On Sunday, December 8th, the opening season of the San Pedro Volleyball Indoor Tournament concluded with a final round of matches that crowned male and female champions in the Junior and Senior divisions as well as COED champions. The games commenced at 4PM at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium, where a crowd of fans gathered to support their favorite teams. The first match in the Junior category featured the female teams from The Island Academy Girls and the San Pedro High School (SPHS) Jr Sharks. This competitive game showcased the strengths of both teams, with The Island Academy Girls maintaining dominance throughout. Although the SPHS Jr Sharks put up an intense fight, they could not secure the win, allowing The Island Academy Girls to celebrate their victory. The male team’s Island Boyz and Rompe Pechitos faced off in the same category. Rompe Pechitos performed strongly, making the Island Boyz work hard for their victory. After the match, the Island Boyz celebrated and praised Rompe Pechitos for their effort on the court. Following the intermission, which included a brief ceremony honoring the winners of the Junior category, the games moved on to the COED division. Team Warriors faced off against WD 20s in an intense match. Team Warriors demonstrated determination, taking every opportunity to secure the win. However, WD 20s proved to be a formidable opponent, turning the tide in the final minute of the match and ultimately claiming the victory from the Warriors. After another intermission, the teams in the Senior division began preparing for the tournament’s final matches. The first match featured the female teams, with the San Pedro High School (SPHS) taking on Team Wildsets. SPHS started strong and took the lead but could not maintain their momentum. This allowed Wildsets to seize the opportunity and ultimately win in the game sets. In the end, Wildsets defeated SPHS and claimed the championship trophy. The final match in the Senior category featured the male teams of Barbos and Vikings. Both teams consisted of experienced volleyball players, and the game was closely contested throughout. Barbos took the lead multiple times, but the Vikings ultimately emerged victorious after several sets and rounds, securing a significant win in the Senior category. Following the final game, an awards ceremony was held for the COED and Senior category winners. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez attended the event, helped distribute medals to each player, and presented the trophies. Erick Santizo, the Sports Coordinator at SPHS and President of the San Pedro Volleyball Association , congratulated all the winners and praised every participant. He emphasized that the tournament celebrated teamwork, dedication, and community spirit. The tournament is anticipated to return in 2025, featuring another round of exciting games.
Billionaires' wealth more than doubles in 10 years: UBSCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5, the first to ride Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they’re fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: “We’re just on a different path.” “I like everything about being up here,” Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun.” Both astronauts have lived up there before so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. “Mindset does go a long way,” Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first-graders in October. He’s from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. “I don’t look at these situations in life as being downers.” Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. “When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams has been “invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said in a statement that it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. “Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission,” NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, has had to deal with “rumors,” as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's “super hungry” and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod’s 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. “Hopefully I’ll be home before that happens -- but you never know,” she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. “We can’t deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together,” his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband “has it worse than us” since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. “We are certainly looking forward to February!!” she wrote. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Stocks were lower at the close but hovered around all-time highs ahead of Jobs Friday, as investors remain confident the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at a measured pace amid still-solid economic growth. Bitcoin reflected a broader "risk on" mood, breaking the $100,000 barrier in anticipation of a friendlier U.S. regulatory environment. The world's No. 1 cryptocurrency – which trades 24 hours a day, seven days a week – was changing hands at $99,206 as of 4 pm Eastern time on Thursday after reaching as high as $103,587 during the previous 24 hours. Crypto investors are encouraged by President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that he will nominate Paul Atkins to replace Gary Gensler as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to Trump, Atkins "recognizes Digital Assets and other innovations are crucial to Make America greater than before." Atkins, who served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 to 2008, is co-chair of the Token Alliance, a project of the Chamber for Digital Commerce. