Marriott Intl's MAR short percent of float has risen 4.04% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.08 million shares sold short , which is 2.32% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.15 days to cover their short positions on average. Why Short Interest Matters Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. Short selling is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises. Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish. See Also: List of the most shorted stocks Marriott Intl Short Interest Graph (3 Months) As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Marriott Intl has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted. Comparing Marriott Intl's Short Interest Against Its Peers Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis. According to Benzinga Pro , Marriott Intl's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.32%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers. Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.— BIRTH NAME: James Earl Carter, Jr. — BORN: Oct. 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for an entire century . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where he was granted tenure in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Source: Jimmy Carter Library & Museum
NEW YORK (AP) -- President-elect Donald Trump's lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction, arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional "disruptions to the institution of the Presidency." In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump's lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the extraordinary circumstances of his impending return to the White House. "Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump's transition efforts," the attorneys continued, before citing the "overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024." Trump's lawyers also cited President Joe Biden's recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges. "President Biden asserted that his son was 'selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,' and 'treated differently,'" Trump's legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned." Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump's second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a "ridiculous suggestion." Following Trump's election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump's prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse the conviction, which involved efforts to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 campaign. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Merchan hasn't set a timetable for a decision. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump's historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump's parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, just before the 2016 presidential election, to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump's company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses - concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work.Political analyst Mark Halperin expressed doubt on Tuesday about Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom launching a 2028 presidential campaign. Newsom holds 7% support among Democratic 2028 primary voters for who they would like to be their party’s presidential nominee in 2028, trailing only Vice President Kamala Harris , who is at 37%, according to a November Emerson College poll. However, Halperin , on “American Agenda,” suggested Newsom may lack both the ambition and circumstances necessary to mount a White House bid. (RELATED: MSNBC Reporter Says Undecided Voter Chose Trump Over Harris Because She Didn’t Go On Joe Rogan Podcast) WATCH: “A lot of what Democrats want to see is someone who will be tough and take the fight directly to [President-elect] Donald Trump in a telegenic way ... I think objectively he has some of those skills. I will say, I continue to believe people overstate his willingness to make the personal sacrifices to run for president,” Halperin said. “And also running for president from California geographically in the space time continuum is not easy to do. And again, I think if you combine that with the personal challenges, I think people, again, are overstating the likelihood that he’ll be a major player in ’28.” “He’s got young kids. He’s got a wife who, by all accounts, is not super enthusiastic about this ... I think it’s an under-discussed reality that a lot of the governors, including Governor Newsom, who are talked about as potential ’28 candidates ... they’re just more ambivalent,” he added. “They don’t have the drive. Most people I know who run for president effectively wake up every morning and say, what are the 10 things I need to do today to increase my chances of winning? And if one of them is chew through handcuffs, they’ll do it. I just don’t get the sense that that’s where Gavin Newsom’s head is at.” Halperin recently asserted on “ The Morning Meeting ” that Vice President-elect JD Vance’s willingness to conduct interviews across a variety of platforms gives him “a huge advantage” over other possible 2028 presidential contenders. “I think one of the smartest things JD Vance could do to consolidate his position ... is to go on those shows regularly. He can do it. He can develop personal relationships with those people, and