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Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. scores again as Jaguars beat Titans 20-13 for rare series sweepInnovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR) Hits New 1-Year Low – Here’s What Happened

Penguins prospect Tanner Howe named to Canada's IIHF World Junior Championship roster

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MILWAUKEE 69, ST. THOMAS 6532 Products For Anyone Whose Love Language Is Canceling PlansWhen Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko met with quarterback Conner Weigman yesterday, he told his third-year signal-caller he had an idea what was coming. Weigman announced he will enter the transfer portal when it opens next Monday. Elko said he thinks this is the right move for Weigman’s future and career, but added he has respect for the way Weigman handled the situation. “I think the way he handled what was an extremely challenging situation for him, to come into year as the starter, to first deal with an injury, to come back and have the high of the Missouri game, to then maybe not have it go the way you want it to go, to lose the job but to stay a consummate pro, to be a great teammate, to be a great Aggie, to be there supporting his brothers all the way to the end,” Elko said. A&M had high hopes for Weigman when he signed as a five-star prospect as part of the Aggies’ top-ranked class of 2022. The signal-caller from Cypress wasn’t able to lead A&M to the greatness many hoped he would, though, during a three-year tenure that at times was sidetracked with injuries. Weigman entered the 2024 season as A&M’s unquestioned starter, missed three games due to a shoulder injury, but was benched eight games into the season after he struggled against LSU. Backup Marcel Reed led the Aggies to a comeback win and proceeded to start A&M’s final four games. The situation didn’t make Weigman’s move unexpected. Elko doubled down on his gratitude for Weigman when he discussed the decision during his early signing period press conference on Wednesday. “Had we needed to call his number at any point this year, he would’ve been ready and that’s not an easy thing for a kid to do,” Elko said. A&M’s backup quarterback Jaylen Henderson also announced he would transfer on Tuesday night. Elko said while Henderson helped the 2023 team win some games down the stretch of the season, he was unable to get going with the new staff. Henderson did not see the field in 2024. “Another great character kid,” Elko said of Henderson. “Was there every day, brought tremendous energy to the practice field and to the room, so I appreciate him and what he did, and I hope both of those guys land somewhere and have a tremendous amount of success the rest of their career.” Currently, A&M will return Reed and Miles O’Neill at quarterback from its 2024 roster. The Aggies signed Florida four-star quarterback Brady Hart on Wednesday, and also hold a pledge from Montgomery Lake Creek three-star quarterback Eli Morcos. “It’s still early in terms of our plans moving forward,” Elko said, “but obviously something we’ve got to figure out and address.”

A new report from Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman reveals one player who will likely soon be moved out from his current team and could help Toronto. Friedman revealed some possible future trade news in his most recent '32 Thoughts' article, says that the Nashville Predators, after moving on from Dante Fabbro and Philip Tomasino, could have their next target in center Juuso Parssinen. Friedman says it 'looks like we're headed to that point' in terms of Nasvhille moving Parssinen . How Can Juuso Parssinen Help Toronto? A 7th round pick of Nashville in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Parssinen showed flashes of his maturity with 7 SM-Liiga games in his draft year. Usually a player with pro experience and size get much hype in the draft, but Parssinen managed to fall through the cracks. Quickly, Parssinen showed his game wasn't a fluke, having been a full-time player the next season, and in 2020-21, finishing second in points for TPS Turku with 42 points in 55 games played. Parssinen made his NHL debut in 2022, scoring a goal in his first career game, finishing the year with six goals and 25 points in 45 games. In 2023-24, Parssinen had eight goals and 12 points in 44 games for Nashville. Parssinen, still only 23 years old, has 2 goals and 5 points in 15 games for the Nashville Predators this season. Despite big budget signings for the Predators in the offseason including Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, as well as re-signing star goaltender Juuse Saros and trading away top prospect Yaroslav Askarov, the Predators have found themselves no closer to playoff contention. The team sits second last in the NHL with 22 points and a 8-16-6 record. Parssinen could be a big, young center option for Toronto if they wish to go down that route and his 6'3, 212-pound frame works perfectly in Brad Treliving's new vision for the Leafs. He's a productive offensive player who's dropped off since his rookie year, but is still capable enough to fill a bottom-six role as a depth option. According to PuckPedia , Parssinen is making just $775k this season, a good project for any team wanting a tall, offensively capable forward who at worse can be rotational depth. Friedman didn't reveal when Parssinen would be moved, but it seems a deal may be imminent as the Nashville Predators are undergoing a major selling off. This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.TransMedics Group (NASDAQ:TMDX) Price Target Lowered to $104.00 at Canaccord Genuity Group

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The KP Sharma Oli led-government in Nepal runs the risk of collapse if the prime minister agrees to loans under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during his upcoming China visit , with his coalition partner, Nepali Congress (NC), insisting that the Himalayan nation should seek grants instead of loans. The NC has said that China has not fulfilled its previous grant commitments under the BRI and has opposed Oli's move to join the BRI during his visit in the first week of December. Oli and the NC have publicly differed on China's invitation to Nepal to join the BRI and there are indications that the NC may reconsider its support to the government if Oli goes ahead with the plan to seek loans under the BRI, according to people familiar with the matter. Although Nepal and China signed a memorandum of understanding on BRI in 2017, not a single project has been negotiated under the initiative as successive governments in Nepal have been averse to taking loans from China, unlike Sri Lanka and Pakistan, said Nepal watchers. Nepal traditionally has also been wary of loans given its state of economy and has preferred grants to fund its projects. This is among the reasons that it has not taken loans under the BRI despite intense lobbying from China. India has offered grant assistance to Nepal since the 1950s. Nepal is among India's largest and most prominent development partners. India-Nepal Cooperation for developing modern infrastructure in Nepal began in 1951. Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Advanced Java Mastery: Object-Oriented Programming Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant 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 Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience 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 Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Apart from taking up infrastructure development projects, India has also shared technical know-how with Nepal in various fields. Meanwhile, Oli said his China visit would not hurt Nepal's ties with India. Speaking at the concluding session of the Kantipur Conclave in Kathmandu last Thursday, he said there was no reason for his visit to harm relations with India just because he was going to China first. Historically, India has been the first destination abroad for any Nepalese PM. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

ARABELLA Chi has given fans a look at her little baby bump while modelling a new set of lingerie. The Love Island All Stars alumni, 33, is expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Billy Henty and is welcoming the changes to her body. Arabella has gently cradled her growing tummy while posing in her plush lounge in a black bra and knickers set. In several other snaps, the mum-to-be is also wearing matching black lace-topped stockings and satin robe. Arabella has now shared the photos with fans on Instagram alongside a short video of herself in the lingerie. She told her followers: "Life's got a whole new meaning now I'm growing you 👶." READ MORE ON ARABELLA CHI Replying to her post, one fan said: "Congratulations on your baby news." Another added: "Wow, so happy 4 you." And a third chimed in: "Pretty girl growing a baby!!" Meanwhile, Boux Avenue, the underwear brand Arabella is modelling, added: "The most gorgeous mum to be!" Most read in Love Island Arabella, who starred on Love Island All Stars at the beginning of the year, confirmed her pregnancy this week . She made her announcement with a video of herself clutching a strip of ultrasound photos while on the beach. The model and reality star said: "Dreams do come true... Baby Henty due May 2025. "You already make our hearts full and we can't wait to meet you little one." Arabella has enjoyed a whirlwind relationship with wealthy businessman Billy Henty over the past few