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REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Here’s what to look for in the contest. Voters will choose 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But on Oct. 13 Benediktsson decided his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnson, a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,'' she said. —— Kirka reported from London.Do Not Stick Your Watch on the High-speed Rail Glass - The Reenactment of the New Light Bulb IncidentS&P Dow Jones Indices Announces Dow Jones Sustainability Indices 2024 Review Results
In conclusion, Peyton's discussion of the key steal from Edwards and the effectiveness of the double-teaming defense serves as a testament to the value of strategic thinking, teamwork, and composure in high-pressure situations. His performance exemplifies the qualities of a seasoned defender who rises to the occasion when it matters the most.
NEW YORK and AMSTERDAM , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices ("S&P DJI"), the world's leading index provider, today announced the results of the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) rebalancing and reconstitution. The DJSI are float-adjusted market capitalization weighted indices that measure the performance of companies selected using environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The DJSI, including the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World), were launched in 1999 as the pioneering series of global sustainability benchmarks available in the market. The index family is comprised of global, regional and country benchmarks. As a result of this year's review, the following top three largest companies based on free-float market capitalization have been added to and deleted from the DJSI World. All changes are effective on Monday, December 23, 2024 . Additions: Airbus SE, Schlumberger Ltd, BAE Systems Plc Deletions: Alphabet Inc 1 , UnitedHealth Group Inc, ASML Holding NV 2 The full results and list of DJSI constituents will be available as of Monday, December 23 2024 , at https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/djsi-annual-review S&P Dow Jones Indices will be renaming a number of its sustainability and ESG-related indices (see Index Announcement ). As part of this update, the family of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) will be renamed Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices. The changes will become effective on Monday, February 10, 2025 . The S&P Global CSA Scores will continue to be a key factor in selecting constituents for the DJSI when they are renamed Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices in February 2025 . For more information about the DJSI methodology, please visit: www.spglobal.com/spdji . ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit: www.spglobal.com/spdji . 1 Still member of DJSI World Enlarged and DJSI North America 2 Still member of DJSI World Enlarged S&P DJI MEDIA CONTACTS: spdji.comms@spglobal.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-dow-jones-indices-announces-dow-jones-sustainability-indices-2024-review-results-302331745.html SOURCE S&P Dow Jones IndicesNone
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WV News) — While it’s not a matchup of the top two seeds, No. 4 Herbert Hoover and No. 3 Bridgeport each enter Saturday’s Class AAA state championship game as undefeated teams who have dominated opponents. Bridgeport will head down on Saturday morning. No pep rally. No fluff. “Business,” Bridgeport coach Tyler Phares said. Bridgeport’s overall record in the playoffs is 70-33. The Indians have won 10 state championships, most recently in 2019, and are 10-1 in state title games. Saturday’s matchup is the first for a team coached by Phares, who took over in 2021. Herbert Hoover and Bridgeport have only met once, a 2002 playoff matchup at Wayne Jamison Field. Hoover won 13-6. The Huskies have an overall playoff record of 16-18. Saturday will be the second time in three seasons that the Huskies have played for a state championship, but they have never won. This season, Herbert Hoover has outscored its schedule 591-153, posting two shutouts. The Huskies are led by quarterback Dane Hatfield. He nears 2,000 rushing yards on the season while also eclipsing 1,600 passing yards. Hatfield will finish the season with over 50 touchdowns as one of the states’ best overall players, regardless of class. Hatfield is known best for his ability to read the opion. Hatfield does it better than just about anyone, and his running mate Blake Fisher is also capable of breaking free at a moment’s notice. The two combine for just about every touchdown that isn’t a kick return, which Fisher has also done, or a late-game punch. In the playoffs, Hatfield has scored 11 touchdowns. In the first round against Elkins, he showed that he’s not just legs. He had 342 passing yards