people in the media, contrary to popular perception, are human beings,” Halperin said. “And if the vice president of the United States is stopping by your podcast every month and giving you time, you’re gonna be favorably disposed towards that person.” However, former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza also recently speculated about the possibility of Donald Trump Jr. running for the White House in 2028, suggesting he could inherit his father’s “political movement” rather than Vance. “Look, I just think there will be an attempt at some point to hand off Trumpism, and Donald Trump will want to be in control of that handoff,” Cillizza said. “And the fact that his eldest son is standing right there, is someone who has shown that he gets the MAGA base in a way very few Republicans do, who has shown that he, in his own right, is extremely popular online, who gets the kind of social media trolling that goes hand in hand with being a Trump supporter, that he is related by blood to Donald Trump — these are all things that I think you cannot rule out Don Jr. of running in 2028.” All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org .
Mexico, the 51st US state? Trump says maybe it should beA youth, who was a resident of Delhi, collapsed while attending the Sunburn electronic dance music festival in Dhargal village in north Goa on Sunday. According to a police official, the youth was rushed to a hospital after the incident where he died while undergoing treatment, news agency PTI reported. The Goa Police identified the deceased as 26-year-old Karan Kashyap, a resident of Rohini in west Delhi. The exact cause of his death is yet to be ascertained. "The incident took place at 9:45 pm on Saturday. Kashyap collapsed and lost consciousness and was immediately taken to a private hospital in Mapusa. He died while undergoing treatment," PTI quoted Goa Police spokesperson as saying. Police to check foul play possibility The post mortem will be carried out at Goa Medical College and Hospital and action will follow if any foul play is detected, the Goa Police spokesperson added. The Sunburn festival is one of the most popular end of the year celebrations in Goa. But the EDM venue has always been a hot topic in the politics of the state. Back in 2019, three people had died after collapsing while attending the festival, prompting strong reactions from the state’s politicians. In another similar yet unrelated incident, a 50-year-old woman attending the retirement party of her husband in Rajasthan’s Kota collapsed abruptly and died last week. The woman's husband, Devendra Sandal, was taking early retirement to take care of her, who had heart-related issues, people close to the family said. Deepika died at his office at Central Warehouse in the Dakaniya area in Kota on last Tuesday. Devendra, a resident of Shastri Nagar, Dadabari in Kota, had sought voluntary retirement, three years before his retirement age. His voluntary retirement was approved and it was his last day in office on Tuesday. A staffer was garlanding Devendra as Deepika stood by his side with a smile before collapsing on the table in front of her . Within minutes of the collapse, she was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead after an examination.
Former United States President Jimmy Carter passed away this Sunday at his home in Georgia. PUBLICIDAD The passing of the 39th president was confirmed by the Carter Center through the social network X. PUBLICIDAD Carter had entered palliative care over a year ago, after a series of health problems. His death occurred just a few months after the passing of his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023 at the age of 96. Both spent most of their lives in the small town of Plains. Until his death, the American president was the oldest-serving president. After the death of former US President Jimmy Carter, the governor-elect, Jenniffer González Colón, expressed her condolences through platform X. "It is sad to learn of the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a lifelong public servant whose humanitarian work transcended beyond the White House. José and I express our deepest condolences and send our prayers to his family. Rest in peace," Colón shared in a message written in English. Former United States President Barack Obama took to his social media to share his feelings after the death of former President Jimmy Carter. "President Carter taught us all what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and to all who loved and learned from this extraordinary man," shared Obama in a post on X. Jimmy Carter's Life Carter, a moderate Southern Democrat and former governor of Georgia, defeated Republican President Gerald Ford in 1976, but in his reelection bid in 1980, he lost to Ronald Reagan, who won by a wide margin. After his presidency, he began tireless activity in favor of human rights around the world, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. In 1976, an intense and intelligent campaign that highlighted his honesty propelled Carter from near anonymity to the White House in the first presidential election after the Watergate scandal. The man from the small town of Plains was portrayed as a symbol of the New South. Perhaps his greatest achievement was the peace treaty he negotiated between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in 1978. But Carter had an ignominious return