months. Billy is co-founder of a company specialising in biohacking and regenerative medicine, with clinics in London , Canada and Greece . The Sun first told how Billy and Arabella were spotted on a date in August and sources said things between the pair were getting very serious, very quickly. An insider said at the time: “Arabella has made no secret of wanting to find the one and it looks like Billy could be that man. “He clever, handsome and has a jet setting lifestyle, which she loves. “It was a big step putting him on her socials – she didn’t tag him but she’s happy for people to see her happy and in love.” Love Island All Stars will be back for its second series in 2025 - and rumours are already rife as to who will be making a comeback this time around. After the second All Stars series was announced in May, show boss Mike Spender said: "Lots of people have been in contact about it, lots of fun people, from series one onwards. "We cast it because we knew what was going on behind the scenes of who was getting with who and now even more stories have come out. "I think we will now save ex-islanders for All Stars." One rumoured name for the next series is data engineer Harry Baker . Harry, 25, arrived in the villa as a bombshell in Series 11. He soon 'stole' Grace Jackson after making his debut. Arriving late in the run, he only lasted for a few days before being dumped alongside Lola Deloca . Despite the hunk's brief stint, viewers have called for Harry's return. One upset fan wrote: "Get you in All Stars next", to which Harry cryptically replied by posting 'shrugging' emojis. Arabella first found fame in Love Island in 2019. This year, she returned to the villa and formed a connection with Adam Maxted on Love Island All Stars. They lasted five weeks on the outside world. Adam later said on fellow Islander Anton Danyluk 's podcast: "I can't even call it a break up because we weren't officially together. "The public put a lot of pressure on your situation, your couple - we never announced that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. "I knew Arabella like nine days, 10 days, nothing in there is fake, I vibed with her and I can't fake that stuff." He added: "I think we were just at different stages in life. She'd just come out of a high-profile relationship and I remember saying to her, 'I think you need to go and figure out what it is you want to do and heal from that as well'." READ MORE SUN STORIES Prior to her time on Love Island All Stars Arabella dated Manchester City footballer Rueben Dias .

Ever wondered what the secret is behind the mysterious smile of the “Mona Lisa”? Ask her yourself during a multisensory journey through Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces and technological inventions, available through March 2025 in Boynton Beach. “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” has transformed the South Florida PBS Studios into Renaissance Italy, featuring more than 50 of his famous works, including “Virgin of the Rocks,” “The Baptism of Christ” and the ornithopter (a flying machine). After making its debut in Berlin in 2022, the exhibit traveled to Amsterdam, where South Florida PBS staff discovered its use of digital projections, audiovisual storytelling, and 360-degree immersion and advanced AI technologies to bring da Vinci’s creations to life. South Florida PBS President and CEO Dolores Fernandez Alonso spearheaded the effort to bring over the experience, which is produced by Phoenix Immersive , designed by flora&faunavisions and features original music by UK DJ Sasha and a script by Dan Cadan. “We enhanced the exhibition by developing our own interactive post-show experience featuring hands-on activities inspired by da Vinci’s work, including geometric art design, invention sketching and musical collaboration opportunities,” said Anabel​​​​ Moncada, South Florida PBS Health Channel marketing specialist. “This combination of high-tech immersion, comprehensive content coverage and hands-on educational elements creates an experience that goes beyond traditional museum exhibitions or digital presentations.” An “extraordinary encounter” with the “Mona Lisa,” one of the most recognizable paintings in the world, is a highlight of the 45-minute experience, Moncada said. While the original painting hangs in The Louvre museum in Paris, of course, this version is a larger-than-life projection on one of the central cube’s screens. Visitors can use their smartphones to converse with her, receiving contextually relevant responses that appear directly on a screen. “She becomes more than just a static masterpiece — she transforms into an engaging, responsive presence,” Moncada said. “The attention to detail in her animation is remarkable. Her legendary eyes follow you and her enigmatic smile subtly shifts, creating an uncanny sense of life-like presence. “This interactive feature exemplifies how modern technology can create meaningful connections with historic artworks, allowing visitors to experience this iconic painting in a completely new dimension.” South Florida PBS has organized almost 70 field trips to the exhibit so far, reaching more than 3,000 students from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties over the next two months, Moncada said. “The impact of this exhibition has been remarkable, particularly in its educational reach across South Florida,” she said. “By bringing da Vinci’s genius directly to thousands of students through interactive experiences, the exhibition is inspiring the next generation to explore the connections between art, science and innovation — just as da Vinci did centuries ago.” Da Vinci-themed lesson plans in art, language arts, math, science and social studies also are available for third- through fifth-graders as well as middle and high school students. “The strong response from schools and the number of students participating highlights both the exhibition’s success and its vital role in enriching arts and STEAM education in South Florida’s communities,” Moncada said. South Florida PBS last month premiered “Leonardo da Vinci — A film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon,” a two-part, four-hour documentary that explores the life and work of the 15th-century polymath. The film also marks some firsts for the filmmaking team, including a non-American subject and using split-screens with images, video and sound from different periods. The documentary, set against a backdrop of Renaissance Italy, features da Vinci’s personal notebooks along with on-camera interviews with scholars, artists, engineers and inventors to reflect on his achievements. “No single person can speak to our collective effort to understand the world and ourselves,” Ken Burns said in a statement. “But Leonardo had a unique genius for inquiry, aided by his extraordinary skills as an artist and scientist, that helps us better understand the natural world that we are part of and to appreciate more fully what it means to be alive and human.” Moncada said the timing of the film’s premiere and the opening of “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” was strategically coordinated. “The documentary broadcast and the interactive exhibition were intentionally scheduled to complement each other, allowing audiences to both learn about da Vinci through Burns’ acclaimed documentary storytelling and then experience his works firsthand through the immersive exhibition,” she said. “This dual approach — combining broadcast and experiential learning — exemplifies South Florida PBS’ commitment to providing comprehensive educational opportunities around significant cultural and historical subjects.” The film is available to stream at pbs.org/kenburns/leonardo-da-vinci, or on the PBS app . WHAT: “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” WHEN: Through Sunday, March 30 WHERE: South Florida PBS Studios, 3401 S. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach COST: $38.43 for guests age 13 and older, $30.94 for students and seniors (age 55 and older), and free for children age 5 to 12 (kids younger than 5 not permitted); tickets available at feverup.com , or at the door INFORMATION: southfloridapbs.org/davinci

Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest role