while Elkins held him to 58 rushing yards. Fisher had four touchdowns on 213 receiving yards, and Hoover won 49-7. The next week, Hatfield had five total touchdowns, and Fisher added three more. At No. 1-seeded Princeton, Hatfield scored four times in a 35-12 romp. To stop Hatfield and Fisher is to stop Hoover, but that is far from a task anyone has been able to accomplish in a box score. “He’s a really great athlete,” Bridgeport coach Tyler Phares said of Hatfield. “The offensive line doesn’t get enough credit. They do a really good job of blocking in the second level. (Fisher) is tough. They put him in the slot and move him around. They’ve got talented skill players as well as a good line. Really good system. They are sharp in a lot of aspects.” But along comes Bridgeport, a team outscoring opponents 752-105. Bridgeport has had six shutouts this season and didn’t allow a touchdown from its first-team defense until mid-October. “Happy for the kids,” Phares said. “They work their tails off and do the little things that we ask them to do. It starts in January. We’re excited to be in this spot, and we hope to keep rolling.” Overall, the Tribe has only let up three rushing touchdowns this season and has only let teams into its red zone 11 times. Teams have only scored from it five times all season, no one more than twice in a single game. While the offense has set a single-season school record for scoring, the defense is also one of the best to ever take the field. Bridgeport played 14 games in 2000 and only allowed 118 points, winning the Class AA state championship. That team scored 516 total points and is the only team that will likely beat the 2024 unit in total points allowed for a 14-game season in school history, barring a shootout on Saturday. Statistically, the 2024 Tribe is one of Bridgeport’s all-time best. Josh Love leads the offense with 1,425 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. Alex Moses is close behind with 1,023 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Tim Jeffress (12) and Jack Spatafore (17) join as double-digit TD scorers. Phares’ offense is akin to his coaching journey. It began as an offensive line coach at his alma mater, Elkins. He became the offensive coordinator there before moving to William Campbell (VA) as an OC from 2013-15. He moved back to the area for a pair of seasons as Morgantown’s offensive line coach before coming to Bridgeport. Has it always been hard-nosed? “When I’ve called the offense, yes,” Phares said. “I’ve switched it up a bit and done some different things. We ran a lot of spread in Morgantown. When I first got here, we ran the power pistol and a little bit of stick.” The fight within the trenches is the game within the game. If you establish the run and defend it well, you have a good chance of coming out on top. “That’s a big part of it,” Phares said of the line. “Who’s going to win in the trenches? We hope that we’re the better team there. That’s what we’ve trained for all year.” The only common opponent for the two teams is Nitro. Hatfield had two touchdowns, logging 156 rushing yards and 79 passing yards. Ultimately, Hoover won 13-7 in overtime in mid-September. Bridgeport faced Nitro in the state quarterfinals, winning 70-21. In that game, Bridgeport tied its mark for the most points in a playoff game in school history. Alex Moses had 191 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Josh Love had 128 yards and four touchdowns on eight carries. Bridgeport forced Nitro backwards at -39 rushing yards. Nitro quarterback Josh Moody played well with 375 passing yards and three touchdowns, but he was also sacked six times and lost two interceptions. Both teams saw comfortable victories in the state semifinals, and there are no underdogs in a state title game. The Class AAA state championship game begins at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Laidley Field in Charleston.One of the key challenges facing individuals who rely on passive income to sustain their lives is the erosion of purchasing power. Inflation erodes the real value of money over time, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to cover their living expenses and maintain their desired standard of living. While passive income may have been sufficient in the past, the rising cost of goods and services can quickly erode the purchasing power of that income, leaving individuals struggling to make ends meet.
As Xu Zhengyuan returned to Chengdu, filled with newfound inspiration and fresh perspectives from his trip, he was more determined than ever to lead his team to even greater heights in the upcoming season. Armed with the knowledge and insights gained from his experience in the English Premier League and the reunion with Park Jisung, Xu Zhengyuan was ready to impart his wisdom and guidance to his players, instilling in them the same passion and dedication that had driven him throughout his career.