to Georgia, after a presidency undermined by double-digit inflation, an energy crisis that forced Americans to wait in long lines to fill up with gasoline, and the Iran hostage crisis that lasted 444 days. His darkest hour was the failed attempt to rescue the hostages in Iran in April 1980, in which eight Americans died. Deeply embarrassed by the citizens' rejection, Carter diligently forged a new role on the world stage as a peacemaker, promoter of democracy, and defender of human rights. The stubbornness that harmed his presidency benefited him as a solitary peacemaker who bypassed diplomatic channels and, as he said in 1994, "went to places where others do not go," such as North Korea, Ethiopia, and Liberia. "I can say what I want. I can meet with whoever I want. I can dedicate myself to projects that please me and reject those that don't," he said in an interview in 1990. He helped defuse tense situations in the Koreas and prevent a US invasion of Haiti in 1994. These activities earned him immense prestige and multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, which he was awarded in 2002. His detractors claimed that Carter was usurping US foreign policy, that he was often naive in his dealings with hostile dictators, and that his goal was to redeem himself in the eyes of history. But his admirers argued that he was driven by his strict Baptist faith and his desire to do what he could to benefit humanity. "It's true that I get excited and deeply moved," Carter said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1994, when explaining why his voice choked up when talking about his work. "I'm a little embarrassed, but that's just who I am." James Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia, on October 1, 1924, as the oldest of four children. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1946 and that same year he married Rosalynn Smith, a neighbor from Plains. They had four children. After seven years in the submarine force, he requested retirement when his father died, returned to Plains, and took over the family business. He dedicated himself to local politics and in 1962 won a seat in the state Senate by challenging a series of irregularities in the voting after being defeated in the initial count. He ran for governor in 1966, lost, and returned in 1970 to win. As the successor of the segregationist governor Lester Maddox, Carter said in his inaugural speech: "I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over." Scarcely known in the national scene, he ran for the presidency in 1974 with a modest campaign, staying in the homes of his supporters. After Richard Nixon's resignation due to the Watergate scandal, Carter based his campaign on restoring the citizens' trust in the government. "If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a deceptive statement, do not vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president," Carter repeated in every speech. Carter and Rosalynn walked to his inauguration, where he became the first president to be sworn in using his nickname: he always preferred to be called Jimmy. Among the achievements of his government are the partial deregulation of air, rail, and truck transportation; the appointment of women and members of ethnic minorities to the judiciary and other positions; the reservation of millions of acres in Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges; the pardon of most of those who evaded military service during the Vietnam War; the creation of the Departments of Energy and Education; the ratification of the Panama Canal treaties, the normalization of relations with China, and the historic Camp David agreements, in which Egypt recognized the State of Israel. In terms of foreign policy, he focused on promoting human rights, particularly in South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, which were governed by repressive military dictatorships. But a series of events abroad paralyzed the final stage of his presidency. When Carter agreed to allow the deposed and exiled Shah of Iran to receive medical treatment in the United States on November 4, 1979, followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took over the American embassy in Iran, sparking the hostage crisis. Negotiations with the chaotic Iranian regime to release the hostages were repeatedly stalled, and in April 1980, Carter ordered a failed military rescue attempt. Exasperated by inflation and the confrontation with Iran, Americans responded to Republican Ronald Reagan's call for a "strong America once again." Carter lost the elections in all states except six, and the Republicans won the majority in the Senate. After writing his presidential memoirs, Carter became a professor at Emory University in Atlanta and, along with Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center, an ambitious research and political activity institute. In his memoirs, Carter described that after the humiliating defeat, he and his wife "decided that it would be better to continue using my influence, perhaps with even greater freedom than before, to promote the same ideals that I had embraced during my presidency." In that sense, he supervised democratic elections in countries such as Nicaragua and Haiti, as well as the first Palestinian elections. Carter wrote a dozen books, including a children's story, a collection of poetry, and an account of his spiritual life. Carter underwent