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. "We remain convinced $100,000 is not the final milestone," writes Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani , who forecast "a cycle-high of $200,000 in late 2025" but also emphasized that "our conviction in bitcoin is beyond cyclical gyrations." Chhugani's forecast is based on an expectation for "bitcoin to emerge as the new-age premier 'store of value' asset eventually replacing gold over the next decade and becoming a permanent part of institutional multi-asset allocation and a standard for corporate treasury management." Data compiled by Chhugani shows that 10 global asset managers oversaw approximately $100 billion invested in bitcoin spot ETFs within 228 days of their launch. That makes bitcoin and cryptocurrency ETFs the fastest-growing category of exchange-traded funds "ever," according to Chhugani. As for old-school equity markets, the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.2% to 19,700, the S&P 500 shed 0.2% to 6,075, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6% to 44,765. Stocks on the move Walt Disney ( DIS ) stock was down 0.4% despite the media and entertainment conglomerate announcing a 33% increase to its dividend . Noting that Disney is "operating from a renewed position of strength," CEO Bob Iger said management will continue "to invest for the future and drive sustained growth through Disney's world-class portfolio of assets." UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) weighed even more heavily on the Dow, declining 5.2% a day after the CEO of its health insurance unit was shot and killed outside the hotel where the company was hosting its Investor Day conference. UnitedHealthcare is the biggest health insurer in the U.S. with forecast revenue of $280 billion for 2024. Authorities continue to search for the shooter. MicroStrategy ( MSTR ), meanwhile, was down 4.8% despite bitcoin's major milestone. MicroStrategy, an enterprise software company, holds more than 401,100 BTC with a market value as of Thursday of more than $40 billion on its balance sheet. As Chhugani noted in October, "Since [the] adoption of its Bitcoin Strategy in August 2020, MSTR's stock is up roughly 13 times, outperforming bitcoin, gold, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, and small-cap software." Coinbase Global ( COIN ) stock also ended the day lower, falling 3.1% even as cryptocurrency prices continue to rally on new investor interest and expectations of wider adoption. Transaction volume on COIN's trading platform continues to rise with bitcoin's popularity, and it also holds 9,363 BTC on its balance sheet. The employment situation Initial jobless claims came in at a seasonally adjusted 224,000 for the week ending November 30, an increase of 9,000 from the prior week's revised level, according to the Department of Labor . "Jobless claims and job cuts were both a little higher than expected, but still moderate," says E*Trade Managing Director Chris Larkin . "We'll get a fuller picture from tomorrow's monthly jobs report, but for now, the story continues to be a labor market that occasionally appears to bend, but avoids breaking." According to FactSet, the consensus forecast is 215,000 new jobs in November and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. The U.S. economy created 12,000 new jobs in October , as hiring was negatively impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as two major labor strikes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its report on the next jobs report tomorrow at 8:30 am Eastern time. "We had a really low number in October ... so we're expecting a big recovery," says Interactive Brokers Senior Economist José Torres . "Overall, the economy is in good shape." The CME Group's FedWatch tool shows a 71.8% probability the Fed will trim the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points following the December 17-18 FOMC meeting. (A basis point equals 0.01%.) 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Australia’s sharemarket is likely to open lower after a sell-off in the world’s largest technology companies hit US stocks in the final stretch of a stellar year. Futures are pointing to a drop of 0.35 per cent, or 29 points, on Monday morning across the local bourse, to 8228, as traders take stock of a pullback in the US last week. Nasdaq, one of the “Magnificent Seven” companies, bore the brunt of last week’s selling. Credit: Bloomberg In the US, during a session of slim trading volume – which tends to amplify moves – the S&P 500 lost 1.1 per cent and the Nasdaq 100 slipped 1.4 per cent. While every major industry succumbed to Friday’s slide, tech megacaps bore the brunt of the selling. That’s after a torrid surge in which the group of companies dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” accounted for more than half of the US equity benchmark’s gains in 2024. “I think Santa has already come. Have you seen the performance this year?” said Kenny Polcari from financial advising firm SlateStone Wealth. “[This] week is another holiday-shortened week, volumes will be light, moves will be exaggerated. Don’t make any major investing decisions this week.” Steve Sosnick, from Interactive Brokers said while the market was in holiday season, he had fielded more inquiries than expected. Loading “The best I can figure out is that there are large accounts, pension funds and the like, who need to rebalance their holdings before year-end,” he said. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 trimmed last week’s gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.8 per cent on Friday. A gauge of the “Magnificent Seven” sank 2 per cent, led by losses in Tesla and Nvidia. The Russell 2000 index of small caps dropped 1.6 per cent. The yield on 10-year Treasuries rose 4 basis points to 4.62 per cent. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index wavered.
