Caprock Group LLC Sells 283 Shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX)Dow Jones Industrial Average finds new record highs on peace talks and Trump picksBy ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Related Articles National Politics | Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals National Politics | In final month of the session, Congress looks to clean up loose ends, prepare for Trump National Politics | Democrats still don’t agree on the seriousness of their political problem after election defeat National Politics | Recess appointments could put Trump at odds with conservatives on the Supreme Court National Politics | Under Trump, many states might pursue Medicaid work requirements Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security. 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Government presents Meta RD 2036, a comprehensive development plan for the country

Williams-Sonoma ( NYSE:WSM – Free Report ) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $162.00 to $189.00 in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the specialty retailer’s stock. Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $158.00 to $145.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $116.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $136.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $154.41. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Williams-Sonoma Williams-Sonoma Trading Down 0.3 % Williams-Sonoma ( NYSE:WSM – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The specialty retailer reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $1.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 51.56% and a net margin of 14.54%. The firm’s revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.56 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma will post 8.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 18th were given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 18th. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio is 26.97%. Insider Buying and Selling at Williams-Sonoma In other news, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.27, for a total transaction of $5,810,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,030,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $149,766,978.12. This represents a 3.73 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 11,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.66, for a total value of $1,494,726.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 15,150 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,040,099. The trade was a 42.29 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 91,100 shares of company stock worth $12,525,126 over the last three months. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Williams-Sonoma Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WSM. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 1,225 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 19.7% in the first quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 358 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 520.0% in the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 93 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Smithfield Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 160 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Diversify Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,226 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $500,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.29% of the company’s stock. Williams-Sonoma Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Studded Motorcycle Tires: Are They Worth It?

By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are packed with headline-grabbing deals, but the steals? They’re the ones hiding just out of sight. Beneath the mainstream hype, there’s a secret layer of under-the-radar discounts that most shoppers miss—exclusive offers from niche boutiques, online-only promos, and surprise markdowns that fly under the radar. We’ve mapped out these hidden gems so you can dodge the noise and snag the best-kept secrets of Cyber Weekend. Ready to uncover the deals everyone else will overlook? Up To 60% Off Nolan Interior’s Chic Sofa Covers Whether you have a shabby couch you want freshen up, or new coach you want to protect, Nolan Interior's has chic sofa covers for up to 60% off this Black Friday. Designed to prevent spills, stains, and wear-and-tear, these covers are the perfect solution for extending the life of your furniture. Choose from standard sizes or custom fits, and enjoy a fresh, new look for your sofa in minutes. Uo To 50% Off Sexual Wellness Finds At We-Vibe This Black Friday season, We-Vibe is offering up to 50% off sitewide from November 18th to December 9th. Shop the latest high-tech pleasure products for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. Highlights include advent calendars for up to 67% off with over $500 worth of premium toys and accessories. bestselling viberators up to 40% off and up to 45% gifts and bundles. Treat yourself or someone special with We-Vibe’s innovative products this holiday season. Up To 40% Off Skin Care Essentials At No.7 No7 is bringing serious deals this Cyber season. From November 25 to December 5, enjoy daily savings on your skincare must-haves, starting with 25% off moisturizers, eye creams, and serums. The excitement peaks with 40% off almost everything from November 28 to December 1, followed by 30% off sitewide on December 2. Keep the savings going from December 3 to 5 with another 30% off (exclusions apply). Don’t miss your chance to stock up on No7 favorites while these deals last. Uo To 50% Off Cult-Favorite Skin & Hair Care From Coco & Eve From November 22 to December 4, Coco & Eve is bringing the heat with up to 50% off their best-selling haircare, skincare, and tanning products. It’s the perfect time to stock up on your holy grail essentials or finally try that cult-favorite mask you’ve been eyeing — you might even discover a new favorite. 25% Off Cult-Favorite Socks From Maggi’s Organics (30% If You Spend Over $100) From November 22 to December 3, score 25% off (plus free shipping on orders over $35) and 30% off orders over $100 at Maggie’s Organics. The brand may be best known for their cult-favorite Crew Socks (made in the USA from organic cotton and fair-trade labor) that are breathable, durable, and seriously comfy. At just $11 a pair, these trendy socks (available in everything from classic solids to vibrant tie-dyes) make ideal stocking stuffers or gifts for your eco-conscious bestie. 30% Off Sitewide At The Celebrity-Loved RoseSkinCo. Score up to 30% off RoseSkinCo.’s Lumi Permanent Hair Removal Device during their Pink Friday and Cyber Monday sale, live from 11/2 to 12/4. Lumi uses dermatologist-recommended IPL technology to deliver permanent hair reduction in just 8 to 12 sessions—no salon visits required. It's designed to be safer than traditional laser treatments, more convenient than shaving, and less painful than waxing. The Lumi is not the only deal RoseSkinCo. has to offer though — check out more skin and hair care products while deals last. 35% Off Sweet Zzz’s Signature Bamboo Sheets Sweet Zzz is offering 35% off its signature Bamboo Sheets for Black Friday. 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Right now you can 30% off over 300 styles, from glam evening gowns to chic cocktail dress. It's the prefect time to snag formalwear at a fraction of the price. A Rare Sale On A Connected Rowing Machine Hydrow is the connected rowing machine that brings the feeling of rowing on water directly to your home, with workouts led by Olympians and world-class athletes and from November 15–26, Hydrow is offering its BFCM Preview Sale with up to $450 off the Pro model and $250 off the Wave. With a membership, you also get access to 5,000+ workouts, including HIIT, yoga, and circuit training, making it a perfect fit for busy lifestyles. 20% Off A Range Of Comfy Sketchers From classic, comfy sneakers to the cult-favorite BOBS, Skechers' Black Friday Sale has something for everyone. Save up to 20% off for Skechers Plus (free account) memberships with code GOTIME. 20% Off This Clever Sex Pillow From Tabu In honor of Sexual Health Awareness Month, Tabu is offering a free Alby Body Oil (a $55 value) with orders over $200. Tabu’s Prim Pillow is a game changer in the bedroom – and it’s no surprise it's selling out fast. With a patent-pending design and rave reviews from intimacy experts like Dr. Emily Morse and Dr. Kelly Casperson, this sex pillow combines comfort and functionality. 20% Off Bold Timepieces From Ralph Christian Got a watch enthusiast on your shopping list? This timepiece from Ralph Christian is a guaranteed stunner. It pairs a striking skeleton gold and black dial with sapphire-coated crystal glass. Interchangeable straps and 5 ATM water-resistance add practical touches for a watch that's as attractive as it is functional.In recent sports news, the New York Giants have released quarterback Daniel Jones following several poor performances in the NFL season. This decision comes amid shifts in strategy and personnel adjustments for the team. Meanwhile, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is progressing with its expansion plans. Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Denver have been selected as the three contenders vying for a new franchise, as confirmed by Commissioner Jessica Berman. Moreover, a concerning memo from the NBA has surfaced, warning teams of a sophisticated burglary network targeting players' homes, following incidents involving high-profile athletes. (With inputs from agencies.)

The 55th GST Council meeting, held under the leadership of the country's finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, came to an end on Saturday, December 21. The minister, along with her associates, is expected to hold a press conference at 18:00 IST. Insurance Tax Cut Deferred Some of the key aspects that have emerged from the meeting are decisions or lack of some much-discussed issues. When we look at the marquee issues that have been, the following have been learnt. Decisions on the most talked-about issues of insurance premiums (health and life), that is, lowering the GST rate on insurance premiums, have been deferred due to a lack of consensus among the GST council members. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Currently, a GST of 18 per cent is levied on entire life insurance and health insurance. States Oppose ATF Rate In this regard, a Group of Ministers or GoM is expected to meet on insurance premiums in January 2025. Up next, the issues of lowering tax on food delivery have been deferred due to a lack of consensus in the panel. Here again, the current GST rate on food delivery stands at 18 per cent. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? Another major issue that has been deferred is the issue of bringing ATF, or Aviation Turbine Fuel under the ambit of the GST regime. This issue was also deferred as the states, that are a part of the council opposed the move. GST On Used Cars Some other aspects that have emerged in the meeting include a possible 18 per cent GST on the sale of used cars. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? GST On Popcorn It is also being understood that the GoM report on rate tax Rationalisation has not being submitted. In addition, clarification on the GST levied on popcorn was also issued. A 5 per cent GST will levied on ready-to-eat popcorn, a further 12 per cent for pre-packaged, and an 18 per cent GST will added to caramel popcorn. Namkeens or savouries are currently taxed at 12 per cent, meanwhile, confectionary items are charged at 18 per cent.

Trent Williams' wife, Sondra, says their son was stillbornTrudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister says

Texas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.

Visions of AI art from OpenAI’s first artist in residenceSMITHS FALLS, ON , and NEW YORK , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Growth Corporation (" Canopy Growth ") (TSX: WEED) (NASDAQ: CGC ), a world-leading cannabis company dedicated to unleashing the power of cannabis to improve lives, and Acreage Holdings, Inc. (" Acreage ") (CSE: ACRG.A.U, ACRG.B.U)(OTCQX: ACRHF , ACRDF), a vertically integrated, multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., are pleased to announce that it is anticipated that Canopy USA , LLC (" Canopy USA ") will complete its acquisition of Acreage on or around December 9, 2024 , subject to the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions set out in the Arrangement Agreements (as defined below). Canopy Growth and Acreage are party to an arrangement agreement ‎dated April 18, 2019 , as amended (the " Fixed Share Arrangement ‎Agreement ")‎, relating to the proposed acquisition (the " Fixed Share ‎Acquisition ") of all issued and outstanding Class E subordinate voting shares of Acreage (the " Fixed Shares ") pursuant to a plan of ‎arrangement under the Business Corporations Act ( British Columbia ). The Fixed Share Acquisition is anticipated to occur immediately after the acquisition ‎of the Class D subordinate voting shares of Acreage (the " Floating Shares ") pursuant to a plan of ‎arrangement under the Business Corporations Act ( British Columbia ) in accordance with the arrangement agreement (the " Floating Share Arrangement ‎Agreement " together with the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement, the " Arrangement Agreements ") dated October 24, 2022 , as amended, among Canopy Growth, Acreage and Canopy ‎USA (together with the Fixed Share Acquisition, the " Acquisitions "). Upon the closing of the Acquisitions, Canopy USA will own 100% of the issued ‎and outstanding shares of Acreage.‎ As previously announced by Acreage, if the price of the common shares of Canopy Growth (the " Canopy Shares ") on the Nasdaq does not go above US$5.00 prior to closing of the Acquisitions (calculated in the manner prescribed in the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement), holders of Fixed Shares will not receive any consideration in exchange for their Fixed Shares. A letter of transmittal with respect to the Fixed Share Acquisition and the Floating Share Acquisition will be mailed to registered Acreage shareholders. The letters of transmittal have been filed by Acreage under Acreage's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission through EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. All registered Acreage shareholders with physical certificate(s) or DRS statement(s) will be required to send their certificate(s) or DRS statement(s) representing their Fixed Shares and/or Floating Shares with a completed letter of transmittal to the Company's transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company (" Odyssey "), in accordance with the instructions provided in the applicable letter of transmittal. Shareholders who hold their Fixed Shares and/or Floating Shares through a broker or other intermediary and do not have Acreage shares registered in their name will not need to complete the applicable letter(s) of transmittal. Such shareholders should contact their broker or other intermediary to arrange for the deposit of their DRS statement(s) or certificate(s) representing their Acreage shares. As a result of the labour dispute at Canada Post, registered Acreage shareholders are encouraged to contact Odyssey with any questions by email at [email protected] in the event that registered Acreage shareholders have not received copies of their DRS statement(s) or certificate(s) representing their Canopy Shares following the closing of the Acquisitions and completion and delivery of their letter of transmittal to Odyssey. Copies of the Floating Share Arrangement Agreement and the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement may be accessed under Acreage's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission through EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar . About Canopy Growth Canopy Growth is a world leading cannabis company dedicated to unleashing the power of cannabis to improve lives. Through an unwavering commitment to consumers, Canopy Growth delivers innovative products with a focus on premium and mainstream cannabis brands including Doja, 7ACRES, Tweed, and Deep Space, in addition to category defining vaporizer technology made in Germany by Storz & Bickel. Canopy Growth has also established a comprehensive ecosystem to realize the opportunities presented by the U.S. THC market through an unconsolidated, non-controlling interest in Canopy USA . Canopy USA has closed the acquisitions of approximately 77% of the shares of Lemurian, Inc. ("Jetty") and 100% of the Wana entities that make up Wana Brands , being Wana Wellness, LLC, The CIMA Group, LLC and Mountain High Products, LLC. Jetty owns and operates Jetty Extracts, a California -based producer of high- quality cannabis extracts and pioneer of clean vape technology, and Wana Brands is a leading North American edibles brand. The option to acquire Acreage, a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator with principal operations in densely populated states across the Northeast and Midwest, has also been exercised. Beyond its world-class products, Canopy Growth is leading the industry forward through a commitment to social equity, responsible use, and community reinvestment – pioneering a future where cannabis is understood and welcomed for its potential to help achieve greater well-being and life enhancement. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com . About Acreage Acreage is a multi-state operator of cannabis ‎cultivation and retailing facilities in the U.S., including its national retail store ‎brand, The Botanist. With its principal address in New York City , Acreage's wide range of national and regionally available cannabis products include the award-winning brands The Botanist and Superflux , the Prime medical brand in Pennsylvania , and others. Acreage has focused on building and scaling operations to create a seamless, consumer-focused, branded experience. Learn more at www.acreageholdings.com . References to information included on, or accessible through, the Canopy Growth or Acreage website do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through such websites, and you should not consider such information to be part of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth, Acreage or their respective subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements and uncertainties include statements with respect to the anticipated closing date of the Acquisitions, the price of the Canopy Shares, the consideration to be issued to the holders of Fixed Shares pursuant to the Fixed Share Acquisition, the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement and Floating Share Arrangement Agreement, and the closing of the Acquisitions. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information or statements could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the ability of the parties to satisfy or waive, in a timely manner, the conditions to the completion of the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement and the Floating Share ‎Arrangement Agreement; the ability of Canopy Growth, Acreage and Canopy USA to satisfy or waive, in a timely manner, the closing conditions set forth in the Fixed Share Arrangement Agreement and Floating Share Arrangement Agreement; risks relating to the value and liquidity of the Canopy Shares, the Fixed Shares and Floating Shares; the rights of the holders of Floating ‎Shares and Fixed Shares may differ materially from those of shareholders on Canopy Growth; negative operating cash flow; uncertainty of additional financing; use of proceeds; volatility in the price of the Canopy Shares, the Fixed Shares and the Floating Shares; expectations regarding future investment, growth and expansion of operations; regulatory and licensing risks; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial and stock markets and the impacts of increased rates of inflation; legal and regulatory risks inherent in the cannabis industry, including the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis; additional dilution; political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation and the interpretation of various laws regulations and policies; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and such other risks contained in the public filings of Canopy Growth and Acreage filed with Canadian securities regulators and available under each of the Canopy Growth and Acreage profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and with the Securities and Exchange Commission through EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar , including under the heading "Risk Factors" in Canopy Growth's and Acreage's respective annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , respectively, and their subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In respect of the forward-looking statements and information, Canopy Growth and Acreage have provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that they believe are reasonable at this time. Although Canopy Growth and Acreage believe that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information or statements and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Canopy Growth and Acreage have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and neither Canopy Growth nor Acreage undertakes any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation

Take our 20-question quiz on 2024 and test your general knowledge about the year that was. (Answers below.) 1. Which creative agency, specialising in disinformation and deepfake technology, has the Liberal Party engaged for the next election? ( Hint ) (a) Crosby Textor (b) The Juice Media (c) Topham Guerin (d) Cambridge Analytica 2. Who won the Australian Open Women’s Singles Final in January? (a) Zheng Qinwen (b) Aryna Sabalenka (c) Coco Gauff (d) Victoria Azarenka 3. What is the first name of the suspect in the New York City murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson? (a) Mario (b) Yoshi (c) Luigi (d) Bowser 4. Which team won the NRL Premiership? (a) Melbourne Storm (b) Cronulla Sharks (c) Sydney Roosters (d) Penrith Panthers 5. Which song was voted number one in the 2023 Triple J Hottest 100 (announced on 27 January 2024)? (a) Paint the Town Red (b) Rhyme Dust (c) Saving Up (d) The Worst Person Alive 6. Who became Australia’s 28th Governor-General in July? (a) Frances Adamson (b) Jeannette Young (c) Margaret Beazley (d) Sam Mostyn 7. On 1 January, the Australian National Archives released cabinet papers from which former Australian government? ( Hint ) (a) Morrison Government (b) Whitlam Government (c) Howard Government (d) Keating Government 8. In which month did Taylor Swift tour Australia? ( Hint ) (a) January (b) February (c) March (d) April 9. Which horse won the Melbourne Cup? (a) Okita Soushi (b) Without A Fight (c) Warp Speed (d) Knight’s Choice 10. Which team won the State of Origin series? (a) Queensland (b) New South Wales 11. Which TV show was the most-watched show in the U.S.? ( Hint ) (a) Slow Horses (b) Colin from Accounts (c) Bluey (d) Wednesday 12. Which major retailer did Opposition Leader Peter Dutton call on Australians to boycott in January? ( Hint ) (a) Coles (b) Bunnings (c) Target (d) Woolworths 13. Who won the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final? (a) Carlos Alcaraz (b) Novak Djokovic (c) Daniil Medvedev (d) Lorenzo Musetti 14. Who is Australia’s youngest-ever Olympic Gold Medal winner? (a) Melissa Wu (b) Shane Gould (c) Arisa Trew (d) Holly Warn 15. Which movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture? (a) Barbie (b) Oppenheimer (c) Maestro (d) Anatomy of a Fall 16. Why was Keegan Payne featured in the national media in April? (a) He was suspended for six weeks (b) He won the PGA Masters (c) He caught a $1 million fish (d) He won a gold medal for skateboarding 17. In which month was Julian Assange released from prison? ( Hint ) (a) May (b) June (c) July ( d) August 18. Which annual Australian music festival was cancelled in March? ( Hint ) (a) Bluesfest (b) Tamworth Country Music Festival (c) Woodford Folk Festival (d) Splendour In the Grass 19. Who won the Gold Logie? (a) Larry Emdur (b) Asher Keddie (c) Andy Lee (d) Robert Irwin 20. Who were the Australian flag-bearers at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony? (a) Kaylee McKeown & Matt Wearn (b) Jessica Fox & Eddie Ockenden (c) Mollie O’Callaghan & Cameron McEvoy (d) Ariarne Titmus & Keegan Palmer ANSWERS 1. (c) Topham Guerin 2. (b) Aryna Sabalenka 3. (c) Luigi 4. (d) Penrith Panthers 5. (a) Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat 6. (d) Sam Mostyn 7. (c) Howard Government 8. (b) February 9. (d) Knight’s Choice 10. (b) New South Wales 11. (c) Bluey 12. (d) Woolworths 13. (a) Carlos Alcaraz 14. (c) Arisa Trew 15. (b) Oppenheimer 16. (c) He caught a $1 million fish 17. (b) June 18. (d) Splendour In The Grass 19. (a) Larry Emdur 20. (b) Jessica Fox & Eddie Ockenden SCORE 5 and under — need more coffee | 6 -10 — read IA more often | 11-15 — savvy IA reader 16-20 — in line to take over editorial duties! Compiled by IA columnist Belinda Jones . This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License Support independent journalism Subscribe to IA. Related Articles QUIZ: IA Interrogates! #2 QUIZ: IA Interrogates! #1 IA's election QUIZ: How well do you know Australia’s treasurers? (No 3) LIFE & ARTS QUIZ trivia 2024 general knowledge current affairs puzzles IA Interrogates Independent Australia Hottest 100 Triple J Share ArticleATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are back in first place in the NFC South and again in control of their playoff hopes. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed the poise in his first NFL start the Falcons will need to take advantage of their opportunity to end a six-year playoff drought. Powered by a big-play defense that produced two pick-6s, a solid starting debut by Penix and two rushing touchdowns by Bijan Robinson, the Falcons cruised past the hapless New York Giants 34-7 on Sunday. On Sunday night, the Falcons (8-7) received the assist they needed when Tampa Bay lost at Dallas . Because the Falcons swept the Buccaneers, they hold the tiebreaker advantage if they remain tied atop the division. The Falcons have games remaining at Washington on Sunday night and at home against Carolina to close the regular season. If Atlanta wins both games, it would win the division and have a home playoff game. The Falcons are assured of their best record since a 10-6 finish under coach Dan Quinn in 2017, their most recent playoff season. Quinn is in his first season as Washington’s coach and has led the Commanders (10-5) to three straight wins, including Sunday’s 36-33 victory over Philadelphia. Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, was promoted after coach Raheem Morris benched Kirk Cousins. Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards with one interception on a pass that should have been caught by tight end Kyle Pitts. Penix is not a dual-threat quarterback, but he showed the ability to escape pressure in the pocket that Cousins lacks following his 2023 Achilles tendon injury. The left-hander’s superior arm strength also was immediately obvious. Robinson’s production provided a safety net for the offense which helped make for a smooth transition to Penix. Robinson had scoring runs of 2 and 4 yards. Robinson has rushed for 10 touchdowns this season. He’s the first Atlanta player with 10 more more rushing touchdowns since Devonta Freeman during the 2016 Super Bowl season. Robinson ran for 94 yards on 22 carries and had 103 yards from scrimmage. His 11th game this season with at least 100 yards from scrimmage are the most for the Falcons since Warrick Dunn’s 11 in 2005. Morris said Robinson deserves to be considered with Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley in discussions regarding the league’s top running backs. “Bijan has been outstanding all year in the things that he’s able to do,” Morris said. “He’s special. If it wasn’t for this other guy out in Philly, he’d get a lot more recognition across the league. But that guy is having a special year, and Bijan’s not far behind him.” With kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve and watching from the sideline, Riley Patterson was wide left on his first field-goal attempt from 43 yards. Patterson rebounded to make attempts from 52 and 37 yards. Jessie Bates III and Matthew Judon each had a pick-6 to highlight a day of big plays for the defense. Arnold Ebiketie had his fifth sack of the season and added a fumble recovery. Kaden Ellis added a strip-sack. He also has five sacks this season, including sacks in four consecutive games. It is the longest streak for Atlanta since Patrick Kerney had sacks in five straight games in 2001. There was some thought that a change at quarterback could be good news for Pitts, who often seemed to be missing in action with Cousins running the offense. After all, a tight end often is a natural target for quick passes from a rookie making his first start. Instead, Pitts had a poor start to the Penix era when he bobbled his first pass from the left-hander, creating an interception by cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. Pitts caught a 7-yard pass on his only other target. For the season, Pitts has 41 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. There will be much interest in this week’s injury report after WR Drake London (hamstring) was hurt in the second half. Morris provided an optimistic postgame outlook on London. CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) did not return after leaving the game in the first half. 8: Bates has four interceptions and four forced fumbles. His combined eight forced turnovers lead the NFL. The game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders is a reminder Penix was only the fourth of six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Daniels, from LSU, was the No. 2 overall pick behind Caleb Williams by Chicago. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflStony Brook wins 72-55 against Riderwhat is double down in blackjack 。

