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Eel has been selected as Japan's "Dish of the Year" in 2024, reflecting its popularity among inbound tourists and progress in research to pursue its sustainability amid dwindling catches, a restaurant search website operator said. Gurunavi Inc. also said opportunities to consume eel have expanded beyond celebratory occasions due to an improvement in processing technology, making the fish available in such forms as "onigiri" rice balls. In Japan, researchers are conducting studies to realize a complete aquaculture process, where eels raised from eggs are artificially inseminated to produce the next generation. "We want people to enjoy eels in various forms in daily life, while being aware of the importance of natural eels as a resource," a Gurunavi official said in early December. Japanese craft gin came in second. Domestically distilled products are winning increasing recognition overseas, with various areas of the country starting to create their own gin with different flavors, Gurunavi said. Premium ramen noodles were given the "Inbound Award" on the back of their rising popularity among travelers visiting Japan, the company said, as the recent weakness of the yen has increasingly made it a reasonable yet high-quality dish. An increasing number of ramen shops are differentiating themselves from rivals by adding value to ingredients, noodles and soups, while some have started taking reservations or introducing priority entry, Gurunavi said. The company selects its "Dish of the Year" based on the search history on its website and the results of a questionnaire.

Hezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeks BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah has fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding seven people in one of the militant group’s heaviest barrages in months. Sunday's attacks in northern and central Israel came in response to deadly Israeli strikes in central Beirut on Saturday. Israel struck southern Beirut on Sunday. Meanwhile, negotiators press on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. And Lebanon's military says an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center in the southwest killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. Israel's military has expressed regret and said its operations are directed solely against the militants. Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Somalia says 24 people have died after 2 boats capsized in the Indian Ocean MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia's government says 24 people died after two boats capsized off the Madagascar coast in the Indian Ocean. Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said 46 people were rescued. Most of the passengers were young Somalis, and their intended destination remains unclear. Many young Somalis embark every year on dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities abroad. A delegation led by the Somali ambassador to Ethiopia is scheduled to travel to Madagascar on Monday to investigate the incident and coordinate efforts to help survivors. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Sunday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast last week, killing two people. Republicans lash out at Democrats' claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is 'compromised' FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican lawmakers are pushing back against criticism from some Democrats that President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead U.S. intelligence services is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and a meeting with an ally of that country. The accusation came from Sen. Tammy Duckworth. The Illinois Democrat says she has concerns about the pro-Russian views expressed by Tulsi Gabbard, who was tapped for the post of director of national intelligence. Duckworth’s comments on Sunday drew immediate backlash from Republicans. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. Moscow offers debt forgiveness to new recruits and AP sees wreckage of a new Russian missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The measure, whose final version appeared on a government website Saturday, underscores Russia’s needs for military personnel in the nearly 3-year-old war, even as it fired last week a new intermediate-range ballistic missile. Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives to those willing to fight in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Security Service on Sunday showed The Associated Press wreckage of the new intermediate-range ballistic missile that struck a factory in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. After Trump's win, Black women are rethinking their role as America's reliable political organizers ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump's victory has dismayed many politically engaged Black women, and they're reassessing their enthusiasm for politics and organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote, and they had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Kamala Harris. AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capital ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani security officer says police have arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in Islamabad to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison. Khan has been behind bars for more than a year. But he remains popular and his party says the cases against him are politically motivated. Police Sunday arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters in eastern Punjab province, a Khan stronghold. They include five parliamentarians. Pakistan has sealed off the capital with shipping containers. It also suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns.” 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday.

TCTC Holdings LLC lessened its holdings in Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Free Report ) by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 62,685 shares of the information services provider’s stock after selling 242 shares during the quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC’s holdings in Alphabet were worth $10,396,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc boosted its stake in Alphabet by 75.0% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 140 shares of the information services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Kings Path Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Alphabet during the second quarter valued at $36,000. Denver PWM LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alphabet in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Alphabet in the 2nd quarter worth about $53,000. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alphabet during the 2nd quarter worth about $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 40.03% of the company’s stock. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Alphabet news, CEO Sundar Pichai sold 22,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.67, for a total value of $3,975,075.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,061,806 shares in the company, valued at approximately $364,259,266.02. The trade was a 1.08 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Kavitark Ram Shriram sold 10,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.78, for a total transaction of $1,898,190.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 330,466 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $59,741,643.48. This represents a 3.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders sold 206,795 shares of company stock worth $34,673,866. Corporate insiders own 11.55% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GOOGL Alphabet Trading Down 1.7 % NASDAQ:GOOGL opened at $164.76 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $167.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $170.36. Alphabet Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $127.90 and a fifty-two week high of $191.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 1.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.02 trillion, a PE ratio of 21.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.03. Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The information services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.29. Alphabet had a net margin of 27.74% and a return on equity of 31.66%. The company had revenue of $88.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $72.85 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.55 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Alphabet Inc. will post 7.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alphabet Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 9th. Alphabet’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.61%. Alphabet Company Profile ( Free Report ) Alphabet Inc offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Read More Five stocks we like better than Alphabet What to Know About Investing in Penny Stocks Tesla Investors Continue to Profit From the Trump Trade How to Capture the Benefits of Dividend Increases MicroStrategy’s Stock Dip vs. Coinbase’s Potential Rally Using the MarketBeat Stock Split Calculator Netflix Ventures Into Live Sports, Driving Stock Momentum Receive News & Ratings for Alphabet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alphabet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

PERSONAL FINANCE | TRAVEL In April, the Department of Transportation announced new airline rules requiring prompt automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed. The final rule took effect Oct. 28 and should simplify and speed up the process of receiving your money back due to a canceled or significantly changed flight or delayed luggage. "Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers." According to the Department of Transportation, under the old rules, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund, which made receiving a refund for a canceled or delayed flight a complicated affair. This was seen during the global technology outage in July that disrupted several major airlines and caused thousands of flight cancellations and delays. Many customers were left to wait hours in customer-service lines to start the reimbursement process for their chosen airline. The new rule clearly defines the circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds and how they should be administered, making the reimbursement process much easier if your trip goes awry. According to the Department of Transportation, this is when customers are entitled to a refund: Canceled or significantly changed flights If your flight is canceled or significantly changed and you do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits off ered, you will be refunded. According to the Department of Transportation, significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than three hours domestically and six hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at diff erent airports or flights on diff erent planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability. Significantly delayed baggage return If you file a mishandled-baggage report, you will be entitled to a refund of your checked-bag fee if your luggage is not delivered within 12 hours of your domestic flight arriving at the gate or 15 to 30 hours of your international flight arriving at the gate. Extra services not provided If you pay for an additional service, like in-flight Wi-Fi or a specific seat selection, and you don't receive this accommodation, you are entitled to a refund. The Department of Transportation has also outlined several rules for how refunds will be processed: ■ Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds. Customers will no longer have to explicitly request a refund — which can be a complicated aff air. ■ Prompt: Refunds must be issued within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit-card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. ■ Cash or original form of payment: Airlines must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase. ■ Total amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. This includes all taxes and fees. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Year in Review: North Carolina’s 24 in 2024The Latest: State funeral for Jimmy Carter will be Jan. 9

Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia's betting boom fuels market growth Tabcorp, Sportsbet dominate but consolidation looms Asset manager Tamim tips Bluebet and Pointsbet to perform well The Melbourne Cup earlier this month showcased Australia's love for betting, with more than $221 million wagered on the event. The Australian gambling market is part of a $1.2 trillion global industry, with Aussies spending $25 billion annually. “Australia has some of the highest per capita gambling losses globally,” said a note out of Tamim Asset Management, highlighting the sector’s continued growth despite strict regulations. Sports betting, in particular, has grown significantly, with around $1 billion spent annually, even within the tightly regulated market. Digital platforms, mobile apps and technology like data analytics and AI are shaping the future of gambling, according to Tamim, with in-play and mobile betting especially popular among younger Australians. The sector is also seeing growth in esports, fantasy sports, and blockchain-based betting. However, the industry faces challenges such as margin compression, rising regulatory costs and increased competition. “Operators are adopting more efficient technology and focusing on customer retention,” Tamim explained. Larger companies, like Tabcorp and Sportsbet, dominate the market, but consolidation could create opportunities for investors. “Consolidation often leads to a more stable industry, where larger players have the scale to navigate regulatory challenges,” Tamim added. Tamin's two stock picks Tamim has been closely analysing the Australian betting sector and has identified two smaller-capped stocks that show strong potential for growth in the evolving market. Specifically, the asset manager has recommended Bluebet and PointsBet, noting they are well-positioned to benefit the most from the growth of sports betting and online platforms in Australia. Bluebet (ASX:BBT) BlueBet Holdings, a technology-driven online wagering operator, has seen significant growth following its merger with Betr. "The merger with Betr has been a key move for BlueBet," said Tamim, highlighting the efficient integration that strengthened its market position. One of the major achievements was migrating Betr's customer base onto BlueBet’s platform within just 59 days, which Tamim said was a "remarkable feat. Following the merger, BlueBet has seen positive financial results, with a 100% increase in net win in September compared to last year. "This momentum continued in October, with turnover and net win up by 120% and 140%, respectively," Tamim noted. A key part of BlueBet's strategy is reactivating Betr's customers with targeted marketing around major sporting events, which has helped the company outperform expectations. BlueBet has also increased its cost synergy target to $16.9 million, positioning the company for future profitability. "With a solid cash position, the company is now focused on delivering profitability in the near term," Tamim said, with full-year EBITDA positivity expected in FY25. Looking ahead, BlueBet aims to capture a 10% market share in Australia, with expectations of $15-20 million in EBITDA for FY26. "The integration of Betr and the resulting cost savings are paving the way for future profitability and organic growth," Tamim concluded. Pointsbet (ASX:PBH) PointsBet, a wagering and iGaming company, has seen significant growth, especially in Australia and Canada. In FY24, Australian revenue grew by 10%, with EBITDA rising to $26.8 million, up from just $0.1 million the previous year. "The company’s Australian operations have been solid, with revenue increases driven by both racing and sports betting," said Tamim, noting this marks the fifth consecutive year of positive EBITDA for its Australian business. In Canada, PointsBet's revenue increased by a massive 87%, with Ontario seeing particularly strong growth after the regulation of online sports betting. "PointsBet’s success in Ontario is setting the stage for further growth as other provinces like Alberta and British Columbia are expected to regulate their markets," Tamim added. Technology, including PointsBet’s "Odds Factory" platform, has been a key factor in this expansion, alongside investments in data science and customer relationship management. Looking ahead, PointsBet expects FY25 revenue to be between $280-$290 million, reflecting growth of 14-18%. PointsBet is also on track to achieve EBITDA profitability and cash flow breakeven in FY25. "The company is on track to generate $60 million in EBITDA in the coming years," Tamim stated. Additionally, media reports suggest PointsBet could be a potential acquisition target, with a merger with BlueBet potentially creating significant synergies and up to $30 million in cost savings. Originally published as Hot Money Monday: As sports-betting market consolidates, BlueBet and PointsBet could be ones to watch More related stories Stockhead Neurotech receives vital ethics approval Stockhead TV’s Sarah Hughan brings you today’s Break it Down, detailing the new human pharmacokinetic study from Neurotech. Read more Stockhead EZZ finds Chinese market a thing of beauty Following key online promotional events, EZZ Life Sciences reports surging Chinese sales of its health and beauty products. Read moreJosh Allen, Bills crush Jets, secure No. 2 seed in AFC

Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 6 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Micron Technology was up 1% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, Amazon was down 0.6%, and Netflix gave up 1.1%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.9%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.7% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.8%, Best Buy was up 2.2% and Dollar Tree gained 2.7%. Retailers are hoping for a solid sales this holiday season, and the day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4% and 16%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.57% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.

NoneFormer President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, coming up on two years after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: President Joe Biden has scheduled a state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the U.S. Carter, the longest-lived former president, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Biden also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday praised Carter for his significant contributions to international peace through the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal treaties. “President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” Guterres said in a statement. "He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. “President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity,” Guterres said. King Charles III joined leaders from around the world in issuing their condolences and sharing their reflections on the former president. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter," the king said in a public statement. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977." President Joe Biden broke from his family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to remember Carter, recalling his predecessor as a role model and friend. America and the world lost a “remarkable leader” with Carter’s death, Biden said, adding that he had spoken to several of the former president's children and was working with them to formalize memorial arrangements in Washington. Speaking for roughly 10 minutes, Biden remembered Carter as a humanitarian and statesman, someone he couldn't imagine walking past a person in need without trying to help them. He represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away,” Biden said. The president repeatedly praised Carter's “simple decency” and his values, saying some will see him as a man of honesty and humility from a bygone era. “I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times,” Biden said. “To know his core, you need to know he never stopped being a Sunday school teacher at that Baptist church in Plains, Georgia.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on X that Carter's significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel "will remain etched in the annals of history.” He went on to say Carter's “humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.” Carter will be remembered as “one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” el-Sissi said. President Joe Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening. The president will make his address from a hotel in St. Croix, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he is on a holiday vacation with his family. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had one of the great love stories and political partnerships in U.S. presidential history. The former president sometimes called his wife, who died Nov. 19. 2023, “Rosie,” which is a good way to remember how her name actually is pronounced. It is “ROSE-uh-lyn,” not, repeat NOT, “RAHZ-uh-lyn.” They were married more than 77 years but their relationship went back even further. Jimmy’s mother, “Miss Lillian,” delivered Eleanor Rosalynn Smith at the Smith home in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse brought her eldest child back a few days later to visit, meaning the longest-married presidential couple met as preschooler and newborn. She became his trusted campaign aide and White House adviser, surprising Washington by sitting in on Cabinet meetings. Then they traveled the world together as co-founders of The Carter Center. Most of the nation saw the former president for the last time at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors. He said his grandparents “never changed who they were” even after reaching the White House and becoming global humanitarians. He says their four years in Washington were just one period of putting their values into action and that the center his grandparents founded in Atlanta is a lasting “extension of their belief in human rights as a fundamental global force.” Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled the world advocating for democracy and fighting disease, but Jason Carter said they weren’t motivated by pity, or arrogance that a former American president had all the answers — they ventured to remote places because they could “recognize these people.” They too were from “a 600-person village” and understood that even the poorest people “have the power ... the ability ... the knowledge and the expertise to change their own community.” As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.

Dolphins defeat Browns to keep playoff hopes aliveFantasy Football Stock Watch Week 14: What coaches are saying about Kirk Cousins, Jahmyr Gibbs, and more | Sporting NewsAdani Green Energy Share Price Today Live Updates : On the last trading day, Adani Green Energy opened at 1065.75 and closed slightly lower at 1064.30. The stock experienced a high of 1076.70 and a low of 1044.05. With a market capitalization of 166,957 crore, the stock has a 52-week high of 2173.65 and a low of 870.90. The BSE recorded a trading volume of 257,610 shares for the day. Adani Green Energy Share Price Live Updates: Adani Green Energy volume yesterday was 3 mn as compared to the 20 day avg of 7027 k Adani Green Energy Share Price Live Updates: The trading volume yesterday was 55.47% lower than the 20 day average. Yesterday’s NSE volume was 2 mn & BSE volume was 257 k. Adani Green Energy Share Price Live Updates: Adani Green Energy closed at ₹1064.3 on last trading day & the technical trend suggests Bearish near term outlook Adani Green Energy Share Price Live Updates: The stock traded in the range of 1076.7 & 1044.05 yesterday to end at 1053.75. The stock is currently experiencing a strong downtrend