(Photo by Skitterphoto via Pexels) By Stephen Beech via SWNS Cleaning surfaces every two hours at airports cuts potentially deadly norovirus infections by 83%, according to a new study. Researchers found that airport restaurants had the highest risk of norovirus transmission . But frequently disinfecting surfaces, mask-wearing and antimicrobial surface coatings at the transport hubs can all help prevent the highly contagious illness - also known as the winter vomiting bug - from spreading, say scientists. Study author Professor Nan Zhang, of the Beijing University of Technology in China, said: "Norovirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and is responsible for about 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths each year. "The virus is primarily transmitted through surfaces and outbreaks during air travel are especially common, due to the large number of public surfaces in airports." (PLOS Computational Biology via SWNS) To investigate the risk of norovirus infection from surfaces among passengers in different zones of the airport, the research team collected real touch data from 21.3 hours of video, which captured almost 26,000 touches. They developed a model of surface transmission and simulated the risk of infection from norovirus and the effectiveness of various interventions in different airport areas. Zhang said: "The touch data showed that, without any interventions, restaurants at airports had the highest risk of norovirus transmission, with approximately 4.6 out of 51,494 travelers infected. "Disinfecting public surfaces every two hours reduced the risk of norovirus infection per visit to the airport by 83.2%. "In contrast, handwashing every two hours reduced the risk by only 2%, and mask-wearing 50% of the time reduced risk by 48.0%, because masks stop people from touching their face. CDC "Furthermore, using antimicrobial copper or copper-nickel alloy coatings for most public surfaces lowered the infection risk by 15.9% to 99.2%." He says the study, published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology , provides "crucial" insights for developing infection prevention and control strategies specifically tailored for norovirus within airport environments. Zhang noted that the data for the study was collected during the COVID-19 pandemic , so surface-touching behaviors may have been different from normal. But he said that, overall, the simulated results indicated that public surface disinfection, mask-wearing wearing and the use of antimicrobial surfaces are effective ways of controlling the spread of norovirus via surfaces. Zhang added: "Regular surface infection is much more effective than regular handwashing for blocking norovirus transmission via fomite route in airports."None
Reports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina jobValve's innovative handheld, the Deck, was hugely popular at launch - and it's no surprise. The bridges the gap between PC and handheld gaming, allowing you to play your Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck isn't perfect, however, so it was welcome news when Valve released the , an upgraded version of the handheld that adds an screen and promises better battery life and performance. But is the Steam Deck OLED worth buying over the original model? We've put the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED through their paces, and we're here to tell you the key similarities and differences between them so you can decide which is worth your hard-earned cash. Once you decide which to get, make sure you fill your Steam library with the and . You can buy the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED directly from the Valve via the . Fortunately, while stock was hard to get when both first launched, it's now much easier, with Valve estimating delivery in three to five days. At the time of writing, there's only one Steam Deck model available: the 256GB LCD version. This model costs $399 / £349 / AU$649 and comes with a carry bundle and a Steam profile bundle. Unsurprisingly, the Steam Deck OLED is more expensive, but there are two models available. The 512GB Steam Deck OLED is priced at $549 / £479.00 / AU$899 and comes with a carry case and Steam profile bundle, like the LCD model. If you want more storage and don't mind spending a bit more, you can get the 1TB Steam Deck OLED for $649 / £569 / AU$1049, which comes with a Steam profile bundle, exclusive startup movie, keyboard theme, and a carry case with a removable liner. The 512GB OLED model is just over $100 more than the LCD model but offers twice the storage and several other improvements highlighted below. As such, it's worth considering spending that extra cash to get the latest model if you can afford it, especially if you have a chunky Steam library. In my opinion, if you plan to pick up an OLED, the 512GB model is the best option unless you plan to make use of that 1TB of space. While these handhelds are still pricey, they're good value when you consider gaming PCs are easily over $1000 - and you can't take them on the go. Here is the full list of specs for the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED. There aren't many major differences between the design of the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED. The biggest is, of course, that the OLED has a 7-inch OLED screen, while the Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD screen. This means the OLED offers more vivid visuals with brighter contrast and richer color than the Steam Deck. During testing, we found the difference between the two to be noticeable. This screen doesn't make the Steam Deck OLED larger than the Steam Deck, though. The