Texas AG sues NCAA over transgender participation
Please enable JavaScript to read this content. To some, Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Joho is an unprincipled man who changes like a chameleon to blend and survive with the prevailing political environment. His ardent supporters, however, believe Joho is a man who is unafraid to make tough decisions and stands even if it offends the status quo. Like the famous phrase that there are no permanent enemies in politics, history writers would spare a chapter for Joho, if the last few months of his relationship with Kenya Kwanza administration is anything to read from. Joho, alias Sultan, has made a 180-degree turn; from a fierce critic of President William Ruto to an ardent supporter ready to defend Kenya Kwanza with all his political might. Critics say Joho is following in the footsteps of past prominent leaders from the Coast, a region whose history is rich with cases of sycophantic elites who would say anything to please presidents. In the 1980s and 90s, there was Kanu stalwart, the late Shariff Nassir of mpende msipende clarion, later adopted by former Kwale Senator the late Boy Juma Boy. Joho and his supporters described his brand of politics as pragmatic. They say Joho is a flexible leader who prioritizes outcomes or benefits for his people over ideology. Crying more CS Joho claims to be a political disciple of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who has in the past joined his fierce opponents. He says, like Raila, he would be ready to build bridges. In the past few days, Joho’s maxim kama mbaya, ni mbaya. Kama ni noma ni noma (If it is bad, so be it. If it is chaos, so be it) in defence of Ruto has sparked debate on online platforms. He said government operatives will strongly respond to what is alleged. “We have mouths like you. You are on social media, but we are on the ground,” he said. In what the so-called online warriors have described as crying more than the bereaved, Joho said unpatriotic Kenyans were tarnishing Ruto and his government’s image overseas. He appeared irked by a section of Kenyans when he claimed that those loudest on social media attacking Ruto were using Wi-Fi provided by the government. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter Joho mocked those cyberbullying or “greeting” via MPesa, challenging those sending him a shilling to increase the amount to Sh100. “I will come for you,” Joho told the online users. On Friday, Joho appeared to tone down, hinting that his outburst was because of the embarrassment he was subjected to in New York by investors who read only bad things about Kenya in the online space. He said it was important for every Kenyan to realize that they have a contribution to make in wooing investors into the country, saying that there was a need for all citizens to market the country positively. “Let us be responsible. It is our country, we cannot have another Kenya. One year wasted is far too long for future generations,” he said. Joho has used his docket to traverse the country and propagate Ruto’s agenda, defend the broad-based government, and attack former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly propagating tribalism. “You grow onions here, do you ask what tribe your buyers belong to or do you just take their money?” he charged. Joho’s praise of Ruto and his government is a stark difference from barely two years ago when he vowed not to support what he said was a “stone age wheelbarrow” ideology. “This is the only country where someone takes to social media anatengeza kaburi na kuombea viongozi mabaya, you will not remove this government using social media,” Joho said in part. In July 2024, after the Gen Z protests, Joho came out with guns blazing harshly criticizing Ruto and his government. He claimed in his life, he had never seen a liar, corrupt, and tribal person like Ruto. During the presidential campaign, in May 2022, Joho also branded Ruto as the most corrupt and dishonest person he had ever seen. “Maisha yangu tangu nizaliwe sijawahi ona mtu muongo, mfisadi, baradhuli...kama William Samoei Ruto,” he said in part. In November 2021, Joho harshly responded to claims of engaging Ruto ahead of the 2022 general election. He said he had nothing to discuss with the then DP. “I don’t even dream of engaging with DP Ruto. What will I discuss with him? What will he give me? A wheelbarrow? I played with a wheelbarrow a long time ago as a child,” he said. During his vetting, Joho was asked to explain how he would engage with President Ruto who he had harshly criticized in the past but noted that “only a fool does not change his mind.” “I have been a big critic of this government. Now, I have an opportunity to create a difference. I will do exactly that,” Joho responded. Critics say Joho’s political modus operandi presents him as unprincipled and guided by selfish interests due to his family business empire’s run-ins with the State agencies after Ruto rose to power. During the vetting for the Cabinet post, Joho disclosed that he is worth Sh2.36 billion spreading in the shipping and logistics business, property, valuables, cash in banks, and shareholding in the family business. His family’s business empire came under threat after State agencies like Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) cancelled leases and contracts worth billions of shillings linked to the port of Mombasa. Joho family’s Autoports Terminal Limited (APTL) and Kenya Railways Corporation (KR) deal for the transportation of cargo by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) came