AP News Summary at 5:30 p.m. ESTShopping on Temu can feel like playing an arcade game. Instead of using a joystick-controlled claw to grab a toy, visitors to the online marketplace maneuver their computer mouses or cellphone screens to browse colorful gadgets, accessories and trinkets with prices that look too good to refuse. A pop-up spinning wheel offers the chance to win a coupon. Rotating captions warn that a less than $2 camouflage print balaclava and a $1.23 skeleton hand back scratcher are “Almost sold out.” A flame symbol indicates a $9.69 plush cat print hoodie is selling fast. A timed-down selection of discounted items adds to the sense of urgency. Pages from the Shein website, left, and from the Temu site, right. Welcome to the new online world of impulse buying, a place of guilty pleasures where the selection is vast, every day is Cyber Monday, and an instant dopamine hit is always just a click away. By all accounts, we’re living in an accelerating age for consumerism, one that Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, its fierce rival , supercharged with social media savvy and an interminable assortment of cheap goods, most shipped directly from merchants in China based on real-time demand. The business models of the two platforms, coupled with avalanches of digital or influencer advertising, have enabled them to give Western retailers a run for their money this holiday shopping season. A Christmas tree ornament purchased on Temu. Software company Salesforce said it expects roughly one in five online purchases in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada to be made through four online marketplaces based or founded in Asia: Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop — the e-commerce arm of video-sharing platform TikTok — and AliExpress. Analysts with Salesforce said they are expected to pull in roughly $160 billion in global sales outside of China. Most of the sales will go to Temu and Shein, a privately held company which is thought to lead the worldwide fast fashion market in revenue. Lisa Xiaoli Neville, a nonprofit manager who lives in Los Angeles, is sold on Shein. The bedroom of her home is stocked with jeans, shoes, press-on nails and other items from the ultra-fast fashion retailer, all of which she amassed after getting on the platform to buy a $2 pair of earrings she saw in a Facebook ad. Neville, 46, estimates she spends at least $75 a month on products from Shein. A $2 eggshell opener, a portable apple peeler and an apple corer, both costing less than $5, are among the quirky, single-use kitchen tools taking up drawer space. She acknowledges she doesn’t need them because she “doesn’t even cook like that.” Plus, she’s allergic to apples. “I won’t eat apples. It will kill me,” Neville said, laughing. “But I still want the coring thing.” Shein, now based in Singapore, uses some of the same web design features as Temu’s, such as pop-up coupons and ads, to persuade shoppers to keep clicking, but it appears a bit more restrained in its approach. Shein primarily targets young women through partnerships with social media influencers. Searching the company's name on video platforms turns up creators promoting Shein's Black Friday sales event and displaying the dozens of of trendy clothes and accessories they got for comparatively little money. But the Shein-focused content also includes videos of TikTokers saying they're embarrassed to admit they shopped there and critics lashing out at fans for not taking into account the environmental harms or potential labor abuses associated with products that are churned out and shipped worldwide at a speedy pace. Neville has already picked out holiday gifts for family and friends from the site. Most of the products in her online cart cost under $10, including graphic T-shirts she intends to buy for her son and jeans and loafers for her daughter. All told, she plans to spend about $200 on gifts, significantly less than $500 she used to shell out at other stores in prior years. “The visuals just make you want to spend more money,” she said, referring to the clothes on Shein's site. “They're very cheap and everything is just so cute.” Unlike Shein, Temu's appeal cuts across age groups and gender. The platform is the world’s second most-visited online shopping site, software company Similarweb reported in September. Customers go there looking for practical items like doormats and silly products like a whiskey flask shaped like a vintage cellphone from the 1990s. Temu advertised Black Friday bargains for some items at upwards of 70% off the recommended retail price. Making a purchase can quickly result in receiving dozens of emails offering free giveaways. The caveat: customers have to buy more products. Despite their rise, Temu and Shein have proven particularly ripe for pushback. Last year, a coalition of unnamed brands and organizations launched a campaign to oppose Shein in Washington. U.S. lawmakers also have raised the possibility that Temu is allowing goods made with forced labor to enter the country. More recently, the Biden administration put forward rules that would crack down on a trade rule known as the de minimis exception, which has allowed a lot of cheap products to come into the U.S. duty-free. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to slap high tariffs on goods from China, a move that would likely raise prices across the retail world. Both Shein and Temu have set up warehouses in the U.S. to speed up delivery times and help them better compete with Amazon, which is trying to erode their price advantage through a new storefront that also ships products directly from China. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Bank of New York Mellon Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains2 hari 5 。

Timeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024LOS ANGELES — Until he sustained a season-ending knee injury last week in the Western Conference final, Galaxy playmaker Riqui Puig was having a tremendous season. So I heard. I watched Puig play only twice this year, once in the Galaxy's season-opening 1-1 draw with Inter Miami and a second time in his team's Fourth of July defeat to LAFC at the Rose Bowl. Outside of short highlight clips on social media, I never saw the former Barcelona prospect, not even when he assisted on the goal that sent the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final. That wasn't a reflection of my interest. Some of my friends will make fun of me for publicly admitting this, but I like Major League Soccer. I covered the league in my first job out of college and have casually kept up with it since. I take my children to a couple of games a year. My 11-year-old son owns Galaxy and LAFC hats but no Dodgers or Lakers merchandise. People are also reading... When flipping through channels in the past, if presented with the choice of, say, college football or MLS, I usually watched MLS. But not this year. While the MLS Cup final between the Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will be shown on Fox and Fox Deportes, the majority of games are now exclusively behind a paywall, courtesy of the league's broadcasting deal with Apple. MLS Season Pass subscriptions were reasonably priced — $79 for the entire season for Apple TV+ subscribers, $99 for non-subscribers — but I was already paying for DirecTV Stream, Netflix, Amazon Prime, PlayStation Plus and who knows what else. MLS became a casualty in my household, as well as in many others, and the possibility of being out of sight and out of mind should be a concern for a league that is looking to expand its audience. Which isn't to say the league made a mistake. This was a gamble MLS had to take. Now in the second year of a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Apple, MLS did what Major League Baseball is talking about doing, which is to centralize its broadcasting rights and sell them to a digital platform. Regional sports networks have been decimated by cord cutting, making traditional economic models unsustainable. The move to Apple not only increased the league's broadcast revenues — previous deals with ESPN, Fox and Univision were worth a combined $90 million annually, according to multiple reports — but also introduced a measure of uniformity in the league. The quality of the broadcasts are better than they were under regional sports networks. Viewers know where to watch games and when, as every one of them is on Season Pass and most of them are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time either on Wednesday or Saturday. "That's been fueling our growth and driving our fan engagement," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Friday at his annual state of the league address. Apple and MLS declined to reveal the number of League Pass subscribers, but the league provided polling figures that indicated 94% of viewers offered positive or neutral reviews of League Pass. The average viewing time for a game is about 65 minutes for a 90-minute game, according to Garber. In other words, the League Pass is well-liked — by the people who have it. The challenge now is to increase that audience. The launch of League Pass last year coincided with the arrival of Lionel Messi, which presumably resulted in a wave of subscriptions. But the league can't count on the appearance of the next Messi; there is only one of him. MLS pointed to how its fans watch sports on streaming devices or recorded television than any other U.S. sports league, as well as how 71% of its fans are under the age of 45. The league also pointed to how it effectively drew more viewers to the Apple broadcast of Inter Miami's postseason opener with a livestream of a "Messi Cam' on TikTok, indicating further collaborations with wide-reaching entities could be in its future. Garber mentioned how Season Pass is available in other countries. The commissioner also made note of how Apple places games every week in front of its paywall. "What we have, really, is a communication problem," Garber said. "This is new, and we've got to work with Apple, we've got to work with our clubs and we've got to work with our partners to get more exposure to what we think is a great product." The greatest benefit to the league could be Apple's vested interest in improving the on-field product. MLS insiders said Apple has not only encouraged teams to sign more high-profile players but also pushed the league to switch to a fall-to-spring calendar more commonplace in other parts of the world, reasoning that doing so would simplify the process of buying and selling players. The on-field product is what matters. The on-field product is why MLS continues to face competition for viewers from overseas leagues. The on-field product is why the league hasn't succeeded in converting every soccer fan into a MLS fan. And ultimately, if casual viewers such as myself are to pay to watch the Galaxy or LAFC on a screen of some kind, the on-field product will be why. Be the first to know

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $75,000 by the NBA for public criticism of officiating and using inappropriate and profane language, the league announced on Monday. Edwards made the remarks that drew the punishment following Minnesota's 113-103 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The 23-year-old playmaker, who helped the United States capture gold at the Paris Olympics, has averaged 25.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game for the T-Wolves this season. Edwards used profanity in describing what he considered a poor performance from the referees, calling it "terrible" and saying he and teammate Julius Randle are penalized "for being stronger than our opponent every night. "We don't get no calls. That's how I feel about the officials every game we play." Edwards was whistled for four fouls against the Warriors and shot four free throws himself. At 14-13, the Timberwolves are 10th in the Western Conference, ahead of Phoenix on tie-breakers. js/mw

THE Home office is spending £15 million on satellites which will be able to track migrants attempting to cross the Channel from space. Government contracts reveal that the department has forked out the huge sum for a deal with a global company which specialises in space operations. Advertisement 2 The Home office - led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, pictured, is spending £15 million on satellites which will be able to track migrants attempting to cross the Channel from space Credit: PA The Luton-based branch of Telespazio UK will provide enhanced surveillance for the Joint Maritime Security Centre which ensures the country can respond to “threats to security, law and order, and the marine environment”. It will improve the Home Office’s ability to detect “dark targets” - which do not emit tracking data - such as ships used by criminals to smuggle goods, and tiny dinghies used by Channel migrants. Radar, hi-tech cameras and sensors have already been hired to provide 24/7 surveillance of those trying to cross the Channel in small boats. Figures show that so far this year 36,204 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats, with more than 150,000 crossing from France since records began in 2018. Advertisement read more on uk news PROBE ARREST Schoolgirl among seven arrested after teenager, 18, stabbed to death DAYLIGHT 'SNATCH' Urgent hunt after girl, 10 'grabbed by mystery man' in broad daylight A heavily redacted contract, published by the Government in December, shows that the contractor has to comply with the Officials Secret Act. The contract started in November and is due to run until next September, with a total value of £15 million. An order form reveals: “Maritime security is a key enabler to Homeland Security, surveillance of the Maritime domain for UK security requires a multi-layered approach. “Satellite surveillance products provide longer range coverage but lack persistence, whereas terrestrial sensors such as RADAR provide persistence at shorter ranges.” Advertisement Most read in The Sun baby joy Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan announce she's pregnant with first baby NEIL BY MOUTH Moment Rangers hero says he needs RESCUED on live TV during Motherwell clash GER OUT Moment raging Rangers fans BOO their own players and say 'go away' at Motherwell Highlights WELL 2 GERS 2 Shambolic display leaves Clement on brink as horror Christmas week continues The aims of the new surveillance are listed as: “To identify vessels of interest (VOI) (especially dark targets), determine patterns of life (POL) and to enable cueing of other sensor capabilities and patrolling assets, to direct other capability/assets to the target VOI in order to undertake further surveillance or to intercept, therefore delivery of agreed products/analysis should be as near to real-time as is possible.” The contract includes a requirement for a bi-annual review of the technology to ensure that “innovation is at the leading edge of space sensing”. UK has too many migrants to keep track of - crisis is spiralling & Labour CAN'T fix it, warns expert A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: “The Joint Maritime Security Centre is harnessing cutting edge technology and capabilities to provide 24/7 monitoring of UK waters and ensure our borders are secure. “Effective use of satellites ensure we can play a key role in detecting ‘dark vessels’ at sea, such as those involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading sanctions. Advertisement “And in the channel, the UK is taking steps to tackle small boat crossings through our Border Security Command, recruiting more investigative officers and working more closely with our European partners to ensure the vile people smugglers are brought to justice.” Shadow Home Secretary and former Tory Technology Minister Chris Philp told The Sun: “Tracking the passage of illegal immigrants coming across the channel will make no difference if they are simply ushered to the UK shore and then put up in plush hotels at taxpayer expense. “This money would be better spent deporting illegal immigrants who make it to the UK. “The Labour Government is soft on illegal immigration - Channel crossings are up over 20 per cent since the election compared to the same time last year. Advertisement “Labour was wrong to scrap the Rwanda deterrent before it even started. “I am committed to re-introducing a Rwanda-style removals deterrent.” He added: “The Labour Government should urgently adopt this plan to end the escalating numbers of illegal immigrants. “1,500 illegal immigrants have crossed the channel in the last four days. Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ VAX HORROR Striken Scots 'gaslit' by health bosses after complications from Covid vaccine “This has to end.” The Sun contacted Telespazio UK for comment. 2 Figures show that so far this year 36,204 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats, with more than 150,000 crossing from France since records began in 2018 Credit: Getty

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$10k worth of cannabis stolen from Renfrew, Ont. storeST. PAUL — St. Paul-based Bremer Bank is being acquired by Old National Bank, which has headquarters in Evansville, Indiana, in a transaction valued at $1.4 billion in cash and stock. The deal, which still requires regulatory approval and approval by Bremer shareholders, would combine Bremer’s $16.2 billion in assets with Old National’s nearly $54 billion to create a bank with more than $70 billion in total assets. “This partnership represents an outstanding fit between two highly compatible, relationship- and community-focused banks,” Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said in a joint announcement released Monday, Nov. 25. Ryan said what has made Bremer Bank a leading institution since 1943 aligns closely with the “strategic priorities and cultural principles that have guided Old National’s success for 190 years: a strong deposit franchise, a diversified loan portfolio accentuated by exceptional credit quality, and a passion for investing in and strengthening communities.” “For more than 80 years, we’ve been honored to carry out the legacy of our founder, Otto Bremer,” said Jeanne Crain, president and CEO of Bremer. “When our majority shareholder, the Otto Bremer Trust, reaffirmed its interest in selling Bremer Bank, we appreciated the opportunity to identify a partner through a collaborative process to ensure the best possible outcome for our customers, employees, and our communities. With Old National, we have confidence we found a great fit,” Crain said as part of the joint announcement. The Otto Bremer Trust, a majority owner of Bremer Bank, is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul. Since the trust’s inception in 1944, it has made more than $1.1 billion in grants and program-related investments to more than 4,200 organizations. Once the merger is complete, the trust will have an approximate 11% ownership stake in Old National Bank and a trustee of the Otto Bremer Trust will join the Old National board of directors. The Otto Bremer Trust stated as part of the joint announcement: “All of us at the Otto Bremer Trust are excited that the Bremer Bank legacy of investing in people, places and opportunities continues with one of the most community-minded banks in the nation. This partnership expands the scope of what can be accomplished for and within our communities — civically, socially and economically.” Once the deal is finalized, Old National will become the third-largest bank in the Twin Cities, and the partnership will expand Old National’s reach into several other markets throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The deal affects 48 Bremer Bank branches in Minnesota and 14 in North Dakota, including six locations in Grand Forks and seven in the Fargo region.

The Boston Red Sox are committed to finding a righty slugger this offseason, to help balance out their offense. The names that are being floated around include the likes of Nolan Arenado, Alex Bregman, Willy Adames, and Teoscar Hernandez. However, MLB insider Matt Vagersian had a new option; Baltimore Orioles All-Star and Silver Slugger Anthony Santander. This past season with the O’s, Santander was one of the best power hitters in the league. While his average was low, only hitting. 235, he hit 44 bombs, and 102 RBI. Basically, when he gets a hold of the ball, it’s going yard, and scoring multiple runs. Would he be a good addition to the Sox? Yes and no. Yes, because he solves one of the Sox’s biggest problems by getting a righty slugger, and he’ll cost somewhere in between $90 million and $125 million over five years. No, because his average is pretty low, and looking at the stats, he’ll get a hit once every four to five at bats. Santander is also an outfielder, which the Sox have plenty of. But, they could move him to DH, and figure out what to do with Masataka Yoshida. However, if they go that route, they should try and get Teoscar Hernandez, who hit 11 less homers, but his average is 40 points higher. Overall, it is an interesting idea to get Santander, and if they do, they can check a box on their list of problems needing to be fixed. MORE SOX NEWS: Red Sox insider lists Cardinals Platinum Glove third baseman as potential trade option MLB insider questions if Red Sox are serious about pursuing superstar free agent MLB insider doesn't think Red Sox should ship off slugger first baseman this offseason MLB insider lists Red Sox as second most likely landing spot for Brewers shortstop MLB insider lists Red Sox as second most likely landing spot for Braves superstar aceSwitcH2 is partnering with CorPower Ocean to deliver a unique industrial scale floating green ammonia production facility partially powered by wave energy. With backing from Norway-based BW Offshore and Dutch Oceans Capital, SwitcH2 is leading the development of industrial-scale offshore green hydrogen and green ammonia production units based on proven FPSO (floating production, storage, and offloading) technologies. The concept, which sees electrolysers powered by a mix of renewables including wind and solar, will now incorporate wave energy to ensure a greater balance of green electricity. Supported by grant funding from the Dutch Government’s GroenvermogenNL TSE (Top Sector Energie) scheme, SwitcH2 is aiming to launch a new open-sea project in northern Portugal utilizing CorPower Ocean’s wave energy technology. SwitcH2’s NH3-FPSO unit involves the use of a new built vessel, nearly the size of a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), to support a 300MW electrolysis plant on deck. The final output is green ammonia, which is temporarily stored in pressurised tanks in the vessel and then exported to shore via dedicated shuttle carriers. The floating facility is expected to reach an annual production capacity of almost 300 kton of green ammonia – enough to fuel multiple oceangoing vessels for a full year. The project anticipates green ammonia production by 2029. With an established role in the global fertilizer market, the green ammonia market is expected to grow from USD 0.7 billion in 2024 to USD 55 billion by 2032. Because of its high energy density and ease of storage, green ammonia also holds major significance as the preferred fuel choice to decarbonize the global shipping industry – responsible for roughly 3% of global emissions. SwitcH2 Director and co-founder Saskia Kunst said: “We are extremely pleased with our collaboration with CorPower Ocean as integrating their promising wave energy adds economic benefits to our already competitive offshore production system. Jointly we look at a buoyant market for green ammonia which is set to expand 6-fold between now and 2050. Our project will contribute to decarbonize also hard to abate sectors such as global shipping.” CorPower Ocean Commercial Director Kevin Rebenius said: “Wave energy is one of the largest untapped energy source in the world. It’s renewable, accessible, and abundant. Crucially, it’s also highly consistent bringing greater stability to the clean energy mix, enabling 24/7 renewable electricity supply allowing industrial processes like this to run at high utilization. We look forward to working with fellow tech pioneer SwitcH2 with a shared vision for a cleaner, brighter future powered by renewables.” SwitcH2 is expanding its portfolio beyond its initial project in Portugal, actively pursuing a range of high-impact opportunities. These include plans in West Africa, focused on ammonia export for markets in Northwestern Europe, and projects in the Dutch sector of the North Sea aimed at hydrogen export feeding into the Dutch national hydrogen backbone. These initiatives are pivotal to advancing SwitcH2’s gigawatt-scale ambitions. “A floating production system is by definition a mobile asset which we will build where this is cheapest and which can be deployed around the globe, wherever we have access to attractively priced wind, wave, and/or solar energy,” added Ms Kunst. Meanwhile, CorPower Ocean recently announced the largest single investment in its wave energy technology after securing EUR 32 million Series B1 funding, marking a significant development for wave energy which is accelerating towards a bankable mainstream energy source. Source: CorPower Ocean