two have the same dimensions, and the OLED is actually slightly lighter than the Steam Deck. It's worth noting, however, that the size of both models means they aren't as portable as the , for example. The two models also have the same overall form factor and sleek black colorway, though there are some minor differences in the OLED's design, such as an orange power button instead of a black one. Regardless of which model you go for, both boast a high-quality build and great design. This is where the differences between the Steam Deck OLED and the Steam Deck become more apparent. Firstly, there's the storage capacity. The Steam Deck LCD currently only comes in a 256GB model, while the OLED is available in 512GB or 1TB. This means the OLED can store more than two to three times more games than the Steam Deck, and you can fit several sizeable games on your handheld before you need to make room. In addition, the slight improvement in memory means the OLED should run a bit faster than its predecessor, while improved WiFi and Bluetooth make connectivity more efficient. Then there's the screen itself. In addition to more vivid visuals, the OLED's screen refresh rate is up to 90Hz, as opposed to the 60Hz of the Steam Deck. This means your games are more likely to perform well and your frame rate to remain steady, but don't expect flawless performance with either device. During testing, we found several "Deck Verified" titles still struggled on the Steam Deck OLED. Perhaps the most welcome difference between the Steam Deck OLED and the Steam Deck, though, is the increased battery life of the OLED. The Steam Deck's battery life has always been contentious, as it only allows for two to eight hours of play. The Steam Deck OLED, on the other hand, allows for three to 12 hours. If performance and battery life are important factors for you when choosing a handheld, the Steam Deck OLED is definitely the better machine. While the Steam Deck is reliable, the OLED addresses some of its issues - just don't expect perfection. The Steam Deck OLED is the definitive Steam Deck model, offering improved visuals and performance alongside a longer-life battery. While the Steam Deck is a solid handheld if you're on a tighter budget, the OLED is better for future-proofing, especially as games become increasingly demanding on hardware. Just be aware that both models can struggle with certain games and aren't the easiest to take with you on the go. If these are deal-breaking factors for you, you can find great alternatives on our list of the .Reports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina job
Another day, another wild electrified aircraft concept that reimagines the future of air travel in a way that fascinates and enthralls. This time around, it isn't a straight serving as protagonist, but a hybrid that tilts its ducted electric fans to offer helicopter versatility with airplane range and efficiency. Technically identified as a hybrid-electric vertical and short takeoff and landing (HeV/STOL) vessel, the newly modeled ANN Plus uses a turbine-electric powertrain to more economically bridge the gap between traditional air and ground transportation options. We've come to expect crazy, new electrified aircrafts to come from China by default, but Manta Aircraft is actually an Italian company, based in the northern region of Lombardy. That doesn't mean it's without connection to China, however, as it recently partnered up with Shenyang Aviation Industries Group with an eye toward accelerating development of its multi-craft ANN platform as a regional air mobility solution for the Chinese and South Asian markets. It's not surprising, then, that Manta debuted the latest member of the ANN series at the 2024 China Airshow last month, following up on the with a full-scale model of its largest variant yet, the ANN Plus. The new ANN Plus, also called the ANN-6, is a multipurpose six-seat craft aimed at personal mobility, business travel, medical response, and cargo transport. It's designed to accommodate a single pilot and five passengers. While it may push the limits of abbreviation convention and usefulness, Manta's HeV/STOL configuration looks to find the best blend of advantages of several different categories of cutting-edge aircraft. As an eVTOL, it takes off from anywhere, without the need for a runway, using four wing-mounted tilting ducted fans combined with four fixed ducted fans integrated into the fuselage. During flight, the wing fans tilt into forward-propulsive position and provide full thrust vectoring. Manta's hybrid propulsion system relies on a battery pack for primary power and runs as a pure-electric on short journeys, providing a 186-mile (300-km) zero-emissions range in the ANN Plus. This capability allows it to operate quietly, without emissions, through dense urban centers, sensitive wilderness areas and other environments. So, for instance, when you simply need to get to an appointment across the city quickly, it'll provide a clean, quiet lift over traffic, operating like a traditional eVTOL. Manta says it will be cheaper to own and operate than a helicopter. For mid- and long-range intercity and regional trips, the ANN still operates via the electric ducted fans but taps into a multi-fuel turbine-generator to charge the batteries. Manta estimates a total flight range up to 620 miles (1,000 km) for the ANN Plus and offers other range options for smaller vessels and different use cases. The ANN Plus has an estimated 130-knot (240-km/h or 150-mph) cruising speed and 178-knot (330-km/h or 205-mph) dash speed. That extra speed and range extend the ANN Plus' utility past that of an all-electric aircraft, and the