Zerbor Introduction The VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF ( NYSEARCA: MORT ) has significantly underperformed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ( SPY ) so far in 2024, delivering a ~0.4% gain against the ~26% total return for the S&P 500 tracking ETF: I Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Upset Watch: Gophers lead No. 4 Penn State at halftime, 19-16
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The Salvation Army says its donations are down 50 per cent compared to last year, due to the Canada Post work stoppage. Glenn van Gulik, the divisional secretary for public relations with charity, tells CTV News Ottawa they haven’t been able to receive mail-in donations or send out their donation appeals since Nov. 15, when the strike began. “That's preventing individuals from receiving the direct mail that they're so used to at this time of the year,” he said. “Also it's preventing individuals from actually sending their mail back to us with that cheque. This strike couldn't have come at a worse time for The Salvation Army.” November and December account for roughly 65 per cent of the organization’s fundraising every year, when the spirit of giving is in the air. “The strike is having a dramatic impact, preventing all those funds from coming in to support the work at The Salvation Army,” van Gulik continued. The lack of mail-in donations has put more importance on The Salvation Army’s other methods of fundraising, like their signature kettles, set up in malls and grocery stores over the holidays. Brockville, Ont. resident John Agnew has been volunteering with the charity for 10 years. “I love doing it. And I love meeting people,” he said. “It's great to have donations for people that are less fortunate than ourselves.” Donations are also accepted at Salvationarmy.ca or over the phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Union steps back on wage demand: report More than 55,000 Canada Post employees across the country have been striking for over three weeks. On Mondy, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reportedly dropped its wage demands to 19 per cent over four years and dropped the demand to merge the urban and rural bargaining units. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 21 Stocking Stuffers Under $5 For Everyone On Your List (And They're All From Amazon Canada) 19 Practical Gifts That Anyone Would Love To Unwrap 23 Great Secret Santa Gifts Under $15 From Amazon Canada Home The Good Stuff: Our Favourite Christmas Lights For 2024 Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts The Best Gifts For 10-Year-Old Girls 19 Gifts Under $50 That Are Better Than A Gift Card 20 Of The Best Gifts Worth Splurging On In 2024 Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING DRIZZLE ADVISORY | Up to 5 cm of snow, freezing drizzle expected in Ottawa Treasury Board president accuses PSAC of sharing 'misleading information' on $1.9 billion public service pension surplus BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations City closes pedestrian bridge over Rideau River for winter use Syrians in Ottawa react to fall of Assad regime Salvation Army seeing significant drop in donations due to Canada Post strike OC Transpo fare hike will cost Ottawa school bus authority extra $4.6 million this school year City of Ottawa ends endorsement deal with water line insurer CTVNews.ca Top Stories LIVE UPDATES | Police found fake IDs, 'ghost gun' and silencer on Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Penn., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats. Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time. Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire." Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday. Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Atlantic Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday. New report states cancer comes at a high physical and financial cost to Canadians A new report from the Canadian Cancer Society states, on average, a Canadian with cancer pays $33,000 out of their own pocket. 'Time of fear is behind us': Syrian-Maritimer reacts to the fall of the Syrian government Some Syrian-Canadians are greeting the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Toronto A 'traffic crisis': Economic, social impact of congestion cost Ontario more than $50B in 2024, study finds The cost of lost economic opportunities in the GTHA due to congestion totaled more than $10 billion in 2024 and that number rose to more than $47 billion when factoring in the “social impacts” that diminish a commuter’s quality of life, according to a new report. East Toronto shooting victim was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother A 34-year-old woman fatally shot inside of a home in Toronto's east end on Sunday evening was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother. LIVE UPDATES | Police found fake IDs, 'ghost gun' and silencer on Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Penn., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. Montreal 'Looking for the Weinstein of Quebec': impresario Gilbert Rozon's civil trial begins Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's civil trial for sexual assault opened Monday at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer portraying him as the scapegoat in a hunt to find Quebec's Harvey Weinstein. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Thousands without power in the West Island Thousands of people in Montreal’s West Island are without power on Monday evening, with the majority in Dollard-des-Ormeaux followed by Dorval and Kirkland. Northern Ontario Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away. Murder suspect from TO loses bid to have trial moved out of 'vermin' infested Sudbury jail A man charged with a 2022 murder on Manitoulin Island will be tried in Sudbury, after a judge rejected arguments from the defence that Toronto or North Bay would be more convenient for his client. ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot Windsor Woman dies after vehicle crashes into south Windsor home Windsor police say a 73-year-old woman has died after a vehicle hit a house in south Windsor. Windsor’s high unemployment rate doesn’t paint the whole picture: Experts New Statistic Canada number show there were over 18,000 people still unemployed in our area and looking for work in November. Local organizations suffering due to postal strike Local organizations are seeing a lack of donations as Canada Post continues its strike. London Craigwood Youth Services to cease operations after more than 70 years The interim executive director issued a statement saying the organization faces significant funding challenges and a shifting landscape for delivering their services. Train hits vehicle in Thames Centre: OPP The Middlesex OPP have confirmed a train collided with a vehicle in Thames Centre. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Kitchener Salvation Army says mail-in donations down almost 40 per cent in Kitchener-Waterloo The Salvation Army has seen a big drop in donations this holiday season. Transport truck collision closes part of Highway 401 near Homer Watson One lane of Highway 401, through Kitchener, was closed Monday after a transport truck driver took evasive action to avoid a crash. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Barrie Man accused in Good Samaritan's death violates court-imposed order while in jail Brandon Aaron has been found guilty of violating a court-imposed non-communication order while behind bars in Penetanguishene. Freezing rain creates slick conditions in Simcoe County After all the snowfall that hit Muskoka and Simcoe County over the last week, Barrie and many other parts of the region are under a freezing rain warning as of Sunday evening. Horse-drawn buggy collision with straight truck sends 4 to hospital Four people were taken to the hospital after a collision involving a horse-drawn carriage and a straight truck in Southgate Township near Dundalk. Winnipeg The snow is here: How much snow fell in Winnipeg and parts of Manitoba? A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday. 11 train cars derail, closing Manitoba road for hours A train derailment near Portage la Prairie had traffic closed for several hours and almost a dozen railcars completely off the tracks. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Calgary BREAKING | Parents charged in toddler son's death plead guilty to manslaughter The parents accused in the death of their 18-month-old son pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a Calgary courtroom Monday. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Alberta cancels foreign worker recruitment trip to United Arab Emirates The Alberta government says it has pulled the plug on a foreign worker recruitment mission in the United Arab Emirates scheduled for early next year. Edmonton Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Largest AI data centre in the world to be built in northwest Alberta The world's largest Artificial Intelligence data centre will be built in northwest Alberta and comes with an estimated $70 billion price tag. Man dies from injuries sustained during assault: Edmonton police Police are investigating the death of a man in central Edmonton over the weekend. Regina Sask. Court of Appeal denies White City's request to annex 4,000 acres from RM of Edenwold A land dispute that's been taking place just east of Regina for the past six years has been put to rest, according to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Edenwold. Regina homicide suspect makes national most wanted list A man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting in Regina earlier this year is now among Canada's top 25 most wanted. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Saskatoon Emergency crews searching the South Saskatchewan River for body of missing man Saskatoon police and firefighters have begun searching the South Saskatchewan River for the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing late last month. Sask. RCMP lay murder charge in fatal February shooting The Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in North Battleford. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Vancouver 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. Inmate dies at B.C. minimum-security prison A 33-year-old man has died while in custody at a federal minimum-security prison in British Columbia. Vancouver Island B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. Feds send $148M to B.C. in disaster recovery funds for floods, wildfires The federal government is paying out more than $148 million in disaster recovery funding to British Columbia in response to recent flooding and record-breaking wildfire seasons. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay Connected