surgery on August 3, 2015 to remove a tumor from his liver. On August 12, the Carter Center reported that the cancer had spread to other organs. His father, brother, and two sisters died of pancreatic cancer, and his mother also suffered from the illness. During a press conference on August 20th, Carter humbly and humorously said that he felt "perfectly at peace with whatever happens." “I have had a wonderful life,” he said. “I have had thousands of friends, I have led an exciting, adventurous, and fulfilling life. That’s why I felt surprisingly calm, much more than my wife.”A GSC Game World developer admitted the team nerfed Stalker 2’s A-Life 2.0 simulation system due to performance-related concerns. The A-Life system in the original Stalker governed virtually every aspect of the world’s simulation. It proved integral to the AI behaviors of NPCs and creatures in the Zone , ensuring the world kept turning independent of the player. For the sequel, A-Life 2.0 was explained as a tool that guaranteed gameplay would feel even more emergent. Hopeful players were surprised, then, when mention of the system vanished from Stalker 2’s Steam page before launch. The shock increased post-release, as many became convinced A-Life’s presence had either been removed or heavily diminished. Developers have since confessed that it’s not working as intended, but the extent of the issue is just starting to surface. Stalker 2 dev explains A-Life 2.0’s shortcomings Speaking with IGN , GSC Game World CEO and Creative Director Ievgen Grygorovych Maria Grygorovych broke down what went awry with A-Life’s updated version during development. Performance issues sit at the heart of the matter, Ievgen explained, noting that the team had to reduce A-Life 2.0’s area of influence around the player because of optimization concerns on PC and console. A properly functioning A-Life should impact a wider range of the virtual world, all while “requiring much more memory resources.” Attempts at improving optimization resulted in GSC “cut[ing] things from different directions,” leading to the game’s buggy lunch . However, the developer has promised the crew is hard at work improving Stalker 2’s performance to boost A-Life 2.0 functionality. “We are now continuing working on the optimization part to bring more resources for the A-Life system, to increase the range where A-Life is actually visualized,” Ievgen said. Related: As for why A-Life suddenly disappeared from the Steam description, Maria said the decision came from a marketing representative who told them that most players weren’t aware of the feature. To simplify information on the store page, marketing removed A-Life 2.0 details without GSC’s knowledge or permission. Maria only learned about the missing particulars because of Reddit. IGN said she showed screenshots of internal communications to prove her claims. Mentions of the feature won’t return to Steam until it’s fixed in-game. For now, there’s no timeline on when exactly players can expect that to happen.
The headline signing of IPL auction day two is ... a 13-year-oldDecember tends to be a busy time filled with parties and socialising. If you need a last-minute outfit for any Christmas occasions, Matalan has some incredible savings on partywear - including a sparkly co-ord set. The Et Vous Silver Sequin Top, £20, and Et Vous Silver Sequin Wide Leg Co-Ord Trousers, £26, have already been going down a storm with shoppers. Fashion influencers have even shared the glitzy outfit to social media. While the full set is usually priced at £46, Matalan Me members can currently save 20%, bringing down the price to £36.80. However, there's a way to slash the total even further and get it for better than half price through TopCashback. Read more: Shoppers racing to Aldi to snap up £15 winter boots that rival £125 M&S pair Read...
Train collides with fire truck in Florida; police say 3 firefighters and several passengers hurtWheel of Fortune viewers were less than impressed this evening as they settled in to watch the ITV show's Christmas special. The festive edition, hosted by Graham Norton, featured celebrities Richard E Grant, Tyler West, and Joanna Page spinning the wheel in an attempt to win cash for their chosen charities. The game involves contestants guessing phrases and words to win the largest possible jackpot without losing a turn or going bankrupt. As the Christmas special was broadcast, viewers quickly expressed their dissatisfaction on social media. One viewer tweeted: "Omg how easy is this show now, I got mince pies before he even picked the letters, actually even my dog got the answer." Another commented: "It's so boring sorry. #WheelOfFortune." A third viewer remarked: "At least make it challenging #wheeloffortune," while another was puzzled: "How did he get not get that #wheeloffortune." Graham Norton hosted the show (Image: ITV) Read More Related Articles Coronation Street confirms how long Rob Donovan is really back for as actor issues four-word message Read More Related Articles Coronation Street's Joel Deering star gets 'best present ever' after exit as storyline 'not ended' The episode's simplicity sparked frustration among fans, particularly when the phrase 'mince pies' was deemed too straightforward. The confusion continued as Joanna Page struggled with the phrase 'Ding Dong Merrily on High Heels', which she only solved after all the letters were revealed, much to