short takeoff/landing capability helps to further its operational versatility. It can perform both short takeoff/vertical landing and short takeoff/short landing operations and has four times the endurance in STOL mode as in VTOL mode for a total of four hours. In terms of running the turbine-generator, biofuels like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Bio-Jet A1 are the plan for now, but Manta is developing the ANN platform with an eye toward future updates. So when battery technology improves to the point of offering that 620-mile range on its own, or the hydrogen economy matures enough to use a hydrogen engine or range-extending fuel cell stack, Manta will be able to swap in those solutions. Burrowing down more into the details of the ANN's potential use cases, Manta explains that its operational flexibility will allow it to be used for hopping between cities without airports; serving as a cheaper alternative to helicopters for emergency services; delivering offshore logistics support; and providing fast, efficient access into hard-to-reach remote areas. Since it's designed for smooth transitioning between VTOL and STOL operation, it can successfully bridge the gap between a helicopter and longer-range airplane during the same mission. At just over 40 feet (12.2 m), the full-scale ANN Plus mockup measures roughly 10.5 feet (3.2 m) longer than the two-seat ANN 2 and has a near-double 39.7-foot (12.1-m) wingspan to match. The carbon fiber fuselage accommodates the wider side-by-side seating arrangement, and the craft stands just over 9 feet (2.7 m) tall. The Plus design is otherwise quite similar to the ANN 2, with differentially moving canards up front, a pair of fuselage-embedded ducted fans in front of the cockpit and a second pair behind it, and a split-V tail fin. Visitors at the China Airshow weren't left to gawk at the ANN Plus while clinging to velvet rope; they actually got to step inside and experience the luxurious cabin. The interior includes two seats up front and four seats laid out in vis-a-vis arrangement in the rear. Premium materials like Nappa leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber adorn the surfaces and furnishings. The pilot relies on a redundant fly-by-wire system with hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) and a widescreen HMI. Manta has previously done extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and wind tunnel testing on the ANN design, and plans to work with Shenyang Aviation Industries on the production technology for two full-scale prototypes and certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), ahead of launch and industrialization. Source:Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”
Mahayuti Triumphs: Maharashtra's Electoral ShiftIn an indirect warning to Keir Starmer, Tony Blair warned that taking more money out of people's pockets would make them feel disillusioned with politics. According to the former prime minister, poor public services, along with raised levels of taxation, public debt, and spending, are adding to public frustration not just in Britain but in every developed nation. Writing in the Daily Mail , Sir Tony said we live in an era of disruption, including in politics, and Britain faces the same dilemma. He added: "Our taxes are high; our spending and levels of public debt are high; and our service outcomes are poor." The former PM continued: "That is why politics is being disrupted. Any politician today, who is promising management of the status quo and not fundamental change of it, will lose." Blair's suggestion that high taxes alienate voters and disrupt politics is particularly significant in the UK, as it comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced £40 billion worth of taxes in her first budget . It amounts to the biggest tax rise in 30 years, but companies will bear much of the burden, leading some to complain they won't be able to invest in boosting productivity to help generate the economic growth the Government is dreaming of. The Chancellor's biggest revenue raiser is an increase in employer tax , which is expected to raise £25bn per year. The move has prompted consternation within businesses and warnings of lower wages and job cuts. In her Budget speech, Ms Reeves argued that she is asking businesses to contribute more, telling Parliament that successful businesses depend on successful schools, healthy firms need a healthy NHS, and a strong economy is dependent on strong public finances. Mr Blair, who was Labour prime minister from 1997 to 2007, warned the UK's present dilemma led to a splintering of the vote at the general election in July when MPs were elected from the Greens, Reform UK and independents. Sir Tony argues in his op-ed that lower taxes , reduced spending and better public service outcomes often appear to be "the Holy Grail of governing", but modern technology "puts it within reach". He went on to champion digital ID as "a good place to start", despite the Government having ruled out ID cards. Sir Tony said crime rates could be cut thanks to facial recognition, data and DNA while interactive app could provide pupils with personal tutoring. The former PM said the financial and energy crises, changes to the global economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain's Brexit vote, and frequent changes in the UK's leadership have taken their toll. He argued that the challenges of governing today are "infinitely harder", but a technology revolution has the potential to be transformative. Sir Tony went on to outline the benefits in health, welfare, and immigration that could accrue from a "once-in-a-generation" shake-up of the system.