The warm embrace said plenty, the slow skate around the rink together said even more. Invited to join the Flames as a guest coach ahead of Tuesday night’s tribute to his sons, Guy Gaudreau was showered with love the minute he stepped onto the ice. A hug and chit-chat with Dan Vladar was followed immediately by a reunion with one of Johnny’s closest teammates, Rasmus Andersson. The hug was followed by a series of slow laps together during warm-up, during which Andersson put his arm around Gaudreau as they exchanged hearty helpings of healing. “It’s hard because you still want to talk about it, but we talked about life,” said Andersson of their stroll. “He loves talking about hockey, so we spent a lot of time talking about hockey. I told him he’s got to help us out there get our goal-scoring going. He had his own conclusion as to why we’re not scoring.” Andersson didn’t reveal Guy’s theory, or the contents of their chat. What mattered more was their being together. “This is his therapy, to be around the rink,” said Andersson, who said Guy and wife Jane babysat his daughter at Andrew Mangiapane’s summertime wedding, at which he and Johnny were best men. “That helped him going through what he’s going through. “It was great. “It will never be the way it used to be for him, and none of us, but he still loves to be around the rink and it was great to see him here today. “For him to be on the ice, it’s not easy for any one of us, and it’s definitely not easy for him, but this is his therapy, and I told him, ‘Come out whenever you want. You always have a spot on the ice and I hope they make it out again.'” You get the feeling they just might. The connection between Johnny’s family and the city was that strong, making their visit ahead of Tuesday’s pre-game celebration of life something they’ve likely looked at with mixed emotions. As Jane told Sportsnet via email, some of their fondest memories and relationships are from Calgary. More will be forged in bittersweet fashion over the next couple of days, including a quiet ceremony for the family at a local rink where a bench made out of the sticks left at the makeshift memorial will be dedicated in Johnny’s honour. Powerful. Guy arrived at the Saddledome like a child excitedly approaching an outdoor rink, with skates in hand. As part of their rock star existence in town, Guy would often arrive with his gear so he could join random beer league skates around town. “It’s great to see him laughing and helping out — it’s healing for everyone to be together and spend some time,” said Blake Coleman, whose lengthy friendship with Gaudreau is such that their parents are also tight. “You can just tell he loves the game of hockey, and being around it, and I think it helps take his mind off it. And it’s fun for us.” Late in the Flames practice Gaudreau was tasked with feeding the slot — a natural for Gaudreau’s apparently — and then shielding the puck for a corner battle with an approaching forward. Guy wasn’t interested in taking it lightly. “Just making sure he still had it,” chuckled Coleman, who approached Guy with significant speed, only to receive a series of playful hooks and a high stick as he exited with the puck. “Then he started chirping me, saying, ‘That’s all you got?’ “So it’s fun. You enjoy the banter. He’s always been that type of guy you could mess around with. It’s great to see he’s still got that.” Flashing plenty of grins on the ice as he visited with familiar faces, and was introduced to new ones, Guy really lit up when Sean Monahan showed up on the visitors’ bench with Boone Jenner for a massive hug and welcome visit. Healing together. It would be impossible to know just how hard so many of Guy’s days have been since Johnny and son Matthew were taken from him by an alleged drunk driver who killed both in late August while they rode bicycles on the side of a rural road. This was one of the good days, taking his and his family’s minds to the good times. “Hockey is kind of family, and he and his family were a big part of this community and probably the most enjoyable times he’s had were around his family and the rink,” said coach Ryan Huska of the rationale behind inviting Guy to skate. “It gave us an opportunity to bring him in today and be around the players and the game he loves. “He told a few of them he was going to slash or crosscheck them if they came and took the puck from him, so he did that a few times. It was good to see.” The smile on Guy’s face as he battled in the corner was heartening, as this whole city has tried so hard to help bring comfort to him and his family. They’ll get another chance before puck drop, as a video tribute will be followed, no doubt, by one of the most stirring ovations the Saddledome has ever seen. “I hope tomorrow everyone can just appreciate, first of all what a great person he was, and then a great hockey player,” said Andersson, who said Friday’s game in Columbus was the toughest game mentally he’s ever played. “It will be difficult for many of us. Hopefully some of the guys who haven’t played with Johnny can pick us up.” Coleman appreciates the chance for the city to help carry on the legacy Johnny created with nine seasons of memorable contributions on and off the ice. “It’s that expression of gone but not forgotten,” said Coleman. “Sharing his memory is important to do. “Hopefully his family enjoys the reunion of coming back to Calgary because I know the people here really care about him and want to show their love and appreciation.” The tragedy hit home for everyone in Calgary, in different ways. “For me it’s a reminder every day of how fragile life is and you have to have your priorities right,” added Coleman, as his two young daughters frolicked and spread smiles around the dressing room. “I’ve got my little ones here today, just little reminders of spending time and being there for your family because you never know. “Every time I go down the rabbit hole and think about it it’s still difficult. Gone too soon but the only way to honour him at this point is just to live your life, be a really good person, be a good friend, good father, good teammate — all the things Johnny was, and try to carry on that legacy.”Intuitive Surgical's EVP Robert DeSantis sells $214,655 in stock

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Reminds PACS Investors of January 13, 2025 Deadline in Securities Fraud Class Action and Urges Investors with Losses to Contact the FirmGreensburg opened up EIAC play by hosting Franklin County Saturday. The Pirates overcame a slow second quarter with a big third quarter and then held off the Wildcats to post the 48-45 victory. Greensburg evens its overall record at 3-3 and moves to 1-0 in the EIAC. Franklin County drops to 1-5 overall and 0-4 in the EIAC. The Pirates jumped out to a 16-9 lead after the first quarter. Greensburg hit only one bucket in the second quarter and was held to just four points as Franklin County cut the deficit to 20-17 at the half. Out of the break, the Pirates poured in 18 points in the third quarter to extend their lead to 38-29 heading to the final quarter. Franklin County cut the deficit to six with 1:23 to play and then to 44-41 on a 3-pointer by Isaiah Kemp with one minute left in the game. Free throws by Andrew Bowman and Reece Beaver pushed the Greensburg lead back to five at 47-42. A Landon Johnson 3-pointer for the Wildcats from the left wing cut the deficit to 47-45 with :08.4 to play. Greensburg’s Jack McKinsey hit a free throw to extend the lead to 48-45 and Franklin County last second deep 3-point attempt came up short as the Pirates held on for the conference win. For the Pirates, Jacoby Miller and McKinsey both scored in double figures with 14 and 10 points respectively. Beaver scored nine points followed by Bowman seven, Lance Coy six and Ethan Smith two. Beaver and Coy shared team-high honors with four rebounds each. Smith, Logan Simpson and Bowman all grabbed three rebounds. Smith dished out a team-high three assists. The first meeting of the season between Batesville and East Central is the non-conference game. The host Bulldogs took a 6-point lead after the first quarter and led at each quarter break en route to a 60-56 victory. Batesville improves to 3-2 on the season. East Central falls to 1-4. The Bulldogs led 14-8 after the first quarter. East Central cut the deficit by two in the second quarter, but still trailed at the half 25-21. Batesville outscored the Trojans 17-14 in the third quarter and held off a 21-18 run by the Trojans in the fourth quarter to get the 4-point victory. Brayden Maple led the Bulldogs in scoring with 19 points. Cade Kaiser finished with 18 points. James Hughes scored eight points followed by Kamryn Holcomb seven, Trenten Luers five, Cayden Drake two and Ethan Schneider one. Kaiser grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Hughes dished out a team-high five assists. In the junior varsity game, East Central led 21-4 after the first quarter and went on to the 57-32 victory. For Batesville, Cole Abrams led in scoring with 13 points followed by Levi Hunt seven, Winston Garrett four, Braydin Hughes four, Preston Blessing two and Lincoln Garrett two. The first and fourth quarters were the doom for the Chargers at Triton Central Saturday. North was outscored 12-2 in the first quarter and 23-14 in the fourth quarter as the Tigers posted the 65-44 victory over the Chargers. North falls to 2-5 on the season. The Chargers are off until noon Jan. 2 when they take on Shelbyville (6-2) in the Bob Wettig Tournament hosted by Richmond. Triton Central improves to 4-3. North outscored the Tigers in the middle two quarters 28-27, but the big first and fourth quarters by the home squad was too much to overcome. North is led by Owen Eldridge with 12 points. Brady Mauer scored nine points. Cooper Parmer scored seven points followed by Logan O’Dell six, Owen Rennekamp five, Sam Crowell three and Mason Morris two. Silas Blair led Triton Central with 22 points. Eli Sego added 14 points and Cael Butler had 13 points. Good starts to both the first half and second half led the visiting Raiders of South Ripley to the 69-37 victory over South Decatur. South Ripley improves to 7-0. The Cougars fall to 0-6. The Raiders took a 15-2 lead after the first quarter. South Ripley took a 33-15 lead to the half. In the third quarter, the Raiders outscored South Decatur 25-11. Both teams scored 11 points in the fourth for the final of 69-37. For the Cougars, Karson Templeton and Drake Scaggs both scored 11 points. Aidan Bryant scored eight points and Lucas Ballard scored seven points. Scaggs grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and dished out a team-high eight assists. EIAC Friday Connersville 47, South Dearborn 39 Lawrenceburg 45, Rushville 31 Saturday Batesville 60, East Central 56 Greenfield 74, Lawrenceburg 44 Greensburg 48, Franklin County 45 Richmond 44, Connersville 35 Seton Catholic 42, Rushville 37 MHC Friday Hauser 70, Edinburgh 29 Saturday Morristown 76, Blue River 42 South Ripley 69, South Decatur 37 Trinity Lutheran 52, Edinburgh 51 Triton Central 62, North Decatur 44 Waldron 45, Southwestern 44'World's best cruise line' scores 90 out of 100 - ships boast five pools and robot staff

PORTSMOUTH — A judge on Wednesday effectively dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Portsmouth City Assessor Patrick Dorris, who sued both Mayor Shannon Glover and Councilman Bill Moody individually and in their official capacity. Dorris, whom the City Council fired in a 5-1 vote last spring, filed a $5.35 million lawsuit in Portsmouth Circuit Court in April alleging his termination was retaliatory as he refused to follow unlawful directives from Glover and Moody for assessing taxes on a private golf course. City assessors are among the handful of positions appointed by City Council that can also be terminated by a vote in a public meeting. Dorris was appointed to the position in September 2021 on a 4-3 vote. Glover and Moody didn’t support the appointment then, and both voted in support to terminate him. Upon his termination, Dorris was granted $57,224, or about six months worth of severance . Amid his termination, Dorris had shared with the council that the city did not collect real estate taxes from the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club for almost two decades until Dorris’ time as assessor. The 18-hole course of roughly 140 acres was supposed to have its taxes lowered under an open-space agreement with the city. But records previously obtained by The Virginian-Pilot show that since at least 2003, the golf course had all of its taxes abated and wasn’t charged the lowered rate until 2022. Dorris’ lawsuit alleges his termination was the result of not abiding by directives from Glover and Moody to not tax the golf course. He also alleged that days before he was fired, Glover “demanded the assessment” of Rivers Casino Portsmouth using building permit values, which Dorris expressed was an unreliable method for determining value. Glover, who was present at the hearing, was represented by Brian Casey. Moody was represented by James Cales III. Both attorneys argued that neither Glover nor Moody had the authority to terminate Dorris alone as it required a full vote from the City Council. Judge Randall Smith, who’s retired, was appointed to the case after Portsmouth judges recused themselves. At Wednesday’s hearing in Portsmouth Circuit Court, Smith ultimately upheld the defense’s arguments, effectively dismissing the case. Since Dorris’ initial filing in April, his complaint was amended to include a new claim that Dorris was terminated in retaliation for reporting to the City Council that certain city employees refused to perform their employment duties of assessing and taxing city property. In the hearing, Dorris’ attorney, Verbena Askew, argued that it was a First Amendment right violation, and likened Glover and Moody to “bad actors” because they violated public policy to protect city employees who voice concerns, such as misconduct. She added that because of the reasoning behind their vote to terminate, they can be held liable for the termination. In a rebuttal to Askew’s “bad actors” argument, Smith said the case might require the court to seemingly probe the minds of the other council members who voted in support to fire Dorris. He also said it might mean going behind the City Council’s back on a vote they made. Smith said Dorris might have lost his license as a result of carrying out his alleged directive from Glover and Moody but that it didn’t necessarily equate to a criminal act. Askew asked for another opportunity to amend Dorris’ complaint to further specify the alleged criminal act and include the city as a defendant, arguing that Glover and Moody are agents of the city and that the intention was to go after “the bad actors.” She also argued that had Glover and Moody not met with Dorris, he wouldn’t have been fired. Smith said he was sympathetic to Dorris’ situation, but that it didn’t fall within the narrow set of exceptions in Virginia’s at-will employment laws. He believed amending the complaint would result in a “moot point.” After the hearing, Dorris, Casey and Cales declined to comment. Askew told The Virginian-Pilot they’d be appealing. Glover said he was glad the case was over. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com777 baraha 。

Q&A: Former Gov. Jerry Brown weighs in on Kamala Harris’ loss, top issues facing California