under sharp focus. In the special audit report dated August 10, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) said the contractual agreement was not transparent and could expose the government and taxpayers to litigation risks. The report said KR could be losing revenue due to the government as a result of irregular leasing of the Nairobi Freight Terminal (NFT) to M/s Autoports Freight Terminal Limited. Joho’s family has also lost the battle to develop the second grain bulk handling terminal at the port of Mombasa after KPA decided to review all land leases at the port. The family empire seeks to develop the grain handling terminal at the port at Sh5.9 billion. Audit trail Currently, Portside and KPA are locked in a legal battle after the latter suspended the 20-year lease granted to the firm on June 30, 2022. KPA leased Shed Five, which is 100,000 square feet, and Shed Six which is 70,000 square feet, in a deal that was to start from July 1, 2022. Meanwhile, Autoports’ deal to transport South Sudan cargo by SGR from the port and handle it at the NFT leased from KR was also questioned with State agencies pushing for its cancellation. The audit highlighted irregularities in KR, as a procuring entity, entering into a contract with M/s Autoports on terms that were not approved by the board. It said that the procedure followed to have a contractual agreement between KR and M/s Autoports Freight Terminal Limited was not transparent and lacked the requisite documents with a clear audit trail as opposed to the similar agreement between KR and M/s Grain Bulk Handlers Limited (GBHL). Mombasa lawyer Abubakar Yusuf says Joho would do everything to ensure the success of Ruto because it would guarantee him a post in post-2027 polls. “What Joho is doing is nothing new in politics. Ruto and Raila Odinga attacked each other and have closed ranks. Raila and Uhuru fought fiercely and in 2018 they had a handshake,” Yusuf said. Coast Human Rights Coordinator Julius Ogogoh says Joho had the right to support whoever he wants, but as a public officer, he cannot threaten those with divergent opinions.Cryptocurrencies Pose High Risk to 401(k) Portfolios, Government Watchdog Warns
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALLO Fiber today announced a fiber broadband project installing a 10 Gigabit network in Flagstaff, AZ. This fiber connection will enable world-class internet, broadband, cybersecurity, managed services, telephone, and video services for residents and businesses. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2025 . This $65 million project will employ 75 local professionals, with many more involved during the construction phase. Flagstaff residents and businesses will soon be able to take advantage of award-winning customer service and internet speeds. Through this 100% fiber-optic network, students can improve how they learn, and employees can work efficiently from the office or home. The fiber network will feature up to 10 Gigabit speeds for residents and up to 100 Gigabit speeds for businesses, providing equal upload and download speeds optimized by ALLO's world-class Wi-Fi 7 routers. Additionally, Flagstaff residents, businesses of all sizes, and governmental entities will be supported by ALLO's fiber-rich network, delivering active and passive solutions without installation fees or restrictive contracts. Internet, data transport, cloud connectivity, video, and voice are included in ALLO's comprehensive communications, entertainment, and business products. Businesses can access ALLO's managed services, next-generation firewalls, phone systems, and cybersecurity offerings before the fiber network is built. The community will also have access to a community-wide network providing ultra-reliable and extensive internet bandwidth. ALLO Arizona General Manager Mike Horton stated, "As we expand our coverage across Arizona , we are excited to begin construction in the City of Flagstaff . We understand that with continued growth in the region, the value of essential communications infrastructure and advanced technology is an important asset for the city and surrounding communities. We look forward to offering ALLO Fiber services to Flagstaff and continuing to create local jobs in the process." Flagstaff is the seventh Arizona community that ALLO serves. ALLO began developing our first Arizona Gigabit community in Lake Havasu City in September of 2021, followed by the Kingman , Yuma , San Luis , Somerton , and Sierra Vista markets. ALLO is also operating Middle Mile projects in Yuma and Mohave Counties. For more information about ALLO in Flagstaff , please visit AlloFiber.com/ Flagstaff and AlloFiber.com/careers . About ALLO Communications ALLO Communications, a leader in providing fiber-optic services, has been dedicated to delivering world-class communications and entertainment services since 2003. With a commitment to building Gigabit communities, ALLO serves over 50 communities across Nebraska , Colorado , Arizona , Missouri , Iowa , and Kansas . ALLO is known for its reliable fiber networks and customized technology solutions that support businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit AlloFiber.com . Contact: Tanna Hanna Vice President of Marketing Tanna.Hanna@allofiber.com 308-633-7815 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-power-of-allos-all-fiber-network-coming-to-flagstaff-arizona-302338563.html SOURCE ALLO CommunicationsHow California retailers leverage technology to outsmart shoplifters
Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.None