Tesla ( TSLA -4.75% ) shares have been soaring since the U.S. election in early November. But as the trading week comes to a close, the stock is on track to have its second consecutive losing day. As of 12:35 p.m. ET Friday, Tesla shares were down 4.3%. Yet, they have still soared by 70% over the past three months. Most of that gain has come after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election with backing from Tesla CEO Elon Musk . Tesla needs a record fourth quarter The pause in the rally is coming as we approach the end of the year, with investors realizing the company may not hit 2023 electric vehicle (EV) delivery numbers. Tesla must deliver about 515,000 EVs in the fourth quarter to match the 1.8 million units shipped in 2023. A push to ship vehicles at the end of the year is common, however. Tesla's record quarterly delivery was almost 485,000 vehicles in last year's fourth quarter. But analysts, on average, think the company might come up just shy of Tesla's target this year, predicting 510,000 unit sales. After the stock's monster run over the last several months, a miss on fourth-quarter shipments will likely push the stock lower. Some investors are betting that's what will come when Tesla releases its fourth-quarter production and delivery figures next week. One bright spot that could outperform expectations is Tesla's sales in China. Reports show that the fourth quarter is looking strong for Tesla's China sales, with nearly 22,000 EVs sold during the first week of this month. That would be the best week of the fourth quarter. Long-term investors shouldn't worry too much about quarterly data, though. Much of the recent run in Tesla stock came from expectations that its autonomous driving technology is getting closer to reality, with the White House potentially easing regulatory hurdles for Musk and his team. If Tesla can offer leading self-driving software to customers, it could be a huge revenue source for the company. Investors who believe that's coming should buy the dip.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel said Sunday that the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found after he was killed in what it described as a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” The UAE's Interior Ministry later said authorities arrested three perpetrators involved in the killing of Zvi Kogan. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel “will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death.” Israeli authorities did not say how they determined the killing of Kogan was a terror attack and offered no additional details. Kogan, 28, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who went missing on Thursday, ran a kosher grocery store in the futuristic city of Dubai, where Israelis have flocked for commerce and tourism since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Accords . The agreement has held through more than a year of soaring regional tensions unleashed by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack into southern Israel . But Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon, after months of fighting with the Hezbollah militant group, have stoked anger among Emiratis, Arab nationals and others living in the the UAE. Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, has also been threatening to retaliate against Israel after a wave of airstrikes Israel carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Emirati government did not respond to a request for comment. However, senior Emirati diplomat Anwer Gargash wrote on the social platform X in Arabic on Sunday that “the UAE will remain a home of safety, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence and a beacon of development, pride and advancement.” Early on Sunday, the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency acknowledged Kogan’s disappearance but pointedly did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Kogan as being “missing and out of contact.” “Specialized authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report,” the Interior Ministry said. The ministry later said that three “perpetrators” had been arrested “in record time” without giving additional details. Netanyahu told a regular Cabinet meeting later Sunday that he was “deeply shocked” by Kogan's disappearance and death. He said he appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation and that ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. Israel's largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the killing and thanked Emirati authorities for "their swift action." He said he trusts they “will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Israel also again warned against all nonessential travel to the Emirates after Kogan's killing. “There is concern that there is still a threat against Israelis and Jews in the area,” a government warning issued Sunday said. Kogan was an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism based in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood in New York City. It said he was last seen in Dubai. The UAE has a burgeoning Jewish community, with synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners. The Rimon Market, a kosher grocery store that Kogan managed on Dubai’s busy Al Wasl Road, was shut Sunday. As the wars have roiled the region, the store has been the target of online protests by supporters of the Palestinians. Mezuzahs on the front and back doors of the market appeared to have been ripped off when an Associated Press journalist stopped by on Sunday. Kogan’s wife, Rivky, is a U.S. citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The UAE is an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and is also home to Abu Dhabi. Local Jewish officials in the UAE declined to comment. While the Israeli statement did not mention Iran, Iranian intelligence services have carried out past kidnappings in the UAE. Western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations in the UAE and keeps tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living across the country. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, though Tehran has denied involvement. Iran also kidnapped Iranian German national Jamshid Sharmahd in 2020 from Dubai, taking him back to Tehran, where he was executed in October . ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tia Goldenberg And Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

Atlantic Lithium (LON:ALL) Trading Up 12.7% – Time to Buy?NFL fans are fuming over an awful game on Thursday Night Football. The Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks produced one of the worst games of this NFL season. The two teams combined for just nine points in what was the lowest scoring game of the season. Chicago ended up losing to Seattle 6-3 in a game where no touchdowns were scored. It was an extremely ugly game, with neither Geno Smith nor Caleb Williams throwing for over 200 yards. Smith had a 47.1 QBR while Williams had a 24.4 QBR. Read more on the NFL The two quarterbacks also combined to get sacked 10 times over the course of the game. The terrible outcome has many fans questioning the future of Thursday Night Football. The short week for NFL teams leads to many injuries, and a lot of the time it leads to worse football games. This was especially apparent in this 6-3 stinker of a game. Most read in American Football Fans shared how much they disliked the product on the field on social media after the game. "I’d rather watch badminton at this point," one fan said. "Fell asleep 3 times," another fan said. "You can point to this game but it is not isolated," a third fan said. "Game should have been flexed for a different game tbh," a fourth fan said. "These schedule makers gotta go!" a fifth fan said. The biggest action to come out of the Thursday Night Football game was wide receiver DK Metcalf's antics on the field. August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears August 8 - Pre-season begins August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters September 1 - Final day of pre-season September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs November 5 - Trade deadline January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season January 11 - Playoffs begin February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana He was penalized multiple times for unsportsmanlike conduct throughout the game. Metcalf was seen pushing players on the head, and eventually headbutting another player. He only had 42 yards on the day, making his actions even more inexcusable. Read More on The US Sun Metcalf wasn't ejected from the game, but he did cost his team 15 yards multiple times. At least he gave viewers something to watch during the quiet game.None

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Small businesses across Northwest Indiana hope to pull in a share of the $989 billion the National Retail Federation estimates projects consumers will spend this holiday season. They've been hosting events to lure shoppers, bringing in Santa for photos, running deals, opening pop-ups at malls and breaking out all the stops for the all-critical holiday shopping season. Many hope to turn the increased traffic of seasonal gift-buyers into regular customers. The Crown Antique Mall at 545 E 110th Ave in Crown Point is having its Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It will have snacks, drinks, discounts, raffles and giveaways throughout the shop. Santa will make an appearance to pose for photos from 12-2 p.m. "Vendors across the store will offer anywhere from 10% to 60% off," owner Mark Kratkoczki said. "People come to buy vintage items. Repurpose, recycle and reuse has meaning. It's better quality than what's at the big box stores. It has stood the test of time." The Crown Antique Mall tries to get gift buyers to return throughout the year by letting them know about its regular events such as car shows and celebrity meet-and-greets. Over the past year, it has hosted Butch Patrick, Bozo the Cown, Fred "The Hammer" Williams and Jimmy Hart. Smugglers Coffee at 237 Matteson St in Dyer has been hosting the Roaming Wedge Mobile Cheese Shop and BNZ Pop-Ups, which consists of the former chefs at Windmill Brewing, to lure holiday shoppers. It's also hosting events like Dungeons and Dragons games, board night and caffeine and create nights. "A lot of people have been buying barrel-aged coffee," owner Dave Fajman said. "People say they're buying it as a stocking stuffer or for a boss. Or they're buying it online and sending it as a gift." It will do a special release of its seasonal Elves with Murder Toys coffee, in a bag that depicts elves using candy canes as weapons, on Friday, Dec. 13. "We let the quality of the product speak for itself. There's not a lot of places to find barrel-aged coffee," he said. "We also have other items that