The European Union's top anti-trust regulatory body, the European Commission, has recently initiated a survey to investigate the business practices of NVIDIA, a leading American technology company known for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence solutions. The survey aims to determine whether NVIDIA's activities comply with EU competition laws and whether they might be hindering fair competition in the market.In conclusion, the recent rumors of layoffs at Hisense have been debunked by the company as unfounded and speculative. Hisense asserts its unwavering commitment to its employees and stakeholders and vows to take legal action against those responsible for spreading misinformation. By addressing the situation proactively and transparently, Hisense aims to uphold its integrity and credibility while reinforcing its focus on growth and innovation. As the company moves forward, it remains resolute in its vision and values, positioning itself as a trusted industry leader dedicated to excellence and success.Former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, one of the top offensive players in the transfer portal, announced on social media Tuesday that he will transfer to Nebraska. Key posted a photo of himself in a Nebraska uniform wearing the No. 6 he wore at Kentucky. The simple post contained the letters "GBR," short for "Go Big Red," with an emoji heart. Key led Kentucky this past season with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as the Wildcats finished 4-8. In three seasons, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 TDs in 38 games (35 starts). Key has one season of eligibility remaining after he was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022. --Field Level Media
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CHICAGO — Then-powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan was intimately involved in the process of recommending people to sit on state board and commissions and kept a running list that eventually totaled 91 names after JB Pritzker won the election for governor in 2018, Madigan’s ex-chief of staff testified Wednesday. Madigan would have his staffers keep close tabs on which seats were coming open and would routinely make recommendations about who should fill them, Jessica Basham, who left the speaker’s office in 2021 and is now a lobbyist, told jurors in her ex-boss’ corruption trial. Unbeknownst to Madigan, Solis was wearing a wire for the FBI, and his request for the recommendation was part of an FBI ruse. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House before stepping down in 2021, faces a wide array of racketeering charges alleging he used his significant political and governmental power to execute a number of corrupt schemes. He is charged alongside Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, who for years was one of Madigan’s closest confidants. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. Prosecutors on Wednesday displayed internal memos about state boards and commissions as well as lists of Madigan’s recommendations to Pritzker, a Democrat who took office in 2019. Solis did not appear on the lists — likely because in January 2019, his cooperation with federal investigators had become publicly known. But jurors have previously watched undercover video in which Solis asked Madigan for help getting on a state board that paid at least $100,000, including either the Labor Relations Board or the Illinois Commerce Commission. Prosecutors have also presented evidence that Madigan sent Solis information about state boards and commissions in response. The indictment against Madigan alleges he sat down with Pritzker in December 2018 and mentioned Solis as a candidate for a board. Prosecutors said Wednesday that they intend to call U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) to the stand, who is expected to testify about that meeting. Budzinski was a key Pritzker aide before being seated in Congress. Among the names on Madigan’s recommendation list was Madigan’s wife Shirley, who served on the Illinois Arts Council, and Carrie Zalewski, the wife of state Rep. Michael Zalewski, who was appointed to head the Illinois Commerce Commission, which determines rates that can be charged by utilities like Commonwealth Edison. Madigan and McClain are charged with getting utility giant ComEd to hire Zalewski’s father, former Ald. Michael Zalewski Sr., as a no-work subcontractor, which prosecutors allege ComEd did to sway Madigan’s support for utility-friendly legislation. Also on Madigan’s list was Carol Sente, a former Democratic state representative who was recommended for a “position at DCEO (not Director).” Sente testified for the prosecution earlier in Madigan’s trial about the workings of the General Assembly and the power Madigan wielded there. On cross-examination, Basham was shown notes she made in 2019 that tracked which of Madigan’s 91 recommendations for state boards and other positions in Pritzker’s administration were successful. Only about 47 percent of the people Madigan suggested actually were named to state boards, according to Basham’s notes. Defense attorneys also took the chance to boost Madigan’s image for jurors, eliciting testimony from Basham about his work ethic and values. “I don’t think anybody works harder than Mike Madigan,” she said. The trial, which began Oct. 8, might be coming to a speedier end than anticipated. Prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to wrap up their case in chief next week, though attorneys have discussed the potential for last-minute scheduling changes that could alter that estimate. Solis, meanwhile, left the stand Tuesday after lengthy testimony about his undercover recordings. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The news of Mamadashvili's injury has sent shockwaves through the tennis community, with many expressing their disappointment at his absence from the upcoming tournaments. His presence on the court will be sorely missed, as he brought a unique energy and style to the game that captivated audiences worldwide. Nevertheless, supporters have rallied behind Mamadashvili, sending him messages of encouragement and well wishes for a speedy recovery.