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CNN wants a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson that attacks its report that he made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board. The network says Robinson presented no evidence that the network believed its story was false or aired it recklessly. The September report says Robinson, who ran unsuccessfully for governor this month, left statements over a decade ago on the message board in which, in part, he referred to himself as a “black NAZI" and said he enjoyed transgender pornography. The report also says he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama and slammed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot.” Robinson, who was seeking to become the state's first Black governor, said he didn’t write those posts and sued in October, just before early in-person voting was to begin. While filing a dismissal motion Thursday in Raleigh federal court, attorneys for CNN said Robinson’s arguments suggesting he was the likely victim of a computer hacking operation that created fake messages would require a series of events that is not just “implausible, it is ridiculous.” Generally speaking, a public official claiming defamation must show a defendant knew a statement it made was false or did so with reckless disregard for the truth. “Robinson did not and cannot plausibly allege facts that show that CNN published the Article with actual malice,” attorney Mark Nebrig wrote in a memo backing the dismissal motion, adding that the lawsuit “does not include a single allegation demonstrating that CNN doubted the veracity of its reporting.” For Robinson, who already had a history of inflammatory comments about topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights , the CNN story nearly led to the collapse of his campaign. After the report's airing, most of his top campaign staff quit, advertising from the Republican Governors Association stopped and fellow Republicans distanced themselves from him, including President-elect Donald Trump. Robinson lost to Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein by nearly 15 points and will leave office at year-end. Robinson's lawsuit was initially filed in state court. It says, in part, that CNN chose to run its report based on data from the website NudeAfrica, which had been hacked several years ago and ran on vulnerable, outdated software. His suit claims the network did nothing to verify the posts. He's seeking monetary damages. Thursday's memo highlights the network's story, including a section where the CNN journalists showed how they connected Robinson to a username on the NudeAfrica site. As the CNN story said previously, the memo says the network matched details of the account on the message board to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, an email address and his full name. The details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s length of marriage, where he lived at the time, and that both Robinson and the account holder had mothers who worked at a historically Black university, the memo says. CNN also said it found matches of figures of speech used by both the NudeAfrica account holder and in Robinson’s social media posts. “This is hardly a case where, as Robinson alleges, CNN ‘disregarded or deliberately avoided the truth’ rather than investigate,” Nebrig said, adding later that the network “had no reason to seriously doubt that Robinson was the author” of the posts. Robinson's attorneys didn't immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. The lawsuit says anyone could have used Robinson's breached data to create accounts on the internet. His state lawsuit also sued Louis Love Money, a former porn shop worker who alleged in a music video and a media interview that for several years starting in the 1990s, Robinson frequented a porn shop where Money was working and that Robinson purchased porn videos from him. Robinson said that was untrue. Money filed his own dismissal motion in the state lawsuit. But since then, CNN moved the lawsuit to federal court, saying that it's the proper venue for a North Carolina resident like Robinson and a Georgia-based company like CNN and that the claims against Money are unrelated. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressIt’s official – the SSA is closing all offices and not processing claims starting tomorrow – these are the exact days
If you’re a young man in Australia, who is your male political role model? We’re thin on the federal ground, no doubt. There’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese either sitting on the policy fence or marinating in A-list perks. Or Opposition Leader Peter Dutton who has the opportunity to inspire our 20-something tradies and uni students but instead is partial to personal attacks on the PM. “He’s a child in a man’s body,” Dutton declared of Albo at the Liberal Party’s federal council in June but meanwhile doesn’t use his platform to drum up support for our under siege young male voters. So is it any wonder the current Donald Trump-Elon Musk bromance is so attractive to young Aussie males and yet we know explicitly these individuals are not perfect by any stretch. Tuesday was International Men’s Day, did you know? It was crickets and unless you went looking for ways to acknowledge that not all men are evil, it may not have even registered. It’s also nearly 10 years since the one size fits all “toxic masculinity” label became pervasive in our discussions of men and gender. The #MeToo movement