Green Building Materials Market is Projected to Grow at a CAGR 12.1% during 2024-2031 | BASF SE, Bauder Limited, Binderholz GmbH, DuPont, Kingspan Group plcNonePHILADELPHIA and PERTH, Australia , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM, ASX: LTM, "Arcadium Lithium"), a leading global lithium chemicals producer, today announced that it has obtained all requisite shareholder approvals in connection with the proposed acquisition by Rio Tinto previously announced on October 9 , 2024. "Today's vote of support by our shareholders confirms our shared belief that with Rio Tinto, we will be a stronger global leader in lithium chemicals production. Together, we enhance our capabilities to successfully develop and operate our assets while supporting the clean energy transition. We are confident that this transaction will provide future benefit to our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate, and I am excited by the path ahead," said Paul Graves , president and chief executive officer of Arcadium Lithium. The final voting results of Arcadium Lithium's special meetings will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Form 8-K and will also be available at https://ir.arcadiumlithium.com . Regulatory Update As of this release, merger control clearance has been satisfied or waived in Australia , Canada , China , the United Kingdom and the United States (Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976). Additionally, investment screening approval has been satisfied in the United Kingdom . The proposed transaction is still expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Arcadium Lithium Contacts Investors: Daniel Rosen +1 215 299 6208 daniel.rosen@arcadiumlithium.com Phoebe Lee +61 413 557 780 phoebe.lee@arcadiumlithium.com Media: Karen Vizental +54 9 114 414 4702 karen.vizental@arcadiumlithium.com About Arcadium Lithium Arcadium Lithium is a leading global lithium chemicals producer committed to safely and responsibly harnessing the power of lithium to improve people's lives and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. We collaborate with our customers to drive innovation and power a more sustainable world in which lithium enables exciting possibilities for renewable energy, electric transportation and modern life. Arcadium Lithium is vertically integrated, with industry-leading capabilities across lithium extraction processes, including hard-rock mining, conventional brine extraction and direct lithium extraction (DLE), and in lithium chemicals manufacturing for high performance applications. We have operations around the world, with facilities and projects in Argentina , Australia , Canada , China , Japan , the United Kingdom and the United States . For more information, please visit us at www.ArcadiumLithium.com . Important Information and Legal Disclaimer: Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for Arcadium Lithium based on currently available information. There are important factors that could cause Arcadium Lithium's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the completion of the transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the transaction; potential litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted by or against Arcadium Lithium or its affiliates, directors or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that disruptions from the transaction will harm Arcadium Lithium's business, including current plans and operations; the ability of Arcadium Lithium to retain and hire key personnel; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or governmental relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact Arcadium Lithium's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; significant transaction costs associated with the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction, including in circumstances requiring Arcadium Lithium to pay a termination fee or other expenses; competitive responses to the transaction; the supply and demand in the market for our products as well as pricing for lithium and high-performance lithium compounds; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the integration of the businesses of Livent and Allkem or of any future acquisitions; our ability to acquire or develop additional reserves that are economically viable; the existence, availability and profitability of mineral resources and mineral and ore reserves; the success of our production expansion efforts, research and development efforts and the development of our facilities; our ability to retain existing customers; the competition that we face in our business; the development and adoption of new battery technologies; additional funding or capital that may be required for our operations and expansion plans; political, financial and operational risks that our lithium extraction and production operations, particularly in Argentina , expose us to; physical and other risks that our operations and suppliers are subject to; our ability to satisfy customer qualification processes or customer or government quality standards; global economic conditions, including inflation, fluctuations in the price of energy and certain raw materials; the ability of our joint ventures, affiliated entities and contract manufacturers to operate according to their business plans and to fulfill their obligations; severe weather events and the effects of climate change; extensive and dynamic environmental and other laws and regulations; our ability to obtain and comply with required licenses, permits and other approvals; and other factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in Arcadium Lithium's 2023 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 , as well as Arcadium Lithium's other SEC filings and public communications. Although Arcadium Lithium believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Arcadium Lithium cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Arcadium Lithium nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Arcadium Lithium is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcadium-lithium-announces-shareholder-approval-of-proposed-rio-tinto-transaction-and-provides-regulatory-update-302338409.html SOURCE Arcadium Lithium PLC

Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate

Lamar defeats Ragin' Cajuns 74-45

Aston Martin's new DBX707, 'Supercar' of SUVsNEW YORK , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Monport Laser, an industry-leading brand of laser cutters and engravers, proudly announces the release of the Monport MEGA, the world's first 70W intelligent desktop CO2 laser engraving machine. This revolutionary product is the culmination of Monport's dedication to innovation and a reflection of its commitment to empowering creativity in America. Focusing on innovation, strength, and empowering individuals, M onport has designed the MEGA as a symbol of American ingenuity. The MEGA is poised to transform the laser engraving market by combining state-of-the-art technology with unmatched precision. The Monport MEGA is not just an engraving machine; it's a technological masterpiece designed to redefine creativity and productivity. The Revolution Starts with the MEGA Pre-Sale Building on the success of its first pre-sale phase, Monport is excited to extend the opportunity for new customers to reserve their Monport MEGA. The exclusive pre-sale period is open for just 40 days , making this a limited-time chance to secure the world's most advanced desktop laser engraver at an unbeatable price. To showcase the MEGA's unparalleled capabilities, Monport will host an exclusive live-stream event on November 25, 2024 , where the machine's features and applications will be demonstrated in real-time. Participants can engage with the Monport team, ask questions, and witness the MEGA's revolutionary performance. During the live stream, attendees can enter giveaways to win exciting prizes, including: At its core, the Monport MEGA represents more than just a machine-it's a commitment to empowering creators, small businesses, and hobbyists to push the boundaries of design and innovation. By blending American ingenuity with groundbreaking technology, the MEGA is designed to inspire a new generation of makers and entrepreneurs. From personalized gifts and intricate artwork to business branding and industrial prototyping, the MEGA offers endless possibilities. It's the ultimate tool for those looking to turn their creative dreams into reality. The Monport MEGA is here to revolutionize laser engraving, offering unmatched performance, precision, and safety. Don't miss this opportunity to be among the first to experience the future of engraving. Visit Monport MEGA to learn more and claim your exclusive pre-sale benefits. As excitement mounts for the MEGA's launch, Monport is thrilled to announce its biggest sales event of the year-the Black Friday Blowout ! Running from November 5 to December 5, 2024 , this exclusive event offers unbeatable savings of up to $6,000 on top-tier laser engraving machines and accessories. Take advantage of bundle deals with "Buy More, Save More" offers, designed to help creators and businesses elevate their engraving capabilities while enjoying maximum savings. Whether you're looking to upgrade your setup or start your engraving journey, this once-a-year event is your chance to invest in premium tools at incredible value. Stay tuned for more details, and don't miss the opportunity to save big during Monport's Black Friday Blowout!Scurvy in Canada: Is the vitamin C deficiency disease making a comeback?

Londoners will face a 4.6 per cent hike in Tube and rail fares from next March, Mayor Sadiq Khan announced, aligning the capital’s increase with the rise in regulated train fares for England’s mainline railway. According to Sky News on Friday, Transport for London’s (TfL) daily caps will increase by 40p to 70p depending on the zones traveled. Meanwhile, bus and tram fares will remain frozen at £1.75 for unlimited journeys within an hour, a measure Khan says is aimed at easing the burden on commuters. PUNCH Online corroborating the report reveals that the Mayor also made an official announcement on his official social media page. “I’m freezing bus fares in London for another year to support Londoners with the cost of living as much as possible,” Khan shared on X (formerly Twitter) Friday, referencing a video interview with BBC London. The Labour mayor explained that the fare increase is crucial for securing funding for essential transport projects. “Following the government’s budget, ministers made clear that to secure national funding for key transport projects in the future, TfL Tube and rail fares would need to increase in line with national rail fares,” Khan stated. However, he reiterated his commitment to affordability: “Londoners know from my record that wherever possible I’ve made TfL fares more affordable and fairer – whether through the introduction of the Hopper bus fare or freezing TfL fares for five years as mayor. Related News Pastor Bakare holds one-week London ministration Tinubu off to UK for two-week annual leave London introduces direct bus service to protect Jewish communities “Vital national government funding will allow us to progress exciting future projects, such as Superloop 2 and more upgrades to the Tube network, as we continue building a fairer, safer, and greener London for everyone.” Mixed Reactions A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) clarified that the fare hike was not a stipulation of the £500m funding announced in October’s budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The DfT underscored that the funding would provide a significant boost to London’s transport network. The fare hike comes amidst rising criticism of UK rail costs. A study by campaign group Transport & Environment found that train fares in the UK are the highest in Europe. Great Western Railway fares were reported to be two-and-a-half times higher than the EU and Swiss average for similar routes, while Avanti West Coast fares are 1.5 times more expensive. The group attributed the high costs to “private monopolies” and expensive infrastructure, emphasizing the need for a more affordable system. A public-sector body, Great British Railways, is set to take over rail operations and infrastructure by 2026, potentially reshaping the cost structure. As London braces for these changes, the balance between funding transformative projects and maintaining affordability for commuters remains a focal point of debate, with the comment section to his X post locked, PUNCH Online reports.Phillies add depth to bullpen with 1-year deal for reliever Joe Ross

Stony Brook wins 72-55 against Rider

Jacksonville defeats East Tennessee State 60-52Five Below is practically giving its holiday décor away

Arcadium Lithium Announces Shareholder Approval of Proposed Rio Tinto Transaction and Provides Regulatory UpdateThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Andrew Holifield scored 17 points as Lamar beat Louisiana 74-45 on Saturday. Holifield also contributed 11 rebounds for the Cardinals (5-5). Janko Buljic scored 12 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field. Alexis Marmolejos had 11 points and shot 4 for 5, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc. Kyndall Davis finished with 11 points for the Ragin’ Cajuns (2-9). Brandon Hardy added 10 points for Louisiana. Kentrell Garnett also recorded nine points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

PLEASANTON, Calif. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 10x Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TXG), a leader in single cell and spatial biology, announced today it had secured a permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against the GeoMx products sold by Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR), which acquired the product line from NanoString Technologies. To minimize the risk of disruption to ongoing research, 10x Genomics requested a carve-out for GeoMx users who installed an instrument prior to the trial in November 2023 . The injunction, which the Court said it will enter in January 2025 , is expected to prohibit Bruker from making, using, selling or offering to sell in the United States its GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler and associated instruments, reagents and services for RNA and protein detection. At the request of 10x Genomics, the injunction will not block ongoing research by researchers who installed a GeoMx instrument prior to November 18, 2023 . Such customers can continue to purchase GeoMx reagents for use with existing GeoMx instruments for purposes of continuing their ongoing research. The Court found that making such an exception for ongoing research strikes a "workable balance between protecting the patentee's rights and protecting the public from the injunction's adverse effects." In addition, the Court affirmed the $31 million damages awarded by the November 2023 jury verdict, as well as supplemental damages and interest that will be added to the total damages when final judgment is entered. "Today's decision helps to safeguard our decade-long investment in innovation and ensures we can continue to develop groundbreaking technologies that help our customers revolutionize science," said Eric Whitaker , Chief Legal Officer at 10x Genomics. "10x exists to fuel scientific progress – not stifle it – and that is why we've done our utmost to ensure this injunction was structured to protect both our intellectual property and existing GeoMx customers' ongoing research." The Court recognized the harm NanoString's infringing conduct caused 10x when it wrote in its ruling, "Having been careful not to license its technology, 10x suffers when it proclaims itself as an innovator in spatial genomics but a competitor is using the same innovative, patented technology." Today's Court decision follows a November 2023 jury verdict that found that NanoString's GeoMx products willfully infringed seven patents exclusively licensed to 10x Genomics by Prognosys. During the trial, the jury heard testimony from the sole inventor of the patents, Illumina co-founder Mark Chee , and NanoString CEO Brad Gray and NanoString CSO Joe Beechem. After hearing all of the evidence, the jury determined that all seven patents had been infringed by NanoString, that each patent was valid, that NanoString willfully infringed those patents and that monetary damages were owed to 10x for the infringement of all seven patents. In affirming the jury's finding that NanoString willfully infringed, the Court relied on the evidence showing that NanoString knew or was willfully blind that its acts would cause infringement of 10x's rights. The asserted patents in Case No. 21-cv-653-MFK include (a) U.S. Patent No. 10,472,669; (b) U.S. Patent No. 10,961,566; (c) U.S. Patent No. 10,983,113; (d) U.S. Patent No. 10,996,219; (e) U.S. Patent No. 11,001,878; (f) U.S. Patent No. 11,008,607 and (g) U.S. Patent No. 11,293,917. About 10x Genomics 10x Genomics is a life science technology company building products to accelerate the mastery of biology and advance human health. Our integrated solutions include instruments, consumables and software for single cell and spatial biology, which help academic and translational researchers and biopharmaceutical companies understand biological systems at a resolution and scale that matches the complexity of biology. Our products are behind breakthroughs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience and more, fueling powerful discoveries that are transforming the world's understanding of health and disease. To learn more, visit 10xgenomics.com or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter) . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. All statements included in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "see," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "would," "likely," "seek" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding litigation and remedies as well as possible outcomes of litigation. These forward-looking statements do not reflect that our success will depend on our ability to obtain, maintain and protect our intellectual property rights, intellectual property litigation could be expensive, time-consuming, unsuccessful and could interfere with our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our products or technologies, litigation outcomes are unpredictable or there may be changes in our litigation strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations, forecasts, beliefs, assumptions and information currently available to management. Actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors and such statements should not be relied upon as representing 10x Genomics, Inc.'s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. 10x Genomics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in 10x Genomics' expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. The material risks and uncertainties that could affect 10x Genomics, Inc.'s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's most recently-filed 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and elsewhere in the documents 10x Genomics, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Disclosure Information 10x Genomics uses filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our website ( www.10xgenomics.com ), press releases, public conference calls, public webcasts and our social media accounts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Contacts Investors: investors@10xgenomics.com Media: media@10xgenomics.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-district-court-awards-10x-genomics-permanent-injunction-in-patent-infringement-lawsuit-against-bruker-corporations-geomx-products-302338627.html SOURCE 10x Genomics, Inc.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- On December 10, 2024, Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (the “Company”) received a letter from the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) stating that the staff of NYSE Regulation has determined to commence proceedings to delist the Company’s class A common stock, units, and redeemable warrants (collectively, the “Company Securities”), pursuant to Sections 119(b) and 119(f) of the NYSE American Company Guide because the Company failed to consummate a business combination within 36 months of the effectiveness of its initial public offering registration statement, or such shorter period that the Company specified in its registration statement. As a result of the determination, trading of the Company Securities on NYSE American has been suspended. As indicated in the letter from NYSE American, the Company has a right to a review of the delisting determination by the Listings Qualifications Panel of the Committee for Review of the Board of Directors of the Exchange, provided that the Company submits a written request for such review no later than December 17, 2024. The Company is working towards consummating its previously announced business combination with Ace Green Recycling, Inc. If the Company Securities are delisted from NYSE American, the Company intends to seek a listing of the Company Securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC in connection with the consummation of the Company’s proposed initial business combination. About Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS), incorporated in Delaware, is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. ATEK is the third SPAC founded by Isabelle Freidheim, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer, with Kirthiga Reddy as President and Jennifer Calabrese as Chief Financial Officer. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “intend,” or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s ability to consummate its previously announced business combination and to list the Company Securities on Nasdaq in connection with the consummation of the proposed business combination. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic, political and business conditions; the number of redemption requests made by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a potential business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk that the approval of the Company’s stockholders for a potential transaction is not obtained; expectations related to the timing of a potential business combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a business combination; the risk that a business combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline; costs related to a business combination; and other risks that will be detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 and in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. And while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that the results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/en/ CONTACT: Bevel PR Athena@bevelpr.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 03:56 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 03:57 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213050198/enBest Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Wednesday, November 27