make good gifts like hot sauces and Dungeons and Dragons stuff." Golden Afternoon at 2817 Highway Ave in downtown Highland got decked out for the holiday season. "There is a large wreath we were given by Nancy Brumm after she and Jerry retired and closed Brumm's Bloomin' Barn. We decorated it with modern-colored lights and hung it over the store under the sign. At night it's really majestic looking," Manager Aaron Shloss said. "The front of the store is composed of tall, wide plate glass windows that let passersby see inside. (Owner) Cameryn (Friederichs) has gone out of her way to decorate the sales floor in such a way as to inspire maximal wonder and excitement when people stumble out of Rodney's and Growlers at night and see all of the trees and holiday displays lit up from inside. She wants it to be very much like an old-time department store... faces pressed to the glass windows, eyes wide and replete with wonder, taking everything in." The gift shop and florist in downtown Highland tries to conjure up a traditional shopping experience. "During shopping hours when customers come in and browse they are never disappointed. But yeah, the anticipation is the key. The gifts and decor we carry speak to a whimsical aesthetic and we strive to offer goods that are as fun as they are unique," Shloss said. "It isn't just another collection of Yankee Candles and cheap Santa Claus screenprint hoodies. We are an old-fashioned gift shop that truly understands the magic of the season and the quality of merchandise and selection that modern shoppers require to pull them away from Amazon and HomeGoods." The Christmas season is huge for any retailer, but especially independent locally owned shops, Shloss said. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "For an independent retailer of gifts and floral arrangements it's arguably the biggest sales opportunity of the year, bigger than Valentine's Day, bigger than Mother's Day, because people are not just buying flowers from us but also gifts... and lots of them," he said. "The floral end of things is huge for the holidays because people order table centerpieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas but they also have big gatherings that they accent with flowers... and not to mention that for many people spread across the country who cannot spend time with all of the loved ones on their list, floral deliveries are a great way to say, 'Hey, I miss you, I'm sorry I can't be there for the holidays but I am thinking of you.'" Customers just tend to spend more when out buying gifts for others during the holiday season, said Shloss, a former manager at Brumm's Bloomin' Barn. "As far as gifts go, I mean, this is the time of year when people splurge without guilt. All of the hype and hoopla about giving better than receiving really is true and people find that little spark in themselves to go all out. Jerry Brumm used to tell me that Brumm's Bloomin' Barn sold as much or more in the last two months of the year than in the rest of the year combined. And it was true," he said. "I saw it when I worked for him, learning the industry, year after year. It was nonstop. So yeah, the money aspect was great, but it really does speak to a deeper human truth that people love shopping and giving gifts to each other and decorating their homes with ornaments and holiday swag. It's just a massive season for any retailer but for independents like us, it really could make or break us." Whiting will host its Kris Kringle Market downtown from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and again on Saturday, Dec. 14 in a heated tent in an empty lot at 1515 119th Street. People can browse from vendors at the German-style holiday market, warm up with hot cocoa, get spiked hot cocoa with Irish Cream, sip mulled wine and hear music from the Whiting and Hammond high school choirs and the 119th Street Carolers. They also can sign up for horse-drawn Christmas wagon rides from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many of the merchants along 119th Street will keep longer hours to capitalize off the increased traffic. "We're happy to get more exposure. We hope people come out to shop with us, the Junkyard, Nostalgic Treasures and other small shops," said Joel Bender, the owner of Mind Benders Puzzles & Games at 1442 119th Street. "Every dollar you spent at a small business in the community stays in the community. We eat at local restaurants. We sponsor local baseball. That spending is staying in town." Hammond is hosting a Holiday Stroll from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in which 18 local businesses will take part, including the Eat restaurant at 5201 Hohman Avenue that's run by El Taco Real's Raymundo Garcia and is only open for special occasions. It will feature hot chocolate stops, face painting, contests, raffles and holiday activities. Karven Maravilla, the owner of It's Just Serendipity at 5630 Hohman Avenue, said events were planned throughout the holiday season to draw shoppers. It's Just Serendipity is hosting an ongoing open house through Dec. 24 honoring Hammond native Jean Shepherd, the author of "A Christmas Story." It's Just Serendipity is running sales between 20% and 75% off and gifts with purchases this December. Anyone who spends more than $25 is entered to win a door prize. It also has sweets and treats including "Ohhhhhh fudge" from OMG Pastries, Ovaltini chocolate martinis and a window scavenger hunt in which people can enter to win a "Major Award" by counting all the references to "A Christmas Story" in the front window." The "Bumpus Hound" Isabella will also be greeting customers to the vintage boutique. She encourages everyone to shop local when they can. "Please rethink your choice to shop online. Imagine the places that you like to shop. Imagine downtowns, cities, towns. Imagine what these places would look like if these small businesses were no longer there. It would be a ghost town," she said. "If you say that shopping online is more convenient or that it saves money, think again. It is robbing our communities of jobs, economic development, income, and much more. The impact of shopping online has a far-reaching effect and is hurting our local economies." Small businesses rely on holiday shopping, Maravilla said. "Supporting small businesses and brick and mortar businesses means that you're in the communities where you live, developing relationships with real people. These relationships develop into loyal customers, friends, and business referrals," she said. "Stores are closing at an alarming rate as a result of people choosing to shop online. Many stores that are open are being forced to carry less inventory because people are choosing to shop online. This is causing a detrimental domino effect to small businesses. Occasionally, one cannot find what one needs at a local store, so buying online is an alternative. However, on a day-to-day basis, please make the choice to support small and local businesses in Northwest Indiana." It offers bubble tea in a variety of flavors including green tea, oolong tea, black tea, matcha tea and fresh fruit tea. The menu also includes rolled ice cream, coffee, frappes, yogurt, fresh milk and milk tea. Ice cream flavors include Nutella, Banana, Oreo, Fruit Lover and Summer Tango. Teas include Strawberry Oolong Tea, Crush Peach Black Tea, Peach Orange Lemongrass Black Tea, Tropical Fruit Green Tea, Tropical Fruit Oolong Tea, Honeydew Green Apple Oolong Tea, Grapefruit Jasmine Green Tea, Navel Orange Jasmine Green Tea, Kiwi Jasmine Green Tea, Happy Tea, Lychee Black Tea and Pomegranate Black Tea. Owner Bach “Andy” Pham bought the 10,000-square-foot building and opened The Boba Tea Cafe, B Nail Lounge and Viet-Ship. The latter allows people to go into the Boba Tea Cafe and ship money or packages to Vietnam. For more information, call 219-999-7997.Professor Isa Chamo, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology in Jigawa State has said that Governor Umar Namadi has invested more than N20 billion in education in less than two years of his administration. Chamo spoke on Friday night on the sideline of the 14th Anniversary and Award Ceremonies of the Nigerian NewsDirect in Lagos. The commissioner was part of the top government functionaries dispatched to receive the newspaper’s Governor of the Year Award in Agro-Investments and Security for Namadi. “Governor Namadi spent over N20,000,000,000 invested in education in Jigawa state under the present administration, ” the commissioner said. According to him, the governor has recorded a giant push for higher education in the state by employing over 3000 teachers and building school infrastructure to provide a quality learning environment. He said that the number of teachers in the state was raised from 2, 566 in May 2023, to 5,986. Chamo said that the administration had procured and distributed over 10,000 3-seater desks for students while 5,000 staff furniture was provided at various schools. The commissioner added that 3,500 double beds were procured and distributed to boarding schools with 3,840 mattresses to go with them. He said that 564 tabs were distributed to senior secondary school principals to enhance digital learning skills amongst teachers while 300 routers were procured and distributed. Chamo said the Namadi’s administration had ensured the provision of internet connectivity across the 293 senior secondary schools in the state to ensure access to a wide range of educational and information resources. He said that over N200 million has been used to develop a digital teaching