the audience's bemusement. This Christmas special sets the stage for a nine-episode run of the regular series, which is set to commence in the New Year. Graham will be back for a new series next year (Image: ITV) Graham Norton, the host of the show, expressed his enthusiasm about the return of the series: "I'm thrilled we are coming back for a second series to challenge more contestants to solve more word puzzles and hopefully they come away with even more cash. It's a game of skill and luck, so you just never know which way it will go and I'm excited to see who can hold their nerve against the wheel." Katie Rawcliffe, from ITV's Head of Entertainment Commissioning, also shared her excitement regarding the show's comeback: "We are excited to bring back this iconic game show for a second series after a successful launch earlier this year. Graham with his wit and humour is the perfect host for this fun, exciting, fast paced game of luck and skill." *Wheel of Fortune is available to catch up on ITVX.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Hundreds of Staten Island residents lined New Dorp Lane between New Dorp High School and Cedar Grove Lane, emerging from their homes at about 5 p.m., phones in hand, to witness a fleet of four presidential helicopters land in Miller Field. The flashing lights of dozens of first responder vehicles illuminated the dark baseball and soccer fields, which were completely cleared and secured before President Joe Biden’s and Dr. Jill Biden’s arrival. “I’m really excited to see him,” said Megan Medina, 13, who was joined by her mother, Marina. “You only see things like this on TV, not in your own neighborhood.” James and Susan Tonrey of Richmond held a handmade sign that read “We love you Joe Biden and First Lady Jill...46.” “There’s been a lot of hub bub about him, but he’s done a very good job, and we wanted to show our respect,” James Tonrey said. “No matter what your political views are, you have to come out and see the sitting president if he’s in your neighborhood,” noted Victoria McFarland of New Dorp Beach, who set up a few beach chairs on the sidewalk with friends. “It’s definitely something to see.” “I support Joe Biden, he did a lot of good things. That’s why I wanted to come out,” added Rosemarie Hogan who lives within walking distance of Miller Field. Support for Trump was thick, however, as many homes still prominently displayed Trump/Vance signs on their porches and front lawns. One onlooker even carried a large Trump flag on his back as he walked the length of the street. “This is killer for me,” noted Dominick “Griff” Griffo, who owns Griff’s Place, located right across the street from Miller Field. “Tables are usually full this time of night, but they closed everything off for this. They gave no notice and started towing cars. Very hard to conduct business on a night like this.” Kids took advantage of the closed street, however, riding bikes freely in the middle of the block, halting only to catch a glimpse of the president’s touch-down. “We basically live in the middle of nowhere, nothing ever happens in Staten Island,” noted 16-year-old Daniel Belyayev who walked the closed roadway with friends to see what all the commotion was about. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing. No matter who you voted for or what you believe, this is definitely something to see.” Once landed, the president waved quickly to the hundreds of people lined up behind the barricades then proceeded via motorcade to U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York in Fort Wadsworth. The Bidens were greeted by U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York brass, including Captain Jonathan Andrechik, Sector Command and his spouse Mary Andrechik; Captain Doreen McCarthy, Deputy Sector commander; and Master Chief Daniel Phillips, Command senior enlisted leader. Past Presidential Visits The last time a sitting president visited Staten Island was in 2012, when then-President Barack Obama visited New Dorp to speak with residents and survey the damage after Hurricane Sandy. In 2016, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton visited Staten Island on the same day for separate events during their presidential campaigns. More than 1,000 people turned out to hear Trump speak at the Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Brunch at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield. While Clinton, held a get-out-the-vote event attended by more than 500 people at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Livingston. Reporting from The Washington Post White House pool reporting was used in this report. More on President Joe Biden's Visit to Staten IslandCONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Colin Granger's 20 points helped Coastal Carolina defeat Warner 75-53 on Sunday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Colin Granger's 20 points helped Coastal Carolina defeat Warner 75-53 on Sunday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Colin Granger’s 20 points helped Coastal Carolina defeat Warner 75-53 on Sunday night. Granger added 12 rebounds for the Chanticleers (7-6, 0-1 Sun Belt Conference). Rasheed Jones added 17 points while going 7 of 14 (2 for 7 from 3-point range) and had nine rebounds. Blaize Darling Jr. led the Royals in scoring, finishing with 18 points and four steals. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Quinton Morton-Robertson's 16 points helped Purdue Fort Wayne defeat Green Bay 83-67 on Sunday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Quinton Morton-Robertson's 16 points helped Purdue Fort Wayne defeat Green Bay 83-67 on Sunday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Quinton Morton-Robertson’s 16 points helped Purdue Fort Wayne defeat Green Bay 83-67 on Sunday night. Morton-Robertson had three steals for the Mastodons (10-5, 3-1 Horizon League). Jalen Jackson added 15 points while going 6 of 11 from the field and had five assists. Trey Lewis shot 3 for 6 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points. The Phoenix (2-13, 0-4) were led in scoring by Preston Ruedinger, who finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Green Bay also got 11 points from Ryan Wade. The loss is the 10th in a row for the Phoenix. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. AdvertisementKUWAIT: The Human Resources Group at National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) remains integral to the bank’s continued success, focusing on the development of human capital and the nurturing of professional talent. By fostering a work environment that inspires creativity and innovation, the department plays a critical role in advancing the bank’s strategic goals. Additionally, it is committed to attracting and providing job opportunities for young Kuwaiti talent, ensuring a strong workforce that supports the group’s ongoing growth and aspirations. Throughout the year, the Human Resources Group has tirelessly worked to foster creativity, innovation, and continuous development. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in helping employees build promising, sustainable careers, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to talent development and long-term success. The year 2024 marked a defining moment for the Human Resources Department at NBK, underscoring its central role within the group. The department achieved significant milestones, which were celebrated with multiple prestigious awards, further solidifying NBK’s leadership both regionally and globally. Emad Al-Ablani, General Manager–Head of Human Resources Group at NBK, remarked: “Throughout 2024, we successfully achieved all of our interim objectives, which focused on enhancing the capabilities of our workforce across all levels. These initiatives promoted diversity and inclusion in the workplace, attracted and nurtured young national talent, and emphasized a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours. Ultimately, our goal was to create a more prosperous and supportive work environment for all our employees.” “The HR team played a crucial role in the bank’s successes this year, executing numerous initiatives with excellence that directly contributed to the achievement of our strategic goals and plans set at the outset of the year,” Al-Ablani added. Al-Ablani highlighted that the HR team spearheaded numerous initiatives throughout 2024. Furthermore, the team focused on enhancing educational infrastructure and expanding career development programs in collaboration with prestigious universities and global experts. More than just a workplace Al-Ablani emphasized that NBK is committed to cultivating a distinctive work environment, centered around the motto “More than just a workplace.” This approach not only enhances the overall well-being of employees but also prioritizes their mental and physical health, empowering them to perform at their best. Al-Ablani further highlighted that the bank’s human resources strategy is built on four key pillars: Ensuring the right competencies are placed in the right roles at the right time; preparing future leaders by fostering a culture of inspiration and empowerment; attracting top talent through effective recruitment, retention, and development practices; and creating a sustainable performance culture that supports diversity, inclusion, clear results management, and employee protection. “NBK stands out as one of the few institutions in Kuwait that provides a unique and ideal work environment on par with global institutions. This is due to the exceptional professional development opportunities it offers, as well as its commitment to employee welfare. Notable initiatives include the adoption of flexible working hours and the introduction of paternity leave, allowing fathers to stay home and bond with their newborns,” Al-Ablani added. He emphasized that education and training initiatives form a core element of NBK’s strategic plans. The bank has developed a robust framework prioritizing career development, mentorship, and a variety of professional growth opportunities. This comprehensive approach is designed to help employees shape their career trajectories and cultivate an environment where they can succeed and drive innovation. Investing in human capital NBK continued to support its young workforce in 2024 by offering top-tier training and development programs aligned with international standards. The goal was to cultivate a generation of highly skilled bankers across all fields, with a particular emphasis on digital disciplines. These fields have become increasingly essential as banking transactions evolve, driven by cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence. In 2024, the Learning and Development Department intensified its focus on specialized training to refine employee