Middle East latest: Syrians celebrate Assad's fall as US seeks a peaceful political transitionIt’s no surprise New Zealanders think there is a major youth crime epidemic in New Zealand. Just two weeks into December, police have publicised at least 10 crimes - most involving stolen cars and several where machetes were presented - that they say were perpetrated by youths. A break-in at a Takanini restaurant involving youths aged 12, 13, 15 and 16. A “protracted” fleeing driver incident in Hamilton involving four youths aged between 15 and 17. A stolen car, masked occupants and a fleeing driver in an attempted carjacking with a machete in Hamilton involving three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old. A 17-year-old charged after a Rotorua bottle store was robbed of $9000 in stock by “a small group”, one wielding a machete. A ram-raid burglary at a shopping centre in Silverdale where five youths aged 12-16 were referred to Youth Aid. A 15-year-old “gang prospect” arrested after a central Palmerston North store was robbed of $4500 worth of items, including a large amount of perfume. A teenage participant of the Government’s controversial military-style bootcamp pilot escaped the custody of Oranga Tamariki staff last week while attending the funeral of a former participant. Serious youth offending dominates the headlines and the community is, naturally, frustrated, outraged and fearful.- Raising the mid-points of billings, revenue, margins, earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance ranges. - Janesh Moorjani appointed as chief financial officer. SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. All growth rates are compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2024, unless otherwise noted. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results is provided in the accompanying tables. For definitions, please view the Glossary of Terms later in this document. Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Highlights "Autodesk is leading the industry in modernizing its go-to-market motion. These initiatives enable us to build larger and more durable direct relationships with our customers and to serve them more efficiently. We have already seen significant benefits from these optimization initiatives and there's more to come in the next phase," said Andrew Anagnost , Autodesk president and CEO. "We will continue to deploy capital to offset and buy forward dilution, a practice which has reduced our share count over the last three years, and have significantly extended the duration of our repurchase program by increasing our stock repurchase authorization. Our goal is to deliver sustainable shareholder value over many years." "We generated broad-based underlying growth across products and regions. Overall, macroeconomic, policy, and geopolitical challenges, and the underlying momentum of the business, were consistent with the last few quarters with continued strong renewal rates and headwinds to new business growth," said Betsy Rafael , Autodesk interim CFO. "Given Autodesk's sustained momentum in the third quarter, and smooth launch of the new transaction model in Western Europe , we are raising the midpoints of our billings, revenue, margins, earnings per share, and free cash flow guidance ranges." Additional Financial Details Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Business Highlights Net Revenue by Geographic Area Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 Three Months Ended October 31, 2023 Change compared to prior fiscal year Constant currency change compared to prior fiscal year (In millions, except percentages) $ % % Net Revenue: Americas U.S. $ 579 $ 520 $ 59 11 % * Other Americas 126 120 6 5 % * Total Americas 705 640 65 10 % 11 % EMEA 580 516 64 12 % 13 % APAC 285 258 27 10 % 14 % Total Net Revenue $ 1,570 $ 1,414 $ 156 11 % 12 % ____________________ * Constant currency data not provided at this level. Net Revenue by Product Family Our product offerings are focused in four primary product families: Architecture, Engineering and Construction ("AEC"), AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, Manufacturing ("MFG"), and Media and Entertainment ("M&E"). Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 Three Months Ended October 31, 2023 Change compared to prior fiscal year (In millions, except percentages) $ % AEC $ 751 $ 675 $ 76 11 % AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 398 372 26 7 % MFG 307 269 38 14 % M&E 83 73 10 14 % Other 31 25 6 24 % Total Net Revenue $ 1,570 $ 1,414 $ 156 11 % Business Outlook The following are forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are set forth below under "Safe Harbor Statement." Autodesk's business outlook for the fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 considers the current economic environment and foreign exchange currency rate environment. A reconciliation between the fiscal 2025 GAAP and non-GAAP estimates is provided below or in the tables following this press release. Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2025 Q4 FY25 Guidance Metrics Q4 FY25 (ending January 31, 2025) Revenue (in millions) $1,623 - $1,638 EPS GAAP $1.21 - $1.27 EPS non-GAAP (1) $2.10 - $2.16 ____________________ (1) Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes $0.85 related to stock-based compensation expense, $0.17 for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, and $0.05 for acquisition-related costs, partially offset by ($0.18) related to GAAP-only tax charges. Full Year Fiscal 2025 FY25 Guidance Metrics FY25 (ending January 31, 2025) Billings (in millions) $5,900 - $5,980 Up 14% - 15% Revenue (in millions) (1) $6,115 - $6,130 Up approx. 11% GAAP operating margin 21.5% - 22% Non-GAAP operating margin (2) 35.5% - 36% EPS GAAP $4.95 - $5.01 EPS non-GAAP (3) $8.29 - $8.35 Free cash flow (in millions) (4) $1,470 - $1,500 ____________________ (1) Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and hedge gains/losses, revenue guidance range would be approximately 1 percentage point higher. (2) Non-GAAP operating margin excludes approximately 11% related to stock-based compensation expense, approximately 2% for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, and approximately 1% related to acquisition-related costs. (3) Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share excludes $3.15 related to stock-based compensation expense, $0.61 for the amortization of both purchased intangibles and developed technologies, $0.23 related to acquisition-related costs, and $0.04 related to losses on strategic investments, partially offset by ($0.69) related to GAAP-only tax charges. (4) Free cash flow is cash flow from operating activities less approximately $30 million of capital expenditures. The fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 outlook assume a projected annual effective tax rate of 20 percent and 19 percent for GAAP and non-GAAP results, respectively. Shifts in geographic profitability continue to impact the annual effective tax rate due to significant differences in tax rates in various jurisdictions. Therefore, assumptions for the annual effective tax rate are evaluated regularly and may change based on the projected geographic mix of earnings. Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Autodesk will host its third quarter conference call today at 5 p.m. ET . The live broadcast can be accessed at autodesk.com/investor . A transcript of the opening commentary will also be available following the conference call. A replay of the broadcast will be available at 7 p.m. ET at autodesk.com/investor . This replay will be maintained on Autodesk's website for at least 12 months. Investor Presentation Details An investor presentation, Excel financials and other supplemental materials providing additional information can be found at autodesk.com/investor . Key Performance Metrics To help better understand our financial performance, we use several key performance metrics including billings, recurring revenue and net revenue retention rate. These metrics are key performance metrics and should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue. These metrics are not intended to be combined with those items. We use these metrics to monitor the strength of our recurring business. We believe these metrics are useful to investors because they can help in monitoring the long-term health of our business. Our determination and presentation of these metrics may differ from that of other companies. The presentation of these metrics is meant to be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, our financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Glossary of Terms Billings: Total revenue plus the net change in deferred revenue from the beginning to the end of the period. Cloud Service Offerings : Represents individual term-based offerings deployed through web browser technologies or in a hybrid software and cloud configuration. Cloud service offerings that are bundled with other product offerings are not captured as a separate cloud service offering. Constant Currency (CC) Growth Rates: We attempt to represent the changes in the underlying business operations by eliminating fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as eliminating hedge gains or losses recorded within the current and comparative periods. We calculate constant currency growth rates by (i) applying the applicable prior period exchange rates to current period results and (ii) excluding any gains or losses from foreign currency hedge contracts that are reported in the current and comparative periods. Design Business: Represents the combination of maintenance, product subscriptions, and all EBAs. Main products include, but are not limited to, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Industry Collections, Revit, Inventor, Maya and 3ds Max. Certain products, such as our computer aided manufacturing solutions, incorporate both Design and Make functionality and are classified as Design. Enterprise Business Agreements (EBAs): Represents programs providing enterprise customers with token-based access to a broad pool of Autodesk products over a defined contract term. Flex: A pay-as-you-go consumption option to pre-purchase tokens to access any product available with Flex for a daily rate. Free Cash Flow: Cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures. Industry Collections: Autodesk Industry Collections are a combination of products and services that target a specific user objective and support a set of workflows for that objective. Our Industry Collections consist of: Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Collection, Autodesk Product Design and Manufacturing Collection, and Autodesk Media and Entertainment Collection. Maintenance Plan: Our maintenance plans provide our customers with a cost effective and predictable budgetary option to obtain the productivity benefits of our new releases and enhancements when and if released during the term of their contracts. Under our maintenance plans, customers are eligible to receive unspecified upgrades when and if available, and technical support. We recognize maintenance revenue over the term of the agreements, generally one year. Make Business: Represents certain cloud-based product subscriptions. Main products include, but are not limited to, Assemble, Autodesk Build, BIM Collaborate Pro, BuildingConnected, Fusion, and Flow Production Tracking. Certain products, such as Fusion, incorporate both Design and Make functionality and are classified as Make. Net Revenue Retention Rate (NR3): Measures the year-over-year change in Recurring Revenue for the population of customers that existed one year ago ("base customers"). Net revenue retention rate is calculated by dividing the current quarter Recurring Revenue related to base customers by the total corresponding quarter Recurring Revenue from one year ago. Recurring Revenue is based on USD reported revenue, and fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and hedge gains or losses have not been eliminated. Recurring Revenue related to acquired companies, one year after acquisition, has been captured as existing customers until such data conforms to the calculation methodology. This may cause variability in the comparison. Other Revenue: Consists of revenue from consulting, and other products and services, and is recognized as the products are delivered and services are performed. Product Subscription: Provides customers a flexible, cost-effective way to access and manage 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software tools. Our product subscriptions currently represent a hybrid of desktop and cloud functionality, which provides a device-independent, collaborative design workflow for designers and their stakeholders. Recurring Revenue: Consists of the revenue for the period from our traditional maintenance plans, our subscription plan offerings, and certain Other revenue. It excludes subscription revenue related to third-party products. Recurring revenue acquired with the acquisition of a business is captured when total subscriptions are captured in our systems and may cause variability in the comparison of this calculation. Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO): The sum of total short-term, long-term, and unbilled deferred revenue. Current remaining performance obligations is the amount of revenue we expect to recognize in the next twelve months. Solution Provider : Solution Provider is the name of our channel partners who primarily serve our new transaction model customers worldwide. Solution Providers may also be resellers in relation to Autodesk solutions. Spend : The sum of cost of revenue and operating expenses. Subscription Plan: Comprises our term-based product subscriptions, cloud service offerings, and EBAs. Subscriptions represent a combined hybrid offering of desktop software and cloud functionality which provides a device-independent, collaborative design workflow for designers and their stakeholders. With subscription, customers can use our software anytime, anywhere, and get access to the latest updates to previous versions. Subscription Revenue: Includes our cloud-enabled term-based product subscriptions, cloud service offerings, and flexible EBAs. Unbilled Deferred Revenue: Unbilled deferred revenue represents contractually stated or committed orders under early renewal and multi-year billing plans for subscription, services, and maintenance for which the associated deferred revenue has not been recognized. Under FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, unbilled deferred revenue is not included as a receivable or deferred revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including quotations from management, statements in the paragraphs under "Business Outlook" above statements about our short-term and long-term goals, statements regarding our strategies, market and product positions, performance and results, and all statements that are not historical facts. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including: our strategy to develop and introduce new products and services and to move to platforms and capabilities, exposing us to risks such as limited customer acceptance (both new and existing customers), costs related to product defects, and large expenditures; global economic and political conditions, including changes in monetary and fiscal policy, foreign exchange headwinds, recessionary fears, supply chain disruptions, resulting inflationary pressures and hiring conditions; geopolitical tension and armed conflicts, and extreme weather events; costs and challenges associated with strategic acquisitions and investments; our ability to successfully implement and expand our transaction model; dependency on international revenue and operations, exposing us to significant international regulatory, economic, intellectual property, collections, currency exchange rate, taxation, political, and other risks, including risks related to the war against Ukraine launched by Russia and our exit from Russia and the current conflict between Israel and Hamas; inability to predict subscription renewal rates and their impact on our future revenue and operating results; existing and increased competition and rapidly evolving technological changes; fluctuation of our financial results, key metrics and other operating metrics; our transition from up front to annual billings for multi-year contracts; deriving a substantial portion of our net revenue from a small number of solutions, including our AutoCAD-based software products and collections; any failure to successfully execute and manage initiatives to realign or introduce new business and sales initiatives, including our new transaction model for Flex; net revenue, billings, earnings, cash flow, or new or existing subscriptions shortfalls; social and ethical issues relating to the use of artificial intelligence in our offerings; our ability to maintain security levels and service performance meeting the expectations of our customers, and the resources and costs required to avoid unanticipated downtime and prevent, detect and remediate performance degradation and security breaches; security incidents or other incidents compromising the integrity of our or our customers' offerings, services, data, or intellectual property; reliance on third parties to provide us with a number of operational and technical services as well as software; our highly complex software, which may contain undetected errors, defects, or vulnerabilities; increasing regulatory focus on privacy issues and expanding laws; governmental export and import controls that could impair our ability to compete in international markets or subject us to liability if we violate the controls; protection of our intellectual property rights and intellectual property infringement claims from others; the government procurement process; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; our debt service obligations; and our investment portfolio consisting of a variety of investment vehicles that are subject to interest rate trends, market volatility, and other economic factors. Our estimates as to tax rate are based on current interpretations of existing tax law and could be affected by changing interpretations, further guidance, and additional tax legislation. Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Autodesk are included in Autodesk's Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Autodesk disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. About Autodesk The world's designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk's Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything Autodesk uses its investors.autodesk.com website as a means of disclosing material non-public information, announcing upcoming investor conferences and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor our investor relations website in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, BIM 360 and Fusion 360 are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and service offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2024 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Autodesk, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended October 31, Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net revenue: Subscription $ 1,457 $ 1,314 $ 4,195 $ 3,777 Maintenance 9 12 31 40 Total subscription and maintenance revenue 1,466 1,326 4,226 3,817 Other 104 88 266 211 Total net revenue 1,570 1,414 4,492 4,028 Cost of revenue: Cost of subscription and maintenance revenue 105 94 305 285 Cost of other revenue 19 21 57 62 Amortization of developed technologies 23 12 62 34 Total cost of revenue 147 127 424 381 Gross profit 1,423 1,287 4,068 3,647 Operating expenses: Marketing and sales 525 439 1,474 1,344 Research and development 378 339 1,092 1,021 General and administrative 161 165 477 438 Amortization of purchased intangibles 13 10 37 31 Total operating expenses 1,077 953 3,080 2,834Lamar defeats Ragin' Cajuns 74-45

Intel claims retailers are facing high return rates for Snapdragon PCs, Qualcomm denies itTORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- Almonty Industries Inc. (“Almonty” or the “Company”) (TSX: AII / ASX: AII / OTCQX: ALMTF / Frankfurt: ALI) is pleased to announce that the Company has received firm commitments to raise gross proceeds of the equivalent of A$5.95 million via the issuance of 2.0 million Canadian units and 4.56 million Placement Chess Depository Interests Units (“ CDIs ”) at C$0.82 per Canadian unit and A$0.90 per CDI Unit (“ Placement ”), respectively. Each Canadian unit and CDI Placement Unit participant will be issued with one warrant for every common share issued and one free unlisted option for every one CDI issued, exercisable at C$1.14 and A$1.25, respectively, with an expiry date of three years from the date of closing (“ Options ”). Proceeds from the Placement will be applied towards restructuring the Company’s balance sheet and towards offer costs. The Canadian units and Placement CDI units are expected to settle on or about 30 December 2024. The Canadian Units and CDI Placement Units issued will rank equally with existing CDIs and Common Shares on issue. The closing of the Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the acceptance by the TSX and ASX. RM Corporate Finance Pty Ltd will act as Lead Manager to the Placement and will be paid a total fee of A$85,500. About Almonty The principal business of Toronto, Canada-based Almonty Industries Inc. is the mining, processing and shipping of tungsten concentrate from its Los Santos Mine in western Spain and its Panasqueira mine in Portugal as well as the development of its Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea and the development of the Valtreixal tin/tungsten project in northwestern Spain. The Los Santos Mine was acquired by Almonty in September 2011 and is located approximately 50 kilometres from Salamanca in western Spain and produces tungsten concentrate. The Panasqueira mine, which has been in production since 1896, is located approximately 260 kilometres northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, was acquired in January 2016 and produces tungsten concentrate. The Sangdong mine, which was historically one of the largest tungsten mines in the world and one of the few long-life, high-grade tungsten deposits outside of China, was acquired in September 2015 through the acquisition of a 100% interest in Woulfe Mining Corp. Almonty owns 100% of the Valtreixal tin-tungsten project in north- western Spain. Further information about Almonty’s activities may be found at www.almonty.com and under Almonty’s profile at www.sedar.com. Legal Notice The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information When used in this press release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “belief”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may” or “should” and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. These statements and information are based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and reflect Almonty’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Almonty to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: any specific risks relating to fluctuations in the price of ammonium para tungstate (“APT”) from which the sale price of Almonty’s tungsten concentrate is derived, actual results of mining and exploration activities, environmental, economic and political risks of the jurisdictions in which Almonty’s operations are located and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, forecasts and assessments relating to Almonty’s business, credit and liquidity risks, hedging risk, competition in the mining industry, risks related to the market price of Almonty’s shares, the ability of Almonty to retain key management employees or procure the services of skilled and experienced personnel, risks related to claims and legal proceedings against Almonty and any of its operating mines, risks relating to unknown defects and impairments, risks related to the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations, risks related to international operations of Almonty, risks relating to exploration, development and operations at Almonty’s tungsten mines, the ability of Almonty to obtain and maintain necessary permits, the ability of Almonty to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements, lack of suitable infrastructure and employees to support Almonty’s mining operations, uncertainty in the accuracy of mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, production estimates from Almonty’s mining operations, inability to replace and expand mineral reserves, uncertainties related to title and indigenous rights with respect to mineral properties owned directly or indirectly by Almonty, the ability of Almonty to obtain adequate financing, the ability of Almonty to complete permitting, construction, development and expansion, challenges related to global financial conditions, risks related to future sales or issuance of equity securities, differences in the interpretation or application of tax laws and regulations or accounting policies and rules and acceptance of the TSX of the listing of Almonty shares on the TSX. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to, no material adverse change in the market price of ammonium para tungstate (APT), the continuing ability to fund or obtain funding for outstanding commitments, expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters, no negative change to applicable laws, the ability to secure local contractors, employees and assistance as and when required and on reasonable terms, and such other assumptions and factors as are set out herein. Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almonty’s forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD- LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223203144/en/ CONTACT: For further information, please contact:Lewis Black Chairman, President and CEO Telephone: +1 647 438-9766 Email:info@almonty.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MINING/MINERALS NATURAL RESOURCES SOURCE: Almonty Industries Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223203144/en