and learning platform tagged J-Compete programme, which he said, has helped both teachers and students with numerous resources in the learning environment. The commissioner said that Namadi’s administration had improved school feeding by 200 per cent from N180 per student to N450 per student. He said that this had made expenditure for school feeding programmes to rise from N1.1 billion to N3.4 billion annually. According to him, the government had carried out various capacity training programmes for teachers, school principals and directors to enhance their capacity. He said that the administration had carried out several interventions including the Female Teacher Development Scheme, Girls for Health Program, free school uniforms for girls, and registration fees for law students among others He said that the Namadi administration constructed new classrooms, laboratories, administrative blocks, hostels, a library, kitchen, laundry, sports fields and toilets in all senior secondary schools including science and technical schools. “School structures were renovated at the cost of N2,268,211,583 with the procurement of teaching, learning, instructional materials and sports material amounting to N5,791,510,414. “Payment of internal and external Examination at the sum N1,001,614,221 while schools feeding consumed the sum of N2,127,060,850. “The administration spent the sum of N4,776,688,726 on foreign scholarship while internal scholarship consumed N1,904,592,925, with the total amount standing at N6,681,281,651,” he said. Similarly, Dr Hauwa Alhassan, Technical Adviser to Gov.Umar Namadi on Basic Education said that the administration had taken basic education to the top of the charts. Alhassan said that with the implementation and success of the J-Teach Programme, the governor had addressed the shortage of teachers in rural and underserved areas, “with notable improvements in teaching quality and student engagement”. She said that the state had improved collaboration with NGOs and strong partnerships with organisations like PLAN and PLANE for educational development and empowerment of educators. “The administration has enhanced inclusion of children with disabilities, introduced specialised programmes and infrastructure, to ensure access to quality education for children with disabilities,” she said. Alhassan said that the governor had invested in Nomadic Schools, “which expanded educational opportunities for nomadic communities, ensuring access to education irrespective of their mobility”. The adviser said that under Namadi’s administration, strategic interventions were made to revert the schools used as IDP camps back into functional educational institutions. She said that the governor had put special focus on Early Childhood Education, foundational literacy and numeracy programmes. Meanwhile, Namadi, who was represented by Malam Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government to receive the award, said he was pleased with the recognition and happy his contributions to the development of his state and the people were being acknowledged. The governor, who dispatched top government functionaries, including two commissioners and three technical advisers to receive the award, said that he was highly elated with the recognition of his investments in agriculture, security, education and health for the benefit of the people. Namadi said that the award would serve as an inspiration to do more and work for the betterment of the people.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhb

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The patient is submerged in an ice bath as an anesthetic for its impending surgery. When sufficient numbness is achieved, University of Queensland student Lachlan Fitzgerald begins the procedure, carefully attaching a tiny circuit board to its back to create a part-living, part-machine biohybrid robot. Related video above: How Cyborg Cockroaches Could Help Save Human Lives The patient is, in fact, a beetle, and the backpack-like device sends electrical pulses to its antennae, allowing Fitzgerald to control its movements while tapping into its natural agility. "Only when it leaves the desired path that we want it to be on do we intervene and tell it to actually go this way instead of the way it was actually heading," says Fitzgerald, who is studying mathematics and engineering. He hopes to create an army of insect-machine search and rescue workers. "We see a future where after an urban disaster like an earthquake or a bombing, where humans can't safely access the disaster site, being able to send in a bunch of cyborg beetles to navigate the disaster zone quickly and efficiently," he says. The biorobotics lab where Fitzgerald works is putting control backpacks onto giant burrowing cockroaches, a species native to Australia that can grow up to three inches (eight centimeters) long, and darkling beetles. Species from the darkling family can be found scurrying through environments ranging from tropical savannas to arid deserts across the world . Having to handle the bugs doesn't bother Fitzgerald: "No, they definitely don't gross me out!" he says. Cyborg insects have an edge over traditional robots, according to Fitzgerald. "Insects are so adaptable compared to an artificial robotic system, which has to perform so much computation to be able to deal with all these different scenarios that might get thrown at it in the real world," he explains. Fitzgerald says cyborg search and rescue beetles or cockroaches might be able to help in disaster situations by finding and reporting the location of survivors and delivering lifesaving drugs to them before human rescuers can get there. But first, the Australian researchers must master the ability to direct the movements of the insects, which could take a while. Fitzgerald says that although the work might seem futuristic now, in a few decades, cyborg insects could be saving lives. He's not the only roboticist creating robots from living organisms. Academics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), for example, are implanting electronic pacemakers into jellyfish to control their swimming speed. They hope the bionic jellies could help collect data about the ocean far below the surface. In September, Cornell University researchers released robots controlled by a king oyster mushroom. The robots, which sense and respond to the environment by harnessing electrical signals made by the fungus and its sensitivity to light, could have uses like sensing the soil chemistry near crops to decide when to add more fertilizer. The rise of biohybrid robots has stirred debate about the ethics of the work , and some researchers have advocated for better regulation and oversight. Caltech academics told CNN that they worked with bioethicists to ensure its interventions don't cause any type of stress response in the jellyfish they work with. Fitzgerald says that beetles that have had backpacks attached to them have normal life expectancies. "So I don't think they mind, per se," he says. "The science is out on whether or not they're actually conscious beings," he adds. He agrees that concerns about the welfare of the creatures are valid but urges people to consider the benefits: "I think the potential for this technology to save lives in an urban disaster, it really outweighs any kind of hesitancy you might have towards the field."Cebu province now has 25 first-class towns, two first-class cities

Dear Eric: I have an ongoing disagreement with my very polite and well-mannered husband. When we enter a venue together, he opens the door/elevator door to let me through and then holds the door so that at least two or three people and sometimes large groups can walk in ahead of him. He then follows them, and I am significantly ahead of him. Therefore, I often stand off to the side/wait or move forward/wait. For example, I often wait for a while at the hostess stand of a restaurant while he makes his way there. I would appreciate standing next to him as we enter. Should courtesy require getting the door/holding the elevator door open for strangers or moving forward with his wife so we can enter together? — Manners Dear Manners: His politeness is so extreme that it’s come around to being impolite back to you. One wonders how far he’s willing to take this. At a certain point, one stops being a random nice man and becomes a restaurant’s volunteer doorman. If he won’t stop holding the door to groups following you, you can decline to enter without him, stand next to him as he holds the door, and you could both become restaurant doormen together. Perhaps this act of polite “solidarity” will show him the mannerliness of moderation. Dear Eric: I play Mahjong with senior citizens several times a week at a local Barnes & Noble. One day our group needed two tables, and one table had stuff sitting on it, along with a backpack on the floor with no one around. I moved it to the table right next to it because we needed that specific size table and there were many other open tables around us. When the young man finally came back, he then told me it was rude to touch his stuff. Many of the ladies agreed with him, so I wonder if I was wrong. But the way I look at it is, you can’t expect someone to save a table and then walk around for an hour and expect no one to want the table. Also, I have come many times early and sat at a table to “reserve” it and never left my stuff on it expecting no one to move it if they needed the table. What do you think? — Game Play Rules Dear Rules: I think you shouldn’t have touched another person’s belongings. Coffee shops, bookstores and spaces where we gather can be catch-as-catch-can when it comes to seating. But the general rule is that if your stuff is on the table, it means you intend to come back to it in the place you left it. Your need for the table didn’t supersede his need. It would’ve been better to make-do with another table until he returned, then ask him to move. Dear Eric: One of my neighbors and I have been taking a long walk (about five miles) on most Saturday mornings since the pandemic. Recently, another woman, who also lives in the neighborhood, has expressed a desire to join us. We have both decided that we don’t enjoy this woman’s company enough to spend a couple of hours with her on a weekly basis. Any ideas what we might say to her that would not be cruel but would get the message across? — Walk Off Dear Walk Off: As this is a tradition that goes back a few years, it’s fair to tell the third neighbor that you and your friend have come to appreciate this special time together and would prefer to preserve it. Sure, it could come off as cliquish, but you’re not obligated to respond to every person who invites themselves into your plans. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!NoneIPS Anupama James has been appointed as NIA (National Investigation Agency) SP. She was Vigilance SP in Odisha. The Home Department of the Government of Odisha notified this on Saturday. The services of Ms. Anupama James, IPS at present SP, Vigilance, Odisha are placed at the disposal of the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs for her appointment as Superintendent of Police in National Investigation Agency (NIA) in deputation basis and she is relieved of her duties in order to take up her new assignment at the Centre, said the notification.The reMarkable 2 e-ink tablet is an impressive piece of tech that managed to significantly slim down the original version of the doodler's notepad replacement . Rather than acting like a big smartphone, the way most tablets do, reMarkable's focus has been on creating a distraction-free work tablet that replaces messy legal pads in your workflow by creating an organizable document-oriented tablet that allows you to "replace your notes and printed documents with a digital notebook that feels like paper." There are a lot of things that consumers enjoy about this tablet. The 10.3" e-ink screen is much easier on the eyes than a backlit LED screen, its ability to convert type to text allows for easy transference from handwritten notes to digital documents, and the organizational and synchronization features make it easy to keep track of all your work across all of your connected devices. But as impressive as the reMarkable 2 is, it's far from the only tablet of its kind. There are several alternatives out there that you might want to look at before committing to a purchase. One of the best ways to find them is to take a look at similarly specced models, compare their features, and see what professional reviewers have to say about them. Here are a few of the other options that are currently available. Kindle is easily one of the most popular e-reader brands on the market. The brand was part of the first generation to use e-ink for reading tablets and having the backing of its parent company, Amazon, has given its developers resources that other manufacturers can't hope to match -– such as access to Amazon's extensive library of digital media. That said, most of the Kindle models have primarily stuck to their role as e-readers, leaving Amazon's Fire tablets as an alternative for those who were looking for a larger scope of utility. The Kindle Scribe is different though. In addition to being an e-reader, this tablet also serves many of the same digital notebook functions that you would find on the reMarkable tablets. You can write directly in the books you're reading, take notes, create to-do lists, and convert handwritten notes to text. The newest models also come with AI integration that allows them to summarize text with generative technology. The Scribe is backlit and has a 10.2" glare-free display–the largest that Kindle makes. It comes in three storage capacities: 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. You can get it in Tungsten or Metallic Jade and all models include Amazon's Premium Pen. The Scribe is a bit more expensive than the reMarkable 2 and it might not have all of the features that some dedicated notebook tablets do. "The big perk here, though, is that Kindles are super reliable and have one of the largest ebook libraries," said Medea Giordano of Wired in her review. "That makes it one of the better propositions out there" Onyx Boox is another brand that makes several Android-based electronic readers. The company has a wide range of products, from the smaller and more affordable Go 6 all the way to the $799.99 premium Tab X . It even makes a couple of e-ink monitors that can be used with all kinds of Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS powered devices. But the Go 10.3 is the model that is closest to the reMarkable 2. The Go 10.3 is the same size and price as the reMarkable 2 and offers many comparable features, such as the ability to take handwritten notes while also functioning as an e-reader. According to the company's description, "The model is equipped with a high-resolution E Ink Carta Plus (Carta 1200) screen with two sensor layers: a capacitive layer for finger touch and an inductive layer for working with a pen." This inductive layer was actually developed by Wacom, which is one of the most well-regarded drawing tablet brands on the market. The tablet itself is powered by an 8-core processor, has 4 GB of RAM, and comes standard with 64 GB of storage, speakers, and a microphone. It also supports dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Stephen Radochia of Android Police praised the tablet's functional minimalism in his review. "If you can use the extra functionality and versatility, the Boox Go 10.3 is a wonderfully designed notetaking and productivity machine, with everything you need and nothing you don't." Sony is one of the biggest names in the world of electronics, but it often gets overlooked in the tablet community even though the company has manufactured several impressive e-readers and e-ink tablets in its time. The Sony "Digital Paper" DPT-CP1 is one such tablet. This is a 10.3" version of the larger and more expensive 13.3" Sony DPT-RP1, making it the first digital paper tablet from Sony that non-professional consumers might want to use . Rather than pushing features and connectivity, it seems that Sony's biggest focus with this device was recreating both the visual and tactile feel of using actual paper. "To recreate the basic paper interface, we opted for a display that would render letter-size documents in just about full size," Sony states . But the texture of the surface is the real secret. The DPT-CP1 has a slim profile and a unique non-slip panel with a modified surface texture that's designed to make writing on the tablet to feel exactly like writing on paper. The DPT-CP1 is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz. It includes 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. So it isn't the highest-spec option on the market, but its interface certainly makes it an option worth considering. "The Sony Digital Paper is a tool that makes working with "paper" more effective, without compromising the experience that makes it preferable to using a PC or tablet," said Brad Moon of Forbes in his review. He commented that the feel and utility of the tablet were fantastic, but the $599.99 starting price could be a hard pill to swallow. Another option is the Kobo Elipsa 2E . Kobo is a Canadian company that is owned by Rakuten and is one of the more popular e-book manufacturers alongside other big names such as the Amazon-owned Kindle and the Barnes & Noble-owned Nook . Like its competitors, it also has a massive catalog of e-books and audiobooks in its online storefront that is accessible directly from the company's tablets or through any smart device that features the app. The Elipsa 2E is similar to the reMarkable 2 in that it's a tablet with a 10.3" touchscreen and an included stylus. It allows you to write on epub and PDF files as well as write in and organize note apps. You can also make edits with a laso tool and convert handwriting to text. The screen has a ComfortLight Pro backlight which reduces blue light to help mitigate eye strain and fatigue while also allowing you to adjust both brightness and temperature. Kobo also has integrated cloud services that work across connected devices. The tablet is powered by a 2 GHz CPU, comes with 32 GB of storage, and supports 15 different file formats. Giordano reviewed this tablet for Wired as well. "If you're looking for a simple ebook reader, the Elipsa 2E isn't the model to buy," she said, noting the price. "However, if you want to be able to take notes on an E Ink screen, like a notebook minus the physical paper, then I think this Kobo is a fine alternative to Amazon's Kindle Scribe. It's particularly great if you really want to be able to write on any ebook." You might also be interested in checking out the Fujitsu Quaderno A5. Unlike most of the other brands on this list, Fujitsu Quaderno only has a couple of tablets in its inventory. The A4 and A5 are both 2nd generation e-ink tablets, with the smaller 10.3" A5 being the more affordable option and the one most similar to the reMarkable 2. The company describes it as a "digital note-taking device