had to happen for women but an unintended consequence here was the uniform penalty and eye watering criticism young men copped for the crime of being born male while bereft of any practical guidance on what type of person they actually should be. It was unforgivable and made many youths and men cynical of social discourse. I saw firsthand among my son’s cohort that it sank to the level of being scared to make eye contact or ask a girl on a date, lest they be instantly labelled sexually aggressive or ignorant of consent guardrails. Nothing in my view has changed here. We are not suddenly more sympathetic to the stereotyped cruelty that was unleashed on these men and boys while modern feminism ran amok. These men and boys are still grappling with their purpose, their ambition and their identity. I agree the vile Andrew Tate manufactures violence and vitriol rather than considered advice. Trump and Musk are however better placed to motivate MAMGA or Make Aussie Men Great Again rather than those striding the halls of Canberra. We need innovators not career politicians and men who are decisive and bold, rejecting compromise and timidity of purpose. When our boys are travelling through childhood, we encourage them to think big, love big and to persevere. “Do not give up at the first hurdle,” we counsel while plastering knee wounds and blotting tears of confusion. As parents, we are paralysed with fear that when age 18 ticks over, the muscle of resilience that should power their life is in fact dormant and shrunken. The toxic masculinity tourniquet has shamed young male ambition. Yes, as men you can and must be decent and kind but you can also have conviction for getting ahead in life. And yes Trump disgraced himself with p****-grabbing comments among other things but if you authentically pull apart his personality, Trump is self-made and a masterclass in resilience - whether you agree with his policies or not. People all over the world are queuing up to tear him down yet a larger share of young men voted for Trump in last month’s election compared with four years ago – 56 per cent compared with 41% in the 2020 election. Musk, who played an outsized role in that comeback, is synonymous with innovation and is not afraid to think big, fail and try again. As an industry disruptor in electric vehicles, space travel and communication, his name is the byword for bold. Albo in particular represents a different story. Sure, there is something to be said for his rise through the ranks but his leadership style is not audacious or authentic. Young men here need a political leader with vision more than someone who represents the status quo. Before last month’s US election, Trump and Musk were accused by a US journalist of “taking advantage of an emergent crisis of masculinity in American society in order to gain greater power”. The crisis, I would argue, is failing here on genuine male leadership. A learned friend of mine, an expert on US politics, also suggested that Musk engages young Aussie men because it’s the first time they’ve seen science used for “something cool rather than scolding them or locking them up”. You’ll remember last year that a Federal $3.5 million three year plan was announced to prevent an emerging generation of toxic males. It has been derided as too broad and as simply throwing cash at the Tate issue. So where is the plan at now? It’s insulting to assume our young men are slaves to YouTubers and podcasters and only want to dominate or lose all accountability with women and their lives in general. They need support and to feel like they are understood. A good place to start would be support and understanding from The Lodge.OTTAWA — Canada’s public safety minister says he has discussed the idea of allowing Canada Border Services Agency to patrol between points of entry, but it is not a priority for Ottawa as it looks for more urgent ways to bolster border security. Dominic LeBlanc joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a trip last Friday to Palm Beach, Fla., to see president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where they dined with other incoming White House cabinet nominees. The unannounced trip had been arranged earlier in the week when the leaders spoke by phone after Trump threatened to slap a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada over concerns about illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., when he takes office in January. Since Trump’s threat, LeBlanc has sought to reassure Canadians and his American counterparts that it takes border security seriously, pledging in the wake of the threat to send additional police drones and helicopters to the RCMP, as well as having personnel redeployed. Mark Weber, the national president of the c ustoms and immigration union representing border services officers, said Ottawa should give the agency the power to patrol the entire border, not just official entry points. He called on the Liberals to repeal an order dating back to 1932, which made the Mounties responsible for border security between entry points, which Weber said is clearly “outdated.” “The situation is so silly now that if our officers are sitting at one of their workplaces and they see someone crossing just off to where the port is, we have to call the RCMP.” “It’s frustrating for members.” With a nearly 9,000-kilometre border, Weber said he does not want to replace the RCMP, but for its members to be able to assist. “It seems like an obvious part of this solution to the problem.” Speaking to reporters on Monday, LeBlanc said