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247 blackjack Sanctuary Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. ( NYSE:CX – Free Report ) by 46.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 52,237 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 16,585 shares during the quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC’s holdings in CEMEX were worth $319,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in CEMEX during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of CEMEX by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,249 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,843 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of CEMEX by 36.0% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,606 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 1,747 shares during the last quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in CEMEX in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $70,000. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in CEMEX during the 3rd quarter valued at $77,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently commented on CX shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered CEMEX from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of CEMEX from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of CEMEX from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $6.00 to $5.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of CEMEX from $10.00 to $8.90 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded CEMEX from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, CEMEX presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $7.65. CEMEX Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of NYSE:CX opened at $5.68 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.93 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a 50 day moving average of $5.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.03. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 52-week low of $5.00 and a 52-week high of $9.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. CEMEX Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 10th were paid a dividend of $0.0207 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 10th. CEMEX’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.00%. CEMEX Company Profile ( Free Report ) CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than CEMEX How Technical Indicators Can Help You Find Oversold Stocks S&P 500 ETFs: Expense Ratios That Can Boost Your Long-Term Gains What Investors Need to Know About Upcoming IPOs How AI Implementation Could Help MongoDB Roar Back in 2025 How to Capture the Benefits of Dividend Increases Hedge Funds Boost Oil Positions: Is a Major Rally on the Horizon? Receive News & Ratings for CEMEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CEMEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MAX Power Mining Corp. ( ; ; ) (“ ” or the “ ”) reports that it closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement (originally announced on November 21, 2024 and increased on November 26, 2024). Pursuant to the offering (the “Offering”) the Company issued an aggregate of 6,000,000 units (the “Units”) at a price of $0.20 per Unit for gross proceeds to MAX Power of $1,200.000. Mr. Mansoor Jan, MAX Power CEO, commented: Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a “Warrant”). Each whole Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one share at an exercise price of $0.30 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance, subject to an acceleration right. If, at any time after the date of issuance of the Warrant, the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the CSE (or such other stock exchange on which the common shares may be traded from time to time) is at or above C$0.45 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the “Triggering Event”), in which event the Company may, within 5 days of the Triggering Event, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice thereof to the holders of the Warrants, by way of news release, and in such case the Warrants will expire on the first day that is 30 calendar days after the date on which such notice is given by the Company announcing the Triggering Event and all rights of holders of such Warrants shall be terminated without any compensation to such holder. The Company plans to use the net proceeds of this financing for exploration, evaluation and potential acquisition of additional properties, general and administrative expenses which will include funds for marketing and investor relations fees, and cash for working capital. The Offering was made to purchasers who are residents in each of the Provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – (the “Exemption”). In accordance with the Exemption and applicable Canadian securities laws, the securities issued pursuant to the Offering are not subject to any statutory hold period. The amended and restated offering document (the “Offering Document”) related to the Offering can be accessed under the Company’s profile at and on the Company’s website at: . In connection with the Offering, the Company paid finder’s fees consisting of (i) cash finder’s fees of $24,710 and (ii) 123,550 finder warrants (“Finder’s Warrant”) issued pursuant to the Offering, exercisable at a price of $0.30 per common share for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering which will also be subject to the above acceleration clause. The Finder’s Warrants will be subject to a hold period of four months. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. The Company has granted a total of 700,000 stock options to a director and a consultant of the Company. 400,000 stock options will have an expiry of 3 years and an exercise price of $0.25 cents. 300,000 stock options will have an expiry of 3 years and an exercise price of $0.35 cents. MAX Power is an innovative mineral exploration company focused on North America’s shift to decarbonization. MAX Power has made an early entry in the rapidly growing Natural Hydrogen sector, through strategic alliances with Calgary-based Chapman Hydrogen & Petroleum Engineering Ltd., and European- based Larin Engineering HHC. MAX Power also holds a portfolio of properties in the United States and Canada focused on critical minerals. These properties are highlighted by a recent diamond drilling discovery at the Willcox Playa Lithium Project in southeast Arizona. “Mansoor Jan” CEO MAX Power Mining Corp. Company Contact , 778-655-9266

Booz Allen Appoints Debra L. Dial to Board of DirectorsNone

STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Lovesac Company (Nasdaq: LOVE) ("Lovesac” or the "Company”), the Designed for Life home and technology brand, today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 before market open on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The Company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 877-407-3982 (international callers please dial 201-493-6780) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at investor.lovesac.com. A recorded replay of the conference call will be available within two hours of the conclusion of the call and can be accessed online at investor.lovesac.com for 90 days. About The Lovesac Company Based in Stamford, Connecticut, The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ: LOVE) is a technology driven company that designs, manufactures and sells unique, high-quality furniture derived through its proprietary Designed for Life approach which results in products that are built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as customers' lives do. The current product offering is comprised of modular couches called Sactionals, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs, the Sactionals StealthTech Sound + Charge System, and the most recently launched PillowSacTM Accent Chair. As a recipient of Repreve's 7th Annual Champions of Sustainability Award, responsible production and innovation are at the center of the brand's design philosophy with products protected by a robust portfolio of utility patents. Products are marketed and sold primarily online directly at www.lovesac.com, supported by direct-to-consumer touch points in the form of our own showrooms, as well as through shop-in-shops and pop-up-shops with third party retailers. LOVESAC, DESIGNED FOR LIFE, SACTIONALS, SAC, SEAT, and STEALTHTECH are trademarks of The Lovesac Company and are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Investor Relations Contacts: Caitlin Churchill, ICR (203) 682-8200 [email protected]Meta Announces Quarterly Cash DividendEnerpac Tool Group Schedules First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Earnings Release and Conference Callblackjack 247 。

A judge on Monday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss the election subversion case against Donald Trump because of a Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed to the request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to dismiss the case against the president-elect "without prejudice," meaning it could potentially be revived after Trump leaves the White House four years from now. "Dismissal without prejudice is appropriate here," Chutkan said, adding in the ruling that "the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office." Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and removing large quantities of top secret documents after leaving the White House, but the cases never came to trial. Smith also moved on Monday to drop his appeal of the dismissal of the documents case filed against the former president in Florida. That case was tossed out earlier this year by a Trump-appointed judge on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. The special counsel paused the election interference case and the documents case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. Smith cited the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president in his motions to have the cases dismissed. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. 'Empty and lawless' Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the cases were "empty and lawless, and should never have been brought." "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME," he said. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before." Trump was accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump was also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. However, Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the worldNEW YORK , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) ED today announced the public offering of 7,000,000 of its common shares. In connection with the forward sale agreement described below, the forward counterparty (as defined below) has agreed to borrow from third parties and sell such shares to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, which is acting as the underwriter in connection with the offering. The underwriter may offer the common shares in transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter-market or through negotiated transactions at either market prices or negotiated prices. Pursuant to the forward sale agreement, Con Edison expects to issue and deliver to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or its affiliate (the "forward counterparty"), 7,000,000 of its common shares upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreement in exchange for cash proceeds per share equal to a forward price per share determined as provided in the forward sale agreement. Con Edison expects to use the cash proceeds it receives upon the full physical settlement of the forward sale agreement to invest in its subsidiaries for funding of their capital requirements and for its other general corporate purposes. Con Edison may, subject to certain conditions, elect cash settlement or net share settlement instead of physical settlement for all or a portion of its obligations under the forward sale agreement. Settlement of the forward sale agreement is expected to occur by December 31, 2025 ; however, the forward sale agreement may be settled earlier in whole or in part at Con Edison's option, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. Con Edison will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares sold by the forward counterparty to the underwriter. If Con Edison is required to issue and sell any top-up shares (as defined below) to the underwriter, Con Edison would receive proceeds from the sale of the top-up shares (and the number of shares subject to the forward sale agreement would be reduced accordingly). In the event that, in the forward counterparty's commercially reasonable judgment, the forward counterparty (or its affiliate) is unable to borrow and deliver for sale to the underwriter any common shares that it was to borrow and deliver for sale, or the forward counterparty (or its affiliate) would incur a stock loan cost greater than a specified rate to do so, Con Edison will issue and sell directly to the underwriter the number of common shares that the forward counterparty (or its affiliate) does not borrow and deliver for sale (the "top-up shares"). The offering is being made pursuant to Con Edison's effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The preliminary prospectus supplement and the base prospectus relating to the offering will be available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov . Copies of the prospectus supplement and the base prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from J.P. Morgan, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, Emails: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com and postsalemanualrequests@broadridge.com . This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale of these securities would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The offering of these securities will be made only by means of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This press release contains forward-looking statements that are intended to qualify for the safe-harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations and not facts. Words such as "forecasts," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "plans," "will," "target," "guidance," "potential," "goal," "consider" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect information available and assumptions at the time the statements are made, and accordingly speak only as of that time. Actual results or developments might differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of various factors such as those identified in reports Con Edison has filed with the SEC, including, but not limited to: its subsidiaries are extensively regulated and are subject to substantial penalties; its utility subsidiaries' rate plans may not provide a reasonable return; it may be adversely affected by changes to the utility subsidiaries' rate plans; the failure of, or damage to, its subsidiaries' facilities could adversely affect it; a cyber attack could adversely affect it; the failure of processes and systems, the failure to retain and attract employees and contractors, and their negative performance could adversely affect it; it is exposed to risks from the environmental consequences of its subsidiaries' operations, including increased costs related to climate change; its ability to pay dividends or interest depends on dividends from its subsidiaries; changes to tax laws could adversely affect it; it requires access to capital markets to satisfy funding requirements; a disruption in the wholesale energy markets, increased commodity costs or failure by an energy supplier or customer could adversely affect it; it faces risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks; its strategies may not be effective to address changes in the external business environment; it faces risks related to supply chain disruptions and inflation; and it also faces other risks that are beyond its control. This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ from the forward-looking statements. Con Edison assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York , Inc., a regulated utility providing electric, gas and steam service in New York City and Westchester County, New York ; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile-area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey ; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which through its subsidiaries, invests in electric transmission projects and manages, through joint ventures, both electric and gas assets. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/con-edison-announces-common-share-offering-with-a-forward-component-302321645.html SOURCE Consolidated Edison, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

CEO killer suspect: golden boy who soured on US health systemAP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:41 p.m. EST

Suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse

Liudmila Chernetska/iStock via Getty Images Cidara Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: CDTX ) has been making significant progress in developing its drug-FC conjugate [DFC] using its proprietary Cloudbreak technology platform. What makes these molecules ideal is that they are designed to both inhibit proliferation of This article is published by Terry Chrisomalis, who runs the Biotech Analysis Central pharmaceutical service on Seeking Alpha Marketplace. If you like what you read here and would like to subscribe to, I'm currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to take advantage of. My service offers a deep-dive analysis of many pharmaceutical companies. The Biotech Analysis Central SA marketplace is $49 per month, but for those who sign up for the yearly plan will be able to take advantage of a 33.50% discount price of $399 per year. Terry Chrisomalis is a private investor in the Biotech sector with years of experience utilizing his Applied Science background to generate long term value from Healthcare. He is the author of the investing group Biotech Analysis Central which contains a library of 600+ Biotech investing articles, a model portfolio of 10+ small and mid-cap stocks with deep analysis for each, live chat, and a range of analysis and news reports to help Healthcare investors make informed decisions. 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.Sturko refuses to meet former police board vice-chair, defying B.C. Conservative leader

MAURA Higgins stripped off in tonight's installment of I'm A Celeb, with Irish beauty baring some skin. Baring skin beneath the bubbles of a lavish bubble bath, Maura, 33, looked sensational as she relaxed in the tub while in the Jungle Junkyard camp. 5 Maura Higgins enjoyed a bubble bath in tonight's episode Credit: Rex 5 The Love Island star looked to be in her element Credit: Rex 5 Maura entered the jungle this week alongside Reverand Richard Coles Credit: Rex Stripping off on national television and showing off her toned figure to the world in a bikini, the Irish reality star could be seen taking a dip and having a pamper. With her brunette hair pulled back into a messy bun which sat atop her head, fresh-faced Maura looked overjoyed to be enjoying some rest and relaxation in a steaming hot bath. On the side of the tub were some grey towels and some bottles that had lotions and potions inside. Behind the former Islander was a huge lit candle, which really Read More about I'm A Celeb ex-tra opinion Tulisa's ex breaks silence after I'm a Celeb star's demisexual confession Rumble in the jungle Find out if I'm A Celeb is on ITV on Saturdays The former Love Island star entered the jungle last night with Reverand Richard Coles, with the duo thrown straight into the Jungle Junkyard. BEST CAMPMATE EVER Maura and Rev Coles are already being branded the best campmates ever, with fans of the show flooding social media with declarations and praise for the pair. "Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard are the best thing that could have happened to this camp. "They're absolute cinema, I already want a TV show where they travel around the world together. Superb casting by ITV," penned one person on X. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 'FIGHTER' Tulisa's ex makes surprise admission about her changing face amid heath battles FAMILIAR FACE Maura Higgins breaks her silence on awkwardly sharing a camp with ex’s dad Mum's the word Inside I'm A Celeb star Tulisa's turbulent relationship with mum beaten down I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson begs producers to check on 'missing’ campmate "Bringing Maura on is the best thing they’ve done," penned a second. And a third added, "The best episode of @imacelebrity ever. Maura and Rev so fudging funny #ImACeleb." Watch horrified Maura Higgins slam dirty I'm A Celeb camp as she can't stop swearing Meanwhile, underneath Maura's most recent Instagram post, one person said, "DEFINITELY THE WINNER SHE ALREADY MADE SHOW 10000 TIMES BETTER. WHAT A WOMAN XX." "I’ve not even watched an episode yet but feel like she’s going to win," added a second. While a third said, "The queen of the jungle." And a fourth wrote, "Maura is the the best fun a breath of fresh air to wake up this boring camp." I'm A Celeb 2024 - late entries MAURA Higgins is a late entry to I'm A Celeb 2024. Yet who is joining her? 2019 Love Island star Maura, 33, will be a late entry to the jungle line-up. She will head into the I'm A Celeb camp , along with the Reverend Richard Coles , 62. The duo will join the likes of Coleen Rooney , Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones in Ant and Dec’s jungle camp a week into this year’s star-spangled series. Yet initially the duo will have their own private base - and a secret mission - before heading into the main compound Down Under. Maura has already described the jungle as "hell." Meanwhile Richard, who has starred on Strictly, has confessed his biggest "fear." DISGUST OVER CAMP CONDITIONS When Maura arrived at the camp, she was fuming over the living conditions. "It’s not liveable, we have nothing, this camp sucks," she fumed after seeing the camp for the first time. She then added, "I’m going to ask Richard to say a prayer for us tonight because I’m gonna need one." Read more on the Scottish Sun COMIC'S CASTLE Still Game star takes £150,000 hit to offload luxury £4m Scots castle HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Much-loved pub named best music bar in Scotland Then, Maura added, "We've definitely got the sh*t camp, so thanks for that. Jesus Christ. I tell you I saw this on a movie, there's a trick to doing this. "Guys this is not livable, this is not livable. This camp sucks." 5 Maura had a priceless reaction to the camp 5 Maura previously starred in Love Island Credit: RexTrump taps Kimberly Guilfoyle to serve as US ambassador to Greece — after reported split with Don Jr.Pete Hegseth, president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of Defense, has close ties to an Idaho-based Christian nationalist church that aims to turn America into a theocracy. Hegseth is a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with Christ Church, a controversial congregation in Moscow, Idaho, that has become a leader in the movement to get more Christianity in the public sphere. In an appearance last year on the Christ Church-connected streaming show “Crosspolitic,” Hegseth talked about how building up fundamentalist Christian education systems is important in what he sees as a “spiritual battle” with the secular world. He sees Christian students as foot soldiers in that war and refers to Christian schools as “boot camp.” “We’re in middle phase one right now, which is effectively a tactical retreat where you regroup, consolidate and reorganize and as you do so, you build your army underground with the opportunity later on of taking offensive operations – and obviously all of this is metaphorical and all that good stuff,” he said on the show. Hegseth did not immediately respond to requests for an interview. Hegseth has spoken positively about Christ Church Pastor Doug Wilson’s writings Christ Church is led by Pastor Doug Wilson, who founded the Calvinist group of churches called the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, or CREC. CREC has congregations in nearly all 50 states and several foreign countries. Hegseth’s church is a member of CREC, and Hegseth has spoken positively of Wilson’s writings. Wilson and his allies have a rigid patriarchal belief system and don’t believe in the separation of church and state. They support taking away the right to vote from most women, barring non-Christians from holding office and criminalizing the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, Wilson has increased his influence nationally as he’s built a religious, educational and media empire. His Association of Classical Christian Schools has hundreds of fundamentalist schools around the country, and his publishing outfit Canon Press churns out dozens of titles a year as well as popular streaming shows that highlight unyielding socially conservative ideals. In the recently released podcast, “Extremely American” (created by this reporter), Wilson says one of his goals is to get like-minded people into positions of influence. In an emailed response for this story, he said he’s closer to that post-election and that he supports Hegseth’s nomination, though he downplayed any influence he has on him. “I was grateful for Trump’s win, and believe that it is much more likely that Christians with views similar to mine will receive positions in the new administration,” he said. Hegseth nomination could threaten cohesion, diversity of U.S. military, experts say That’s what worries Air Force veteran Mikey Weinstein, who is the president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein says Hegseth, if confirmed as secretary of Defense, would threaten the cohesion of a religiously and racially diverse U.S. military. “Pete Hegseth is a poster child for literally everything that would be the opposite of what you would want to have for someone who’s controlling the technologically most lethal organization in the history of this country,” he said. Weinstein sees Hegseth’s nomination as an example of the dangers of Project 2025, a 900-page policy paper written by far-right political activists. It lays out a plan to gut the federal government and install Christian nationalist ideals. “Christian nationalism is an absolute fatal cancer metastasizing at light speed (for) the national security of this country,” he said. “It is a Christian version of the Taliban.” Matthew D. Taylor, senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies, said Hegseth is “one of the most extreme far right figures ever nominated to a cabinet post, at least in modern memory.” Taylor said he’s broadly concerned about Christian nationalists, who tend to take a dim view of democracy, potentially having a lot of sway in this administration. “I think we should expect a profound degradation of our democratic norms of the rule of law, and I think we are edging closer to a de facto Anglo Protestant establishment, of the kind where Anglo Protestant Christianity as the de facto official religion in the United States,” he said. Hegseth faces some headwinds in his nomination process due to multiple marital sex scandals and the recent revelation that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in exchange for her not speaking about it. He denies he assaulted her but admits he paid her. He’s also gotten criticism for tattoos that are symbols of the Crusades and wrote a book titled “American Crusade,” where he derides Muslims. Before becoming a TV personality, Hegseth led the conservative veterans group Concerned Veterans for America, which advocated for increased privatization of veterans’ health care. He has also said that women should not be allowed to serve in combat roles in the military, and has complained about what he terms “woke” policies in the military.