that excels at viewing and editing PDF files, taking notes, freehand drawing and keeping track of all of your schedules and meetings. It has a new E INK screen technology that increased page turn speed and contrast." One of the more unique features that this device offers is the ability to use it in split-screen mode which allows you to view multiple projects at the same time, or use a side-by-side mode to view two pages from the same document like you would with a paper book. In terms of specs , the A5 has a Cortex A53 Quad-core 1.8 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage. Like the others, it can be controlled by touch or with the included stylus, but its secondary use as a drawing tablet seems to set it apart. "Drawing on a plastic screen feels more natural than a glass-based one," said Michael Kozlowski when he reviewed the tablet for Good E-Reader . "The stylus has some heft, which makes it easier to draw. Drawing has enough options and settings to keep you busy for years." Most of the tablets we've covered in this list have been relatively close to the reMarkable 2 in terms of both size and price, but those who are looking for a smaller and cheaper option might want to consider the 7.8" Meebook P78 Pro. This tablet is made by the Chinese company Haoqing and has many of the same notebook features that you would find on the reMarkable 2, such as handwriting, highlighting, drawing, and serving as an e-reader, but it is a couple of inches smaller and can currently be found on Amazon for $259.00. The P78 Pro has an e-ink Carta Screen and an adjustable smart light. It runs on Android 11 OS with a quad-core Cortex A55 CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of integrated storage (with an SD slot to expand storage further.) It also has access to the Google Play store which can be used to download apps Like Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Boox. Kozlowski reviewed this tablet for Good E-Reader as well. He found that the tablet made for a decent budget option, while not exactly blowing its competition out of the water in terms of its overall performance. "The Meebook P78 Pro provides a ton of value," he said. "It doesn't excel at any one thing, but does a bunch of things in a satisfactory way. Reading comics, books and manga is fluid and responsive. Writing on PDF files is passable, but not excellent." So this might make a good alternative for someone who is looking for a functional and affordable jack-of-all-trades tablet. I've been a professional tech reviewer for five years and I've been using e-ink tablets for over a decade. In making this list, I started by making a list of the biggest brands that make e-ink tablets that can be used as digital notebooks with a stylus. From there, I narrowed the list down to those that had a similar screen size and similar functions to the reMarkable 2. I also specifically searched for tablets that had functionalities that would make them stand out as worthy alternatives to the reMarkable 2 for those who had specific needs that the tablet might not address. Once I had the six e-ink tablets that I believed were the most similar to the reMarkable 2, I looked at their specifications, feature sets, and prices in order to see how they stack up. I then searched for professional reviews of these products online so that I could verify how well they work in real-world conditions.

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Police believe the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO left NYC on a bus after the shooting NEW YORK (AP) — Police officials say the gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer three days ago may have quickly left New York City on a bus after escaping on a bicycle and hopping in a cab. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN on Friday that video of the gunman fleeing Wednesday’s shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson showed him riding through Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal, directly across from New Jersey. Kenny said police have video of the man entering the bus station but no video of him exiting, leading them to believe he left the city. Investigators also believe the shooter left his backpack in Central Park and are trying to find it. Trump offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled nominee to lead the Pentagon WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled choice to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth's ability to win confirmation by the Senate is wavering as he faces questions over allegations of excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on women in combat. Trump posted on social media that Hegseth is a winner “and there is nothing that can be done to change that.” Hegseth spent much of the week on Capitol Hill trying to salvage his Cabinet nomination and reassure Republican senators that he is fit to lead the Pentagon. IAEA chief: Iran is poised to 'quite dramatically' increase stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Iran is poised to “quite dramatically” increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium. That's according to comments by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday. Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke in Bahrain, on the sidelines of the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ Manama Dialogue. He says Iran had begun preparing advanced centrifuge cascades to spin at nuclear facilities to increase its supply of 60% enriched uranium. That kind of material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Grossi says this is “very concerning." Iran did not immediately acknowledge the preparations, which Grossi said had begun on Friday. Inspectors hope to examine what’s going on. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump's immigration and border team is filling out. Trump has announced a former Border Patrol chief, Rodney Scott, to head the Customs and Border Protection agency. Scott is a career Border Patrol agent who rose to head the agency during Trump's first term. He's been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures. At CBP he'll head a department of roughly 60,000 employees responsible for protecting the country’s borders while also facilitating trade and travel. Trump also said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that, among other things, arrests migrants in the U.S. illegally. Vitello is a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency. Romania's top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A top Romanian court has annulled the first round of the country’s presidential election, days after declassified intelligence alleged Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round. Friday's unprecedented and final decision by the Constitutional Court came after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence on Wednesday that alleged Russia ran a sprawling campaign comprising thousands of social media accounts to promote Calin Georgescu across platforms like TikTok and Telegram. Despite being a huge outsider who declared zero campaign spending, Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner on Nov. 24. He was due to face reformist Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party in a runoff on Sunday. Crews recover the body of a woman from a Pennsylvania sinkhole after a 4-day search Police say the remains of a woman who fell into a sinkhole have been recovered four days after she went missing while searching for her cat. Trooper Steve Limani said Friday that the body of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard was sent to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. Pollard disappeared while looking for her cat on Monday evening, and authorities found her car close to what is thought to be a newly opened sinkhole above a long abandoned coal mine a few hours later. The sinkhole is in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Jury will consider lesser charge in NYC subway chokehold case, judge dismisses manslaughter charge NEW YORK (AP) — The judge overseeing the trial of a man accused of using a deadly chokehold on an unruly subway passenger has dismissed the top charge in the case at the request of prosecutors, allowing the jury to consider a lesser count after the panel indicated it was deadlocked on whether Daniel Penny was guilty of manslaughter. The judge’s decision on Friday came hours after Manhattan jurors sent him a note saying they were unable to agree on a manslaughter verdict. Penny is facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely, who Penny held in a chokehold for about six minutes on a New York City subway in 2023. Vance tells residents in hurricane-stricken North Carolina that they haven't been forgotten FAIRVIEW, N.C. (AP) — Vice President-elect JD Vance is surveying hurricane damage in western North Carolina in one of his first public appearances since the November election. Vance and his wife, Usha, visited the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, which was flooded with 4 to 6 inches of water in the storm. They heard that roughly a dozen people contracted walking pneumonia while responding to the hurricane's destruction and that power outages prevented some first responders from talking with their families. Vance said, “My simple message to the people of Appalachia is that we haven’t forgotten you — we love you.” Vance has largely stayed out of the public eye since the election aside from shepherding Trump’s Cabinet nominees around Capitol Hill.