the federal Liberals have “taken note” of the idea. “I’ve discussed that with the commissioner of the RCMP,” the minister said, adding no decision has been made. LeBlanc defended the job done by the RCMP when it comes to border security, saying as a national police force it has the necessary access to criminal intelligence and has long-established relationships with other policing organizations, such as the FBI. “If we were to undertake a big machinery (of) government change, that may require legislation in the room behind me,” LeBlanc said, referring to the House of Commons. “I’m not sure it would speak to the urgency of the matter.” The government “is always looking at good ideas and we’re not dismissing this one,” LeBlanc said, “but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want.” The minister declined to provide specifics around the plans to deploy additional technologies, saying that he spoke to both RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Canada Border Services Agency President Erin O’Gorman earlier in the day about the matter. Exactly where the equipment and personnel will be deployed are matters of police operations, LeBlanc said. Weber added the border services agency still faces a staffing shortage, saying it has not recovered from the 1,200 jobs that were cut under the former Conservative government. In a statement on Monday, a spokesman for the agency reiterated that border security is a responsibility it shares with the RCMP. The national force did not respond to a request for comment by press time. Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist and former border services officer who now teaches at Mount Royal University, said the fact that successive governments have kept such an “antiquated” order in place reflects the “neglect” Ottawa has shown to border issues. “We just haven’t taken it seriously.” “The RCMP is understaffed already,” Sundberg added. “Buying a bunch of helicopters to patrol a 9,000-kilometre border is nothing short of ridiculous. It’s just performative security theatre.” Sundberg believes the country needs to transform the border services agency into a “true policing agency.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on the federal Liberals to present a plan to Parliament for how it plans to address border security. Besides increasing patrols and ensuring collaboration with local police, he said Trudeau should expand the mandate of the border service’s agency. Both federal officials and the RCMP have said they are ready for a potential influx of people who may try entering Canada illegally, in light of president-elect Trump’s vow to deport millions of people from the U.S. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is preparing to roll out an updated version of an advertising campaign it has been running since 2018, laying out the facts about claiming asylum in Canada. Those searching online for information about claiming asylum will see an advertisement appear warning there are “strict guidelines” to follow, according to a statement from Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s office. The ads will appear in different languages, including Tamil, Hindi, Arabic and Persian. “We strongly discourage irregular crossings, which can be risky and dangerous, especially as the winter approaches,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation closely with the U.S. and reviewing our policies and processes to help address the issue.” National Post staylor@postmedia.com Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
AEW Dynamite took a hit in the ratings and audience for last week’s pre-Thanksgiving episode. Wednesday’s episode scored a 0.15 rating in the 18 – 49 demographic and 536,000 viewers per Wrestlenomics . Those numbers were down 25% and 16.3% respectively from the previous week’s 0.20 demo rating and audience of 640,000. The demo rating marks the lowest for the show in its regular timeslot, dipping below the 0.16 from the November 6th episode when it was up against NXT. The total viewership was still slightly above the 523,000 for that episode. Dynamite was up against the New York Knicks vs. Dalls Mavericks game on ESPN (0.38 demo rating, 1.397 million viewers). Dynamite is averaging a 0.234 demo rating and 710,000 viewers in 2024 to date, compared to a 0.296 demo rating and 868,000 viewers for the same point in 2023.
Global Intelligent Packaging Market to Reach USD 56.0 Billion by 2033, Driven by Demand for Active, Interactive, and Sustainable Solutions 12-24-2024 05:35 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Future Market Insights The global intelligent packaging market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected value of USD 23.6 billion in 2023 and an anticipated expansion to USD 56.0 billion by 2033, reflecting a robust 9.0% CAGR during the forecast period, according to the latest market analysis. Get a Sample PDF of the Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-13604 Market Highlights and Growth Drivers Rapid Acceleration in Sales: The intelligent packaging segment is expected to witness rapid sales growth, driven by increasing demand for interactive packaging and active packaging. These two segments alone are predicted to capture approximately 72% of the market share within the next decade. Track & Trace Demand in Food & Beverage: The intrinsic demand for track and trace solutions within the food and beverage industry is a significant propellant for intelligent packaging sales. As the market is set to expand 2.4 times its current value, the focus