East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level Media

BIG 12 THIS WEEK

“Please can you drop the charges against my mum and dad so that I can keep living with my cat brothers and sisters?” That was the plea from the woman at the centre of a sensational starvation trial in a letter sent to state prosecutors. The trial ended last week, with the woman’s parents remanded in custody after being found guilty. The girl’s parents outside court last month. Credit: 9News Perth The woman – now 20, and whose identity is protected by a court order – did not want her parents to go to prison and, from what she wrote, did not think they needed to be punished. But a jury thought otherwise, last week finding them both guilty of not just starving the girl – leading to a dangerous level of malnutrition – but also of emotional abuse, due to their treatment of her as if she were a small child. The case, which was first reported exclusively by WAtoday last year , features elements of infantalisation, a “complex” psychological behaviour that is often rooted in the parents’ own emotional needs, according to Perth clinical psychologist Donna Stambulich. “Common drivers include fear of abandonment, unresolved personal trauma, anxiety about their child’s independence, and difficulty accepting the natural progression of child development,” Stambulich said. “In some cases, narcissistic personality traits may lead parents to view their children as extensions of themselves rather than independent individuals.” So what do we know about the parents, who will be sentenced over the offences early next year? The woman’s father, aged in his 40s, is a senior IT professional, who has held management-level positions in several Perth companies. He became the breadwinner of the family when his daughter was born and his wife gave up her career to be the girl’s full-time carer. A dance school teacher told Perth District Court the girl was small, even by the standard of other students. The family moved to Floreat five years ago and purchased a four-bedroom house for almost $2 million. Department of Communities staff told the court that when they visited the home to check on the girl, it looked “cluttered” and cockroaches were seen scuttling out of the front door where they stood speaking to the father. The father refused to allow them inside and, away from the jury, the court was told the house was filthy and unhygienic, with piles of used sanitary towels sitting in corners. Despite this, the father tried to convince the jury he suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder. While the husband was earning good money, the wife’s family were also wealthy, and the girl’s grandfather wanted to pay for her to attend a prestigious girls’ school which commands fees of up to $28,000 a year. But the parents refused, instead choosing to homeschool the girl. The mother’s relationship with the girl’s grandfather was rocky. She claimed he was abusive to her when she was a child, and would not allow him to be left alone with her daughter. However, the girl was later placed in his care by the Department of Communities, where she stayed until her 18th birthday, when she returned home to live with her parents. The mother also testified that she had little to do with her siblings, and claimed her daughter was hospitalised in part because her sister and their father had both spoken to the department about the girl’s emaciated appearance. When the mother’s sister raised those concerns with her, she cut off contact. The girl was also, for some time after her parents were arrested, placed into the care of her uncle, who soon after relinquished that care because of the parents’ “ongoing involvement”. Outside court, it was also mentioned that the girl was unable to do much for herself and needed constant care and help with day-to-day activities, such as washing and taking care of her hygiene. She was 17 years old at the time. Prosecutors said that after the woman’s own mother died, she isolated herself and her daughter from the rest of the family. None of her family came to court throughout the four-week trial. The girl was hospitalised after the Department of Communities investigated concerns from a dance studio. What the jury weren’t allowed to hear One element of the case that was kept from the jury was the suggestion the girl was wearing nappies as a teenager. Both the prosecution and defence agreed to withhold the information, but some witnesses almost blurted it out on a number of occasions. The jury was also not allowed to hear why the girl herself did not enter the courtroom to give evidence, and that seeing her so distressed almost brought District Court Judge Linda Black to tears. On November 14, the girl’s mother’s lawyer called her as a witness to tell her side of the story. It was a much-anticipated moment, but she did not make it into the courtroom. The jury was told the girl had “changed her mind”. After coming to court with a “support person”, the 20-year-old had a panic attack and could not give evidence. Black went out of the courtroom to speak with her and, on her return, confronted the mother’s lawyer Michael Perella, asking whether he had ensured the girl received her own legal advice before coming to court. He replied that he had only recommended she did. Black asked Perella whether the girl was told what to wear for the occasion by her mother , and noted she was wearing a “relatively child-like dress” and ballet flats. Perella denied that was the case, and attempted to apply to have the trial aborted because of the turn of events. Black fought back tears as she blasted the lawyer for suggesting such a vulnerable person be brought to court in the first place. “If she was shocked that her daughter was in floods of tears, [the mother] must not know her daughter very well at all,” the judge said. She refused to allow the trial to be vacated. The impacts of infantilisation “can be profound and far-reaching”, Stambulich said. “In the short term, children may experience delayed emotional development, poor self-esteem, and significant difficulties in peer relationships,” she said. “They often struggle with basic decision-making skills and age-appropriate social interactions. “The long-term consequences can be even more severe, potentially leading to chronic dependency, persistent relationship difficulties, anxiety and depression, and significant challenges in managing adult responsibilities. “Many adults who experienced infantilisation struggle with boundary setting and may have difficulty establishing their own independent identity.” During the trial The girl was 14 when this photo was taken. The trial itself may have been arduous for the jury, who were initially told it would be finished in seven days. Instead, it dragged on for weeks, in part due to attempts by the mother to have the trial thrown out twice – midway through proceedings, the court was told the woman was too unwell to attend and listen to the evidence. She was given a brief reprieve to recover, but Black insisted she return and could keep a sick bag at her side in case she needed it. They couple sat side-by-side for four weeks but did not appear to communicate once. As the jury read out their guilty verdicts, the father sat straight-faced, as he had the entire trial, while his wife sobbed, even after bring asked to stop by the judge because of the noise. Their relationship had been examined throughout the trial, with accusations of manipulation, control and verbal abuse from the husband to the wife. He didn’t deny that on the stand. But it was accepted throughout the trial that both parents loved their daughter very much. Stambulich said parents who infantilised their children often had limited insight into their behaviour and its impact. “They typically rationalise their actions as necessary protection or expressions of love and care,” she said. “ These parents may minimise or completely deny any harmful effects of their parenting style, viewing their actions as beneficial rather than potentially damaging to their child’s development.” The mother told the jury her daughter would always be her little girl. She had made sure of that by limiting her ability to grow in height and mature like a girl of her age should have, and limiting her ability to mix with other girls her age, to develop age-appropriate interests and have any level of independence. When the father of the girl was presented with photos of her looking small, frail, sick and severely underweight, he told the prosecutor she was thin but not overly so . “Do you have problems with your eyesight?” he was asked. “No,” he replied. Knowing that they were neglecting and damaging their daughter was at the heart of ensuring there was a guilty plea, state prosecutor Jehna Winter told the court. Their education, ability to comprehend when someone looks healthy and well, and their choice to ignore repeated concerns were what led to them being charged and ultimately convicted. The pair will be sentenced in January and face a maximum penalty of 20 years each.As tensions continue to escalate in the region, it is becoming increasingly clear that the fate of the Assad regime could have far-reaching repercussions. The international community must act swiftly to prevent a further escalation of the conflict and work towards a peaceful resolution that takes into account the interests and aspirations of all parties involved.

NEW YORK (AP) — He's making threats, traveling abroad and negotiating with world leaders. Donald Trump has more than a month and a half to go before he's sworn in for a second term. But the Republican president-elect is already moving aggressively not just to fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but to achieve those priorities . Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, prompting emergency calls and a visit from Canada's prime minister that resulted in what Trump claimed were commitments from both U.S. allies on new border security measures. The incoming president has warned there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY" if, before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, Hamas does not release the hostages being held in Gaza . He has threatened to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company, warning "Buyer Beware!!!” And this weekend, Trump was returning to the global stage, joining a host of other foreign leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by a fire. On Saturday, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron — joined at the last minute by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — and had plans to see Britain's Prince William also in Paris. Absent in Paris: lame duck President Joe Biden, who has largely disappeared from headlines, except when he issued a pardon of his son , Hunter, who was facing sentencing for gun crimes and tax evasion. First lady Jill Biden is attending in his place. “I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you’ve seen in the last four years. And we’re not even there yet,” Trump said in an over-the-top boast at an awards ceremony Thursday night . For all of Trump's bold talk, though, it is unclear how many of his efforts will bear fruit. The pre-inauguration threats and deal-making are highly unusual, like so much of what Trump does, said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. “Transitions are always a little complicated in this way. Even though we talk about one president at a time," he said, “the reality is one president plus. And that plus can act assertively sometimes." Zelizer said that is particularly true of Trump, who was president previously and already has relationships with many foreign leaders such as Macron, who invited both Trump and Biden to Paris this weekend as part of the Notre Dame celebration. “Right now he’s sort of governing even though he’s not the president yet. He’s having these public meetings with foreign leaders, which aren't simply introductions. He's staking out policy and negotiating things from drug trafficking to tariffs," Zelizer said. Trump already has met with several foreign leaders, in addition to a long list of calls. He hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club in November. After the tariff threat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago for a three-hour dinner meeting. Canadian officials later said the country is ready to make new investments in border security, with plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. Last Sunday, Trump dined with Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli prime minister. Incoming Trump aides have also been meeting with their future foreign counterparts. On Wednesday, several members of Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, met with Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, in Washington, as Ukraine tries to win support for its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Yermak also met with Trump officials in Florida, he wrote on X . That comes after Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Qatar and Israel for high-level talks about a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, according to a U.S familiar with the efforts, meeting with the prime ministers of both countries. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise impact current U.S. policy. Trump aides were said to be especially cognizant of potential conflicts given their experience in 2016, when interactions between Trump allies and Russian officials came under scrutiny. That included a phone call in which Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed new sanctions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, suggesting things would improve after Trump became president. Flynn was later charged with lying to the FBI about the conversation. Trump’s incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “All transition officials have followed applicable laws in their interactions with foreign nationals.” She added: “World leaders recognize that President Trump is returning to power and will lead with strength to put the best interests of the United States of America first again. That is why many foreign leaders and officials have reached out to correspond with President Trump and his incoming team.” Such efforts can nonetheless cause complications. If, say, Biden is having productive conversations on a thorny foreign policy issue and Trump weighs in, that could make it harder for Biden “because people are hearing two different voices” that may be in conflict, Zelizer said. Leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu may also anticipate a more favorable incoming administration and wait Biden out, hoping for more a better deal. It also remains unclear how extensively the Biden administration has been kept apprised of Trump transition efforts. Although there is no requirement that an incoming administration coordinate calls and meetings with foreign officials with the State Department or National Security Council, that has long been considered standard practice. That is, in part, because transition teams, particularly in their early days and weeks, do not always have the latest information about the state of relations with foreign nations and may not have the resources, including interpretation and logistical ability, to handle such meetings efficiently. Still, the Biden and Trump teams have been talking, particularly on the Middle East, with the incoming and outgoing administrations having agreed to work together on efforts to free hostages who remain in held in Gaza, according to a U.S. official, who, like others, was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. That includes conversations between Witkoff and Biden’s foreign policy team as well as Waltz and Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Last month, Biden administration officials said they had kept Trump’s team closely apprised of efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border. “I just want to be clear to all of our adversaries, they can’t play the incoming Trump administration off of the Biden administration. I’m regularly talking to the Biden people. And so, this is not a moment of opportunity or wedges for them," Waltz said Friday in a Fox Business interview. But when it comes to immigration, Biden administration officials haven’t been entirely in the loop on discussions around how to execute on Trump’s pledge to deport millions of migrants, according to four administration officials with knowledge of the transition who spoke on condition of anonymity. That’s not terribly surprising given how differently the teams view migration. Trump’s team, meanwhile, is already claiming credit for everything from gains in the stock and cryptocurrency markets to a decision by Walmart to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies Trump opposes. “Promises Kept — And President Trump Hasn’t Even Been Inaugurated Yet,” read one press release that claimed, in part, that both Canada and Mexico have already pledged "immediate action” to help “stem the flow of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and deadly drugs entering the United States." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stopped short of saying Trump mischaracterized their call in late November. But she said Friday that Trump “has his own way of communicating, like when we had the phone call and he wrote that we were going to close the border. That was never talked about in the phone call.” Earlier this week, Mexico carried out what it claimed was its largest seizure of fentanyl pills ever. Seizures over the summer had been as little as 50 grams per week, and after the Trump call, they seized more than a ton. Security analyst David Saucedo said that "under the pressure by Donald Trump, it appears President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration is willing to increase the capture of drug traffickers and drug seizures that Washington is demanding.” Biden, too, tried to take credit for the seizure in a statement Friday night. ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

To determine how much sleep is right for you as an adult, it's essential to listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel during the day. If you consistently feel tired, irritable, or have difficulty concentrating, it may be a sign that you need more sleep. Experimenting with different sleep durations and assessing how you feel can help you find the optimal amount of rest for your individual needs.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted amid mixed trading Monday, ahead of this week’s upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve that could set Wall Street’s direction into next year. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its first losing week in the last four . The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2% to a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was a laggard and fell 110 points, or 0.3%. Broadcom leaped 11.2% to help lead the S&P 500 for a second straight day after delivering a profit report last week that beat analysts’ expectations. The technology company is riding a wave of enthusiasm about its artificial-intelligence offerings in particular. The market’s main event, though, will arrive on Wednesday when the Federal Reserve will announce its last move on interest rates for the year. The widespread expectation is that it will cut its main rate for a third straight time, as it tries to boost the slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its target of 2%. The question is how much more it will cut rates next year, and Fed officials will release projections for where they see the federal funds rate ending 2025, along with other economic indicators, once their meeting concludes. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will also answer questions in a press conference following the meeting. For now, the general expectation among traders is that the Fed may cut a couple more times in 2025, according to data from CME Group. But such expectations have been shrinking following reports suggesting inflation may be tougher to get all the way down to 2% from here. Besides last month’s slight acceleration in inflation, another worry is that President-elect Donald Trump’s preferences for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation down the line. Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle has dropped his earlier forecast of a cut by the Fed in January, for example. Beyond the possibility of tariffs, he said Fed officials may also want to slow their cuts because of uncertainty about exactly how low rates need to go so that they no longer press the brakes on the economy. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times so far this year and is heading for one of its best years of the millennium . The economy has held up better than many feared, continuing to grow even after the Fed hiked the federal funds rate to a two-decade high in hopes of grinding down on inflation, which topped 9% two summers ago. On Wall Street, MicroStrategy jumped as much as 7% during the day as it continues to benefit from the surging price for bitcoin , which set another all-time high. But its stock ended the day down by les than 0.1% after bitcoin’s price pulled back below $106,000 after setting a record above $107,700, according to CoinDesk. The software company has been building its hoard of the cryptocurrency, and its stock price has more than sextupled this year. It will also soon join the Nasdaq 100 index. Bitcoin’s price has catapulted from roughly $44,000 at the start of the year, riding a recent wave of enthusiasm that Trump will create a system that’s more favorable to digital currencies . Honeywell rose 3.7% after saying it’s still considering a spin-off or sale of its aerospace business, as part of a review of its overall business. It said it plans to give an update with the release of its fourth-quarter results. They helped offset a drop for Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into AI. Its stock fell 1.7%. Because it’s grown so massive, with a total value topping $3 trillion, it was the single heaviest weight on the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 22.99 points to 6,074.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 110.58 to 43,717.48, and the Nasdaq composite rose 247.17 to 20,173.89. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.39% from 4.40% late Friday. The two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, eased to 4.24% from 4.25%. In stock markets abroad, indexes fell modestly across much of Europe and Asia. They sank 0.9% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai after China reported lackluster economic indicators for November despite attempts to strengthen the world’s second-largest economy. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.2% as law enforcement authorities pushed to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree, and the Constitutional Court met to discuss whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.2. Turkey: Turkey has been a key player in the Syrian conflict, supporting various opposition factions and hosting millions of Syrian refugees. The regime change in Syria has provided Turkey with an opportunity to strengthen its influence in the region and potentially address its security concerns along its border with Syria.

In light of these complexities, Zelensky's decision to reach out to Biden for discussions on this matter signals a bold and strategic move on the part of Ukraine. By seeking to engage directly with the U.S., a key member of NATO, Zelensky is demonstrating his commitment to advancing Ukraine's security agenda and fostering stronger ties with Western allies.

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. After striking twice in the first 13 minutes of the final with goals from their star forwards, the Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league’s biggest trophy for the first time since 2014. MLS’ most successful franchise struggled through most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26th in the 29-team league last year. But the Galaxy turned everything around this season with a high-scoring new lineup that finished second in the Western Conference and then streaked through the playoffs with a whopping 18 goals in five games to win another crown. Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable charge through the playoffs ended one win shy of its first Cup championship. With the league's youngest roster, New York fell just short of becoming the lowest-seeded team to win MLS' playoff tournament under first-year German coach Sandro Schwarz. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was the MVP of the 2022 MLS Cup Final for the Galaxy's crosstown rival, Los Angeles FC. The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Riqui Puig, the playmaking midfielder from Barcelona who ran their offense impressively all season long, tore a ligament in his knee last week in the Western Conference final. Puig watched the game in a suit, but his teammates hadn't forgotten him: After his replacement, Gastón Brugman, set up LA's opening goal with a superb pass, Paintsil held up Puig's jersey to their fans during the celebration. Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead in the ninth minute when he ran onto that sublime pass from Brugman and pounded home his 14th MLS goal — including four in the playoffs — in the Ghanaian forward's outstanding first season. Just four minutes later, Joveljic sprinted past four New York defenders and chipped home the 21st goal of his outstanding year as the Galaxy's striker. Nealis got New York on the scoreboard in the 28th minute when he volleyed home a ball that got loose in LA's penalty area after a corner. The Galaxy's usually shaky defense gave up another handful of good chances before reaching halftime with a tenuous lead. The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hit the outside of the post in the 72nd minute, while Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few moments later. The ball got loose again in the Galaxy's penalty area in the third minute of extra time, but two Red Bulls couldn't finish. The Galaxy bench rushed onto the field and prematurely celebrated a victory in the seventh minute of injury time, only to be herded back off for another 30 seconds of play. The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of traveling Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club’s breakthrough on MLS’ biggest stage. The Galaxy’s Greg Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto in 2017. The club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández rebuilt itself this season with lesser-known young talents from around the world. The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and the Ghanaian Paintsil out of Belgium, and the duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent. But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of MLS’ best players. Puig stayed in last week's game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game’s only goal. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Jokic leads the Nuggets to a 122-103 win over the JazzStock market today: Nasdaq hits a record as Wall Street drifts ahead of Federal Reserve's meeting