skills. Through a combination of initiatives, workshops, and educational programs, the department aligned its efforts with the dynamic changes in the banking sector. NBK provided a total of 101,463 training hours across the group, with 86,374 hours dedicated to employees in NBK-Kuwait and 15,089 hours allocated to employees in international locations. This effort engaged 3,476 employees, including 2,913 at NBK-Kuwait and 563 at international locations. Notably, the employee satisfaction rate for all training courses and development programs reached an impressive 90 percent. The first cohort of the NBK Tech Academy, the first initiative of its kind in Kuwait, successfully graduated 10 promising young Kuwaiti talents. Over a rigorous seven-month training period, these participants honed their skills in vital areas such as digital technology, data systems, cybersecurity, digital payments, and artificial intelligence. In addition to gaining technical expertise, the program also emphasized the development of personal skills, all aimed at equipping the graduates for impactful careers in the banking sector. The bank has also launched two distinguished sales team programs, the “NBK Pioneers Program” and the “Prime Program,” engaging 79 employees. Specifically tailored for sales channel employees and leaders, these initiatives target a select group of talented NBK staff with a proven track record of exceptional performance and leadership potential. The core focus of the programs lies in management and leadership specializations. In 2024, NBK Group achieved a remarkable improvement in engagement, with the overall response rate rising to 86 percent, and sustainable engagement reaching 84 percent. These figures exceed the global average for the financial services sector by 7 percent. As part of its commitment to advancing the capabilities of its workforce and fostering development based on the highest standards of excellence, the bank has entered an exclusive partnership with the renowned IE University, Spain. This collaboration focuses on several key areas, including talent development, driving institutional innovation, creating and implementing integrated solutions, and leveraging the university’s expertise in both applied and academic research. Women empowerment In 2024, NBK launched the second edition of the NBK RISE program, aimed at empowering and supporting women. The program saw the participation of 25 trainees from various professional backgrounds, including those from NBK-Kuwait, international branches, NBK Wealth, and several renowned regional companies. These included Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Ooredoo, Kuwait Banking Association, Abyat, Gulf Bank, Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz), J’s Bakery, and Intervest Capital Partners New York. This initiative further underscores NBK’s commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women in the workplace. NBK RISE stands as a pioneering initiative, being the first program of its kind designed specifically to support women leaders. Its core objective is to enhance the leadership roles of women, equipping them with the skills and qualifications needed for top executive positions. This program is fully aligned with the bank’s broader strategy to elevate women’s leadership both within the organization and beyond—extending its impact to the country, region, and globally. Talent acquisition The Talent Acquisition Department continued its efforts to build a dynamic workforce to support the bank’s growth trajectory, successfully recruiting 373 new employees in 2024.This marked a notable increase in the bank’s local hiring efforts, with new female employees accounting for 36.4 percent of the total workforce. Additionally, the department managed 98 internal recruitment announcements across various bank departments. The bank’s commitment to nurturing talent positions NBK as the employer of choice for fresh Kuwaiti graduates, providing a pathway for future leadership roles within the organization. The bank remained dedicated to maintaining a strong Kuwaitization strategy throughout 2024, actively participating in seven career fairs where recruiting national talent was prioritized. Additionally, the bank took steps to exclusively recruit Kuwaiti nationals for certain specialized roles. The Kuwaitization rate rose to 77.1 percent in alignment with the Central Bank of Kuwait’s (CBK) requirements, reflecting the bank’s strategic focus on attracting and nurturing local talent. This approach ensures the sustainability of the workforce and supports the bank’s commitment to expanding the scope of national talent recruitment. NBK also adopts a distinctive approach to ensuring equal opportunities, guaranteeing fairness for all its employees without exception. This commitment is reflected in the fact that women represent 44.6 percent of the total workforce, a remarkable achievement within both the banking sector and the regional labor market. Sustainable practices As part of its ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability practices across all its operations, NBK Group’s HR department has introduced NBK HR Pedia, a digital assistant designed to provide employees with 24/7 access to HR support and information. This tool offers instant answers to HR-related inquiries, streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency. In addition, the bank has implemented