Pathstone Holdings LLC cut its position in shares of NXP Semiconductors ( NASDAQ:NXPI – Free Report ) by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,132 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock after selling 738 shares during the quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in NXP Semiconductors were worth $5,079,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NXPI. Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in shares of NXP Semiconductors in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Addison Advisors LLC grew its holdings in NXP Semiconductors by 224.2% in the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 107 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its stake in shares of NXP Semiconductors by 71.2% during the second quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 125 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NXP Semiconductors by 615.0% during the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 143 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of NXP Semiconductors by 36.4% in the 1st quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 150 shares of the semiconductor provider’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 90.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. NXP Semiconductors Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NXPI stock opened at $226.38 on Friday. NXP Semiconductors has a 1 year low of $198.00 and a 1 year high of $296.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $233.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $251.51. The company has a market cap of $57.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.60, a PEG ratio of 4.42 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 2.35 and a quick ratio of 1.60. NXP Semiconductors Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be issued a dividend of $1.014 per share. This represents a $4.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 5th. NXP Semiconductors’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.74%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Jennifer Wuamett sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.35, for a total value of $813,225.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 30,269 shares in the company, valued at $7,033,002.15. The trade was a 10.36 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Company insiders own 0.11% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently weighed in on NXPI. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on NXP Semiconductors from $370.00 to $315.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on NXP Semiconductors from $285.00 to $277.00 in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Susquehanna cut their price objective on shares of NXP Semiconductors from $260.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of NXP Semiconductors from $300.00 to $250.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of NXP Semiconductors from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $274.14. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NXPI NXP Semiconductors Profile ( Free Report ) NXP Semiconductors N.V. offers various semiconductor products. The company's product portfolio includes microcontrollers; application processors, including i.MX application processors, and i.MX 8 and 9 family of applications processors; communication processors; wireless connectivity solutions, such as near field communications, ultra-wideband, Bluetooth low-energy, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth integrated SoCs; analog and interface devices; radio frequency power amplifiers; and security controllers, as well as semiconductor-based environmental and inertial sensors, including pressure, inertial, magnetic, and gyroscopic sensors. 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NoneBillionaires have seen their combined wealth shoot up 121 percent over the past decade to $14 trillion, Swiss bank UBS said Thursday, with tech billionaires' coffers filling the fastest. Switzerland's biggest bank, which is among the world's largest wealth managers, said the number of dollar billionaires increased from 1,757 to 2,682 over the past 10 years, peaking in 2021 with 2,686. The 10th edition of UBS's annual Billionaire Ambitions report, which tracks the wealth of the world's richest people, found that billionaires have comfortably outperformed global equity markets over the past decade. The report documents "the growth and investment of great wealth, as well as how it's being preserved for future generations and used to have a positive effect on society", said Benjamin Cavalli, head of strategic clients at UBS global wealth management. Between 2015 and 2024, total billionaire wealth increased by 121 percent from $6.3 trillion to $14.0 trillion -- while the MSCI AC World Index of global equities rose 73 percent. The wealth of tech billionaires increased the fastest, followed by that of industrialists. Worldwide, tech billionaires' wealth tripled from $788.9 billion in 2015 to $2.4 trillion in 2024. "In earlier years, the new billionaires commercialised e-commerce, social media and digital payments; more recently they engineered the generative AI boom, while also developing cyber-security, fintech, 3D printing and robotics," UBS said. The report found that since 2020, the global growth trend had slowed due to declines among China's billionaires. From 2015 to 2020, billionaire wealth grew globally at an annual rate of 10 percent, but growth has plunged to one percent since 2020. Chinese billionaire wealth more than doubled from 2015 to 2020, rising from $887.3 billion to $2.1 trillion, but has since fallen back to $1.8 trillion. However, North American billionaire wealth has risen 58.5 percent to $6.1 trillion since 2020, "led by industrials and tech billionaires". Meanwhile billionaires are relocating