on ensuring product safety and quality will remain pivotal. Protection of Sensitive Products: The increasing need for safeguarding sensitive products during storage and transportation will further fuel market growth. Packaging solutions that can adapt to environmental changes will be crucial in minimizing spoilage risk. Next-Generation Solutions: The shift towards next-generation packaging solutions, including anti-microbial packaging, is expected to enhance market opportunities for intelligent packaging companies. These innovations align with consumer needs for safety and hygiene. Security and Tracking Innovations: The rising demand for security and tracking solutions presents additional opportunities for companies within the intelligent packaging space. These features not only bolster consumer confidence but also streamline logistics. Sustainability Focus: The development of advanced packaging solutions with sustainable attributes is fostering market development, aligning with global trends towards eco-friendliness. Consumer Engagement Strategies: Growing emphasis on improving consumer engagement through intelligent packaging solutions will enhance sales. This trend allows brands to communicate effectively with consumers about the conditions of packaged products, reducing spoilage risks. Adoption in Medical Packaging: Increasing adoption of advanced intelligent medical packaging will create further growth prospects, addressing the unique challenges of healthcare products. Core Concepts in the Intelligent Packaging Industry Higher Growth in the United States: The rising need for smart packaging is driving market growth in the United States. Current Market Valuation: The intelligent packaging industry is estimated to be valued at US$ 23.6 billion in 2023. Growth Forecast: The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% through 2033. Rising Demand for Interactive Packaging: The increase in consumer engagement is fueling the demand for interactive packaging. Prominent Market Trend: The development of advanced packaging solutions with sustainable features is a major trend in the market. Consumer Engagement: Interactive packaging enhances consumer experience, which is a significant driver for its increased adoption. Trends Shaping the Intelligent Packaging Market: Track & Trace Packaging: Leading brands face significant losses due to counterfeit products and are turning to next-generation packaging solutions. Intelligent packaging solutions, such as electronically printed NFC labels, are gaining market acceptance. For instance, Coca-Cola has recently adopted NFC labels on its bottles. Sustainability and Consumer Engagement: The development of advanced packaging solutions with sustainable features is fostering market growth. There is a growing focus on improving consumer engagement through intelligent packaging, which enhances product and consumer safety by monitoring freshness and extending shelf life. Healthcare and Food & Beverage Applications: Rising applications across healthcare and food & beverage industries are boosting the global intelligent packaging industry. Intelligent packaging helps minimize the risk of spoilage for sensitive products by effectively sensing environmental changes and informing users. Technological Advancements: Packaging solutions like freshness indicators and time temperature indicators are gaining popularity. These indicators are technologically advanced to monitor and inform users about temperature changes during shipping and storage, reducing food and pharmaceutical product wastage. key players: Amcor plc. Crown Holding Inc. 3M Company CCL Industries Inc. Huhtamaki Global DS Smith Avery Dennison Corporation Honeywell International Inc. Tetra Pak International S.A. Sealed Air Corporation Stora Enso Oyj WestRock Company Ball Corporation Mondi Plc. International Paper Company Georgia-Pacific LLC UPM-Kymmene Oyj Coveris Holdings S.A. DuPont Teijin Films US Sigma Plastics Group Timestrip UK Ltd. Varcode, Ltd. Temptime Corporation DeltaTrak, Inc. EVIGENCE SENSORS JRI Company Vitsab International AB LAXCEN TECHNOLOGY INC. APK-ID STARNFC Technologies Ltd. Access Full Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/intelligent-packaging-market Intelligent Packaging Industry Segmentation: By Technology: Indicators Time-Temperature Indicators Gas & Integrity Indicators Freshness Indicators Sensors Interactive Packaging/Data Carriers Quick-response (QR Codes) Barcodes Radio Frequency Identification (RFIDs) Near Field Communications (NFCs) Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Active Packaging Oxygen Scavengers Ethylene Absorbers Moisture Scavengers Anti-microbial Packaging By Level of Packaging: Primary Packaging Secondary Packaging Tertiary Packaging By Application: Bottles and Jars Blisters Trays & Clamshells Cans Boxes & Cartons Vials, Ampoules, & Prefilled Syringes Bags & Pouches Films & Wraps Mailers Labels, Tapes, & Tags By End Use: Food Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Fruits & Vegetables Dairy Products Bakery & Confectionary Processed Food Ready to Eat Food Other Food Products Beverage Healthcare Medical Devices Medical Supplies Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics Logistics & Transport Consumer Electronics Personal Care & Homecare Other Consumer Goods By Region: North America Latin America Europe South Asia East Asia Oceania Middle East and Africa Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted market insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. This release was published on openPR.
Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Three key megatrends are set to shape the 2025 investment scene Geopolitical tensions and defence spending rise Energy demand surges and AI is influencing markets For investors aiming to get a head start in 2025, understanding the key 'megatrends' that will shape the global economy is crucial. According to deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent advisory and asset management firms, three key megatrends are set to dominate the investment landscape in 2025: Escalating global conflict, surging energy demand, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Here’s how these powerful forces could affect markets and how Aussie investors can position themselves to benefit. Geopolitical conflict Geopolitical tensions are on the rise around the world. Europe remains destabilised by ongoing conflicts, the Middle East is grappling with renewed unrest, and East Asia is facing increased territorial disputes. This growing instability is having a profound effect on global markets. As Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, explained: “Conflict, unfortunately, continues to be a driving force in global markets. According to the Institute for Economics & Peace, the global conflict index is at its highest point since World War II, with over 50 active armed conflicts globally. “The financial ramifications of these tensions are profound.” The result of this increasing conflict is a significant rise in defence spending. For example, the US is projected to exceed US$1 trillion in defence spending in 2025, a figure that is expected to boost investments in advanced military technologies, missile systems, and cybersecurity. “Defence budgets are ballooning... and investments are flowing into advanced military technologies, missile systems and cybersecurity – areas that are critical for national security. “As AI-driven threats rise, companies providing digital defences will be major beneficiaries. “Investors should be looking at how geopolitical risk can actually create long-term opportunities in this space.” Surging energy demand Energy consumption is reaching unprecedented levels, driven by several key factors: global economic growth, the electrification of transport, and the rise of AI. One surprising beneficiary of this surge is nuclear energy, which is undergoing a renaissance despite previous concerns. “The energy transition is at a critical juncture. Investors need to think beyond the traditional green-versus-fossil-fuel narrative,” said Green. Nuclear energy has seen a resurgence, with many older plants being refurbished and new projects slowly progressing despite regulatory delays. Often overlooked, it is now a crucial part of the energy mix. Companies with existing nuclear infrastructure are poised for substantial growth, he added. This signals a promising future for companies with established nuclear infrastructure. Also, offshore oil and gas exploration has picked up again, demonstrating that traditional energy sources still play a vital role in meeting global demand. “Offshore oil and gas exploration is experiencing a revival, signalling confidence in long-term profitability.” Artificial intelligence AI continues to reshape industries worldwide, and its influence is expected to accelerate in 2025, said Green. From automating tasks to transforming business models, AI is not just a passing trend – it’s an essential component of future economic growth. “The companies building the infrastructure to support AI’s expansion will drive the next phase of market gains,” noted Green. “This is a long-term play, and investors who position themselves now will benefit immensely. "While there is always talk of bubbles, the reality is that AI’s transformative potential is only beginning to unfold.” One of the key drivers of AI’s growth is the massive increase in capital expenditure on infrastructure. Tech giants and emerging players are investing heavily in data centres, cloud computing, and hardware to support AI’s rapid development. As more businesses integrate AI into their operations, the companies providing this essential infrastructure stand to see enormous growth. Read more here: Why AI should be on the radar of every investor “2025 will be a year of complexity and opportunity,” Green said. "We expect that conflict, energy, and AI are the investment megatrends that will define 2025." "Now is the time to act.” The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the interviewee and do not represent the views of Stockhead. Stockhead has not provided, endorsed or otherwise assumed responsibility for any financial product advice contained in this article. Originally published as Three key megatrends that could shape investing in 2025 More related stories Stockhead 2025’s hottest resources stocks: Pt 2 In the second part of our end-of-year special, seven more fundies and analysts give their commodity and resources stock picks for 2025. Read more Stockhead 2025’s hottest resources stocks: Pt 1 In the first part of our end-of-year special, seven fundies and analysts give their commodity and resources stock picks for 2025. 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NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2024-- Macquarie Asset Management is pleased to announce the publication of its , providing perspectives on the themes set to influence the investment landscape and performance of key asset classes for the year ahead. In Outlook 2025, “Plan for growth, prepare for volatility,” Macquarie Asset Management outlines its expectations that global growth will remain healthy, driven by the resilience of the developed world consumer. 2024 has been another year of strong returns for investors, with the classic 60/40 portfolio 1 returning 18.2% this year after delivering 13.3% in 2023. 