777 happy game clash with was briefly halted due to the absence of VAR. and Sam Morsy were called over for chat with Anthony Taylor who informed the pair there had been a fire alarm at Stockley Park - which would leave the game without any VAR. The game was briefly stopped before resuming without VAR. Fourth official Matt Donohue was also seen speaking to managers Ruben Amorim and Kieran McKenna to inform them of the VAR issues. Come and join The Daily Star on , the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving , but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on , and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a . So what are you waiting for?! Let's Amazingly, Ipswich, who had fallen behind after 81 seconds, were able to find the net before VAR was back up and running. Omari Hutchinson left United shot-stopper Andre Onana with little chance as he curled the ball into the net. Match Centre tweeted: "The match will be operating without VAR until further notice due to a fire alarm at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park." Before following it up a few minutes later: "VAR is now back up and running." Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter! From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox. It only takes a matter of seconds. Simply , then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories. You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, "Finally someone’s burning it down," one fan joked. While a second shared: "This looks like something a parody account would write..." "I can’t explain it but this can only happen in the PL in a fixture that involves United," a third offered. And another joked: "Gotta be something wrong with that goal somewhere that’s been missed by VAR not working!" Ruben Amorim's reign had got off to the perfect start as Marcus Rashford bundled the ball home after just 81 seconds. The Red Devils were in the ascendancy as Ipswich were left chasing shadows. However, the Tractor Boys were able to find a way back into the game through Hutchinson.-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Republicans quietly made massive progress on their goal to defund the IRS in a last-minute package to avoid a government shutdown. Through the continuing resolution passed last week, funding the government through March and cutting $20 billion in supplemental funding for the taxation agency, Congress automatically extended cuts passed by the GOP in 2023 to a massive IRS investment. The Inflation Reduction Act provided an $80 billion apportionment for the IRS aimed at reducing the national debt and providing more resources for the agency to audit ultrawealthy taxpayers. Congress has halved the investment to stop tax cheating since its passage in 2022, cuts that could balloon the federal deficit. Related IRS crackdown on millionaire tax cheats nets more than $1 billion in revenue A 2021 report from the Congressional Budget Office indicated that the $80 billion in added IRS funding over 10 years would yield approximately $200 billion in added tax revenue without raising taxes. The Biden administration this week said $140 billion would be added to the debt over a decade due to the cuts, per the Washington Post. The IRS will likely be forced to cut audits for the ultrawealthy and large corporations first, the most expensive forms of reviews. Anti-taxation advocates rejoiced over the decision, though Treasury officials also noted that cuts could impact customer service operations for regular-income taxpayers. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo pointed to the progress the department has made – reducing call wait times to 3 minutes and picking up 85% of calls – as easily unraveled by cuts. Adeyemo told reporters last month that wait times would balloon to 28 minutes and call pick-up rates would fall to 20% if the cuts stayed in the continuing resolution. Democrats hope a future budget package can reverse the cuts, but Republicans will hold complete budget negotiation power come January. The GOP has continued to take aim at the revenue-raising department despite its purported mission to reduce the deficit, instead hoping to cut spending to the tune of trillions through the Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy-led Department of Government Efficiency. Still, critics say any cuts that could close the deficit at the magnitude of IRS funding would also impact crucial Social Security and Medicare funding. Read more about the GOP's attacks on the IRS "Very first bill": McCarthy pledges repeal of IRS funding meant to target wealthy tax cheats Top 1% fails to report over 20% of income using potentially "criminal" tactics: IRS analysis Experts: These churches violate law by endorsing candidates — should have tax-exempt status revoked MORE FROM Griffin Eckstein Advertisement:

Ohene Amoah Junior, a first-class graduate from the University of Education, Winneba-Ghana, shares his inspiring journey of perseverance despite financial and academic challenges He highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and maintaining faith His dedication and resilience have opened doors to numerous opportunities, shaping his aspirations to transform lives across Africa and beyond Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! Ohene Amoah Junior, a name now resonant with academic brilliance, narrates a story about his undergraduate journey that traverses the terrains of determination, challenges, and ultimate triumph. Graduating with First Class Honors in Bachelor of Arts Geography Education with Political Science from the University of Education, Winneba-Ghana, he achieved a notable CGPA of 3.65 out of 4.0. Relentless Effort to Succeed The achievement, he told Legit.ng , was not handed to him on a silver platter but was the fruit of relentless effort and an unyielding spirit. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! From the moment he set foot in the academic world , Ohene knew that his journey would be fraught with obstacles. Yet, the road ahead was filled with more daunting challenges—financial difficulties loomed large. Read also Brilliant OAU first class graduate opens up about his achievement and Engineering company He told Legit.ng : “I remember it got to some point where I had to follow my dad to the bank for just GH¢2,000.00 loan before I could settle my fees. It was such an embarrassing moment but I really thank God for that.” In the face of these challenges, Ohene found solace and strength in his faith and his close-knit circle of friends. Life of Impact Surrounding himself with individuals who shared his academic ambitions , he dedicated his time to effective study and collaborative learning. The first class graduate envisions a future where he is recognized as a transformative figure, positively impacting lives across Africa and beyond. On advise, he said: “The only advice I’d give to someone who wants to achieve academic excellence is to have a positive mindset that they can do it and work towards the goal.” 120 Bags First Class Degrees Read also Billionaire Tony Elumelu distributes bags of rice to Nigerian families for Christmas Legit.ng reported that Rivers State University has announced that it will award a total of 120 First Class Degrees during its 36th convocation ceremony scheduled for this weekend. The institution also revealed that the event will mark the graduation of the first set of Nursing graduates, with a total of 8,920 students set to graduate overall. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngBarclays PLC lifted its stake in Mercantile Bank Co. ( NASDAQ:MBWM – Free Report ) by 99.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 32,981 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 16,423 shares during the period. Barclays PLC owned approximately 0.20% of Mercantile Bank worth $1,441,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Inspire Investing LLC increased its holdings in Mercantile Bank by 218.8% in the second quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 29,820 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,210,000 after buying an additional 20,465 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in Mercantile Bank by 132.9% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,451 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $938,000 after purchasing an additional 12,239 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Mercantile Bank by 108.7% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 174,355 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $7,074,000 after purchasing an additional 90,802 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its holdings in Mercantile Bank by 83.7% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 31,301 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,368,000 after purchasing an additional 14,263 shares during the last quarter. Finally, De Lisle Partners LLP boosted its position in Mercantile Bank by 46.9% during the third quarter. De Lisle Partners LLP now owns 55,310 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,417,000 after purchasing an additional 17,649 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.63% of the company’s stock. Mercantile Bank Trading Down 1.7 % Shares of MBWM opened at $44.78 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Mercantile Bank Co. has a 1-year low of $33.46 and a 1-year high of $52.98. The stock has a market cap of $722.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.99 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $47.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $44.58. Mercantile Bank Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 6th were issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 6th. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.22%. Mercantile Bank’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.92%. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on Mercantile Bank from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MBWM Insider Activity In other news, Director Robert B. Kaminski sold 5,800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.75, for a total transaction of $300,150.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 19,810 shares in the company, valued at $1,025,167.50. This trade represents a 22.65 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Insiders sold a total of 10,550 shares of company stock valued at $531,660 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 3.08% of the company’s stock. About Mercantile Bank ( Free Report ) Mercantile Bank Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Mercantile Bank of Michigan that provides commercial and retail banking services to small- to medium-sized businesses and individuals in the United States. It accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, and term certificate accounts; time deposits; and certificates of deposit. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Mercantile Bank How to Invest in Tech Stocks and Top Tech Stocks to Consider Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December How to Calculate Stock Profit Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 How to Effectively Use the MarketBeat Ratings Screener These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Receive News & Ratings for Mercantile Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mercantile Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Fresh robotic hell On a scale of one to 10, just how desperate do you think Kim Kardashian is for attention? Judging by the billionaire's weirdly sexual photoshoot with a robot, the answer may be an 11. The entrepreneur and influencer, who is a big Tesla fan, recently posed with the company's Optimus bot in a Tesla Cybercab (a self-driving taxi) for a series of photos which might be described as avant-garde if you're being polite, and dystopian thirst traps if you're not. She also posted some rather less sultry videos of her interacting with the humanoid robot. The photoshoot has ignited something of a debate online about whether Kardashian is deliberately aligning herself with Elon Musk, who runs Tesla, and outing herself as a Trump supporter. Which is a bit of a stretch really as I'm not sure that – with the exception of an admirable stint working on criminal justice reform – Kardashian has ever pretended to be a leftist. Kardashian is a billionaire who has been sued for unfair labor practices and who announced, back in 2018, that she has "nothing bad to say" about Trump. Her Tesla-themed photoshoot was hardly a radical new direction for her. It is, however, a sign of the "autonomous everything" direction in which we're headed. The world's most famous influencer cozying up to a robot in a self-driving taxi is yet another example of how AI-powered autonomous technology is slowly marching into our lives. When it comes to Tesla's Optimus robot, of course, the operative word here is slowly. The robot, which isn't available for sale to the general public yet, may look flashy but it isn't clear just how sophisticated it actually is yet. The Optimus robots were a major part of Tesla's Cybercab reveal in October, serving drinks to the crowd and even chatting with them – as it turns out, however, these "cutting-edge" robots were actually being remotely controlled by humans. Which is a step up, I suppose, from when Musk unveiled plans for a "Tesla Bot" in 2021 by... Arwa Mahdawi

For centuries now, gold has been seen as a sign of prosperity and a trusted asset, for preserving wealth in periods of uncertainty when its luster shines the most as investors look for stability and assurance in their investments. Thanks to the emergence of platforms and resources dedicated to gold trading , it has become simpler for people to engage in the precious metals market, offering them a means to broaden their investment portfolios and safeguard against fluctuations in the economy. Why Investing in Gold Stands the Test of Time Gold has maintained its value for generations. Is considered an investment in times of economic instability because it is a physical asset that holds intrinsic value unlike traditional currencies that can be affected by inflation and depreciation; its limited supply and lasting appeal across cultures have cemented its importance in the world economy. During times of decline or when there are tensions or high inflation rates occurring in the market landscape investors frequently opt for gold as a safe haven investment option. Gold’s stability, in preserving its value under circumstances makes it a trusted safeguard against uncertainties. This distinct characteristic establishes gold as not a commodity. Also as a reputable medium of exchange, during turbulent times. Exploring the World of Commodities Trading and the Significance of Gold, Within It The commodities market encompasses assets such as energy resources like oil and natural gas alongside products and precious metals; gold holds a special place in this market due to its diverse utility, for industrial use and investment purposes. Gold’s value is not solely determined by market forces, like supply and demand; rather it is greatly influenced by investor emotions and perceptions. The demand for gold in jewelry and technology certainly plays a role. Its reputation as an investment during uncertain times is what really dictates its value in the market. This unique characteristic sets gold apart from assets, in the world of commodities. Tips, for Investing in Gold There are ways for investors to incorporate gold into their investment portfolios such as gold holdings or investing in gold backed financial products and online trading platforms that offer digital trading services with its own set of benefits and drawbacks suitable for different investment tactics. ● Investors have long relied on purchasing gold, like coins or bars as a method of investment due to its tangible nature and direct ownership benefits; however caring for storage needs and insurance while navigating the resale process can pose certain challenges. ● Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as mutual funds provide investors with a way to invest in gold without the need to own physical gold itself by tracking its price and being traded publicly in stock exchanges for easy access and flexibility. ● For investors looking to take a sophisticated approach, in the financial market arena and possibly capitalize on gold’s price fluctuations there are futures and options available as investment tools to consider. They entail a greater level of comprehension of market dynamics and come with increased risks yet have the potential for substantial profits. ● Investment in gold mining stocks provides an avenue to capitalize from fluctuations in gold prices while also being subject to company variables and operational risks. Factors That Impact the Prices of Gold Various elements play a role, in the variations in the value of gold which is crucial for investors to keep track of to stay updated on market trends and conditions such, as: ● Economic factors such as interest rates and currency values have an impact on the price of gold because when inflation goes up it usually results in increased demand for gold as a way to protect against losing purchasing power. ● Central banks possess reserves and can influence the price of gold by engaging in buying or selling activities. They also have the ability to affect the demand for gold through their policies, like easing or tightening measures. ● In times of turmoil such as unrest or conflicts and worldwide emergencies like crises or disasters. Investors tend to turn to gold as a safe haven asset due to increased demand which leads to a rise in prices. ● Investor feelings play a role in shaping the price of gold due to its reputation as an investment choice in tumultuous times when the demand for gold usually spikes up. The Cons of Putting Money into Gold Investing in gold has its advantages such as protection against rising prices and market risks as maintaining its value in times of uncertainty or financial trouble based on past performance, in challenging economic times. Gold does come with its set of risks though. It doesn’t bring in any income, like stocks or bonds do. Its worth is completely tied to how the market is doing and changes in price can lead to fluctuations, in the short term. Also, investing in physical gold means you need to think about the costs involved in storing it securely. The Importance of Gold, in a Balanced Investment Portfolio Investment experts often stress the importance of diversification in portfolios to manage risk effectively; gold stands out for its ability to decrease risk due to its correlation with assets, like stocks and bonds. Gold tends to do well when the economy is uncertain; this can help balance out any losses, in parts of an investment portfolio. Investors might consider adding gold to their mix of investments to make their portfolio more stable and reduce the risk of losing money. Gold remains a sought after asset in the realm of investments due to its enduring value and versatility for investors seeking protection against inflation or seeking a harbor during times in the financial markets.Recap: Gaming studios face increasingly difficult decisions as they grapple with the escalating costs of creating cutting-edge visuals and the diminishing returns these visuals often provide. The challenge lies in striking a balance between visual spectacle, engaging gameplay, and sustainable development practices. For decades, giants in the gaming industry like Sony and Microsoft banked on realistic visuals to captivate audiences. Other publishers like Naughty Dog (The Last of Us, Uncharted series), CD Projekt Red (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077), Rockstar Games (Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto V), and Guerrilla Games (Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West) have consistently prioritized visual excellence and this approach has led to critical acclaim and commercial success. This strategy has transformed once-flat pixelated worlds into immersive experiences that rival cinematic productions. However, the cost of achieving such realism has skyrocketed, leading to a reevaluation of priorities within the gaming sector. Marvel's Spider-Man 2, released in 2023, is one example. Leveraging the PlayStation 5's processing power, developers at Insomniac Games crafted a visually stunning New York City. Peter Parker's iconic suits were rendered with intricate textures, while skyscrapers reflected sunlight with remarkable accuracy. This level of detail, however, came at a steep price. The game's development reportedly cost around $300 million, more than triple the budget of its predecessor from just five years earlier. There's a scene in The Last of Us 2 where a character just...takes a shirt off, over their head, without any clipping, and it's probably the most technically impressive thing I've ever seen in a game?? Like have you ever seen a character do this in a game before? pic.twitter.com/v4AvYe0JGz Another example of the industry's technical prowess can be seen in a particularly noteworthy scene in The Last of Us: Part II, when the protagonist Ellie removes her shirt, revealing bruises and scrapes on her back. This moment unfolds without any graphical glitches, demonstrating the painstaking attention to detail that has become a hallmark of high-budget game development. While these visuals are impressive, they raise questions about the sustainability of such investments. Despite Spider-Man 2's commercial success, with over 11 million copies sold, Sony announced 900 layoffs in February 2024, which affected the game's developers at Insomniac. In short, the financial returns on these investments are diminishing. At the same time, audience preferences are shifting as well. Jacob Navok, a former executive at Square Enix, told The New York Times that high-fidelity visuals primarily appeal to a specific demographic of gamers in their 40s and 50s. Meanwhile, younger generations are gravitating towards games with simpler graphics but robust social features, such as Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite. For many young gamers, "playing is an excuse for hanging out with other people," said Joost van Dreunen, a market analyst and professor at New York University. This social aspect has become a driving force in game design and popularity. As development costs soar and player preferences evolve, some studios are exploring alternative approaches. The live service model, which prioritizes regular content updates over graphical fidelity, has gained traction. Games like Genshin Impact have found tremendous success, generating billions in revenue primarily through mobile platforms. However, this model has risks. High-profile failures like Warner Bros. Discovery's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Sony's short-lived Concord demonstrate the challenges of entering the competitive live service market. Industry professionals are divided on the path forward. Some, like David Reitman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, see potential in artificial intelligence to reduce the costs associated with high-end graphics. Others, like independent developer Rami Ismail, are skeptical of quick technological fixes and worry about the industry's current trajectory.Russian man arrested for allegedly running LGBTQ+ travel agency 'found dead in his cell'