The oil and gas industry has traditionally been the domain of large corporations and institutional investors, creating high barriers for individual participants. Phoenix Capital Group is changing that landscape by offering an innovative direct-to-investor financing model, paired with proprietary fintech solutions, to open doors for Main Street investors. Through its corporate bond offerings, investors can access fixed yields ranging from 9-13%, an opportunity previously reserved for larger players. “Our success as a company is rooted in innovation—whether in our operations or capital markets strategies,” says Adam Ferrari, CEO of Phoenix Capital Group . “By eliminating middlemen like private equity or Wall Street institutions, we’ve raised growth capital directly from individual investors, aligning our mission with families across America.” This direct-to-investor approach is made possible through the JOBS Act of 2012 , which empowered private companies like Phoenix Capital Group to connect with individual investors. This model reduces costs typically absorbed by institutional fees, creating efficiencies that can benefit both the company and its bondholders. The oil and gas sector requires significant upfront capital, with the cost of drilling a single production well ranging from $9 to $13 million. The hefty sums are why financing has been dominated by private equity, venture capital, and banks, which can place costly short-term pressures on growing companies like Phoenix Capital Group. These traditional methods also limit individual investors’ access to opportunities. Phoenix Capital Group has tackled these challenges by leveraging technology and expertise in the oil and gas industry to offer investments directly to investors. The company’s proprietary software platform enhances transparency and accessibility for investors. Designed in-house, the platform simplifies investment management, providing secure and user-friendly functionality. “Our investor-first approach drives everything we do,” says Kris Woods, Chief Technology Officer . “When we couldn’t find a tool that met our bondholders’ needs, we built one ourselves.” This commitment to innovation and investor satisfaction not only strengthens relationships but also distinguishes Phoenix Capital Group in the marketplace. Anticipating revenues of $280–290 million in 2024, Phoenix Capital Group has established itself as a significant player in the energy sector. Ranking as the 17th largest oil producer in North Dakota’s Williston Basin, the company continues to demonstrate its operational prowess. With a commitment to efficiency, Phoenix has streamlined processes to minimize costs and maximize returns—a win for both the company and its investors. “Our operational discipline is a cornerstone of our ability to deliver value to bondholders,” explains Ferrari. “Every decision we make is geared toward protecting the capital entrusted to us and creating long-term impact.” Phoenix Capital Group exemplifies a new era of energy finance, blending operational expertise with a direct-to-investor model that prioritizes transparency and independence. This approach allows individuals to participate in the company’s growth while maintaining a buffer from commodity price volatility**. “We’re proud to be part of an alternative to traditional investments that aligns with our values and delivers meaningful opportunities to everyday families,” Ferrari concludes. For more details about Phoenix Capital Group and its bond offerings, visit phxcapitalgroup.com . Prospective investors are encouraged to join one of Phoenix’s daily webinars to explore the company’s business model and growth strategies. *Historically, Phoenix Capital Group has met its investor obligations, including monthly payments. Past performance is not indicative of future results. **Investors have historically received high yields. DISCLAIMER: No part of the article was written by The Signal editorial staff.The ongoing Canada Post strike has reached the three-week mark as the two sides continue to trade proposals through a government-appointed mediator. The work stoppage centres around a variety of issues, including disputes over wages and weekend delivery. Here’s a snapshot of the issues underpinning the standoff between the Crown corporation and union. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 55,000 Canada Post workers, said at the start of the strike that wage increases must be kept in line with inflation, with cost-of-living adjustment payments rolled into the basic wage rate. The union initially called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years. CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant said that figure has moved since the start of negotiations, but declined to comment on the union’s latest proposal. “We have just lived through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation,” the union’s national president Jan Simpson said in a post on Tuesday. Canada Post says it has offered what it calls “competitive” wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and more paid leave. It notes labour costs rose by $242 million in 2023, or about 6.5 per cent, compared with 2022. The organization declined to comment on Thursday. One of the main snags in negotiations has been a push to expand delivery to the weekend, but the two sides are at odds over how to staff the expansion. Canada Post has pitched seven-day-a-week delivery as a way to boost revenue and “secure the future of the company” as it struggles to compete with other delivery companies. The Crown corporation says it would staff weekend delivery shifts with a mix of new permanent part-time positions and some full-time, which would “create flexibility while not adding significant long-term fixed costs.” But the union characterizes Canada Post’s proposals as “attacks on full-time work,” accusing the Crown corporation of wanting to increase the part-time mix to more than 50 per cent of the workforce. It says it is concerned some part-timers could be scheduled for as few as eight hours per week and wouldn’t be eligible for benefits until they reach 1,000 hours. “Canada Post has every ability today to deliver parcels on the weekend, inside our collective agreement at straight time,” Gallant said in an interview. “We think it can be done with full-timers ... We’re just saying, ‘Instead of hiring 10 part-timers, you can hire three full time.” The union has highlighted a number of its demands for better job security, including a request for “improved protections against technological change.” Gallant said Canada Post is “always looking for new technology” that could threaten workers’ duties. “This loading and unloading of trucks by robots is one that they’re really, really looking at (and) forklifts that drive themselves through a plant,” he said. “We’re always afraid.” When it comes to retirement, CUPW says Canada Post wants new workers to accept a defined contribution pension plan, even though its defined benefit pension plan is overfunded by 140 per cent. “All workers deserve the right to retire with dignity, and for us, that means postal workers — present and future — maintain their defined benefit pension plan,” Simpson said. Canada Post says its proposals are “focused on protecting and enhancing what’s important to current employees ... while protecting the defined benefit pension and their job security.” The union has said it wants job security rights for rural and suburban mail carriers in line with those granted to urban postal workers. It has outlined a number of issues affecting its Rural Suburban Mail Carrier bargaining unit, saying it wants an hourly rate system with appropriate time values, union involvement and “safeguards against (Canada Post’s) unilateral change.” The union says Canada Post must maximize and maintain eight-hour routes for rural workers, grant improved rights for on-call relief employees, and uphold paid meal and rest period rights. It says the Crown corporation must also ensure the bargaining unit’s involvement in service expansion projects. Earlier this week, Simpson called on Canada Post to commit to working with the union “to expand services at the post office including postal banking and electric vehicle charging stations.” The union has demanded the full elimination of Canada Post’s “separate sort from delivery” system, which entails certain employees spending the entirety of their shifts sorting mail for letter carriers to go out and deliver — as opposed to carriers performing both tasks. It says this system overburdens carriers, who as a result spend more time outdoors and potentially exposed to extreme weather events. “Postal workers suffer the second highest rate of disabling injury among workers under federal jurisdiction, behind only the road transportation sector,” Simpson said. “Growing neighbourhood mail volumes and changing work methods like separate sort-from-delivery are only making things worse.” The union has also proposed increases to short-term disability program payments and injury on duty payments, along with more paid medical days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Sammy Hudes, The Canadian PressSeattle (7-5) at Arizona (6-6) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Cardinals by 2 1/2. Series record: Seahawks lead 28-22-1. Against the spread: Seahawks 5-6-1, Cardinals 8-4. Last meeting: Seahawks beat Cardinals 16-6 on Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. Last week: Seahawks beat Chargers, 26-21; Cardinals lost to Vikings, 23-22. Seahawks offense: overall (16), rush (28), pass (2), scoring (15). Seahawks defense: overall (18), rush (21), pass (12), scoring (12). Cardinals offense: overall (11), rush (6), pass (22), scoring (17). Cardinals defense: overall (17), rush (13), pass (18), scoring (11). Turnover differential: Seahawks minus-6, Cardinals minus-1. DT Leonard Williams has been one of the most dominant players in the league over the past two weeks. Williams had 2 1/2 sacks, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits two weeks ago against the Cardinals. Williams sacked Aaron Rodgers twice and scored his first career touchdown on a 92-yard pick-6. QB Kyler Murray has had some good moments over the past two games and completed 31 of 45 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. But he also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter which proved costly. QB Geno Smith vs. Arizona's defense. Smith has had another solid season and now he'll face an Arizona defense that's been vastly improved over the past 1 1/2 months. The Cardinals have been much more productive in the pass rush with 23 sacks over the past six games. That ranks third in the NFL over that span. Coach Mike Macdonald said he is optimistic that P Michael Dickson (back spasms) will be able to play this weekend, but bringing in another punter this week is “on the table.”.. LB Uchenna Nwosu has a chance to play this week. Nwosu missed the first four games of the season with a knee injury, then injured his thigh in his first game back in Week 5, and has been on injured reserve since. ... The Cardinals are relatively healthy. DLs Darius Robinson (calf) and Dante Stills (back) have been limited in practice this week. The Seahawks have won six straight games in the series going back to 2022. The Cardinals last won 23-13 on Nov. 21, 2021. The Cardinals haven't won at home against the Seahawks since 2020. The Seahawks' next win will be the 400th in franchise history. ... Since Week 9, Seattle’s defense ranks fifth in the NFL with 17.5 points allowed per game, 299 yards allowed per game, and 84.3 rushing yards allowed per game, while ranking sixth in the league with 18.8 first downs allowed. ... The Seahawks have two pick-6s in the past two games, the first time the team has done so since 2012. ... The Seahawks have held three straight opponents to under 300 yards, and fewer than 100 rushing yards. ... Seattle has outscored its opponents by 37 points in the final two minutes of halves this season, the best in the NFL. .. WR DK Metcalf needs one receiving TD to pass Steve Largent for the most in a player’s first six seasons in franchise history with 47. ... Smith needs one 300-yard game to tie Russell Wilson for the most 300-yard games in a single season in franchise history with five. ... WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Needs 171 yards for his first 1,000-yard season, and to become the 10th player in franchise history to reach that mark. ... Arizona has won three straight games at home. The Cardinals outscored those opponents 77-30 while scoring nine touchdowns and allowing none. ... TE Trey McBride has caught 12 passes in two straight games, which is the first time a tight end has had at least 12 receptions in two straight games in NFL history. ... Arizona's six losses have come to teams with a combined 55-18 record this season entering Week 14. ... S Budda Baker has 114 tackles this season, which ranks sixth in the league. ... McBride's caught 73 passes this season. He needs just nine more catches over the next five games to break his franchise record for a tight end. ... WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has caught seven TD passes this season, which leads all NFL rookies. ... The Cardinals have been flagged for 61 penalties this season, which is the fewest in the NFL. But the team was flagged 10 times in last week's loss to the Vikings. Arizona's defense is a strong play at home. The Cardinals are giving up just 17 points per game at State Farm Stadium, which is second in the league behind Pittsburgh. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Simpsons Funday Football:: The Game May Be Set in Springfield, but the Production Team Is in BristolOKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority approved a resolution to increase tolls on all turnpikes in the new year. The proposal, with new toll rates being implemented Jan. 1, was unanimously approved during a Tuesday meeting of the OTA. OTA is trying to increase its revenue 15% through the higher tolls, which vary for each turnpike depending on the distance being traveled. It will cost a small vehicle with Pike Pass $5.40, an increase of 90 cents, to travel the Will Rogers Turnpike or Turner Turnpike from end to end. Without a Pike Pass, the toll on both turnpikes will increase 16.7%, to $10.50 from $8.75. The increase for small vehicles on the Muskogee Turnpike and Creek Turnpike will be about 13-14%. OTA is also simplifying its classification of vehicles. Instead of five classifications based on the number of axles, vehicles will either be in the small, medium or large category. Vehicles with two axles will be in the small category. Vehicles with three or four axles will be in the medium category, and vehicles with five or more axles will be classified as large. People are also reading... Berry Tramel: Will Mike Gundy now learn to get along with his bosses? Bill Haisten: There still is no resolution, but a Gundy-OSU divorce seems imminent Berry Tramel: Jackson Arnold shows OU should save its high-end shopping for the portal Court 'bulldozes' tribal law in Tulsa case over jurisdiction, attorney says How did Oklahoma flip Cowboys QB commit less than 48 hours before signing day? Bill Haisten: As OSU regents meet, Mike Gundy’s contract should be a hot topic Meet the 2024 Tulsans of the Year: These people worked hard to make Tulsa better Deep into Week 2, new names emerge in Tulsa football coaching search Four-day school week discussion: BA school officials release feasibility study findings 10 potential candidates to replace Kasey Dunn as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State These 11 new restaurants are coming to the Tulsa area soon — and 8 that just opened Cooper Parker secures Bixby's seventh consecutive state title in OT thriller versus Owasso Final OU football bowl projections before Sooners' postseason destination is revealed Meet Oklahoma's complete 2025 class. 5-star OT commits to Oklahoma Bill Haisten: Union's search heats up, and Owasso’s Antonio Graham has Union ties The resolution also includes automatic adjustments for inflation. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, toll rates will increase 6% every two years to keep up with inflation. OTA will be required to review and approve each increase. The money from the increased tolls will go to fund the ACCESS (Advancing and Connecting Communities and Economies Safely Statewide) plan. “Since 1953 the Authority has only raised tolls 11 times, typically in conjunction with a large project,” said Wendy Smith, director of finance for OTA. “This is no different. The ACCESS program is the largest reinvestment the authority has ever done.” The ACCESS plan considers the infrastructure needs of the state for the next 15 years. The program was announced in December 2021, and OTA will be funding the plan through bonds and higher toll rates. The ACCESS plan was designed by OTA to address significant transportation needs in the turnpike system, including solving increased congestion in the Interstate 35 corridor. In a previous meeting, OTA approved $1 billion in revenue bonds to help pay for the ACCESS project. Tulsa World is where your story livesIsrael launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with Hezbollah

Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes.GitLab CFO Brian Robins sells $675,895 in stock

‘Very violent’: Mum killed while AVO in placeLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams faced fourth-and-5 at the Buffalo 35 with a 38-35 lead and just under four minutes to play Sunday in their high-octane showdown with the Bills. Sean McVay is often a conservative coach, and it would not have been surprising to see him try a long field goal, or even punt. He kept his offense on the field, and Matthew Stafford calmly went through his progression before finding Tutu Atwell across the middle for an 11-yard gain that played a major role in the Rams' ability to hold on for a season-altering, 44-42 victory over the powerhouse Bills . “We felt like we needed to make it a two-possession game,” McVay said Monday. “They were rolling. We talked about aggressively going to win that game. ... It was just a reflection of the confidence in that group and what we felt like we needed to do to be able to win the game.” The Rams offense has earned the confidence McVay showed in it at that crucial moment. That unit hasn't always been good this season, entering last weekend rated just 18th in the league, but the Rams finally are mostly healthy heading down the stretch — and Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams are again playing at last season's Pro Bowl level. That was bad news for Buffalo, and it could mean trouble for the rest of the NFC if the Rams (7-6) can keep scoring like this. Los Angeles will hope to keep this offensive momentum on a short week heading to San Francisco on Thursday night. Nacua said it was “fantastic being able to feel like, man, this is what it feels like when the Rams are moving and connecting on all cylinders.” Los Angeles had six scoring drives of at least 65 yards while racking up 457 yards against Buffalo. Stafford had a season-high 320 yards passing, while Nacua had another spectacular game with 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns along with 16 yards rushing and another TD on five carries. Incredibly, it was the Rams’ first 40-point game with Stafford behind center. Thanks to that stellar offensive performance, the Rams are above .500 for the first time all season and just one game back of Seattle (8-5) in the NFC West after winning six of their past eight games. A team that appeared to be headed for a grim season after a 1-4 start is still firmly in the playoff race, also trailing Washington (8-5) by just one game for the final wild-card spot. “It’s cool to be able to play meaningful football in December,” said McVay, who led the Rams to five playoff berths in his first seven seasons. "You never take that for granted.” The offense hummed largely because it went 11 of 15 on third downs. That's the Rams' highest success rate in a game since 2001 — and don't forget that crucial fourth down conversion, either. Few teams can stop Josh Allen, but the Rams' defense didn't come close. The defensive backs particularly struggled, from Darious Williams getting beaten repeatedly in coverage to Quentin Lake's 34-yard pass-interference penalty in the final moments. Two weeks after Philadelphia dropped 481 yards at SoFi Stadium, Buffalo had 445 to push the Rams down to 26th in total defense entering Monday. The Rams' offensive line has struggled mightily at times this season, but it allowed no sacks and just three hits on Stafford while clearing the way for 137 yards rushing. With full health, the line is no longer a liability. Edge rusher Byron Young had a rough outing that included two penalties on Buffalo's first drive — an egregious late hit on Allen and a defensive offside that negated a 2-yard Bills loss on second down from the LA 1. The Rams' overall defensive discipline was repeatedly poor, and it cost them. CB Cobie Durant has a bruised lung, McVay revealed Monday. The Rams are uncertain whether it will prevent him from playing Thursday. Durant has started all 13 games this season. ... WR Demarcus Robinson sprained his shoulder against Buffalo, but kept playing. 1 — The numbers of NFL games played with two teams scoring at least 40 points and making no turnovers. The Rams and Bills made history. The 49ers haven't been this vulnerable in four years, but Kyle Shanahan has had McVay's number throughout their careers — notwithstanding the Rams' 27-24 comeback win in September when both teams' top offensive playmakers were all injured. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

After 10 straight wins, Lions face Packers with much to accomplishI’M A Celebrity fans have been left reeling after Barry McGuigan and Maura Higgins got the boot tonight. The pair became the latest stars to be kicked out of the jungle as part of a double eviction twist, which sent shock waves throughout the camp. The news didn’t go down well with fans, with one person commenting: “Am gutted Maura and Barry gone. Didn't want anyone to leave TBH.” A second wrote: “Noooo I'm gutted to see Barry and Maura go!” And a third added: “Barry and Maura were my two faves absolutely gutted they’re both out.” Love Island star Maura , 34, was a late arrival to the jungle alongside Reverend Richard Coles. Read More on I'm A Celeb She instantly became a huge part of the camp and delighted viewers with her funny stories and extreme reaction the trials. Speaking after she got the boot, Maura said: "I'm really happy! I said it last night, I said it this morning, I was like 'It's my time,' I had a gut feeling and my gut feeling is never wrong!" Meanwhile, boxer Barry became the father of the camp, particularly to Danny Jones. Revealing his disappointment about getting the boot, Barry said: " As I'm the original cyclone, I am kinda disappointed with that slipping and looking like a clown, it would've been great ." Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 It came after Oti discovered she would be heading straight to Celebrity Cyclone after winning immunity. The former Strictly star beat off competition from Maura , Coleen Rooney and Danny Jones to get the coveted ticket. She said afterwards: “It feels amazing, I’ve got to wash my underwear more now!” Tonight's two evicted celebs will follow axed Jane Moore , Dean McCullough , Tulisa Contostavlos , and Melvin Odoom out of camp. Now just six stars remain and will battle it out to be crown Jungle King or Queen over the weekend. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street , was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher . Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women . She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers.Cyber Monday is over, but Lululemon just dropped a ton of new We Made Too Much finds — 20+ best belt bags, sweaters, leggings and more (starting under $30!)