2 Key to this better return environment has been inflation developments, with headline inflation rates across the developed world nearing 2%, allowing central banks to normalise monetary policies. While conditions are constructive, we maintain our longer-term view that we have transitioned to a ‘new normal’ where neutral rates are likely to remain elevated relative to the past decade. At the same time, GDP growth has remained robust, with the US economy continuing its above-trend growth and the Euro area and UK economies seeing solid domestic demand and GDP growth after a challenging 2023. Understanding the likelihood of structural changes in the global economy, driven by the trend towards de-globalization and geopolitical developments remains crucial, in our view, to successful investing over the next decade or more. Many of these factors will be in play next year, but short-term ‘return to normal’ dynamics are also likely to play an important role and will be crucial determinants of returns in 2025. Ben Way, Group Head of Macquarie Asset Management, said: “This year’s Outlook report reflects our view that financial conditions will continue to normalise in 2025. The past year demonstrated the skill of policy makers in navigating the post COVID inflationary surge as well as the resilience of financial markets, leading to strong returns for investors in listed markets. Political challenges to incumbency and subsequent changes in governments and policy, combined with elevated geopolitical tensions globally, contrast with a more constructive outlook for the global economy in 2025.” Real estate as an asset class has historically been highly sensitive to interest rates and is expected to be one of the sectors that benefits most from lower rates over the next 12-24 months. Furthermore, real estate returns generally correlate strongly with economic growth. Overall, the combination of lower interest rates and robust, possibly accelerating, global growth is likely to be particularly powerful for this asset class. Our data indicates that valuations may have stabilized, and we anticipate multiples to rise with declining interest rates. Strong GDP growth should boost earnings, leading to total returns of 11-12%, above the long-term average but consistent with past periods of falling interest rates and accelerating growth. It is worth noting that with particularly strong tailwinds behind data centres and financing conditions expected to improve in 2025, we believe the digital infrastructure sector is poised for an especially dynamic year ahead. Falling interest rates and robust GDP growth form a generally positive backdrop for global equity markets. However, we’ve seen equity market performance disconnect from macroeconomic fundamentals many times over the past few years, making it ever more important to assess markets granularly. While earnings multiples are elevated in certain pockets of the market, the equity risk premium currently sits comfortably at its long-term average, suggesting equity investors should still get rewarded for taking additional risk in this cycle. Despite higher interest rates making fixed income assets more attractive, global equities still offer many opportunities; and with policy expected to be volatile and geopolitical developments likely impacting returns, 2025 is a year where experienced and thoughtful active asset managers can add significant value for investors. In the second half of 2024, bond markets improved materially as inflation moderated and central banks began normalising monetary policies. Looking ahead, since a substantial degree of central bank easing has already been factored into most rates markets and credit spreads have tightened, the potential for aggressive price gains is more limited, although absolute returns should still be healthy by historical standards. To explore these insights and more in detail, please access the full report . Macquarie Asset Management is a global asset manager, integrated across public and private markets. Trusted by institutions, governments, foundations and individuals to manage approximately $US633.7 billion in assets, we provide a diverse range of investment solutions including real assets, real estate, credit and equities & multi-asset. Macquarie Asset Management is part of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, finance, banking, advisory, and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities. Founded in 1969, Macquarie Group employs over 20,600 people in 34 markets and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. All figures as at 30 September 2024. None of the entities noted in this media release is an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia) and the obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (Macquarie Bank). Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities. In addition, if this media release relates to an investment (a) each investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group company guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment. 1 Portfolio consisting of 60% equities (represented by S&P 500 Index) and 40% bonds (represented by 10-year US Treasuries). 2 Based on Robert Shiller online data, through 1 November 2024. View source version on : CONTACT: Rachel Waxman +1-310-800-4512 KEYWORD: NEW YORK EUROPE UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Macquarie Asset Management Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/02/2024 04:58 PM/DISC: 12/02/2024 04:58 PMSan Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and top backup Jordan Mason are being placed on injured reserve. McCaffrey left the snowy field in Buffalo on Sunday night after a 5-yard gain that was preceded by him heading to the sideline in apparent pain at the end of an 18-yard run. McCaffrey was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and did not play in the second half. The 49ers also lost Jordan Mason, who emerged in a starting role with McCaffrey out the first two months of the season, to an ankle injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Mason has a high-ankle sprain, which typically requires a recovery window of 4-6 weeks. Those moves push rookie Isaac Guerendo into the RB1 spot. He scored the team's only touchdown at Buffalo. The IR slots in San Francisco are manned by multiple starters, including wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Mason had a team-leading 789 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. Being placed on IR means he's not eligible to play until the regular-season finale at Arizona. McCaffrey had 53 yards on seven carries on Sunday night and caught two passes for 14 yards before exiting. He was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores. McCaffrey hasn't scored a touchdown in his four appearances this season. He has rushed for 202 yards on 50 carries and caught 15 passes for 146 yards. "It was frustrating," Shanahan said after the game. "He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff and thought he came out great, looking really good, and it looked like he just got his shoestring there. ... I hurt for him, and tough for our team not having him." The 49ers (5-7) played without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) in the 35-10 loss. San Francisco has lost three in a row heading into next Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears (4-8) in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco resides two games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (7-5) with five games remaining on the schedule. Seattle and San Francisco split their season series. --Field Level Media
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