We needed it – Pep Guardiola relieved to end Man City’s winless runFarewell to the year! I had high hopes for it. I went into it with a positive mindset. I dared to think it might not be entirely terrible. Who dares, wins; my 2024 duly turned out to be entirely terrible only some of the time. But whatever upsetting entanglement or disentanglement we went through in our safe little corner of the world was hardly worth complaining about it in context with events in the least safe corner of the world. There was a genocide and everyone had to be polite about it or risk being called anti-Semitic. How terrible it would be to be cancelled! Worse, definitely, than being bombed and shot at and killed by the Israeli military complex. Farewell to youth! Actually I saw that off the premises quite a long time ago but 2024 was my last full year before I reach the official status of elderliness. I take possession of a Gold Card next June. I’m looking forward to it. The pension, the free public transport, the senior citizen discounts – the welfare state is the best state. Old age isn’t as bad as people say. All you have to worry about is losing your sight, your mind, your will to live. Nurse! Farwell to my daughter! This was her last year at home. Lately I have taken to wandering into her bedroom to experience the really great feeling of my heart breaking into little pieces. Her mum will fly with her to Dunedin in February to help her settle into her halls of residence at Otago. How exciting! I will say goodbye at the airport. I am dreading it. Is there a special room at Auckland airport reserved for the grieving? I suppose there already is; it’s called the departure lounge. Farewell to school! Actually I suppose university is school – it has teachers, a classroom, the future – but the resemblance is thin. University is a concept; school is a clearly defined space, with its gate and its fence line, and its quaint little front office where for years I called in to bring in things she needed for the day. Parenting is a long exercise in obsolescence. School is not quite the last time they really need us – they always need our money – but it’s the last regular contact. She and her friends had a ritual bonfire last week. They burned all their school exercise books. “Liberating,” she said. I asked, “Is there anything left?” Yes, she said, the exam flashcards. I will likely add them to my hoard of souvenirs of her childhood. Farewell to my big white ragdoll cat! But not yet. Not this year. I took him into the vet around about February and he said, “You’re going to have to make some hard decisions this year.” What a threatening thing to say. The cat is 14, has epilepsy, and one of his back legs is so weakened with age and meds that it often gives way; the day is filed with the soft sound of him falling over onto his side. The loss of a pet is a special kind of grief. They are so vulnerable, so delicate. But my big white ragdoll cat rallied, has gone about his life with a good appetite and long sleeps, and stays close to my side. He is on the way out. But not yet. Not this year.During the surgery, the woman experienced excruciating pain and noticed several red flags regarding the clinic's standards of care. The operating room appeared disorganized, and the medical staff seemed unprofessional and untrained. Moreover, the woman later discovered that the clinic lacked essential accreditations and certifications necessary for performing such procedures.
The prestigious Karlinga Prize is awarded annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of science popularization. This year, the esteemed award was bestowed upon Dr. Maya Patel, a renowned science communicator and educator. Dr. Patel has dedicated her career to making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to the general public. In an exclusive interview, she shared her thoughts on the importance of science popularization and how it enriches society.Udinese's recent form had been a cause for concern among fans and analysts alike, as they struggled to secure positive results and fell behind in the race for the top spots. However, a string of solid performances and key victories in their past few matches have rejuvenated the team and reignited their hopes of finishing the season on a high note.