an integrated archiving program that digitizes and secures employee documents in a sophisticated electronic system. This initiative not only ensures efficient information management and easy access when needed, but also plays a crucial role in reducing paper waste, aligning with the bank’s broader environmental sustainability goals and efforts to lower its carbon footprint. Furthermore, in 2024, the bank placed a strong emphasis on fostering a culture of continuous learning, leveraging automation and digital platforms to enhance performance quality. The Learning and Development team successfully rolled out the Prime Leadership Program, which focused on cultivating essential leadership competencies for branch and area managers. A total of 62 managers participated in this initiative, which covered key areas such as strategic thinking, market trend forecasting, informed decision-making for long-term growth, and developing high-performing teams. Additionally, the Professional Leader Program saw the participation of 106 leaders from various bank divisions. Prestigious awards Throughout 2024, the Human Resources Department’s continuous efforts were rewarded with six prestigious awards, further strengthening NBK’s global reputation for excellence. Notably, the bank received the Gold Award for “Excellence in Health and Wellbeing” from the US-based Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This recognition highlights NBK’s initiatives in promoting employee health, demonstrating an understanding of the link between well-being and productivity. The bank’s commitment to this cause is reflected in its health and wellness programs, which foster an environment that not only prioritizes employee well-being but also contributes to enhanced organizational performance. The bank was also honored with the title of Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in Kuwait by the global financial publication, Euromoney. This award highlighted the effectiveness of the NBK RISE program, reflecting the bank’s unwavering commitment to empowering women and promoting their advancement into leadership roles within the organization. NBK also received the Excellence in Sustainable Investment in MENA award at the MEED Banking Excellence Awards 2024 for the third consecutive year. This recognition celebrated the NBK Academy program, a legacy of success spanning over 16 years. The program is designed to enable new university graduates from Kuwaiti youth to enter the banking sector. Furthermore, the bank received two esteemed accolades from the Brandon Hall Group of Excellence: recognition in the “Best Advance in Compliance Training” category for the NBK Highfliers program and as the Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in Kuwait. Additionally, the NBK RISE program was honored with MERIT’s Special Recognition for Developing Women Leaders, underscoring the bank’s commitment to cultivating leadership and championing inclusivity across all facets of its operations. Added value for employees To enhance employee satisfaction and provide additional value, the HR Department has introduced new financial benefits tailored specifically to employees. These include exclusive fixed deposit interest rates and an extended interest-free loan program, enabling employees to apply for a second loan upon full repayment of the first. Additionally, working hours on Thursdays have been reduced by one hour, and employees are granted three days of welfare leave, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to promoting work-life balance and employee well-being. The Strategic Business Support Partners Department has been instrumental in establishing the Digital Banking Group, a key driver of NBK’s digital transformation journey. This group is dedicated to developing innovative digital products, applications, and systems while attracting top-tier digital talent to the bank. By enhancing the expertise of these professionals and enabling them to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the department ensures alignment with NBK’s strategic vision for digital innovation and transformation. Moreover, the Human Resources Department has embraced Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology to automate a variety of routine processes and procedures. By leveraging RPA as a digital workforce, the department has significantly enhanced operational efficiency, minimized human errors, and freed up employees to focus on complex, value-added tasks. The Human Resources Department introduced a bi-annual performance self-review process to enhance alignment and mutual recognition of performance between managers and employees. This initiative fosters a culture of transparency within the bank, encouraging open communication and collaboration while ensuring performance expectations are clearly understood and consistently evaluated.
— BIRTH NAME: James Earl Carter, Jr. — BORN: Oct. 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for an entire century . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where he was granted tenure in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Source: Jimmy Carter Library & MuseumThe following scores are collected from either the Michigan High School Athletic Association or the Associated Press. These are scores from Nov. 23 for football playoff state semifinals. If you have missing scores, email japurcell@mlive.com ASAP. DIVISION 1