Celebrated fashion designer Ritu Beri, opened Escape, a lifestyle and cultural hub in Socorro, Porvorim. The outlet was inaugurated by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, on Saturday. Escape is a place that celebrates art, music, and culture. It is also a platform for both famous and new talents to come together. Visitors can enjoy different experiences like leisure, entertainment, dining, shopping, wellness, and social activities. Escape includes a boutique selling handmade gifts and souvenirs, a modern store featuring the latest in home décor, fashion, and accessories, and a special space for global professionals and creatives to network and collaborate. The place also has a banquet hall for hosting events.Maria Callas: How Inflammation, Crash Dieting And Heartache May Have Shaped Her Unique And Polarising Voice #Maria #Callas: #Inflammation, #Crash #Dieting #Heartache #Have #Shaped #Unique #Polarising #Vaccines #Pills #Doctor #Hospital #PandemicBarclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. ( NASDAQ:IAS – Free Report ) by 207.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 127,733 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 86,133 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned 0.08% of Integral Ad Science worth $1,380,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Integral Ad Science by 0.6% in the third quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC now owns 2,772,440 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,970,000 after purchasing an additional 17,166 shares in the last quarter. abrdn plc raised its position in Integral Ad Science by 12.5% in the 3rd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 2,147,656 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,216,000 after buying an additional 237,930 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Integral Ad Science by 10.8% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,224,138 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,899,000 after acquiring an additional 119,740 shares in the last quarter. Crestwood Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in Integral Ad Science by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Crestwood Capital Management L.P. now owns 650,738 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,034,000 after acquiring an additional 1,941 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Integral Ad Science by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 595,907 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,442,000 after acquiring an additional 41,528 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.78% of the company’s stock. Integral Ad Science Stock Down 0.3 % IAS opened at $10.44 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 3.71, a quick ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $11.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.74. Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. has a 1-year low of $7.98 and a 1-year high of $17.53. The stock has a market cap of $1.70 billion, a PE ratio of 52.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.45. Insider Transactions at Integral Ad Science In other news, CFO Tania Secor sold 5,240 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total transaction of $52,976.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 248,223 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,509,534.53. This represents a 2.07 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO Lisa Utzschneider sold 10,481 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total value of $105,962.91. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 239,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,423,457.99. This trade represents a 4.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 16,363 shares of company stock valued at $165,629. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently commented on IAS shares. Benchmark restated a “hold” rating on shares of Integral Ad Science in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on shares of Integral Ad Science from $20.00 to $18.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Integral Ad Science from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Integral Ad Science from $18.00 to $16.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Scotiabank assumed coverage on Integral Ad Science in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $15.18. View Our Latest Analysis on Integral Ad Science Integral Ad Science Profile ( Free Report ) Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. operates as a digital advertising verification company in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Australia, Japan, India, and the Nordics. The company provides IAS Signal, a cloud-based technology platform that offers return on ad spend needs; and deliver independent measurement and verification of digital advertising across devices, channels, and formats, including desktop, mobile, connected TV, social, display, and video. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Integral Ad Science Asset Allocation: The Key to a Successful Portfolio. Are You Paying Attention to Yours? Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December Best Stocks Under $10.00 Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 What is the Nikkei 225 index? These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IAS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. ( NASDAQ:IAS – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Integral Ad Science Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Integral Ad Science and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Real Madrid might look to push to the top position in the La Liga 2024-25 standings after Barcelona’s recent slipups. They will face Leganes next at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The Leganes vs Real Madrid game starts at 11:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on November 24. Sadly, there is no official broadcaster in India for the La Liga 2024-25 season. But the Leganes vs Real Madrid Live streaming will be available on the GXR World app and website. La Liga 2023–24: Real Madrid Will Be My Last Dugout, Says Coach Carlo Ancelotti . Are you ready @realmadriden ?🫣⚔️ #LeganesRealMadrid #Leganes pic.twitter.com/4tO6ITo9Fr — C.D. Leganés 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@CDLeganes_en) November 23, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

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President Museveni urges Isingiro farmers to embrace irrigation to increase productivity( MENAFN - UkrinForm) Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds announced that another batch of drones from Latvian manufacturers -- over 1,000 units -- has been prepared for shipment to Ukraine. He announced this on the social media platform X , Ukrinform reports. Spruds stated that the shipment includes combat drones of various types and emphasized that Latvia's collaboration with its drone manufacturers to support Ukraine will continue. "The Drone Coalition is led by Latvia and Great Britain. In 2025, Latvia will allocate another 20 million euros for drone procurement within the coalition framework," Spruds wrote. In late October, soldiers from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate received drones purchased using charitable funds collected in Latvia. Photo credit: Andris Spruds / X MENAFN29122024000193011044ID1109040026 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office

hand777 com login President-elect Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “Things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that US households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance. READ | Donald Trump's billionaire cabinet: Who are the big names apart from Elon Musk He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning the election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelt out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future of people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their defence, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defence. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defence against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine's assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” READ | Trump claims Russia ‘was not interested in protecting’ Assad after Syrian prez flees, says it's Putin's ‘time to act’ Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. During the campaign, Trump said presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term will end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added, “We're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would differ from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better healthcare for less money.”

WINTER viruses and bugs are spreading around the country – but there is a way to remain well by simply reaching into your kitchen cupboard. Luckily, fuelling your body from the inside out to fight off nasties does not have to cost a fortune if you know what to buy . Laura Stott looks at the best budget supermarket foods you can buy that will help you combat common cold-weather worries, all for around a pound. NUTRITIOUS broth is cheap to make or buy, will warm you up and is perfect for winter-proofing health. Experts agree its vitamin, amino acid and mineral density can boost your immune system to prevent cold and flu bugs taking hold, bolstering levels of vitamin A, B, K and E as well as providing helpful calcium, selenium and zinc. Buy ready-made from supermarkets or make your own by simmering chicken, beef or pork bones along with veggies and herbs in a large stock pot over a low heat for 20 minutes. You can even dissolve a stock cube in boiling water for benefits . Try: Asda beef stock cubes (12-pack) 80p. A TRAY of sushi wrapped in nori seaweed can provide helpful vitamin B12. It is scientifically proven to benefit those who suffer from depression or anxiety brought on by Seasonal Affective Disorder or winter blues. Upping levels of B12 will also help strengthen the immune system to fight off seasonal viruses. Seaweed, used as an ingredient in most packets of supermarket sushi, contains a compound shown to reduce viral loads, with some studies also suggesting it can shorten the lifespan of a cold. Swap your sandwich for sushi once or twice a week, or switch ready salted for seaweed crisps instead. Try: Tesco veggie sushi, 55g, £1.30. ONE study found the mineral zinc can help shorten the life of a common cold by as much as 30 per cent. Making sure you have a healthy amount in your diet is sensible for combating bugs. Oysters are one of the most well-known dietary sources of zinc. But as well as being an acquired taste, shelling out on them won’t come cheap. Instead, up your levels with eggs. A large one provides around seven per cent of your RDA of zinc. So whether you fry, boil or whisk up a few for an omelette, they are a great way to stay well over winter. Try: Free-range medium eggs (six-pack) £1.60, Sainsbury’s. A BOWL of cornflakes for brekkie over the winter could be just as beneficial for your health as shelling out for a winter multivitamin. Most UK cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, making them a great way to up your intake of natural essentials such as iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Iron aids energy levels by boosting red blood cell proteins, and helps circulation for when the temperature drops. A standard-sized bowl of supermarket flakes provides almost 3mg of iron – the same as a serving of spinach. Try: Morrisons cornflakes, 79p. NHS guidelines recommend all adults in the UK should increase their intake of food rich in vitamin D, or consider taking a 10mg supplement daily from October to March. Vitamin D is crucial for bone, teeth and muscle health but our bodies cannot make it naturally without enough sunlight. Food sources include oysters and steak fillets but one rich source is available for less than £1. Tinned sardines contain around 40 per cent of an adult’s recommended daily allowance in one can, making them a great, healthy budget buy. Have them on toast, mixed into a pasta sauce or enjoy on a pizza. Try: Aldi sardines in tomato sauce, 49p. NATURALLY high in potassium and vitamin C, the humble spud is the perfect winter warmer. They cost pennies but help to boost our immune system, fight off infections and provide the comforting starchy carbs many of us will find ourselves craving for energy at this time of year. Around 100g of spuds will give you 20mg of vitamin C and 421mg of potassium. But whether you opt for roast, boiled or chipped tatties, for maximum benefits make sure you leave the skin on. A jacket spud is ideal, and you can add baked beans for protein and fibre. Try: Baking potatoes (four) 59p, Asda. IF you suffer with itchy, flaking, dry and chapped skin in the winter, increase your levels of vitamin E, which is a vital component to keep it healthy. It helps skin hold on to water and naturally boosts moisture levels. All nuts are a great source but can be expensive. A jar of supermarket own-brand peanut butter will save you pounds. Around two tablespoons give you almost 20 per cent of an adult RDA of vitamin E and will taste great. Jars with a low sugar content will be even better for you. Try: Tesco crunchy peanut butter, 340g, £1.09. VITAMIN C helps keep our immune systems fortified so we have the best chance of swerving those pesky cold and flu bugs. It will also combat rough and itchy seasonal skin conditions. A medium-sized tomato contains 17 per cent of an adult’s RDA of vitamin C, and tomato sauce is a great way to get a boost. Use fresh tomatoes for maximum benefit by making a sauce for spag bol, scattering into a lasagne or dicing and adding to stews. Or stock up on tinned tommies for the winter months. Try: Sainsbury’s tinned chopped tomatoes, 400g, 47p.Small cells have seen phenomenal growth since the advent of the latest wireless network across the globe spawned hundreds of millions of 5G users who prize speed. The term small cell refers to a mobile base station used to boost 5G signals in indoor areas such as malls and offices. It is used because 5G millimeter wave signals don't travel very far and can't penetrate walls, and small cells have multiple-input, multiple-output antennas to boost network capacity. According to the Small Cell Forum, a technology standards development organization, the total installed base of 5G small cells next year will reach 13.1 million. Now, glass curtain walls have become popular high-rise fixtures due to their aesthetics, energy efficiency and versatility. They have emerged as a symbol of modernity, blending aesthetics with engineering prowess. Cellular radio engineers are focusing antenna design aspects with performance parameters like compactness, efficiency and isolation, while architects and urban designers are looking into visual appearance and aesthetic impacts of small cells. Both cellular and construction industries are collaborating and taking further steps toward achieving advanced building materials that can adopt the 5G technology and designing small cell antennas that can avoid installing more unsightly equipment. This week, I want to look at an innovative technology of glass antennae that converts windows into base stations by using transparent conductive materials that transmit and receive 5G signals. The concept of glass window antennae emerged around 2020. Branded as Waveantenna, it was developed in Japan by AGC, a glass manufacturer, NTT Docomo, a mobile carrier, and JTower, an infrastructure firm that deployed these antennae in urban environments. AGC has been instrumental in developing the transparent conductive materials used in these antennas. The main motivation was to enhance the carrier's 5G coverage without cluttering urban landscapes with traditional antennae. The technology involves sandwiching transparent conductive materials between glass panes, similar to those used in laminated windshields. Embedding the materials within the glass allows the window to function as an antenna without altering its appearance. This design allows the antennae to be almost invisible, maintaining buildings' aesthetics and providing 5G coverage. This is particularly effective for the Sub6 band (frequencies below 6 GHz), which are crucial for 5G deployment due to their ability to penetrate buildings better than higher frequency signals. Glass antennae can further be tailored to reduce dropped connections on the go by enhancing reception in automobiles. By integrating the antennae into car windows, vehicles can maintain better connectivity, especially in urban environments where signal strength can fluctuate. There remain two key challenges to overcome, despite the pilot being installed on a window in Shinjuku, Tokyo. First, it's essential to ensure that the antennae effectively transmit and receive signals without significant loss or reflection in varying weather conditions. More advanced transparent conductive materials to improve the signal strength and durability of antennae are being developed. Next up is the challenge of seamlessly integrating the antennae into existing infrastructure without disrupting the aesthetics of buildings and vehicles. Glass antennae are expected to see wider deployment to more applications, including residential buildings and public transportation, and that will lead to economies of scale and lower installation costs, making them even more accessible. It is an innovative technology that not merely represents a significant step forward in telecommunications infrastructure but also offers a solution to the challenges of 5G deployment in dense urban areas. Dr Jolly Wong is a policy fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

OASIS, Coldplay and Dua Lipa will help drive a predicted £7billion into the UK economy next year. The British acts’ huge tours are contributing to what people in the industry are dubbing the biggest year ever for live music. Advertisement 21 Britain is set for a huge year of gigs and music tours in 2025 from stars including Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Oasis The massive appetite for tickets means concerts in the UK will help trounce the £6.1billion brought to our economy in 2023. And it is even ready to top the boost given to Britain by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour this summer, which is now the highest-grossing tour of all time. Leading talent manager Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, whose company Chosen Music has worked with many international artists, said: “People are embracing the live music experience more than ever before. “With the rise of social media, many younger people are spending more time online and less time together in person. Advertisement READ MORE ON MUSIC FAT CHANCE Huge Brit DJ reveals he'll NEVER release another album & has lost love for music SLADE ON THE SLIDE Rows & tragedy saw Slade go from UK's biggest band to playing tiny gigs “As a result, the demand for shared, memorable, communal experiences, such as live concerts, has never been higher. “The UK’s 2025 live music calendar is already packed with huge names such as Dua Lipa , Oasis, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Coldplay, Gracie Abrams, Teddy Swims and Billie Eilish , all contributing to the anticipation for what will surely be a landmark year for live music. “Moreover, record companies are recognising the power of live shows to boost music sales by offering bundled concert tickets with album purchases, catering to passionate fans eager for exclusive experiences. “With so much competition in the market, artists are being forced to be more creative with their offerings and their performances, ensuring their live shows are an unforgettable experience.” Advertisement Most read in Music BLANKED SPACE Taylor Swift 'ghosted' £1,000 tartan gift from Scots council be the one Dua Lipa looks loved up with Callum Turner in first snap since engagement CHLOE SO GLOWY Chloe Bennet shows some leg in split yellow skirt at LA premiere of new show Love lessons Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher opens up about family after brief split from wife Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo , 50 Cent , Sam Fender and Iron Maiden have already helped drive huge revenues with their shows for 2025. R&B stars including Nelly , Sean Paul, Ashanti and Eve will also be helping to boost takings with nostalgia-driven shows. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin stops show in Sydney to save young boy in heartwarming A music industry source said: “Billions have already been generated in ticket sales, but there will be even more added from hotels, travel, food and drink. “It is becoming an increasingly lucrative market and 2025 will be the biggest year ever for live music. Advertisement “The industry is braced for a bumper year.” Billy Joel 21 Billy Joel is coming to Edinburgh and Liverpool Credit: Getty THE Piano Man will play his only Europe shows of 2025 in Edinburgh on June 7 and in Liverpool on June 21 – his first appearances in both cities for 46 years. Iron Maiden 21 Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives world tour includes shows in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow Credit: Getty Advertisement MARKING 50 years as a group, Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives world tour includes shows in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow in June. Billie Eilish 21 Billie Eilish will bring her Hit Me Hard And Soft tour to Glasgow and Dublin Credit: Getty TOURING the nation in July for the Hit Me Hard And Soft tour, beginning at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. Her final night is at Dublin’s 3Arena on July 27. Advertisement Katy Perry 21 Katy Perry is back in Britain in October Credit: Getty SEVEN years after her last arena tour, she is back here in October for the Lifetimes Tour, hitting Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. Imagine Dragons 21 Imagine Dragons will bring their LOOM World Tour to London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for two nights in July Credit: Getty ONE of the most popular pop-rock bands around, they will bring their LOOM World Tour to London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for two nights in July, with support from Declan McKenna. Advertisement Scissor Sisters 21 The Scissor Sisters will reunite for a UK tour in May Credit: Getty CELEBRATING the 21st anniversary of their self-titled debut album, the American Take Your Mama group will reunite for a UK tour in May. Dua Lipa June 20 – 27 21 Dua Lipa is doing a stadium tour Credit: Getty Advertisement SHE sold out her Future Nostalgia arena tour last year and this time is upgrading to stadiums. Dua has two nights at London’s Wembley Stadium and will play a further two dates at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, plus another at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. It follows her Glasto headline performance this summer. Coldplay Aug 22–Sep 8 Advertisement 21 Coldplay are the first band ever to sell out ten nights at Wembley Stadium in a single year Credit: Getty THEY are the first band ever to sell out ten nights at Wembley Stadium in a single year – and they follow six sold-out shows there in 2022 on the same tour. Coldplay will kick off the final swansong of their Music Of The Spheres world tour with two nights at Hull’s Craven Park, before their residency in London. The tour has grossed more than £1billion. Advertisement Olivia Rodrigo Jun 24–Jul 1 21 On top of many other shows, Olivia Rodrigo will headline her own day at BST Hyde Park in London Credit: Getty SHE only completed the Guts World Tour in October, but Olivia will now keep the party going into 2025. As well as two rescheduled shows in Manchester, she will top the bill at Dublin’s Marlay Park and is heavily rumoured to be a headliner at Glastonbury. Advertisement The singing sensation, who has had hits including Deja Vu, Vampire and Drivers License, will also headline her own day at BST Hyde Park in London. Robbie Williams May 31–Jun 14, Aug 23 21 Robbie Williams will play two nights at London’s Emirates Stadium and concerts in Manchester, Bath and Dublin in 2025 Credit: Getty ROBBIE will be embarking on a huge tour, 30 years after his departure from Take That. Advertisement Fresh from his biopic Better Man hitting cinemas, he will headline Newcastle’s inaugural Come Together Festival on June 4. Then there will be two nights at London’s Emirates Stadium and concerts in Manchester, Bath and Dublin. Sabrina Carpenter March 3 -14, Jul 5 21 Popstar Sabrina Carpenter is at the height of her fame Credit: Getty Advertisement AFTER an incredible 21 weeks at number one this year, Sabrina is ready to take the UK by storm with her Short 'N' Sweet tour. She sold out all eight arena shows in Dublin, Birmingham, London Glasgow Manchester as well as a 65,000 ticket headline concert at BST Hyde Park in July. The Espresso singer's tour which began in the states in September has received rave reviews. Lana Del Rey Jun 23-Jul 4 Advertisement 21 Lana Del Rey will play her first stadium tour here in the UK Credit: Getty THE brooding American will play her first stadium tour here in the UK. She will start in Cardiff, before shows in Glasgow, Liverpool and London, most of which has sold out. Fans will also get to hear new music from the six-time chart-topper as she will release her record, The Right Person Will Stay, in May before hitting the road. Advertisement Oasis Jul 4-Aug 17, Sep 27-28 21 The Oasis reunion announcement made headlines around the world IT is the reunion that no one thought would ever happen. Noel and Liam Gallagher have put aside their 16-year rift to kick off Oasis’s comeback at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4. Advertisement They then play shows in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin, and return to London in September for two more shows following a stint in the US. Bruce Springsteen May 14-20 and Jun 4, 7 21 Hundreds of thousands of fans are ready to turn out for three Bruce Springsteen shows Credit: Getty HE has been in music for more than 50 years and The Boss will continue to bring in the crowds. Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of fans are ready to turn out for three shows at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and a further two nights at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium. Bruce will be accompanied by his E Street Band for the shows. Usher 21 Usher will play ten nights at London’s O2 Arena Credit: Getty THE American R&B superstar will play ten nights at London’s O2 Arena between March and May as part of his Past Present Future tour. Advertisement Busted v McFly 21 Busted will go head-to-head against McFly - pictured Busted's James Bourne Credit: Getty THE two Noughties pop-rock groups will go head-to-head on a 32-show tour across the UK and Ireland, kicking off in September. Kylie Minogue 21 Kylie Minogue fans will be looking forward to May Credit: Getty SIX years after her last tour, the Aussie pop princess will return to the stage for her Tension Tour, in the UK from May to early June. Advertisement ELO 21 ELO will bow out permanently in July Credit: Getty - Contributor JEFF LYNNE’s Electric Light Orchestra will bow out of music for ever in July, with gigs in Birmingham and Manchester and their final show at BST Hyde Park on July 13. Read more on the Scottish Sun GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ VAX HORROR Striken Scots 'gaslit' by health bosses after complications from Covid vaccine Olly Murs 21 Olly Murs will tour the length and breadth of the country from April to May Credit: Getty X FACTOR’s cheeky chappy will tour the length and breadth of the country from April to May before a packed schedule of summer shows from June to August. Advertisement Sam Fender 21 Sam Fender headlines London Stadium on June 6 Credit: Getty HIS album People Watching will be out in February, which gives fans plenty of time to learn it before he headlines London Stadium on June 6, and three nights at Newcastle’s St James’ Park later in the month.

