non-performance,” Andras Deak, an energy security expert at Ludovika University in Budapest, told AFP. Neighbouring Slovakia is “sticking to the long-term contract, which, if the Ukrainians cut off transit, will not be... fulfilled,” he added. Slovakia’s nationalist-leaning Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Moscow last weekend to discuss supplies, following a spat with Zelensky at an EU summit in Brussels. Zelensky then said Fico “wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war”. Besides geopolitical reasons, Bratislava prefers to import Russian gas “because it is cheaper”, said Alexander Duleba from the Slovak Foreign Policy Association. He said Gazprom paid for gas transit through Ukraine, but if Slovakia bought gas from other suppliers, it would have to pay for transit itself. SPP, a company supplying gas to 1.5 million Slovak households, said it could find other suppliers. But “any other alternative will be significantly more expensive”, its spokesman Ondrej Sebesta told AFP. He put the extra cost at 150 million euros ($156 million), mainly in transit fees. – Moldova on alert – Moldova is already bracing for energy cuts despite taking steps to diversify supplies. The former Soviet republic gets 70 percent of its electricity from the Cuciurgan power station based in the separatist region of Transnistria, which uses Russian gas imported via Ukraine. Moldova’s pro-European President Maia Sandu recently said that there are other transit routes bypassing Ukraine that Russia could use to deliver the gas. “But it seems that Gazprom is not ready to keep its contractual obligations,” she added. Sandu slammed the Kremlin’s “blackmail” possibly aimed at destabilising Moldova several months before a general election in 2025. Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, declared a 60-day state of energy emergency in mid-December. It will have to buy power from neighbouring Romania and pay more. – Hungary almost safe – Unlike its neighbours, Hungary receives most Russian gas via TurkStream. It gets only a fragment via Ukraine and will not be hurt by Kyiv’s decision to block the supplies. But Prime Minister Viktor Orban said last week that “we don’t want to give up” this route because of the reasonable price. While Budapest leads talks with Kyiv and Moscow, Orban suggested his country might play a “trick” as it would buy Russian gas before it enters Ukraine. “Then what comes through Ukrainian territory will no longer be Russian gas, but Hungarian,” he added. Energy security expert Deak said that Hungary risks being “left as the last Gazprom client in the EU”. It will then face mounting “political pressure” from the EU to get rid of its energy dependence on Russia, he added.

UniAbuja Council Approves Promotion Of 154 Staff, Elevates 33 Professional Rank

Dorn scores 21 as Elon knocks off Navy 69-63What You Need To Know About The Rabbit's Foot Before Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

None