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As a talented student-athlete at North Bergen High just over 20 years ago and then a four-year basketball player at Ramapo College, Noel Colon knew a little something about impassioned rivalries. Or at least the Shabazz athletic director thought he did. “I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me four years ago when I took this job that people would care more about the Soul Bowl than they do about a state championship, but I’ve seen it for myself,” Colon said last Thursday - one day before the Bulldogs were to face Hanover Park in the NJSIAA Group 2 semifinals and exactly one week prior to that annual Thanksgiving Day Soul Bowl against Newark South Ward rival Weequahic. “I’ve gotten more ticket requests about the Soul Bowl than I have for the game at Hanover Park. I’ve gotten, I don’t know, about 15 to 20 phone calls a day since Monday about the Soul Bowl,” he said. For those not in the know, Shabazz (10-2) gutted out an 8-7 victory over Hanover Park behind the heroics of Daveion Porter, Omari Gaines and Zaiden McDonald, sending the Bulldogs to their first appearance in an overall football state final, yet probably not slowing the pace of Soul Bowl requests that Colon will be fielding come Monday morning. “It’s just incredible to me; nothing I ever knew before,” Colon said. “Last week the calls were like, ‘Congrats on the win (in the North 1 sectional final Nov. 15) and good luck Friday. But you’ve got to go beat Weequahic!' ” Those earnest pleas have grown all the more intense in recent years now that Weequahic has won the last four meeting - and convincingly - to narrow its series deficit to 34-25-6. Shabazz and Weequahic - separated by just two miles - will battle for the 66th time at 10 a.m. Thursday at Shabazz Stadium. The Bulldogs will face Rumson-Fair Haven for the Group 2 title Dec. 4, likely at Rutgers University. East Orange found itself in the identical situation last week as it prepared for its Group 5 semifinal clash with 10th-ranked Union City while also fielding inquiries about the upcoming Thanksgiving Day game against Barringer. Those two square off in the 112th holiday meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday at Paul Robeson Stadium in East Orange. These four are the last in Essex County schools to still partake in a Thanksgiving Day exercise that used to be conducted by almost every football team in New Jersey. That tradition has faded steadily in the last two decades, and is now reduced to 19 games throughout the state, and two of those will be played Wednesday night. Annual East Orange-Barringer Old Guard Dinner will be held Wednesday evening in Union. Courtesy East Orange HS Unlike Shabazz now with double-barreled goals in the sights of its hunting musket, East Orange (9-3) can focus solely upon Barringer (0-8) as the Jaguars look to claim a 14th consecutive win over their ancient Newark rival and extend the series advantage to 64-39-9. That’s an awful lot of history between those two schools, and no doubt a great deal of it will be summoned for stories at the annual Old Guard Dinner at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union. What percentage of those old war stories of past encounters and stars will be 100 percent accurate will be up for debate right up to the opening comments. But that’s half the fun. “It’s a great night for the old-timers to get together and reminisce about the games, but we’re also trying to get the younger guys involved to keep this tradition going,” said Abdul Hassan, a main organizer of the affair and a former athletic director at East Orange. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Old Guard Dinner was a completely virtual function in 2020 and 2021. That helped keep the rivalry relevant, and the participation numbers have been climbing since it was restored as an in-person gathering in 2022. For information on the Wednesday’s Old Guard Dinner, contact Stefanie Cuff-White at 908-249-2412 or Monique Munford at 973-609-9993. Weequahic and Shabazz square off in the annual Soul Bowl 10 a.m . Thanksgiving Day at Shabazz Stadium Courtesy Shabazz HS Weequahic and Shabazz also will continue a proud pre-game tradition by holding their annual Unity Dinner, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at Shabazz. Before that friendly gathering will be a Shabazz practice session expected to be just as spirited and physical even with a state. championship game on its horizon. “We need to go in there with the same mentality, same level of focus as we normally would because of what this game means to the community,” Colon said. “You lose that game, you’re gonna hear it for 365 days.” In the win against Hanover Park, Porter, a senior receiver, scored on a 1-yard run to cap the Bulldogs' opening drive, then hit McDonald with a conversion pass for what proved to be the decisive points. The offense - engineered by senior QB Romelo Tables - was not as explosive as it had been in previous tournament games, but a defense anchored by Gaines, Zykir Best, Adekunbi Adetayo, Sahaaj Bennett and McDonald held its ground in key moments. Weequahic (3-6) will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak behind junior QB Paul Jones III, senior running backs Ja’Shyne Hayes and Reynaldo Carter and junior receiver Tyshaun Boyd. The Indians have produced just 37 points over those last four games, so will need an exceptional defensive outing from Sajani Millwood, Elijah Jonson, Mekhi Armour and the rest of that crew, and perhaps a few fortunate breaks with turnovers. East Orange would have entered its game against Barringer as a heavy favorite, though may not know until Monday the status of senior quarterback Sa’eed Cole, who sustained an injury against Union City that knocked him out of the game. Even still, East Orange would be predicted to extend its streak against the Blue Bears with Shakur Taylor, Tyshawn Sewell, Alex Hanks, Darell James and Semaj Toney-El looking to pick up the slack for Cole behind the blocks of Shaheem DeZonie, Wazyn King, Standley Petidor, Alvins Collin and Christian Russell. Barringer will be entering with a 15-game losing streak dating back to last season and with an offense that has generated only 20 total points over the last six games. The Blue Bears will need a stellar effort from their defense, led by linebackers Ahmad and Ahmir Norman and Demetrius Penn, DLs Greg Dixon and Olatokunbo Jayeola, and defensive backs Nasire Cooper and Deron Abnathya. Mike Kinney can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com . The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)By the looks of it, the socialist movement in the United States has petered out after the rapid rise of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the 2016 Democratic presidential contest. While it’s true that Sanders ran and nearly won again in 2020, many political pundits have since written off the American socialist movement as a momentary blip. In reality, this is not the case. Although Sanders and other prominent socialists like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have not been as front-and-center as they once were, they still remain a powerful force in the Democratic Party and could very well become the leading voice of the Democrats in the not-too-distant future.

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Monday, December 16, 2024 Indonesia, Thailand, the UK, the USA, and Japan are top holiday destinations for Australian tourists this Christmas and New Year. These countries offer diverse experiences, from Indonesia’s serene beaches and Thailand’s exotic island getaways to the UK’s historic charm, the USA’s vibrant cityscapes, and Japan’s snowy wonderlands. Australians are drawn to the affordability and proximity of Southeast Asia, while the UK and USA offer festive charm and world-famous celebrations. Japan’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, coupled with breathtaking winter landscapes, makes it a perfect seasonal escape. These destinations promise adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories for holiday travelers. Australians have long been known for their love of travel, exploring diverse destinations across the globe. Among their favorite choices are Indonesia, Thailand, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Each of these countries offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and scenic beauty. This comprehensive report explores why these destinations remain popular among Australian travelers and the key factors that draw them in year after year. Indonesia consistently ranks as one of the top travel destinations for Australians, thanks to its close proximity, affordable luxury, and breathtaking natural beauty. From the vibrant beaches of Bali to the lush jungles of Ubud, Indonesia offers a blend of relaxation and adventure. Indonesia’s affordability, short flight times, and variety of experiences make it an irresistible destination. The favorable exchange rate means Australian travelers can enjoy luxury accommodations and dining at a fraction of the cost they’d pay at home. Its tropical climate also provides year-round travel opportunities. Thailand’s diverse offerings, from bustling cityscapes to tranquil islands, make it a top choice for Australian travelers seeking a taste of Southeast Asia. With a reputation for friendly hospitality, delicious cuisine, and rich history, Thailand’s appeal is undeniable. The affordability, exotic charm, and range of activities keep Australians coming back to Thailand. Budget-conscious travelers are drawn to Thailand’s extensive options for affordable accommodation, street food, and entertainment. The wide variety of experiences, from vibrant nightlife to serene island retreats, makes it a versatile destination for all types of travelers. For those seeking variety and iconic experiences, the USA offers it all. From the bright lights of New York City to the natural wonders of national parks, Australians flock to the USA for its wide array of attractions. Australians are drawn to the USA’s iconic experiences, major sporting events, and vibrant culture. The vast size of the country allows for diverse travel experiences, from cross-country road trips to city breaks. The availability of direct flights from Australia to major US cities makes it a convenient destination for families, solo travelers, and adventure enthusiasts alike. With shared historical and cultural ties, the UK remains a nostalgic and beloved destination for Australian travelers. Whether visiting family, exploring heritage sites, or enjoying the countryside, the UK offers a sense of familiarity and adventure. Many Australians have ancestral ties to the UK, which makes it a sentimental destination. Visitors can reconnect with family, experience rich cultural events, and explore the beautiful countryside. The familiarity of the language, cultural references, and transport system also makes it a comfortable and accessible choice for Australian travelers. Japan’s unique blend of ancient tradition and futuristic technology makes it one of the most exciting travel destinations for Australians. From cherry blossoms to anime culture, Japan’s diverse offerings cater to all tastes. Japan’s safe, efficient public transportation system and its blend of old and new are major draws. Unique culinary experiences, cultural immersion, and scenic natural landscapes attract Australians seeking a transformative travel experience. Japan’s attention to detail, cleanliness, and exceptional customer service are also factors that win over Australian travelers. Many Australians combine multiple destinations into one trip, taking advantage of stopovers and flight deals. For example, travelers might visit both Thailand and Indonesia or the USA and Japan in a single itinerary. Airlines and travel agencies offer multi-destination packages, making it easier to explore several countries in one journey. Australia’s love for international travel is evident in its favorite destinations—Indonesia, Thailand, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Each location offers something unique, from cultural immersion to natural beauty and modern luxury. Whether it’s relaxing on Bali’s beaches, exploring temples in Kyoto, or experiencing the bright lights of New York City, Australians’ wanderlust shows no signs of slowing down. With better travel deals and multi-destination options, Australian travelers are poised to continue exploring the world’s most captivating destinations. As global travel recovers, these five destinations will likely remain at the top of Australians’ travel lists. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.Ademola Lookman was left on the bench for 90 minutes in Atalanta’s 6-1 rout of Young Boys at the Stadion Wankdorf, Bern on Tuesday night. Lookman was expected to feature in the UEFA Champions League clash but manager Gian Piero Gasperini opted to rest the Nigeria international. Matteo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace each for La Dea. Former Arsenal defender Saed Kolasinac and Lazar Samardzic were also on target for the visitors. Young Boys got their only goal of the game through Silvere Ganvoula. At the Bay Arena, Nathan Tella featured as a substitute in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-0 rout of Austrian club Salzburg. Tella took the place of Jeremie Frimpong in the 68th minute.Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report'Money changes everything': Inside the seven-year free fall of Conor McGregor

Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Serves 6 to 8 Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine HospitalityQuick Links The Mantell Incident Of 1948 The Gorman Dogfight Mysterious flashing triangles in the sky F/A-18s encounter UAP off the US East Coast The "Tic Tac" UAP Encounter Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), defined by NASA as "observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective," have long captivated human curiosity. Still, when military pilots—trained professionals with unparalleled experience in the skies—report encounters with mysterious objects, the intrigue deepens. These sightings, often corroborated by radar data and other advanced technology, challenge our understanding of flight and physics. Here, we explore five of the most compelling UAP encounters reported by military pilots. 1 The Mantell Incident Of 1948 Led to a deadly crash Date : January 7, 1948 Location : Near Godman Army Airfield at Fort Knox, Kentucky On the afternoon of January 7, witnesses across Kentucky began reporting sightings of an unidentified object in the sky. Observers described it as a large, metallic object, often depicted as circular or disk-like, that moved slowly but was capable of rapid acceleration. Reports of the object were relayed to military personnel at Godman Army Airfield, prompting officials to investigate. Airfield personnel, including the base commander, Colonel Guy F. Hix, sighted the UAP around 1:00 PM. The descriptions from the airfield echoed those of civilian observers. The object appeared to be large, bright, and stationary at an extremely high altitude. Concerned about its presence and potential threat, Colonel Hix ordered inquiries to nearby air traffic control centers and airports. However, no flights or weather balloons that could account for the object were reported in the area. Shortly after the UAP sightings were confirmed, a flight of four P-51 Mustang aircraft from the Kentucky Air National Guard was in the vicinity on a routine mission. Godman Tower requested Captain Thomas F. Mantell, a fighter pilot during WWII and the flight leader, investigate the unidentified object. At approximately 2:45 PM, Mantell and his team began their pursuit. The other pilots initially joined him, but lacking sufficient oxygen supplies for high-altitude flight, three of the aircraft broke off the chase. Mantell, determined to intercept the object, continued the climb, eventually surpassing an altitude of 20,000 feet. Upon approaching the UAP, Mantell communicated with the tower , describing the object as large, metallic, and immense. “It appears to be a metallic object or possible reflections of sun from a metallic object, and it is of tremendous size. I’m still climbing. The object is above and ahead of me moving at my speed or faster. I’m trying to close in for a better look.” - Thomas Mantell His final transmission was purportedly fragmented, with some accounts suggesting he described the object as resembling a "tremendous metallic sphere" or "something that looks like it's not from this world." At around 3:18 PM, Mantell's aircraft began a sharp descent, spiraling out of control. His P-51 crashed into a farm near Franklin, Kentucky, killing him instantly. Later investigations revealed that Mantell likely lost consciousness from lack of oxygen as he pursued the high-altitude object. Aftermath and investigation The death of Captain Mantell brought significant attention to the UAP phenomenon, with widespread media coverage and speculation. For the American public, it was one of the first instances where a UAP encounter allegedly resulted in loss of life, amplifying fears and fascination surrounding extraterrestrial visitation. The incident also spurred the US military to take UAP sightings more seriously, laying the groundwork for systematic investigations like Project Sign, the precursor to Project Blue Book. Initially, various explanations were suggested to rationalize the event. Some postulated that Mantell had been mistakenly chasing the planet Venus, as it was visible in the sky during the afternoon. However, this theory was met with skepticism due to the descriptions of movement attributed to the object, which seemed to defy the characteristics of a celestial body. Another early theory proposed that Mantell might have been pursuing a secret military project or a balloon, such as a Skyhook weather balloon commonly used for high-altitude research. The possibility of a top-secret experimental aircraft was also considered. However, as the investigation progressed, these theories failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the incident. The Mantell incident remains one of the most well-known and debated cases in UAP history, capturing the imagination of UAP enthusiasts and skeptics alike. 2 The Gorman Dogfight 27 minutes against an unidentified flying object Date: October 1, 1948 Location: Fargo, North Dakota On October 1, 1948, Lt. George Gorman, a pilot for the North Dakota Air National Guard and decorated WWII veteran, was wrapping up practice maneuvers with his squadron's P-51 Mustangs . At 25 years old, Gorman was a respected and battle-hardened aviator determined to log additional flight hours for the day. While flying solo over Fargo, Gorman spotted a small glowing object below him. Intrigued, he pursued it, engaging in a 27-minute "dogfight." The round light darted away, stopped abruptly, climbed, and outmaneuvered his aircraft repeatedly—the kind of behavior no human-piloted plane could achieve. Gorman described the object as white and round, roughly six to eight inches in diameter, and exceptionally bright. He noted that it exhibited no audible sound, exhaust trail, or visible wings. Despite his best efforts, Gorman was unable to close the distance between his aircraft and the mysterious object, as it demonstrated agility far beyond the capabilities of any conventional aircraft of the era. At one point, Gorman reported that the object made a sharp turn and headed straight toward his plane. Preparing for a potential collision, he dove to avoid contact, but the object adjusted its course at the last moment and passed over his canopy. According to UAP historian Curtis Peebles , this near-miss confirmed for Gorman that the object was not a natural phenomenon but a seemingly controlled entity with remarkable maneuverability. Eventually, the object climbed rapidly into the sky and disappeared. "I am convinced that there was definite thought behind its maneuvers. I am further convinced that the object was governed by the laws of inertia because its acceleration was rapid but not immediate and although it was able to turn fairly tight at considerable speed, it still followed a natural curve. When I attempted to turn with the object I blacked out temporarily due to excessive speed. I am in fairly good physical condition and I do not believe that there are many if any pilots who could withstand the turn and speed effected by the object, and remain conscious. The object was not only able to out turn and out speed my aircraft ... but was able to attain a far steeper climb and was able to maintain a constant rate of climb far in excess of my aircraft." - George Gorman Aftermath and investigation When Gorman returned to base, both he and his P-51 showed no signs of damage. However, the encounter left Gorman shaken and convinced he had witnessed something extraordinary. Subsequent radar reports from a nearby control tower suggested that an unidentified object had indeed been present in the area, corroborating Gorman's account. The object's movements were described as extraordinarily precise and rapid, defying the capabilities of known aircraft at the time. The aftermath of the Gorman Dogfight incident sparked an extensive investigation by the US Air Force . Military investigators from Project Sign were dispatched to analyze the event. Gorman underwent extensive debriefing, maintaining his account with unwavering consistency. Notable details from his report included the object's apparent lack of mass or visible propulsion system, its sharp angular turns, and its immunity to gravity's effects. While the official conclusion pointed to a weather balloon as the possible explanation, many, including Gorman himself, vehemently disputed this explanation. The Gorman Dogfight remains one of the most intense aerial engagements with an unidentified flying object, and the corroborating accounts of radar operators make this case an enduring mystery. Unless, of course, you believe a decorated WWII fighter pilot would engage in a 27-minute dogfight with this: A joint hearing by subcommittees of the House Oversight Committee held on Wednesday on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) raised more questions about the strange objects that multiple reputable sources have witnessed. Unfortunately, even after the hearings, credible answers are still scarce. The term Unidentified Flying Object (UFO), still widely used in popular lingo, has been abandoned by government agencies researching these phenomena because of the stigma associated with the acronym. At first, the term UAP referred to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, but that has changed since some mysterious objects are not in the skies but in the seas.Officials testifying before Congress indicated that thousands of videos exist of unexplained sightings of objects behaving in a manner that exceeds the currently known technological capabilities of human-made craft. However, they did not dismiss the possibility that these objects might be unknown human-made technology. As NPR reports, ther 3 Mysterious flashing triangles in the sky Perplexing US Navy radar operators Date : July 2019 Location : The coast of Southern California In July 2019, during military exercises conducted off the coast of Southern California, Navy personnel aboard the USS Russell observed multiple unidentified objects in the air, the most striking being a series of triangular craft that appeared to hover in the night sky. Using night-vision equipment, they captured footage of these objects, which were illuminated by flashing lights, giving a clear view of their triangular shapes. The UAPs demonstrated erratic flight patterns and seemingly unconventional behavior. Unlike conventional aircraft, these objects exhibited no apparent propulsion mechanisms, such as exhaust trails or rotors, yet moved with remarkable agility. Witnesses described these movements as defying the laws of physics; the objects appeared to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction with ease, raising questions about their origin and technology. Corroborating evidence came through multiple channels. Radar operators aboard other naval vessels in the area detected unidentified contacts moving at speeds and altitudes inconsistent with known aircraft. This radar data matched the visual observations made by the USS Russell crew, confirming the presence of unknown aerial phenomena. Furthermore, other nearby Navy ships reportedly experienced similar sightings during the same period, adding more weight to the encounter. The triangular UAPs reportedly maintained their presence over US military exercises for some time, suggesting intentional observation or surveillance. This extended duration also gave military personnel more time to record and analyze their behavior, ensuring detailed documentation of the events. Aftermath and Investigation News of the 2019 UAP incident gained traction when leaked footage emerged online in April 2021. The video quickly spread across media platforms, reigniting global interest in UAPs. Shortly after the leak, the Department of Defense confirmed the video's authenticity, stating it had been recorded by Navy personnel and remained under active investigation. The Pentagon’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) led the investigation into the encounter. Analysts reviewed the visual footage, night-vision recordings, and supporting radar data to assess the object's physical characteristics and flight dynamics. Despite these efforts, no concrete conclusions were reached — the objects could not be identified as any known aircraft or explainable natural phenomena. The incident coincided with a growing push for transparency around UAPs. By June 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a preliminary report to Congress, summarizing 144 UAP encounters documented between 2004 and 2021. The triangular flashing UAPs were among the cases highlighted for their lack of plausible explanations. The report noted that these phenomena could not be easily attributed to foreign adversaries, US experimental technology, or atmospheric conditions, leaving the objects' origins shrouded in mystery. 4 F/A-18s encounter UAP off the US East Coast Nearly caused a mid-air collision Date : 2014-2015 Location : US East Coast, restricted airspace In 2014 and 2105, Ryan Graves and other F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots from the USS Theodore Roosevelt witnessed and tracked unexplained objects in restricted airspace off the US East Coast. These objects were detected almost daily, both visually and by advanced radar systems, indicating their presence over an extended period. Graves and his colleagues described the UAPs as displaying capabilities far beyond conventional aircraft. The objects were often spherical and measured around five to fifteen feet in diameter, sometimes enclosed within a translucent cube-like structure. They exhibited no visible means of propulsion yet could accelerate abruptly, perform high-speed maneuvers, and hover in place even against strong winds. Many of these sightings were corroborated by radar and infrared systems aboard the Super Hornets, confirming that the phenomena were not mere radar glitches or pilot misinterpretations. One particularly chilling incident involved witnessing a UAP pass within striking distance of two Navy aircraft, nearly causing a midair collision. This prompted significant concern among the aviators, given the potential threat to their safety. Despite this, efforts to understand or engage with the UAPs yielded no results, as the objects evaded all conventional methods of tracking or interception. These experiences left Graves and his fellow pilots grappling with the perplexing realization that such technology existed—but they had no idea who or what was behind it. Aftermath and Investigation Following these encounters, Ryan Graves took on a critical role in bringing the issue to light. He recognized the safety and national security implications and advocated for greater transparency and research into UAP phenomena. Graves contributed to internal Navy discussions on reporting and documenting UAP sightings, leading to implementing a more structured reporting system for such incidents. Public interest in Graves’ accounts grew after videos from his squadron's encounters—such as the now-famous "Gimbal" footage—were declassified and released by the Pentagon in 2017. These videos, showing objects performing seemingly impossible maneuvers, captured global attention and spurred both fascination and skepticism. Graves himself has testified before Congressional hearings, urging policymakers to fund further investigation into UAP phenomena and their potential implications. Graves also founded "Americans for Safe Aerospace," an organization dedicated to supporting aircrew who encounter UAPs and promoting safe practices for reporting and analyzing such phenomena. His advocacy has brought the topic into mainstream discussions, emphasizing the need for scientific inquiry and open-mindedness. While official explanations for these sightings remain elusive, the investigations prompted by reports like Graves' have helped shift the conversation around UAPs from fringe speculation to a legitimate area of study. 5 The "Tic Tac" UAP Encounter Impossibly fast Date: November 14, 2004 Location: Off the coast of San Diego, California On November 14, 2004, Cmdr. David Fravor of the USS Nimitz took off in his F/A-18F for a routine training mission over the Pacific Ocean. Cmdr. Jim Slaight, his wingman, was flying nearby in another F/A-18 Super Hornet. During the exercise, the USS Princeton's radar detected multiple unknown objects descending rapidly from 80,000 feet to just above sea level. Operators diverted Fravor and his wingman to investigate. Upon arrival, Fravor spotted a white, oblong craft hovering erratically over the ocean. It was shaped like a "Tic Tac" candy, approximately 40 feet long, and starkly devoid of wings or propulsion mechanisms. As he approached, the object mimicked his movements before accelerating away at a speed no known jet could match. Fravor later described the object's movements as unlike anything he had ever seen, displaying capabilities far beyond modern aviation technology. The craft demonstrated an ability to stop abruptly, change directions instantaneously, and accelerate at an incredible speed, all without any visible means of propulsion or flight surfaces. After the Tic Tac vanished, radar operators aboard the USS Princeton tracked it reappearing 60 miles away in less than a minute—an impossible feat for any known aircraft. Fravor and Slaight returned to their carrier shaken but adamant about what they had witnessed. Aftermath and investigation The Tic Tac incident sparked significant interest, prompting an investigation into the encounter, which involved the analysis of radar data, video evidence, and pilot testimonies. The evidence collected supported Fravor's account and provided further corroboration of the sighting. Experts and investigators delved into possible explanations, considering alternative hypotheses such as sensor anomalies, optical illusions, or the involvement of secret military technology. However, none of these theories provided a sufficient explanation. In the years that followed, the incident gained even more credibility when the Pentagon confirmed the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The AATIP, a covert government initiative, aimed to investigate various unidentified aerial phenomena, including the Tic Tac sighting. This acknowledgment by the Pentagon further validated the significance of the encounter, regarded as one of the most well-documented and compelling UAP cases to date. The accounts of military pilots, rooted in expertise and credibility, underscore the need for continued investigation and an open-minded approach to these phenomena. Whether they represent advanced technology, natural phenomena, or something even more extraordinary, these encounters challenge our perception of the universe and defy conventional thinking. While these mysteries may never be solved, attempting to understand them could lead to discoveries and technological advancements once thought impossible.