European stocks bounced around Monday while US equities shook off early weakness to push higher as investors waited to see if a so-called Santa Claus rally sweeps over the market. Global stock markets had a tumultuous time last week, spiraling lower after the US Federal Reserve signaled fewer interest rate cuts than had been expected for 2025. But it ended on a positive note as traders welcomed below-forecast US inflation data that raised hopes about the health of the world's biggest economy. That helped Asian markets move higher on Monday, but the positive trend faltered in Europe and stumbled initially in the United States. "Another up leg in US yields not only put pressure on stock indices but also drove the greenback higher," said IG analyst Axel Rudolph. But after a sluggish start, US stocks rose progressively in a quiet session with analysts pointing to low pre-holiday trading volumes. "Stocks didn't really have any direction in the morning, then we got this tech rally that just sort of drifted higher all day," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. Analysts view elevated Treasury bond yields as a threat to year-end gains in an historically strong period of the calendar. Known as a Santa Claus rally, there are various explanations for the phenomenon including seasonal optimism and end-of-year tax considerations. But there remains some trepidation among investors as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, pledging to cut taxes, slash regulations and impose tariffs on imports, which some economists warn could reignite inflation. "The initial response to the US election was positive as investors focused on the obvious tailwinds to profitability: lower corporate tax rates and less regulation," said Ronald Temple, chief market strategist at Lazard. "However, I expect much more dispersion within the equity market when the reality of a much-less-friendly trade environment sets in." In Europe, the FTSE 100 moved higher as the pound slid following data that showed that the UK economy stagnated in the third quarter, revised down from initial estimates of 0.1 percent growth. Official data out of Spain on Monday showed that the Spanish economy grew 0.8 percent in the third quarter as domestic consumption and exports increased, comfortably outstripping the European Union average. In company news, shares in crisis-hit German auto giant Volkswagen lost more than three percent on the back of news Friday that it plans to axe 35,000 jobs by 2030 in a drastic cost-cutting plan. Shares in Japanese auto giant Honda rose over three percent after it announced Monday an agreement to launch merger talks with struggling compatriot Nissan that could create the world's third largest automaker. New York - Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 42,906.95 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.7 percent at 5,974.89 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 19,764.89 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 8,102.72 (close) Paris - CAC 40: FLAT at 7,272.32 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.2 percent at 19,848.77 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.2 percent at 39,161.34 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.8 percent at 19,883.13 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,351.26 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0408 from $1.0430 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2531 from $1.2570 Dollar/yen: UP at 157.14 yen from 156.31 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.03 pence from 82.97 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $69.24 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $72.63 per barrel burs-jmb/jgc

A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own

How junk food firms are dodging govt’s advertising ban by targeting young people on gaming sites and social media

British-Canadian computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton and co-laureate John Hopfield are set to receive the Nobel Prize for physics on Tuesday in Stockholm. The pair landed the accolade because they used physics to develop artificial neural networks, which help computers learn without having to program them. These networks form the foundation of machine learning, a computer science that relies on data and algorithms to help artificial intelligence mimic the human brain. Hinton and Hopfield’s path to the Nobel began when Hopfield, who is now a professor emeritus at Princeton University, invented a network in 1982 that could store and reconstruct images in data. The Hopfield network uses associate memory, which humans use to remember what something looks like when it’s not in front of them or to conjure up a word they know but seldom use. The network can mirror this process because it stores patterns and has a method for recreating them. When the network is given an incomplete or slightly distorted pattern, the method then searches for the stored pattern that is most similar to recreate data. This means if a computer was shown, for example, a photo of dog where only part of the animal was visible, it could use the network to piece together the missing part of the image and recognize it was depicting a dog. Hinton, who was working at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1985, used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network he called the Boltzmann machine. Its name came from the nineteenth-century physicist Ludwig Boltzmann. The Boltzmann machine learns from examples, rather than instructions, and when trained, can recognize familiar characteristics in information, even if it has not seen that data before. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which gives out the Nobel, likens this to how humans may be able to identify someone as a relative of one of their friends, even if they’ve never met this person before, because of they share similar traits. The Boltzmann machine works in a similar way, classifying images or creating new examples based on the patterns it was trained on. This kind of technology can help suggest films or television shows based on a user’s preferences and past viewing history The Hopfield network and Boltzmann machine are considered to have laid the groundwork for modern AI. Hinton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, went on to win the A.M. Turing Award, known as the Nobel Prize of computing, with fellow Canadian Yoshua Bengio and American Yan LeCun in 2018. He is often called the godfather of AI. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press

The spiritual heart of Paris awakens: Notre Dame hosts first Mass since 2019 fireCSIRO hails successful road test of lower-cost green hydrogen technology at steel plantArticle content MINNEAPOLIS — Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 on Sunday for their sixth straight victory. Darnold added another highlight to his brilliant first season in Minnesota following the departure of Cousins in free agency to Atlanta with a 22-for-28 performance and no turnover-worthy plays despite heavy first-half pressure. Darnold passed for 250 yards after halftime to help the Vikings (11-2) break a 21-all tie early in the fourth quarter and stay one game behind NFC North-leading Detroit with a final-week matchup looming with the Lions. Jordan Addison had eight catches for 133 yards and three scores and Justin Jefferson racked up seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns after going the past six games without scoring. Cousins threw two more interceptions without a touchdown in his return to Minnesota, where he was greeted by loud boos and left with Atlanta’s fourth consecutive loss to tumble out of first place in the NFC South and fall one game behind Tampa Bay. EAGLES 22, PANTHERS 16 PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley rushed for 124 yards to break the Eagles season record, Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, and Philadelphia won its ninth straight game over Carolina. The Eagles (11-2) maintained their position as the No. 2 team in the NFC, behind Detroit (12-1), after a mostly lethargic effort against the Panthers (3-10). Barkley added another milestone in his MVP push when he used a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter to surpass LeSean McCoy’s Eagles record of 1,607 yards, set in 2013. Barkley now has 1,623 yards with four games left. A 12 1/2-point underdog according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Panthers played more like a team with playoff seeding at stake. STEELERS 27, BROWNS 14 PITTSBURGH — Russell Wilson threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh pulls away from mistake-prone Cleveland. The Steelers (10-3) beat Cleveland at home during the regular season for the 21st straight time, even with leading receiver George Pickens watching from the sideline while missing the first game of his career due to a groin injury. While it took Wilson a while to get going with the productive if volatile Pickens out of the mix, he found his footing in the second half by connecting on touchdown passes to Pat Freiermuth and Van Jefferson as the Steelers moved two games ahead of rival Baltimore for the AFC North lead with four weeks to go. BUCCANEERS 28, RAIDERS 13 TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, helping Tampa Bay beat Las Vegas and take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Mayfield tossed scoring passes of 15 yards and 29 yards to rookie Jalen McMillan. Rachaad White scored on a 5-yard reception and a 3-yard run as the Bucs (7-6) won for the third straight week against a last-place opponent to revive their hopes for a fourth consecutive division title. The Raiders (2-11) lost quarterback Aidan O’Connell to a knee injury in addition to extending the NFL’s longest losing streak to nine games. O’Connell was carted off the field after being shoved to the ground by Bucs defensive lineman Calijah Kancey after throwing a pass late in the third quarter. The quarterback, in his second game back after being sidelined nearly six weeks with a broken thumb, remained on the ground after an 8-yard, third-down completion to Jakobi Meyers. Kancey chased O’Connell out of the pocket toward the Bucs sideline and shoved him from behind after the ball was released. Kancey was not penalized for a late hit. DOLPHINS 32, JETS 26, OT MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and Miami overcame Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years to beat New York. After Jason Sanders tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins (6-7) down the field and they beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami. That came after Anders Carlson gave the struggling Jets (3-10) _ who were eliminated from postseason contention for the 14th straight year — the lead with a 42-yarder with 52 seconds remaining. But Malik Washington put the Dolphins in great position to help set up Sanders’ field goal with a 45-yard kickoff return to Miami’s 46-yard line. Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two TDs. He had just one incompletion on Miami’s eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by Smith’s fourth touchdown of the season. Smith didn’t have a catch before catching three for 44 yards on the winning drive. Rodgers was 27 of 39 for 339 yards, ending a drought of 34 regular-season games without a 300-yard passing game — dating to Dec. 12, 2021, while with Green Bay — and had a TD pass to Davante Adams. JAGUARS 10, TITANS 6 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tank Bigsby ran for an 8-yard touchdown with 6:46 left as Jacksonville snaps a five-game skid and ends Tennessee’s slim playoff hopes. Jacksonville (3-10) came in already eliminated with Trevor Lawrence out for the rest of this season. The Jaguars leave with only their second victory in the past 11 trips to Music City and second in the past three. The Titans (3-10) came in needing to win out to even have a chance of their first playoff berth since the 2021 season ended with a divisional loss on their home field. Tennessee has fired both a general manager and coach since then. SAINTS 14, GIANTS 11 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Brian Bresee leaped over the Giants’ line to block a potential tying field goal with 11 seconds left, and New Orleans held on for a victory over New York after losing quarterback Derek Carr to an injury late in the fourth quarter. The Giants lost their eighth straight, one shy of the team record. Carr, who finished 20 of 31 for 219 yards, was hurt with just under four minutes to play when he dived for a first down near the Saints 40 and landed hard. He left the field shortly after the play and it almost cost the Saints (5-8). New York got the ball back at its 27 with 1:21 to play and drove to the Saints 12, with Drew Lock scrambling for 25 yards on fourth down and then finding Malik Nabers for 23 yards. The Giants tried twice to throw to the end zone for a winning touchdown before sending out Graham Gano to try to force overtime. Gano’s kick was a little low and the Giants couldn’t defend the jumping Breese, who got a hand on the ball.

Trudeau participates in Canada-U.S. relations cabinet committee amid calls to resignAdrian Wojcik Please note that all $ figures are in $CAD, not $USD, unless otherwise stated. Introduction TMX Group (TSX: X:CA ) is Canadian financial services company that facilities trading of stocks, bonds, derivatives, and energy markets. Most known for being the owner and 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.a-777 。

Variety ‘s “ Actors on Actors ” Season 21 is officially the most successful social rollout in franchise history. The beloved video series, which pairs actors in conversation with each other and launches twice a year during Oscars and Emmys season, amassed over 197 million video views across social media platforms — a whopping 36 percent increase over “Actors on Actors” Season 19, which previously held the record . Variety ’s social media team, led by editor Rachel Seo with coordinator Julia MacCary, posted over 650 static images and videos to X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook as part of the series rollout. TikTok alone accrued over 120 million video views and Instagram over 57 million, while clips posted to X generated over 12.3 million video views. This season featured memorable conversations between Kieran Culkin and Colman Domingo, whose witty repartee sparked much online discourse about morning routines and astrology; Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal, who came together for a buzzy breakdown on the “Glicked” phenomenon; and Angelina Jolie and Cynthia Erivo, who went deep in their discussion of their singing lead turns in “Wicked” and “Maria.” Season 21 was executive produced by Ramin Setoodeh, Donna Pennestri, Michelle Merker and Andrew Russell, with Michelle Sobrino-Stearns serving as executive-in-charge of production and Nicholas Stango leading Variety’s video team. Conversations were moderated by Setoodeh, editor-at-large Kate Aurthur, reporter Selome Hailu and chief correspondent Daniel D’Addario. Maris Berzins, Georg Kallert, Diana Nguyen and Rob Schroeder served as producers, with Mark Hayes as post producer and Katie Adler as associate producer. Variety senior executive producer Sydney Kramer, content strategist Lauren Ames, junior producer Tania Merlos and editor Karen Mizoguchi also contributed.

Terrell Owens’ remark about Deebo Samuel being more focused on his pre-game attires than the game brewed up rumors of a beef between them. The SF 49ers star even told Owens to “cut it fam” in response. However, after the brief online back-and-forth, the two cleared the air, as shown by the conversation Deebo shared during his latest media appearance. “Me and T.O. had a phone call after that,” Deebo shared on Cleats & Convos. “Talking to him, it was just, what do you call it? Cheeks and giggles.” The 49ers wide receiver revealed how Owens explained that his comment was just a joke, and the media had blown it “ out of proportion. ” He also admitted that he “understands” the former athlete’s perspective, acknowledging how rumors and speculations can often “flip” an athlete’s narrative. The receiver clarified that both of them were now “ cool ” and had a constructive conversation to clear up the misunderstanding surrounding the issue. Samuel and Owen’s conversation wasn’t just cool, though. It also involved the legend offering some football advice to the currently struggling receiver. Terrel Owens’ advice to Deebo Samuel The 28-year-old hasn’t been playing up to his standard this season, leaving him on the receiving end of criticism recently. On being asked if he discussed his “ frustrations ” with the former 49ers receiver, Deebo shared that he had indeed talked “ a little bit ” about his performance. He explained how Owens had mentioned that, while he only gets to “catch” the game here and there, he firmly believes the team can “flip” their season around. Owens also encouraged the WR, saying the team still has all the “tools” they need to make a comeback, and all isn’t lost yet. That said, Deebo still has enough time to ball out, prove himself, and silence the critics. San Francisco’s next chance to make it to the playoffs race comes on Monday against the Bills.By LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

Vodafone Qatar has announced the launch of the all-new brovi 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro 5 for customers in Qatar. The next-generation mobile Wi-Fi device combines cutting-edge 5G technology with Wi-Fi 6 Plus for fast connectivity, all housed in an ultra-slim and lightweight design that redefines portability and performance. With theoretical peak download speeds of up to 3.6 Gbps and upload speeds of 500 Mbps, the 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro 5 ensures customers can stream HD content, download 4K videos within seconds, and enjoy ultra-smooth online gaming. Featuring an OLED touchscreen, the brovi 5G Mobile Wi-Fi Pro 5 provides intuitive device control, with the AI Life app ensuring seamless traffic management, parental controls, and advanced security for a smarter and safer experience. The brovi 5G MiFi Pro 5 is also powered by Game Turbo 2.0 technology, boosting signal strength, reducing latency, and optimising over 40 popular games for an immersive gaming experience. Supporting multiple simultaneous connections, the brovi 5G Mobile WiFi Pro 5 is engineered to meet the needs of modern users, allowing up to 10 hours of continuous use, suitable for remote work and staying connected on the move. Customers can purchase the brovi 5G MiFi, online, and from the following Vodafone retail stores, such as Villaggio Mall, City Center Mall, Mall of Qatar, Landmark Mall, Doha Festival City, Place Vendome, Tawar Mall, Lulu D-Ring Road, and Vodafone’s Al Wakra branch. For more information on pricing and specifications, visit https://www.vodafone.qa/en/product/Brovi.