NEW YORK — A slide for market superstar Nvidia on Monday knocked Wall Street off its big rally and helped drag U.S. stock indexes down from their records. The Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 0.6%, coming off its 57th all-time high of the year so far. The Dow Jones industrial average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite pulled back 0.6% from its own record. Nvidia’s fall of 2.5% was by far the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 after China said it’s investigating the company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. Nvidia has skyrocketed to become one of Wall Street’s most valuable companies because its chips are driving much of the world’s move into artificial-intelligence technology. That gives its stock’s movements more sway on the S&P 500 than nearly every other. Nvidia’s drop overshadowed gains in Hong Kong and for Chinese stocks trading in the United States on hopes that China will deliver more stimulus for the world’s second-largest economy. Roughly 3 in 7 of the stocks in the S&P 500 also rose. The week’s highlight for Wall Street will arrive midweek, when the latest updates on inflation arrive. Economists expect Wednesday’s report to show the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling remained stuck at close to last month’s level. A separate report Thursday, meanwhile, could show an acceleration in inflation at the wholesale level. They’re the last big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week on interest rates. The widespread expectation is still that the central bank will cut its main interest rate for the third time this year. The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to offer more help for the slowing job market, after bringing inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower interest rates can ease the brakes off the economy, but they can also offer more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts from the Fed have been a major reason the S&P 500 has set so many all-time highs this year. “Investors should enjoy this rally while it lasts — there’s little on the horizon to disrupt the momentum through year-end,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, though he warns stocks could stumble soon because of how overheated they’ve gotten. On Wall Street, Interpublic Group rose 3.6% after rival Omnicom said it would buy the marketing and communications firm in an all-stock deal. The pair had combined revenue of $25.6 billion last year. Omnicom, meanwhile, sank 10.2%. Macy’s climbed 1.8% after an activist investor, Barington Capital Group, called on the retailer to buy back at least $2 billion of its own stock over the next three years and make other moves to help boost its share price. Super Micro Computer rose 0.5% after saying it got an extension that will keep its stock listed on the Nasdaq through Feb. 25, as it works to file its delayed annual report and other required financial statements. This month, the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board after the resignation of its public auditor. All told, the S&P 500 fell 37.42 points to 6,052.85. The Dow dipped 240.59 points to 44,401.93, and the Nasdaq composite lost 123.08 points to close at 19,736.69. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rallied 1.7% to $68.37 after the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, who sought asylum in Moscow. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 1.4% to $72.14 per barrel. The price of gold also rose 1% to $2,685.80 per ounce amid the uncertainty created by the end of the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. In stock markets abroad, the Hang Seng jumped 2.8% in Hong Kong after top Chinese leaders agreed on a “moderately loose” monetary policy for the world’s second-largest economy. That’s a shift away from a more cautious, “prudent” stance for the first time in 10 years. A major planning meeting this week could also bring more stimulus for the Chinese economy. U.S.-listed stocks of several Chinese companies climbed, including a 12.4% jump for electric-vehicle company Nio and a 7.4% rise for Alibaba Group. Stocks in Shanghai, though, were roughly flat. In Seoul, South Korea’s Kospi slumped 2.8% as the fallout continues from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law last week in the midst of a budget dispute. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.19% from 4.15% late Friday. Choe writes for the Associated Press. AP business writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.
Ardova set to consolidate investment in Nigeria to drive sustainable growth
Article content From taking it all off to selling it all off, an adult film star has sold her likeness to an AI company to reduce the pressures of her career. Chloe Amour, 33, has worked in the adult entertainment industry for years. Still, the Las Vegas-based performer recently decided to let her virtual alter ego shoulder some of the workload when unavailable. In what is becoming a growing trend, adult entertainers are using AI to maintain their presence online. “When I chat with my fans directly, sometimes there’s things that they want to talk about with me or there’s things that they want from me that I might not be able to give them,” she told the Daily Mail , per the New York Post . “But through AI, they have the same likeness of me and it’s like I can be everything that they want me to be, in a sense.” Amour made it known that she’s not trying to pull the wool over the eyes of her customers. “It’s very transparent because they’re aware that this is AI, it’s not me physically behind the device communicating with you — you know what you’re paying for,” she said. An AI company recently approached Amour with an offer to create her virtual counterpart. For a fee, she gave the company photos, videos and personal details to create the AI version. She said that AI still feels “scary and weird” to her at times, but she appreciates the ability to lighten her workload. “When you’re booked for (porn) shoots, you’re at the beck and call of that company,” she said. “You’re gonna be on set for anywhere between, four, six, eight, 10, 12 hours, who knows?” RECOMMENDED VIDEO It hasn’t all happened flawlessly. “I should’ve signed up with them sooner because I would’ve gotten a bigger bonus!” she said with a laugh. It’s all part of a new wave of technology to hit the industry. In some cases, fans can now create their own custom virtual partners, from their appearance to their personality traits, hobbies and sexual preferences. Platforms such as CamSoda have even allowed users to build personalized AI “girlfriends” that become permanent features on the site. Greg Isenburg, CEO of Late Checkout, predicted that “AI girlfriends” will create $1 billion in business, saying in a recent blog that he met a man in Miami who admitted that he spends $10,000 per month on AI girlfriends. Facebook and Instagram reportedly host thousands of explicit ads for AI-generated companions and “girlfriend” apps.Some elite U.S. universities favor wealthy students in admissions decisions, lawsuit alleges