Davina McCall’s partner, Michael Douglas, has reportedly revealed when the beloved presenter will be returning to work after recovering from brain surgery. The former Big Brother presenter recently went under the knife in a six-hour operation to remove a 14mm benign brain tumour earlier this month. The broadcaster, 57, discovered the non-cancerous growth during a health scan a few months ago while giving a talk for a menopause company. This week, the mum-of-three broke her silence since her major surgery in a short video on Instagram . She admitted that the past few days have been “bad” but that she was grateful to be back at home with Michael and her stepmum, who are taking good care of her. After the operation, she explained how she has been struggling with her short-term memory but has remained positive, insisting that she can “work on it.” According to the Mirror , Michael – who she has dated since 2019 – revealed in an Instagram Live when The Masked Singer judge will be returning to our screens. He told fans: “She’s quite tired at the moment. She sleeps really well at night and goes to bed at ten and has a nap in the morning, and sleeps for two or three hours in the afternoon.” The hairstylist went on: “It’s the way your brain heals is by resting. Her body is naturally forcing her to rest... She’s off till mid-January. “She’s got a lot of time to relax and recuperate. It’s been a very, very emotional and quite an incredible experience. We’re definitely out of the woods.” Her diagnosis came as a huge surprise to the TV favourite, who admitted that she went in for a health scan and thought she would “ace it.” Davina made the shock announcement earlier this month and said: “I was offered a health scan which I thought I was going to ace but it turned out I had a benign tumour,” before adding that it is “very rare.” She went on: “I’m going to be in hospital for about nine days, and then I’m going to be going home, but I’m going to be off my phone for a while. “ Her partner took over her social media to keep her worried fans up to date when the star went into hospital. She recently returned to her page to thank her 1.9million for their continued support. Davina wrote: “It’s just really nice to be back home. “I’m on the other side. My short-term memory is a bit remiss. But that is something that I can work on so I’m really happy about that. “I’m writing everything I’m doing to keep myself feeling safe. I’m being brilliantly looked after by Michael and my mum.” She went on to shower her stepmother with praise for her unconditional support throughout her life. The TV personality gushed: “I’d quickly like to say big up the stepmums – I don’t really say thank you to you Gabby [McCall] enough. She’s been an amazing rock my whole life. “I have a massive dose of vitamin G. When something like this happens, I just feel so grateful. I’ve always been grateful. I’ve always been lucky in my life. “I feel unbelievably grateful in my life right now, so thanks for everything. I’m on the mend, I’m resting, I’m sleeping loads and I feel really good. I just feel very lucky.”How NYPD is using AI, drones, DNA and cutting-edge tech in the manhunt for Brian Thompson’s assassin

“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Serves 6 to 8 Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine HospitalityNiger seizes Orano’s Somair uranium operation as juntas across Africa pressure Western miners

WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Matt Morrissey threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Calwise Jr. that ended the scoring midway through the fourth quarter and Eastern Kentucky beat North Alabama 21-15 on Saturday for its fifth straight win. TJ Smith drove North Alabama to the EKU 45-yard line before he threw an interception to Mike Smith Jr. to end the game. Smith threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dakota Warfield to give North Alabama a 15-14 lead with 10:37 to play. Story continues below video Morrissey completed 9 of 15 passes for 154 yards and added 60 yards on the ground with a touchdown run. Brayden Latham added 103 yards rushing on 19 carries that included a 2-yard score for Eastern Kentucky (8-4, 6-2 United Athletic Conference). Smith was 23-of-39 passing for 325 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for North Alabama (3-9, 2-5). Tanaka Scott had 109 yards receiving and a touchdown catch. ___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Aliens Among Us? What We Know About The Mysterious Drones Buzzing Over New JerseyTaurean Consiglio, defense power Bishop Guilfoyle to PIAA 1A title over Port Allegany“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Serves 6 to 8 Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine Hospitality

Good morning, Inequality Insights readers. I'm Wendy Fry. California has expanded its health insurance marketplace, Covered California, to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to purchase subsidized health plans, CalMatters' health reporter Ana B. Ibarra reports. This is a result of a federal rule that aims to provide health coverage to thousands of "Dreamers," particularly those who are self-employed or lack other insurance options. But the expansion coincides with significant political headwinds. President-elect Donald Trump has attempted to dismantle both programs, though his efforts were unsuccessful during his first term. His recent election raises concern about their future stability.... Wendy Fry , More Wendy Fry , California Divide Reporter , .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow , Class , Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus , Display Inline , .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar , Where Img , Height Auto Max-WidthScheifele scores as the Jets beat the Blackhawks 4-2 in Sorensen's first game

Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com, including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modeling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said. The Associated PressOn December 9, Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog, was abducted, tortured, and killed in Beed for opposing an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm. Multiple arrests have been made in connection with the case, but a political clash has erupted over Walmik Karad, an accused in the extortion plot who is said to be a close associate of Parli MLA Munde. Mumbai: Actor-producer Prajakta Mali on Saturday slammed BJP MLA Suresh Dhas for dragging her name in his attempt to target NCP minister Dhananjay Munde in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case. Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog, was abducted, tortured and murdered in Beed on December 9 for attempting to thwart an extortion bid on an energy firm. While several persons have been arrested so far, a political tussle is underway over Walmik Karad, an accused in the extortion case linked to the murder and who is reportedly a close aide of Parli MLA Munde. Addressing a press conference, Mali said Dhas’ comments were in bad taste, entirely baseless and asserted women, especially actors, should not be made soft targets. Mali said her silence over video clips and fake news circulating over the past one-and-half months on social media pertaining to her visit to Parli for a cultural event should not seen as “my consent”. “Artistes choose to stay away from such mudslinging. But Suresh Dhas is an elected representative and what he says and the manner in which he says it have to be taken seriously. Dhas’ remarks are false and baseless. His remarks linking me to Dhananjay Munde are derogatory,” the actor emphasised. She said her family and friends believed in her when such negativity was being spread on social media but it needs to be taken seriously when an MLA makes such comments. Mali said she has sought a public apology from Dhas and is contemplating legal action against the Ashti MLA. “I had been to Parli for a cultural event, an award function. Artistes like me travel to several cities to entertain audiences. Why name just women? Haven’t male actors attended such programmes organised by politicians? Dhas has used my name for his selfish interests,” she said. Asserting that such comments not only malign women but also show a person’s mindset, Mali informed that she has lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission. “(Women) actors are soft targets. Don’t misuse them for your TRP (viewership). To what extent can you go to boost TRPs? Don’t you think she (the target of such attacks) can slip into depression and commit suicide?” she said questioning the media. Mali also informed that she had sent a notice to Munde’s wife Karuna over some social media comments, following which the latter stopped making such utterances. “Karuna Munde, do not speak without clarifying. Your information is wrong,” Mali said. The actor said she will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking that social media platforms, portals and media be held accountable for maligning women. Incidentally, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule has asked Dhas to desist from publicly attacking Munde over the sarpanch murder case. “I will ask Dhas to share any information he possesses directly with the chief minister rather than going public. I will tell him not to make any comments which will hamper the (murder) probe, ” Bawankule told reporters on Friday. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.blackjack book 。

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil, have signed a $1.2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance private sector development in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural finance. According to a press release issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Nr Abiodun Oladunjiye, the MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, and the President of FGV, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, at FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The agreement marked a new phase of strategic collaboration between Nigeria and FGV, the Green Imperative Project (GIP) lead implementer, one of the largest international agricultural technology transfer initiatives. Conceived in 2018, GIP was a 1.2 billion dollar cooperative effort between Brazil and Nigeria, designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector through Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture. Since the MoU was conceived in 2018, both parties have engaged in many meaningful discussions to advance its design and implementation. The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, aimed to deliver transformative agricultural technologies and knowledge transfer over its 10-year duration. Over the next five years, the project would identify and support one agribusiness in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources, driving sustainable development and economic growth. “This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security,” Fashedemi said at the signing ceremony. Under the MOU, private-sector projects on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing were projected to attract $4.3 billion in private-sector investment. Senior members of Nigeria’s presidency, officials of FMAFS and FGV’s leadership attended the signing ceremony.Manmohan Singh, a gentleman politician

CONX acquires a controlling interest in RED Technologies, a uniquely positioned "enabler" of Shared Spectrum and the nascent Private Network industry CONX appoints Marc Rouanne to the RED Technologies board LITTLETON, Colo. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CONX CORP. (OTC: CNXX) ("CONX") today announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in Red Technologies SAS ("RED Technologies"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, RED Tech US, LLC, for a maximum purchase price of approximately EUR 18.6 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. CONX acquired approximately 68% of RED Technologies' outstanding share capital at closing, with the remainder of the shares to be acquired in future installments based on the achievement of certain milestones. The executive team of RED Technologies, Pierre-Jean Muller (Co-Founder and CEO) and Michael Abitbol (Co-Founder and COO), will continue to manage the operations of RED Technologies, aimed at establishing the company as a viable alternative in the CBRS market. "The acquisition of RED Technologies by CONX is a pivotal milestone on our path to serve as a viable alternative to the current duopoly in the SAS space," said RED Technologies CEO P.J. Muller . "This partnership strengthens our ability to innovate and enhance the CBRS ecosystem for the benefit of all operators and stakeholders. With support and investment from CONX, we are poised to accelerate the development of cutting-edge features, such as GAA coexistence, Network Planner, and AI-based CBRS analytics, that align with our mission to support the FCC's vision and empower rural broadband and the nascent Private Network industry." "CONX was formed to invest in next generation connectivity opportunities and their supporting infrastructure assets," said CONX CEO Jason Kiser . "Through RED's unique opportunity as a technology enabler for spectrum allocation, we have positioned CONX to create long term value across multiple sectors. We look forward to RED becoming a best-in-class Spectrum Access System (SAS) operator with potential to grow throughout the United States and internationally." CONX also announced Marc Rouanne will join the RED Technologies board. Marc is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CTO of Edgescale AI, a SaaS developer focused on connecting cutting-edge AI with data and devices in physical systems. Most recently, he was the Chief Network Officer for DISH Wireless responsible for designing DISH's 5G Network. In addition, Marc has more than 20 years of international management experience in the telecommunications industry, having held executive positions in R&D, customer operations and product management in the U.S., France and Finland , including as President of Mobile Networks at Nokia and Chairman of the Board of Alcatel-Lucent. About CONX Corporation (OTC: CNXX) CONX is a diversified operating entity seeking opportunities to power the next generation of innovators in communications and connectivity. CONX's mission is to partner with emerging companies with quality management and strong and differentiated business models with the ability to scale quickly. About RED Technologies Established in 2012 and headquartered in Paris, France , RED Technologies SAS ("RED Technologies") specializes in spectrum-sharing technologies and services. The company offers scalable, cloud-based solutions for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and Television White Space (TVWS), catering to operators across various sectors, and provides operated 5G connectivity solutions that democratize access to 5G technology for companies aiming to modernize their communications infrastructure in both the U.S. and European markets. RED Technologies has been a pioneer in spectrum sharing technologies and actively contributed to the CBRS regulatory and standard developments. RED Technologies' team is constituted of first-class engineers coming from top tier telecom vendors and operators. Important Notice The description contained herein is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities of CONX. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies pursuant to the transaction within the expected timeframes or at all and to successfully integrate Red Technologies' operations into those of CONX ; such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the transaction; the retention of certain key employees at Red Technologies; the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the transaction; CONX and Red Technologies are subject to intense competition; Red Technologies' products must remain compatible with, and its product development is dependent upon access to, changing operating environments; we may become dependent upon large transactions; customer decisions are influenced by general economic conditions; third parties may claim that RED Technologies' products infringe their intellectual property rights; fluctuations in non-U.S. currencies could result in transaction losses; acts of war and terrorism may adversely affect CONX's and RED Technologies' business; the volatility of the international marketplace; and the other factors discussed in "Risk Factors" in CONX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 29, 2024 (as amended), and in other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov . CONX expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in CONX's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/conx-corp-announces-acquisition-of-red-technologies-sas-302324446.html SOURCE CONX Corp.

What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn't just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin, gold and other investments also drove higher. Here's a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball's Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year's spurt of 24.2%. The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. RELATED STORY | FBI arrests man charged with planning an attack on the New York Stock Exchange That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world. The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It's been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump's election. He's turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he's named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. Gold's rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It's also benefited from the Fed's cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. It's a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it's also a threshold that Tesla's stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share. Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk's close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. RELATED STORY | Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy That's how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia's chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia's worth to more than $3 trillion in total. GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October. That's how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody's. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. That's the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024's home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.

NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russian attack with hypersonic missile

blackjack cause of death PM Manmohan Singh will always remain in the history of Indian politics as a debatable figure, whose contributions towards the world economy has been nothing short of phenomenal. On countless occasions, he has saved India as well its allies from severe economic crisis, and his efforts towards building Indo-US relations may have been criticized back then, but the Asian country is surely reaping the benefits of the same now, with a different Prime Minister at the helm. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping Did India-US relation building help both countries during former PM Manmohan Singh's regime? There is a lot of difference in opinion around the contribution of PM Singh towards the building of India-US relations. The 2008 nuclear deal takes the cake, but the ties with the United States still did not help the country in attaining a permanent seat in the UN Security Council back then. The Khobragade spat from back then had also severed the Washington-Delhi ties, with China, then and now, remaining a major challenge for India, with the US not doing much to help in talks between the two countries. Pakistan has always remained like a thorn to India's side, and the US has been rather volatile on the Indo-Pak concept, with each President adapting different strategies. Only in recent times has the US grown explicitly critical about Pakistan's military strategies, including the fact that it is now building long-range tactical nuclear missiles through its weapons development program. US' on-off pivot policy in Asia has created much of a problem for Delhi over the years, especially in Singh's tenure, and even though he tried, his government could not achieve much in this aspect. FAQs: When did PM Manmohan Singh passed away? PM Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26, 2024, after being admitted to a hospital in New Delhi. 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PM Manmohan Singh served two terms as the Prime Minister of India, both the collision governments being known as UPA I and UPA II respectively. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the annual general meeting (AGM) of Religare Enterprises until further notice following a writ petition filed by an investor. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping In a stock exchange filing, the New Delhi-based financial company said it had received an email from the lawyers of the writ petitioner filed before the court in Jabalpur. Religare's annual general meeting to get the shareholders' nod for three resolutions including the reappointment of chairperson Rashmi Saluja was scheduled for December 31. The order dated December 18 said, "Till further orders, the notice dated 09.12.2024 and the Annual General Body Meeting of Respondent No. 7 (REL), which is scheduled to be held on 31.12.2024, shall remain stayed." The petition by the investor alleged that if the AGM took place as scheduled, it would enable the acquirers (the Burmans) to exploit their dominant shareholding and change Religare's management. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Religare's management led by Saluja and the Burman family, the biggest shareholders of the firm with a stake of around 25%, are at loggerheads over the control of the company. Last week, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approved the Burman family's proposed open offer to acquire an additional 26% stake in Religare. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also gave its approval to the offer by the promoter family of Dabur . "It is verily believed they would ensure that a more pliant management is put in place which would not interfere with their open offer since much opposition has been made by the present management, who have, inter alia, raised issues of undervaluation of the offer price," said the writ petition. Proxy advisory firm InGovern Research Services, which advised shareholders of Religare to vote against the reappointment of Saluja as a director, termed the court order "bizarre". "It's bizarre that the HC is intervening in an issue based on an RBI order, given RBI is an independent regulator," said Shriram Subramanian, founder and MD of InGovern Research. "The decision to block the AGM is illogical, as it makes the company non-compliant with the Companies Act." In August, Religare deferred its AGM from September to December. Following this, the Burman family filed a petition with the Delhi High Court against the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and Religare for delaying the AGM. The Religare management led by Saluja has been opposed to the open offer by Burmans, owner of consumer firm Dabur, citing concerns over a low offer price and "fit and proper" allegations. The open offer, announced at ₹235 per share, amounts to ₹2,116 crore in all for the additional stake. If successful, it would raise the Burman family's total stake in the New Delhi-based NBFC to well above 50%, effectively granting it majority control. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison as post-election violence roils MozambiqueTrump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military didn't immediate respond to questions about the WHO chief's statement. The US says it pushed retraction of a famine warning for north Gaza. Aid groups express concern. WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza. The internationally Famine Early Warning System Network issued the warning this week. The new report had warned that starvation deaths in north Gaza could reach famine levels as soon as next month. It cited what it called Israel's “near-total blockade” of food and water. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, criticized the finding as inaccurate and irresponsible. The U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the famine-monitoring group, told the AP it had asked for and gotten the report's retraction. USAID officials tell The Associated Press that it had asked the group for greater review of discrepancies in some of the data. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home." He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. What is known about a plane crash in Kazakhstan that killed 38 of 67 people on board The crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has killed 38 of 67 people on board. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t fully clear yet. It crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea. Officials in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia haven't commented on a possible cause of the crash pending an official investigation. Some commentators pointed out holes in the plane's tail section pictured after the crash as a sign that it could have been fired upon by air defense systems. Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy battlefield losses KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's military intelligence says North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in Russia's Kursk region and face logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks. The intelligence agency said Thursday that Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean units. Ukraine's president said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in the Kursk region. It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost 3-year war. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40NoneFormer Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. On Saturday, his last was performed at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin criticised the government's decision on his last rites. Taking to social media platform X, Tamil Nadu CM stated, “The BJP government’s decision to deny Dr. Manmohan Singh’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community ." He alleged the PM Modi-led government at the centre, refused Dr. Manmohan Singh’s family’s request last rites. Calling it an insult to two-term Prime Minister, he suggested that this move reflects arrogance and bias. He further claimed that this act was a deliberate attempt to erase immense contributions of India's most distinguished leader from public memory . He added, “Dr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership transformed India’s economy and lifted millions out of poverty. To disrespect a statesman of his stature is to disrespect India’s progress itself. The stain of dishonouring great leaders never fades from history!” Senior Congress leader and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi charged at the central government over the concerning issue and said that the former Finance Minister deserves the "highest respect and a memorial." In a post on X, he wrote, "The great son of India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat." Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry said that he made lifelong laws that benefited crores of people while paying tribute to the former Prime Minister. Following the death of Dr Manmohan Singh , the Congress' headquarters is flying the Tricolour at half mast and a seven-day national mourning has been declared. Leaders in India and from across the world condoled the economist and former Finance minister's demise. US President Joe Biden on Friday called Dr Manmohan Singh “a true statesman." Joe Biden credited his strategic vision and political courage for the unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks placed running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve prior to their game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday because of an ankle injury. Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Topline France’s government was fractured Wednesday when a coalition of far-right and far-left lawmakers led a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister of France Michel Barnier, leaving the wobbly ruling coalition of President Emmanuel Macron in disarray. Key Facts This story is breaking and will be updated. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Key Background Barnier was named prime minister in September, months after Prime Minister Gabriel Attal resigned in July, though Attal stayed on in a caretaker capacity until Macron picked a new prime minister. France has been in political turmoil since June, when Macron called snap elections in an effort to “clarify” the country’s political makeup after his party lost to the far-right in European Parliament elections—but the results left the country with a deeply divided Parliament, with no party having a majority. The leftist New Popular Front party won the most seats (182), but was far short of the 289 seats needed for a majority. The far-right National Rally party and its allies won 143 seats, and Macron’s more centrist party, the Ensemble alliance, won 163 seats. Although the New Popular Front won the most seats, Macron did not appoint a member of the party as prime minister, opting for Barnier instead out of concern that the NPF’s candidate was “not in a position to govern with stability," Politico reported. When Macron named Barnier, who had been a cabinet minister four times and a European commissioner twice, the Elysée Palace said in a statement Macron “made sure that the prime minister and its government will have the most stable conditions possible.” What Does This Mean For The French Economy? France is reportedly the second-biggest economic power in the European Union, and Barnier’s resignation will likely throw the country into greater disarray while trying to manage its budget. Reuters reported that with Barnier out of power, France risks ending the year without a budget for 2025 or a prime minister in power, both of which could weaken its standing worldwide. The Wall Street Journal reported French stocks have fallen in recent weeks as the country’s debt has risen to its highest level since 2012. France’s deficit is currently projected at 6.1% of its GDP—which is more than double the EU’s limit —leading investors to deem France a “risky investment,” Politico reported. What To Watch For How Macron responds. He could allow Barnier to stay on in a caretaker capacity, the Journal reported, and try to pass measures to extend this year’s budget and avoid a government shutdown in 2025. He could also appoint a new prime minister to address the budget. Further ReadingSports News | Steady Leadership, Unmatched Wisdom: India's Sports Community Mourns Dr Singh's Demise