The holiday season took a turn for the worse for some Nintendo Switch owners as they discovered a number of beloved Cartoon Network games had vanished from the eShop. Titles like Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, OK K.O.! Let’s Play Heroes, and both Steven Universe RPGs (Save the Light and Unleash the Light) were suddenly unavailable for purchase as of December 23rd, 2024. This digital disappearance follows a similar incident from July 2024 where Adult Swim titles were also delisted. While no official statement has been released by Warner Bros. Discovery, Cartoon Network Games, or Adult Swim Games, speculation abounds. Some theories point to licensing issues, while others suggest it may be related to the recent wave of layoffs and cost-cutting measures at Warner Bros. Discovery. Whatever the reason, the sudden removal has left many fans disappointed and wondering about the future of these games on the platform. The Missing Titles Here’s a rundown of the Cartoon Network games that have been confirmed as removed from the Nintendo Switch eShop: A Growing Trend? This isn’t the first time digital games have suddenly disappeared from online stores. Earlier this month, Sega pulled several of its own titles from various platforms. The increasing frequency of these removals raises concerns about the long-term availability and preservation of digital games. Unlike physical media, digital purchases can be rendered inaccessible due to licensing agreements, server closures, or company decisions, as seen in this instance. What This Means for Players If you already purchased any of these Cartoon Network games, you should still be able to redownload and play them. However, those who were hoping to add them to their collection are now out of luck. The delisting not only limits access for new players but also potentially impacts the games’ communities and future updates. The Future of Digital Ownership The delisting of these Cartoon Network games highlights the ongoing debate surrounding digital ownership in the gaming industry. While digital storefronts offer convenience and a vast library of titles, events like this remind us that our access to these games can be precarious. Many gamers are now advocating for greater transparency and consumer rights when it comes to digital purchases. They argue that companies should provide clearer information about the potential for game removals and offer options for offline play or alternative access in such situations. My Personal Take As an avid gamer and someone who writes about gaming trends, this news is both disappointing and concerning. I’ve always been a fan of Cartoon Network shows, and I enjoyed playing some of these titles on the Switch. It’s frustrating to see them disappear without any clear explanation, especially during the holidays. This situation emphasizes the need for better communication between publishers and consumers. While I understand that licensing and business decisions can be complex, a simple heads-up about upcoming delistings would go a long way in maintaining trust and goodwill with players. Moreover, it raises questions about the longevity of our digital game libraries . Will we still have access to our favorite titles years down the line? Or will they vanish without a trace? These are issues that the gaming industry needs to address as digital distribution becomes the dominant model. Looking Ahead It remains to be seen whether these Cartoon Network games will ever return to the Switch eShop. Perhaps Warner Bros. Discovery will reconsider their decision or offer an alternative way to access them. In the meantime, fans can only hope for more transparency and a greater focus on preserving digital games for future generations.

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Does the NBA have a 3-point problem? Truth be told, Steph Curry doesn't really care. The Warriors star sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews this week, who brought up LeBron James' recent comments about NBA viewership and how the league has "a lot of f--king threes being shot." Curry, who changed the game with , doesn't view it as an issue. "I mean, everybody has their opinion," Curry told Andrews. "It's not like I can go out and do a 360 windmill and drive down the lane and dunk on somebody. So for me, I'm never going to fight 3-point shots. That's just how I see the game. It's how I've seen the game forever. But everybody has a different viewpoint and certain skill sets that have started to come into to the league. See how many bigs are dominating down on the post, and it's kind of either extreme. And the cool part, defenses adjust. And it takes time for that to happen, so we'll see how it goes. "But I'm going to keep shooting threes, so don't worry about that." Steph Curry sat down with to discuss the amount of 3-point shots being attempted in today's NBA ☔ — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) James' criticism came before the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, where he was asked about the to a four-team mini-tournament and implied the league's problems go beyond the annual exhibition. “I have my ideas of what could possibly work, but I’m not going to do that,” James told reporters ( ). “You got to do something. Obviously, the last couple of years have not been a great All-Star Game on Sunday night. But it’s a bigger conversation. It’s not just the All-Star Game; it’s our game in general. Our game -- there’s a lot of f--king threes being shot. So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.” Curry, now in Year 16, is known for revolutionizing the game of basketball in a league where, prior to his arrival, there wasn't much emphasis on the 3-point shot. Four NBA titles and a Warriors dynasty later, and many teams are following suit. The defending champion Boston Celtics are per game this season -- far above the NBA record of 45.4 attempts per game set by the Houston Rockets in 2018-19. But like Curry, NBA commissioner Adam Silver believes there are all kinds of skill sets on display -- but he didn't rule out remedies for the perceived issue. "I would not reduce it to a so-called 3-point shooting issue," Silver said last Tuesday at the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas. "I think we look more holistically at the skill level on the floor, the diversity of offense, the fan reception to the game, all of the above. "I think the game is in a great place. I love watching the games, and I think we have some of the most skilled athletes in the world competing -- and it's unfair, I think, to the players to lump them into categories as 3-point shooters or a midrange shooter or big man playing under the basket. It's an amazing game. "Having said that, we're constantly having discussions about whether there are ways to improve stylistically the game on the floor." There's no telling what the NBA might look like in another 10 or 15 years, but one thing is evident about Curry: The 3-point king will continue letting it fly, no matter that anyone else says.Trudeau participates in Canada-U.S. relations cabinet committee amid calls to resign

Narayana Murthy Explains Why He Wants 70-Hour Workweek, Again

Baltimore Ravens leading receiver Zay Flowers is questionable for Wednesday's game against the host Houston Texans because of a shoulder issue. Flowers was listed on the team's injury report after missing practice on Sunday and Monday and being limited on Tuesday. Cornerback Tre'Davious White (shoulder) has followed the same pattern in practice participation and also is questionable. The Ravens ruled out wide receiver Nelson Agholor and running back Justice Hill due to concussions, and neither practiced Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) also missed practice this week and is out. Flowers, 24, leads the Ravens with 71 receptions, 109 targets and 1,016 receiving yards in 15 games (13 starts). He has four touchdowns. Baltimore selected him 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College. He has 148 career receptions for 1,874 yards and nine TDs in 31 games (29 starts). Flowers has not missed a game because of injury in his brief NFL career. White, 29, has appeared in five games and has seven tackles. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and 2020 and first-team All-Pro in 2019 during his first seven NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Hill, 27, has 47 carries for 228 yards and one touchdown this season in 15 games as a reserve. He also has 42 receptions for 383 yards and three TDs. The Ravens selected Hill in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He has 250 rushing attempts for 1,162 yards and six TDs, and 95 receptions for 737 yards and four scores. Agholor, 31, will miss his second consecutive game. He has 14 receptions on 29 targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games (seven starts). He has 389 career receptions for 3,858 yards and 37 TDs in 149 games (105 starts) for the Philadelphia Eagles (2015-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020), New England Patriots (2021-22) and Ravens (2023-present). Armour-Davis, 25, has played in seven games (two starts) this season and has eight tackles. The Ravens picked him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Alabama. The Ravens (10-5) elevated wide receiver Anthony Miller from the practice squad to the active roster for the game against the Texans (9-6). --Field Level Media

Thieves get a taste for cheese and butter amid surging prices

Subscribe Search Search Sort by Relevance Title Date Subscribe Also Read Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan Quash divorce rumors with recent appearance ALBAWABA - Deepika Padukone attends Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Bengaluru. Deepika Padukone surprised her fans by attending the Punjabi artist Diljit Dosanjh's concert in Bengaluru in September, marking her first public appearance since the birth of her daughter, Dua. Additionally, a video of Deepika teaching Diljit a phrase in Kannada has gone viral, following the success of several pieces of footage of her from the concert. In the video that has gone viral on social media, Deepika asks Diljit to repeat the English phrase "Nannnu nanna preeti sotini," which translates to "I love you." The crowd was enthusiastic and cheered, creating a fun, energetic atmosphere. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) After some time had passed, Diljit lauded Deepika, stating, "She has done amazing work." After seeing her on the big screen, I never anticipated that I would have the opportunity to see her up close and personal. She is fantastic, and for all of her hard work, she has established a position for herself in Bollywood. He went on to say, "You have done work that is both amazing and beautiful." We are proud of you; we ought to be proud of you. Please accept our sincere gratitude and love for attending our show, ma'am. Before departing the platform, Deepika conveyed her gratitude to the audience by smiling, bowing, and waving. diljitdosanjh Instagram profile Deepika Padukone wore a white hoodie with matching sneakers and wide-legged demi-denim jeans, which allowed her to maintain a look that was both relaxed and sophisticated. As a result of her prolonged absence, a significant number of her followers expressed their affection in the comments section of her recordings from the event. For example, one person stated, "Oh my god, the new mommy shines," while another person remarked, "Santor mommy looks amazing." On stage, Deepika also performed a dance to the song "Lover" by Diljit. However, the most memorable part was when Diljit extended a hearty greeting to Deepika in Kannada. Zaid Qaissieh is a passionate English news and content writer with a knack for storytelling and an eye for detail. covering a range of Entertainment topics—from breaking global news and trending entertainment stories to insightful pieces—I bring a creative edge to every article. Zaid aims to engage, inform, and inspire readers, balancing well-researched content with a fresh, accessible voice. Subscribe Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content Subscribe Now Subscribe Sign up to get Al Bawaba's exclusive celeb scoops and entertainment news Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content SubscribeThis Traveler Stood Firm Against An Unruly Child Who Wanted Their Window Seat, And It's Sparked An Interesting Debate About Parenting

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to reaffirm Boston’s status as a sanctuary city “to protect” immigrants amid President Donald Trump’s vow to carry out mass deportations when he takes office for the second time next month. The 13-0 vote was to reaffirm the Boston Trust Act, which, per the Council’s approved resolution, was first enacted in 2014, later amended in 2019, and “delineates the distinct roles and responsibilities of the Boston Police Department from those of the U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE), thereby promoting trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities.’ The law prohibits Boston Police and other city departments from cooperating with ICE when it comes to detaining immigrants on civil warrants, while still allowing for cooperation in criminal matters like human trafficking, child exploitation, drug and weapons trafficking, and cybercrimes, according to the resolution. “It’s not just a policy, but it is a promise to our immigrant neighbors that they are welcome here, and this is a safe haven, and they don’t have to live in fear of being unjustly scrutinized or even ripped away from their families,” Councilor Gabriela Coletta said at the Wednesday City Council meeting. “As we brace for impact, we’ve got to make sure that we all work together.” City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who introduced the resolution and is the first Haitian-American elected to city government in Boston, made similar remarks. “As the national climate grows increasingly hostile towards immigrant populations, we must reaffirm who we are as a city, our leadership role in maintaining a positive and welcoming environment here with our immigrant communities,” Louijeune said. “This resolution is just enforcing what is already on the books and what is already enforced, but I think our immigrant communities need to hear that we, as a Boston City Council, unanimously support them via the Trust Act.” The resolution, co-sponsored by Councilors Julia Mejia and Benjamin Weber, touches more specifically on the changing federal administration sparking the all-Democrat City Council’s decision to reaffirm Boston’s sanctuary status. “In the face of changing federal leadership, the City of Boston must reaffirm our support for the Boston Trust Act to protect our immigrant residents by creating a safe environment where all residents, regardless of immigration status, can report crimes, seek assistance, and live without fear of discrimination or undue scrutiny.” It goes on to state that, “The City of Boston shall continue to monitor and respond to federal immigration policies that may impact its residents, reaffirming its commitment to protect immigrant communities from unjust enforcement actions.” The Council action follows progressive Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu’s declaration last month that the city would look to continue to protect immigrants in “every possible way” under the threat of mass deportations from Republican President-elect Donald Trump, and would not cooperate with efforts that threaten residents’ safety. Wu’s comments caught the attention of Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan, who bashed the mayor for what he saw as her vow to fight federal efforts to eradicate public safety threats, leading to a public squabble between the two.Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump's most contentious picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted on Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Storm inundates Northern California with rain, heavy snow. Thousands remain in the dark in Seattle HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rain from a major storm prompted evacuation warnings for communities near a Northern California river that forecasters say could break its banks Friday, as the system continued to dump heavy snow in mountainous areas where some ski resorts opened for the season. The storm reached the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands before moving through Northern California, where several roads were closed due to flooding and strong winds toppled some trees. Forecasters are warning about the risk of flash flooding and rockslides in areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by this season’s strongest atmospheric river. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. State officials have said the child lives in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attends day care, but released no other details. Brazilian police formally accuse former President Bolsonaro and aides of alleged 2022 coup attempt SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup to keep him in office after his electoral defeat in the 2022 elections. The findings are to be delivered Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put the former president on trial or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then.j 777 。

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. EST

US stocks experience mixed fortunes on quiet day of tradingPort: No more budget addresses from lame-duck governors, pleasePresidents Biden, Trump, and Clinton laud the legacy of former President Jimmy CarterLOS ANGELES (AP) — After struggling to run the ball consistently all season, the Los Angeles Rams finally made some progress on the ground in New Orleans. Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum carried the Rams (6-6) to a 21-14 win that kept them squarely in the playoff race for another week. Los Angeles racked up a season-high 156 yards rushing against the Saints, with Williams going for 104 yards and a touchdown while Corum added 42 yards on a season high-tying eight carries. The game was the inverse of most afternoons this season for the Rams, who came into the week averaging fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. The running game was sturdy and productive, while Matthew Stafford and his receivers struggled to get into a rhythm at the Superdome. Coach Sean McVay always prefers to use his run game to set up the pass, and it finally worked for once this season. “I thought Kyren ran really well," McVay said. “I thought Corum ran really well. I thought our offensive line set the line of scrimmage in the run game. We really started slow in the pass game, but I thought Matthew was excellent in the second half. We were able to get some different things off of those run actions going, and that ended up being the difference in the game.” Not coincidentally, the Rams' running game worked well on the Sunday when the offensive line finally had a starting five uncompromised by injuries or suspension for the first time all season. Right tackle Rob Havenstein returned from an ankle injury, making the group whole around rookie center Beaux Limmer, who has beaten out high-priced free agent Jonah Jackson for a starting job. The Rams still had yet another slow start in a season full of them. They ran only three plays in the entire first quarter, and they were held scoreless in the first half when their other two drives resulted in a turnover on downs and a punt. But Los Angeles rebounded with an 11-play scoring drive to open the second half featuring seven runs by Williams. He eventually moved up to fifth in the NFL with 926 yards rushing despite averaging just 4.2 yards per carry — nearly a yard less than he had last season, and the lowest average among the league's top 10 rushers this season. The Rams have thrived without a strong rushing attack before: They averaged just 99.0 yards per game on the ground, ranking 25th in the NFL, during their Super Bowl championship season in 2021-22. But McVay prefers his first option to be a strong running attack, which he had during his first three seasons in charge with Todd Gurley in the backfield and Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. “Anytime the guys up front are moving them, and (Williams) is making great reads and moves on the second level, then that is a fun feeling for the offense," Stafford said. “It’s great when you can hand the ball off and get big creases. We converted when we needed to in short-yardage stuff. I thought our guys did a really great job up front, and Kyren ran it great.” What's working The Rams have struggled in the red zone all season, but they scored touchdowns on all three trips in New Orleans. They did it by committing to the run game up the middle, setting up TD passes on the outside to Demarcus Robinson and Puka Nacua. What needs help Alvin Kamara racked up 112 yards rushing in the latest strong game by an opposing running back. Los Angeles is 28th in the league against the run, allowing 144.2 yards rushing per game — including 194 per game over the past three weeks. Stock up Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse had another outstanding game, racking up five tackles, three quarterback hits and numerous big plays that don't show up on stat sheets. He capped the performance by hitting Derek Carr from behind and forcing an incompletion from the Los Angeles 9 on New Orleans' final play. Stock down Cornerback Darious Williams gave up a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the ensuing 2-point conversion pass to Dante Pettis early in the fourth quarter, capping a second straight rough week for the free-agent signee. Williams is the Rams' best cornerback, but they haven't had an above-average shutdown pass defender since trading Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles added cornerback depth Monday, claiming 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. Injuries Robinson injured his hand during the game, and Stafford incurred a lateral ankle sprain. McVay said he doesn't expect either injury to affect the veterans' preparations this week. Key number 17 — Cooper Kupp's yards receiving. That's his lowest total in a game in which he didn't get injured since Oct. 18, 2020. Kupp had only six targets, few downfield routes and curiously scant chances to make big plays. Next steps The Rams are home underdogs this week against powerhouse Buffalo, followed by a Thursday night game at San Francisco. Getting even one win out of these two matchups will be difficult, but probably necessary to keep pace with Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated Press

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