more frequently, with 176 having moved country since 2020, with Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United States being popular destinations. In 2024, some 268 people became billionaires for the first time, with 60 percent of them entrepreneurs. "The year's new billionaires were mainly self-made," said UBS. The report said US billionaires accrued the greatest gains in 2024, reinforcing the country's place as the world's main centre for billionaire entrepreneurs. Their wealth rose 27.6 percent to $5.8 trillion, or more than 40 percent of billionaire wealth worldwide. Billionaires' wealth from mainland China and Hong Kong fell 16.8 percent to $1.8 trillion, with the number of billionaires dropping from 588 to 501. Indian billionaires' wealth increased 42.1 percent to $905.6 billion, while their number grew from 153 to 185. Western Europe’s total billionaire wealth rose 16.0 percent to $2.7 trillion -- partly due to a 24 percent increase in Swiss billionaires. UAE billionaires' aggregate wealth rose 39.5 percent to $138.7 billion. UBS said billionaires faced an "uncertain world" over the next 10 years, due to high geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and governments with mounting spending requirements. Billionaires will therefore need to rely on their previous distinctive traits: "smart risk-taking, business focus and determination". "Risk-taking billionaires are likely to be at the forefront of creating two technology-related industries of the future already taking shape: generative AI and renewables/electrification," UBS predicted. And more flexible wealth planning will be needed as billionaire families move country and spread around the world. The heirs and philanthropic causes of baby boom billionaires are set to inherit an estimated $6.3 trillion over the next 15 years, UBS said. rjm/gv
Pathstone Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated ( NYSE:JLL – Free Report ) by 4.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 24,592 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,020 shares during the quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC owned about 0.05% of Jones Lang LaSalle worth $6,635,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of Jones Lang LaSalle by 350.0% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 135 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in Jones Lang LaSalle in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in shares of Jones Lang LaSalle by 37.5% during the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 143 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Jones Lang LaSalle in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its stake in shares of Jones Lang LaSalle by 22.9% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.80% of the company’s stock. Jones Lang LaSalle Trading Up 1.7 % JLL opened at $263.37 on Friday. Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated has a 12-month low of $153.26 and a 12-month high of $288.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 2.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.49 billion, a PE ratio of 26.63 and a beta of 1.37. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $265.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $237.43. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Jones Lang LaSalle from $280.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. StockNews.com raised shares of Jones Lang LaSalle from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, September 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $255.20. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Jones Lang LaSalle Jones Lang LaSalle Company Profile ( Free Report ) Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated operates as a commercial real estate and investment management company. It engages in the buying, building, occupying, managing, and investing in a commercial, industrial, hotel, residential, and retail properties in Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Jones Lang LaSalle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jones Lang LaSalle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5, the first to ride Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they’re fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: “We’re just on a different path.” “I like everything about being up here,” Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun.” Both astronauts have lived up there before so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. “Mindset does go a long way,” Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first-graders in October. He’s from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. “I don’t look at these situations in life as being downers.” Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. “When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams has been “invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said in a statement that it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. “Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission,” NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, has had to deal with “rumors,” as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's “super hungry” and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod’s 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. “Hopefully I’ll be home before that happens -- but you never know,” she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. “We can’t deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together,” his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband “has it worse than us” since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. “We are certainly looking forward to February!!” she wrote. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn't improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.MCNEESE 76, ILLINOIS STATE 68