Seahawks place running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve

Just days after winning a record seventh club best-and-fairest, Monique Conti is returning to the basketball court. The dual-athlete superstar, who turns 25 later this month, will play for the 's newest outfit, Geelong United, in Round 6, just four weeks after her last game of football. United have two crucial fixtures in four days, with games against Adelaide Lightning (home) on Sunday afternoon, then a trip to Melbourne next Wednesday night to face reigning champs Southside Flyers in ESPN's Game of the Round. The midfielder's latest accolade is another addition to a bulging trophy collection. A premiership player and best-and-fairest winner as a teenager at the Western Bulldogs, Conti has claimed the Tigers' top honour in all of its six seasons of existence and in 2023 was crowned the AFLW's best and fairest. "I was trying to say in my speech, every single time (I win) I'm just as grateful as the first time. This stuff doesn't come easy, it comes from head down bum up. I don't do anything for the individual accolades, it's for team success and anything else is a bonus and a reward for the effort," Conti says. "I don't think I'm at my best, or my peak, I've got so much more to work on but when you get rewarded with something like that it makes you feel good, but you also think 'what's next?' Conti made her WNBL debut with the Melbourne Boomers as a high school student, before AFLW was even established. She took some time away from the basketball court before returning to the league with Southside for the 2020 hub season, where she was part of a championship alongside Olympians Jenna O'Hea, Sara Blicavs, and Liz Cambage. Following another breather, Conti played for Southside again in 2022-23 before returning to the Boomers last season. She followed coach Chris Lucas to Geelong when United took on the Boomers' licence ahead of season 2024-25. So, what is it that draws Conti back to basketball after a gruelling football season? "I can't sit still," she laughs. "I love basketball so much and it would be like losing a part of me if I didn't play, a missing piece. "Thanks to Chris, I found enjoyment playing again. No expectation or pressure, just having fun. I couldn't finish on last season and that be it. I feel like I've got so much more to give, and I made some sort of an impact on the team which I feel like I was kind of stripped of the past few years." Conti took a short break following the Tigers' last game on November 10 before turning focus to a different shaped ball. "I had about two weeks where I didn't really do anything and in the back end of that I was getting some shots up and as the weeks went on, I started progressing my basketball training, so I've done enough to be ready to go and my body feels good," she says. "I took it easy this year, I didn't go straight from footy into basketball like I did last season." Having played her professional WNBL and AFLW careers for teams in Melbourne until now, Conti has lived at home with her tight-knit family, but this week moved in with United teammates Keely Froling and Hannah Hank in Geelong. She's already organised for mum Simone to stock up the freezer with her famous schnitzels, lasagne and pasta sauce. "With Geelong, I love that it's history, a new club and I wanted to be part of that. It's a new experience and something different," Conti explains. "It's great to have some familiar faces in Chris and Keely, Jaz Shelley and I were Gems team mates at the Under-17 World Cup in 2016, Taylor Mole was part of that program. "Plus, summer in Geelong? Can't say no to that." With Geelong's two wins coming against their upcoming opponents, there's the chance to establish some momentum over the next week. "Sunday's a big game, if we can win that's a big tick for us. The Flyers just beat Canberra and we lost to Sydney by 35 last week but we know on our day we can beat them. "The league is so tight and anything can happen on any given day."blackjack dealer rules 。

U.S. Disposable Medical Gloves Market to Witness Excellent Revenue Growth Owing to Rapid Increase in DemandFormer US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100

By Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who has largely stayed quiet in the weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris' election loss, will offer advice to a new generation of American leaders on Thursday, telling them it is time to talk to people they disagree with. During a speech at a "Democracy Forum" sponsored by his foundation, the former president plans to discuss the "power of pluralism" with thousands of live and online attendees at a deeply divided time in U.S. history and an unsettling one for Democrats as Republican Donald Trump returns to the White House. While Obama, 63, remains in high demand to campaign for his fellow Democrats, some in the party are calling for a crop of younger leaders to take the baton after Harris lost every battleground state and the popular vote and Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. "I think he'd be the first to agree," David Axelrod, former senior adviser to Obama, told Reuters. "I think he would say he's run his race and we need others to step up." "Time marches on, and I think that he would say ... we need a whole array of leaders, and there are young leaders in the Democratic Party who are dynamic and very much in touch with the times who can step up and play a big role." November's disappointing results for Democrats, including support eroding among working-class and Latino voters, sparked an angry blame game inside the party and an effort by some to push for fresh talent. "I've always been an advocate for a new generation of leadership in the party and I think that people are yearning for that," Representative Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, told Reuters. "It doesn't mean that the Obama magic is totally gone, but Obama's not going to be a future president. Obama's not running for Senate. We need to hear from newer voices that can better represent the fears and struggles that Americans face today." Obama and his wife Michelle campaigned around the country and remain enormously popular within the party base, wielding influence behind the scenes through fundraising and a deep network of allies and former staff. But despite fundraising success and resonant speeches, Obama was unable to help propel Harris to victory this year. Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also failed to win the presidency in 2016 despite his backing. Advisers from his one-time inner circle who joined Harris' campaign after President Joe Biden stepped aside are drawing fire for failing to admit any mistakes in how they handled the 2024 cycle. A day after the Nov. 5 election, the Obamas issued a statement congratulating Trump and said "progress requires us to extend good faith and grace - even to people with whom we deeply disagree." Obama made history as the first Black president of the United States and racked up comfortable margins of victory over his Republican opponents when he ran: more than seven percentage points in 2008 and nearly four in 2012. But American politics has changed since then, some strategists say. "His two wins do seem that much more remarkable in retrospect, given how much of the coalition that Republicans have built around Trump has been around racial politics," said Jeff Timmer, chief operating officer of the Lincoln Project, a political consulting group of former Republicans opposed to Trump who worked to elect Harris and Biden before her. Obama campaigned heavily for Biden, who won in 2020, but his words on the campaign trail this year backfired at least once. At a stop in Pennsylvania, he seemed to lecture Black men over their reluctance to vote for a woman, drawing criticism from some Black activists. Down-ballot demand for the former president this year was high, though. Democratic congressional candidates such as Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Senator-elect Ruben Gallego of Arizona sought Obama's help, got it, and won. "Is this the ultimate turning the page on the Obama years? Maybe," said Michael Feldman, a communications consultant and former adviser to Al Gore, reflecting on the 2024 election. "Will he still be and will she (Mrs. Obama) still be the two most popular figures within the party for the foreseeable future? The answer is absolutely." (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal; additional reporting by Heather Timmons; Editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington)

Power Up and Cool Down, Chill Bucket brings a new portable cooling solution for outdoor adventures 11-22-2024 11:44 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: MediaGroupNYC Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1732308599.jpg Chill Bucket, a game-changer in portable evaporative cooling, has officially launched its Kickstarter campaign, promising an innovative way to beat the heat anytime, anywhere. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and home users needing a cost-effective cooling solution, Chill Bucket offers a rugged and energy-efficient cooling solution that fits any standard 5-gallon bucket, transforming it into a personal cooling station. Chill Bucket aims to disrupt the portable cooling market by addressing the short-comings of existing products, such as high prices and bulky designs. With a minimal power consumption of only 20 watts, the Chill Bucket offers up to 8 hours of cooling per charge that ensures maximum comfort for extended outdoor adventures or at-home use, depending on the power source. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/0a9f35c6e2f833176337d0dd03ef583f.jpg Chill Bucket's Key Features: * Universal Compatibility: Fits any standard 5-gallon bucket, allowing for maximum portability and ease of transport, and compatible with most portable power stations available. * Energy Efficiency: Consumes only 20 watts, making it a low-energy device compared to portable air-conditioning units and evaporative coolers. * Rugged Design: Built to endure harsh outdoor conditions, it is ideal for campers, festival-goers, and event attendees. * Ease of Use: Simple to setup-just add water to a 5-gallon bucket, place Chill Bucket on top, and enjoy immediate cooling. "Chill Bucket was born from the need for a portable and reliable cooling system that didn't require an expensive setup," said Anthony Garduno, Founder of Chill Bucket. "Unlike traditional portable air conditioners that are very effective but consume a lot of energy, or evaporative coolers whose effectiveness will vary depending on the climate, our product combines affordability and efficiency in a user-friendly design. We believe it's the perfect solution for anyone looking to stay cool outdoors without the hassle." Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/b5922d7581e098ac8ab5109d61a246db.jpg Chill Bucket is dedicated to providing accessible and effective cooling solutions for outdoor lovers, adventurers, and everyday users. By focusing on portability, efficiency, and affordability, the company seeks to redefine how people stay comfortable in various environments, whether at home or during outdoor events. Early backers of the campaign will receive exclusive rewards, including discounted pricing and bundled accessories such as power stations and replacement filters, offering long-term value to the community of supporters. For more information or to support the Chill Bucket campaign, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1058499170/chill-bucket [ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1058499170/chill-bucket?ref=bea2ax ] Media Contact Company Name: Chill Bucket City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1058499170/chill-bucket?ref=bea2ax This release was published on openPR.A London-listed marketing specialist backed by Lord Ashcroft, the former Conservative Party treasurer, will this week announce the purchase of a key digital partner to sporting properties including the Men's T20 Cricket World Cup. Sky News has learnt that Brave Bison, which trades on the junior AIM exchange and has a market capitalisation of just under £30m, is close to agreeing to buy Engage Digital Partners for just over £10m in a cash-and-stock deal. City sources said a transaction could be announced as soon as Monday morning. It will create a group with 350 staff in its UK offices in London and Manchester, as well as in Australia, India and Singapore. The deal will be the sixth acquisition for Brave Bison since brothers Oli and Theo Green took over the business in 2020. Brave Bison, which has seen its shares rise by nearly a fifth over the last year, counts LinkedIn and New Balance among its clients. Last year, it bought the podcaster and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett's social media and influencer agency, SocialChain. More from Money Harland & Wolff close to government-backed rescue deal with Navantia Hitachi: Hundreds of jobs secured at County Durham train factory after £500m deal Guardian signs controversial deal to sell The Observer to Tortoise Media In addition to Lord Ashcroft, it counts the hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson among its investors. The deal comes at a time when sports rights-owners are turning to data and newer forms of marketing to monetise their properties more effectively, with traditional commercial models being increasingly up-ended. Engage organises fan engagement campaigns across a number of sporting and entertainment properties, including Formula 1, Real Madrid and New Zealand Rugby. It is also a partner of the International Cricket Council, with which it worked on this year's T20 World Cup, when England lost to India in the semi-finals. Engage has been working on a potential sale of the business since the summer, having hired corporate financiers from KPMG to advise on talks with bidders. Adding it to Brave Bison will combine it with a group which already works with rights-holders including the Ryder, Cup, Australian Open tennis and Le Mans. Engage was founded by Gregg Oldfield, who led a management buyout from Endemol Sport in 2012. It describes itself as the largest independent agency in sport, and is similar in some respects to - albeit smaller than - Two Circles, which was sold to a private equity firm earlier this year. Mr Oldfield will lead the combined groups' sports and entertainment division. Brave Bison could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Pollies, peace deals, and the unravelling of a billionaire: The WA civil court rows that dominated 20242 'Strong Buy' Biotech Stocks With 120% or More Upside Potential

THUNDER BAY — Think of Wednesday’s Reverse Expo as speed dating for companies in the minerals sector. Four mining companies came to a local hotel ballroom and gave presentations to local companies that supply and service the sector. Following their presentations, the miners had business-to-business meetings with the service and supply businesses. One person hearing what the miners had to say was Denise Atkinson, a Red Rock Indian Band member who is chief executive officer of Tipi Horse Connects, which connects employers with Indigenous workers. “It’s been amazing,” Atkinson said of the Reverse Expo held by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and MineConnect. “There’s such a great cross section of different corporations, other entrepreneurs,” she said. “It’s great to have a seat at the table with all these amazing companies. “Mining companies are working on our traditional territories, so it’s really important for us as Indigenous entrepreneurs to get a chance at ... these opportunities in our area,” Atkinson said. The mining companies at the expo were First Mining Gold, Newmont Musselwhite (soon to be part of Orla Mining), West Red Lake Gold Mines and Green Technology Metals. First Mining is trying to start an open-pit mine at Springpole Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The Musselwhite gold mine recently acquired from Newmont by Orla Mining employs hundreds of people at a site north of Pickle Lake. West Red Lake told the expo it plans to restart the Madsen gold mine in the Red Lake district. Green Technology’s projects include the Seymour lithium project near Armstrong. The provincial government wants “to make sure that more local Northwestern Ontario businesses are involved” as mining grows in Northwestern Ontario, Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford told Newswatch at the expo. “And the reason I’m here with respect to that is, many of those businesses are currently supported through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund,” he added. “And so the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is a partner with that business ... We want them to know that we’ve got their back and that they’ve got this.” Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission, said the city “is definitely a regional hub for mining supply and service. We have over 400 supply and service companies that are registered with us on our mining supply service list.” She said the expo “exemplifies (the commission’s) commitment to fostering partnerships and driving economic growth. “By connecting our local businesses directly with industry leaders, we’re unlocking opportunities that will strengthen our community and ensure a sustainable future.”Young holds 3-shot lead over Scheffler in Bahamas

NoneColeen Rooney sobs as she's reunited with youngest sons in camp, and they struggle to leave her

Tidewater Renewables Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TDWRF) Short Interest UpdateBy DEVNA BOSE One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used “physician work time values,” which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it’s unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It’s not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . Related Articles National News | ‘Sharks’ vet pitches from entrepreneurs at FAU. See who scored a deal National News | The next census will gather more racial, ethnic information National News | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows National News | NASA’s stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go National News | Imprisoned Proud Boys leader balks at answering a prosecutor’s questions about Capitol attack People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. “If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem’s announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn’t affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City.

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After winning a local business award last year, a Cloverdale student and entrepreneur wants to take his business to the next level. Vansh Sobti—who won a Clovie award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year—has opened Cloud Nine Clothing to sell his unique hoodies and sportswear. A student at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, Sobti makes a few different items, such as sweatshirts and zip ups, but his main product is his "stress ball hoodie." The hoodie features hidden stress balls and is made of a heavy-weight fabric, which he said is soothing to those with anxiety, something he deals with himself. He said the things he was dealing with in his own life inspired him to create the clothing line. "It was back in 2022, post-pandemic, and I was just noticing that a lot of people's social anxiety had increased a lot," he said. "Even for myself, I found myself using different tools like stress balls. However, the idea of using them in public made me feel more embarrassed." That's when Sobti got his eureka moment. As he went and looked for discrete solutions to solve his problem, he found there were non. So he had the idea to create something of his own that would solve the dilemma. "I couldn't find anything suitable to use in public while at the same time taking away excess energy," he explained. "That's where I saw a gap in the market and that's where I started to innovate and after a couple of months I made a prototype for the stress ball hoodie." He sold his first hoodie in April of 2023 and sales continued well for the year. At first no one knew he was making the hoodies, he was a little shy about letting anyone know, lest his venture fail. So really only his family and a few close friends knew about his new initiative. "I wasn't sure how it was going to work out, so I didn't want to tell anyone initially," he explained. "So the first year, no one really knew I was doing this." Sobti enjoyed success in his first year, which culminated in a Clovie award win in November, 2023. He said winning a Clovie was an "incredible" experience. "Just being able to look at the work I put into it, and then to be recognized for it, helped me to stay more motivated," he added. "That was super nice." Sales have gone well in 2024, but he wants to take it to the next level. Right now, he only has an online presence and works out of his house. He's not looking for a bricks and mortar store of his own, but he would like to sell his hoodies in some local stores in Cloverdale, Surrey, and Langley. "I don't know where to start, in terms of getting into local stores, but that's my next step." As for his next steps, Sobti said he loves the idea of trying to create more products that can help people with mental health issues in different ways. "Just coming out with different products that revolve around mental health somehow," he explained. "Even if it's not stress related, just helping promote the idea of better mental health, whether that's different designs on the shirts or hoodies or different sweatpants or bags—just, like, making this more of an actual company with a lot of different products to help promote a specific cause." For more info, or to buy some hoodies or sportswear, Cloud Nine can also be found on Instagram ( ) and on TikTok ( ).Pride, bragging rights and more than $115M at stake when final college playoff rankings come outNone

Pollies, peace deals, and the unravelling of a billionaire: The WA civil court rows that dominated 2024