Waymo Robotaxi Still Has Some Kinks To Work OutFrom now through December 24th, Apple will be offering free two-hour delivery from your local for last minute holiday gifts. This offer yesterday. Of course, you have to live close to an in an eligible area in the US & Canada to take advantage of this offer, and your nearest store would need to have the products in stock. This free delivery offer is only available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats, which should cover most peoples needs. Normally, this 2 hour delivery service costs an extra $9. Apple partners with local couriers such as DoorDash and Uber to make this service possible. If you want to pick up an for a loved one, now would be the time to do so! Apple doesn’t offer the best deals most of the time, but this is a surefire way of making sure your gift arrives in time for the holidays. I’ve also gathered a list of good Apple deals on Amazon that should deliver before Christmas at the time of writing, though your mileage may vary. These prices will be lower than what Apple currently offers: From now through December 24th, Apple will be offering free two-hour delivery from your local for last minute holiday gifts. This offer yesterday. Of course, you have to live close to an in an eligible area in the US & Canada to take advantage of this offer, and your nearest store would need to have the products in stock. This free delivery offer is only available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats, which should cover most peoples needs. Normally, this 2 hour delivery service costs an extra $9. Apple partners with local couriers such as DoorDash and Uber to make this service possible. If you want to pick up an for a loved one, now would be the time to do so! Apple doesn’t offer the best deals most of the time, but this is a surefire way of making sure your gift arrives in time for the holidays. I’ve also gathered a list of good Apple deals on Amazon that should deliver before Christmas at the time of writing, though your mileage may vary. These prices will be lower than what Apple currently offers:
ST. THOMAS – Johnny Kinziger made a pair of free throws with 5.8 seconds left, and Alabama-Birmingham missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Illinois State took an 84-83 victory Saturday in a consolation-round game at the Paradise Jam tournament. The Blazers (3-4) had taken an 83-82 lead on Alejandro Vasquez’s second-chance 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, but Kinziger was fouled by UAB’s Tyren Moore bringing the ball upcourt. With the Blazers already in the double bonus with 12 fouls, that sent Kinziger to the line for two free throws. He made both – the game’s 14th lead change. After a time out, UAB’s Efrem Johnson missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer. That sends the Redbirds (4-2) on to Monday’s fifth-place game against the winner between Louisiana (1-4) and George Washington (4-1) at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Alabama-Birmingham will play in the seventh-place game against the loser. Kinziger finished with a game-high 21 points to lead four players in double figures for Illinois State. Chase Walker added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Dalton Banks and Ty Pence had 10 points each. Vasquez led the Blazers with 19 points. Johnson finished with 18 points and Yaxe Lendeborg had 14 points and seven assists.I would love to revolutionize your Thanksgiving Day speeches, but I must admit that the blessings I feel gratitude for are embarrassingly mundane. I mean, I am thankful for weekends, babies, walks in the rain, comfy sofas, random acts of kindness, the fact that I pay so little attention at work, I am permanently exempted from having to sign a non-disclosure agreement... I am thankful that the descendants of Abraham have been blessed to be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore, although they do fall short of the number of artificial ingredients in a box of breakfast cereal. I am thankful that some states’ vote-counting pace provides a perfect strategy for dieters. (“Whoa! It turns out that combo meal I ate last Tuesday had 2,000 calories! I’ll have to take that into account the Thursday after next, when I find out how many calories this here chocolate fountain packs!”) I am thankful that my taste buds can accommodate sour grapes. That makes it easier when my smartphone camera announces, “Storage full!” just as I’m about to snap some once-in-a-lifetime photograph. (“Ah, who needs a photo of Bigfoot hiding a lost John Lennon recording in Amelia Earhart’s plane, anyway?”) I am thankful that – if there’s any justice in the world – all those clothing designers who refuse to standardize sizes and cuts will someday find themselves not quite fitting into their caskets or urns. I am thankful that I can still manage to fake detecting a difference between 500 permutations of (faintly) scented candles. (“Ah, yes – the Buttcheeks & Boysenberry! I shall savor the experience until my dying day! Perhaps you would enjoy a little something I call Eau de Exertion of Just Turning On The %$#@ Lamp. Wait, there’s more! I’m also marketing a new game called Just What Foul Odor Is Debbie Trying To Mask, Anyway?”) I am thankful that if you smile, the world smiles with you – although not necessarily at the same time and not without sneezing, half-closed eyes and devil horns. I am thankful that I may someday be as famous as Robert Oppenheimer, since my kitchen junk drawer is finally approaching critical mass. I am thankful that folks tolerate my inability to remember names, but let’s be honest: most people don’t have names that are that memorable to start with. You can ask (let me consult my list here) my mechanic Brad Pitt, my accountant Babe Ruth and my neighbor John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. I am thankful that there has been a pause in cases of zealots trying to “cram their ideas down your throat.” Of course, the tentative plan to infect you with their opinions via a patch is alarming in its own right. (“No, wait. Better yet: you can now scan this QR Code to have all your beliefs ridiculed to the core!”) I am thankful to find teachable moments in life, although some days I’m less inclined to impart my years of wisdom than to announce, “Hey, go raid your grandparents’ closet and do a Seventies dress-up day!” Don’t take things for granted this Thanksgiving. Show a little reverence. In the words of the patriarch Isaac, “Hey, Dad, the next time you want to try a burnt offering, might I suggest a box of Fruity Pebbles, instead?”Local Mayor Vows to Resist Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan
Lewandowski scores his 100th Champions League goal. 3rd player to reach the milestoneChechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has accused Elon Musk of remotely disabling his Tesla Cybertruck, which Kadyrov claimed was a gift from Musk. The Chechen leader made the allegations in a Telegram post, criticizing Musk's actions as "unmanly." What Happened: Kadyrov, who has governed Chechnya since 2007, claimed the modified Cybertruck, equipped with a machine gun, was intended for use in the war against Ukraine. "Elon Musk behaved badly. He gives expensive gifts from the heart, and then turns them off remotely," Kadyrov wrote . He also noted in the post that he had to tow the vehicle after it was disabled. While Kadyrov asserted that Musk had personally gifted him the Cybertruck, Musk has categorically denied the claim. The mystery surrounding how Kadyrov obtained the vehicle is heightened by the fact that US sanctions prohibit direct export of the Cybertruck to Chechnya. Earlier in August, Kadyrov had publicly showcased the vehicle, calling it a "Cyberbeast" and praising its technology . Also Read: Putin Pal? Elon Musk Fires Back At Critics Accusing Him Of Supporting Russia Experts have voiced skepticism about the utility of the Cybertruck in combat scenarios. Mark Cancian , a senior advisor with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the vehicle would be "totally useless" on the battlefield due to its weight and charging requirements. Despite Kadyrov's assertions of the truck's combat readiness, analysts doubt its practicality in war zones. This incident highlights broader concerns regarding Tesla's vehicle security and the potential misuse of its products in conflict areas. The ability to remotely disable vehicles could raise questions about the implications for international security and Tesla's reputation as a global brand. Read Next Elon Musk’s Controversial Civil War Prophecy: Is Europe On The Edge? This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Driver charged following collision with hydro box that plunged Listowel into darkness Saturday
Political Unity: We need to borrow a leaf from Kebbi – Sultan urges Sokoto
This review contains spoilers Over nine weeks of polite baking, this year’s Bake Off batch of 12 have been whittled down to just three. But only one could take home the prized glass cake stand – will it be risk-taking wunderkind Dylan, consistent maestra Georgie, or fastidious maverick Christiaan? Despite summoning all the interest I could muster, I ultimately found precious little to sink my teeth into. For their last signature bake, the trio were tasked with making two batches of scones – 12 sweet, 12 savoury. True to form, Christiaan threw every flavour at the challenge, combining curry, chilli and feta for his savoury scones and coconut and passionfruit for his sweet, while Georgie added raspberries to her sweet mix, mixing olives, cheese and herbs for her savoury. When Dylan (who whipped up pickled strawberries for sweet and celeriac salmon for savoury) and Georgie’s first batches weren’t up to scratch, they had to remake them. This setback seemed to herald the beginning of the end for Dylan – the onset of whatever the televised baking equivalent of the yips is. As the clock ran down, Christiaan ran over to help him with some last-minute piping – but it was too little, too late. When it came time for judging, Christiaan’s neat little discs were a hit, and Georgie’s were messier but ultimately tasty. Dylan’s were a mixed bag – his savoury scones were apparently delicious (they looked like a small horse had trotted over them) and as for his sweet ones, the flavours just weren’t strong enough. Read Next Ban the Hollywood Handshake, sack Noel and turn on the aircon: How to fix Bake Off Visibly shaken by his slip up, you could practically see the 20-year-old internally painting himself into an anxious corner. It was heartbreaking, but the dash of emotional peril did brighten up an otherwise pretty dull finale. All of a sudden, I actually cared how one of the contestants did – a novel feeling, as we approached the technical. Charged with making an afternoon tea display of lemon sandwich cakes, strawberry tarts and egg rolls, the technical tested the bakers’ organisational skills as much as their cooking. “Mess up one of those things and it could snowball,” said judge Paul Hollywood and I’m afraid that for poor Dylan, who had completely psyched himself out by this point, his words proved to be a prophecy. From his messy plaited rolls to his sunken mini sponges, it seemed nothing was going Dylan’s way. He came last and vowed that tomorrow’s showstopper would be “perfect”. More of a nail-nibbling promise, than a nail-biting one. Entering the tent for the final time, the bakers had to make a three-tiered hanging cake, complete with two fillings and exquisite decoration. Georgie excelled, her lemon, strawberry and champagne extravaganza looking as beautiful as it apparently tasted when the judges came to sample it. As for Christiaan, his decision to use experimental flavours – including liquorice in his raspberry jam – ended up hurting his chances, and when Paul pronounced his cake “slightly overbaked” it seemed clear that he was out of the running. But what of our Dylan ? Could he pull it back from the brink? I’m afraid not. Like anyone who has found themselves in an inexplicable rut, Dylan soon discovered lumps of flour in his Genoese sponge, at which point he seemed to (understandably) check out altogether. Ultimately, lovely Georgie was pronounced the winner, proving that the psychology of competition can be as pivotal as technical prowess. While it was hard to watch Dylan lose his nerve, his relatable battle with himself proved the episode’s most interesting arc. Bake Off has been described as stale (an accusation that, frankly, the final did little to counter) but it’s at its most interesting when human idiosyncrasies are added to the mix along with raspberries. Congratulations Georgie, and chin up, Dylan – it happens to the best of us.
Premier League 2024/25: Liverpool held at the death, Arsenal overcome Man UnitedBritain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. While Berlin and other governments said they were watching the fast-moving developments in the war-ravaged nation, Austria signalled it would soon deport refugees back to Syria. Far-right politicians elsewhere made similar demands, including in Germany — home to Europe’s largest Syrian community — at a time when immigration has become a hot-button issue across the continent. Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, reacted with disdain to Sunday’s mass rallies by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assad’s downfall. “Anyone in Germany who celebrates ‘free Syria’ evidently no longer has any reason to flee,” she wrote on X. “They should return to Syria immediately.” World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief at the weekend as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, ending Assad’s brutal rule while also sparking new uncertainty. A German foreign ministry spokesman pointed out that “the fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful developments” in the future. Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with most arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said many Syrian refugees “now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland” but cautioned that “the situation in Syria is currently very unclear”. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for ongoing asylum procedures “until the situation is clearer”. She added that “concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation”. Rights group Amnesty International slammed Germany’s freeze on asylum decisions, stressing that for now “the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear”. The head of the UN refugee agency also cautioned that “patience and vigilance” were needed on the issue of refugee returns. – ‘Repatriation and deportation’ – In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry “to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants”. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had “instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria”. “The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days,” the ministry said, adding it is “currently monitoring and analysing the new situation”. The French interior ministry said it too would put asylum requests from Syrians on hold, with authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway announcing similar moves. Britain’s interior ministry said it was taking the same measure “whilst we assess the current situation”. The Italian government said late Monday after a cabinet meeting that it too was suspending asylum request “in line with other European partners.” The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be “reviewed”. “Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power” in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X. “I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home.” In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assad’s fall will eventually allow “the safe return of Syrian refugees” to their country, but without announcing concrete measures. – ‘Populist and irresponsible’ – In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections. Achim Brotel, president of a grouping of German communes, called for border controls to stop fleeing Assad loyalists reaching Germany. The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection. “If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country,” CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV. CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros ($1,057) to “anyone who wants to return”. A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats criticised the debate as “populist and irresponsible”. Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said “it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria” and deportation talk was “completely out of place”. Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return. “We want to go back to Syria,” said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help “rebuild” his country. “But we have to wait a bit now,” he told AFP. “We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria.” burs-fz/rlp/phz/gv/giv With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Louisiana lawmakers approve huge tax package. Here's what passed from Jeff Landry's proposal