Democrats are wrong in contending that Republicans do not have a mandate to implement the Trump agenda, Montana Sen.-elect Tim Sheehy said during an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday . “As you know, we have a mandate now, and it was pretty impressive to see everything we accomplished on November 5 from Coast to Coast,” Sheehy, who unseated three-term Democrat Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), began. “And now, it’s time for the real work to start.” Host Matthew Boyle asked Sheehy what he thinks of the left’s emerging narrative that Republicans actually do not have a mandate to implement the Trump agenda, despite Trump’s Electoral College win, popular vote victory, and Republicans retaining the House and taking the Senate. “Despite the claims of some of my Republican colleagues who have spent a lot of time over the last two weeks talking about some big, massive mandate, I’m looking for it,” Minority Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said this week, as one example. “Well, I disagree,” Sheehy began, adding, “It’s totally believable because the D in Democrat now stands for deception.” “I mean, this entire campaign on all fronts of the Democrat party was based on deception. I mean, Kamala Harris in one state was running ads saying, you know, she supports Israel. In the neighboring state, she’s saying she supports Hamas. You know, you’ve got opponents like mine, John Tester, Bob Casey, you know, across the country, who were 99, 100 percent support the Biden-Harris agenda, yet running commercials as if they were Republicans wanting to secure the border,” he said, concluding that Democrats do not care about the truth. “From modern American politics, November 5 was a landslide. Yes, it wasn’t the Reagan victory in ’84 of 49 out of 50 states, but the way we gerrymander, the way our country politically is structured now, that just doesn’t happen anymore. So by modern standards, we haven’t had a Republican win the popular vote in 20 years –you know, the House, Senate, White House — with a decisive [victory],” he said, noting that Democrats are conveniently not attacking the Electoral College per usual, as Trump won the national popular vote as well. “They’re going to say whatever they have to say to try to keep wind in their sails. But the truth is, they are having an inward reflection moment, realizing that their message has failed. Their attempt to lie to Americans, even with a three to one, four to one funding advantage, and the entire media behind them, has failed, and they’re going to come up with a new strategy,” he continued. Further, Sheehy said he believes his colleagues understand how important this moment is and are ready to make a difference. “I absolutely do,” he said when asked if he believes they understand the historic gravity of this moment. “Having been in D.C. for my very first week, about week and a half ago for orientation, meeting my new colleagues out there, I can tell you from every wing of the Republican Party — from Susan Collins in Maine, you know, to Mike Lee in Utah — it’s pretty clear everybody is aligned, that we have a mandate, and it’s time to hit the gas and get moving,” he said, adding that he believes that the Senate will be “very eager to not just rubber stamp Trump’s agenda, but really strap rocket boosters to it and make sure that we get as much done as fast as we can.” LISTEN: “Because, as you know, we got about two years. And really in two years, we got about 200 days to get our legislation crafted, to get our appointees in place, and to lay the groundwork for the America First agenda,” he added. Breitbart News Saturday airs on SiriusXM Patriot 125 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern.NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exciting Black Friday event filled with exclusive discounts and unbeatable offers on Monport Laser's cutting-edge machines, the excitement isn't over just yet. Monport Laser is keeping the momentum alive with a highly anticipated Cyber Monday Sale . This December 2 , get ready for exclusive savings, premium deals, and unparalleled opportunities to upgrade your laser engraving game. A Season for Creativity and Innovation Cyber Monday is more than just a sale—it's Monport's way of encouraging creators to explore their potential with state-of-the-art laser technology. Known for their CO2 lasers , fiber lasers , diode lasers , and premium accessories, Monport has built a reputation for empowering creativity, precision, and efficiency across various applications. This Cyber Monday, Monport Laser is set to take its offerings to the next level with deals tailored to meet the needs of hobbyists, professionals, and small business owners. Whether you're planning to start your laser engraving journey or upgrade your workshop, this event promises to deliver solutions for everyone. Missed Black Friday? Cyber Monday's Final Deals Await! For anyone who didn't catch Monport's Black Friday offers, Cyber Monday is here to ensure you don't end the season empty-handed. This event is not just a sale; it's an invitation to join a community of creators who rely on Monport's reliable, precise, and powerful laser engraving technology to bring their ideas to life. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to expand your creative horizons, a small business owner seeking to streamline operations, or a professional in need of advanced tools, Monport Laser's Cyber Monday Sale promises something for everyone. Unlock Endless Creative Possibilities Monport's range of CO2 lasers, fiber lasers, diode lasers, and engraving accessories is renowned for its versatility, efficiency, and quality. Cyber Monday will showcase exclusive deals across their entire product line, making it the perfect time to invest in the tools you need to elevate your projects. Customers who missed out on Black Friday now have another chance to experience: Don't Miss the Monport GM Fiber Laser Machine This Cyber Monday! This Cyber Monday , Monport is bringing something special—the all-new GM Fiber Laser Machine . Compact yet powerful, it delivers high-precision engraving on metals like gold, silver, copper, and more. With a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours and speeds reaching 10,000mm/s, it's the ultimate tool for professionals and small business owners. Offering true color marking and full Lightburn compatibility, the GM Fiber Laser is a game-changer that's set to elevate your laser engraving projects. Make sure to check it out during Monport's Cyber Monday sale—you won't want to miss this deal! The Stakes Are Higher—Act Fast! Black Friday was just the beginning, and Cyber Monday is set to deliver even more reasons to act quickly. Monport Laser is urging customers not to miss out on this final opportunity of the year. With inventory moving fast during Black Friday, only limited quantities of Monport's top-tier machines and accessories remain. This is your chance to prepare for the year ahead with Monport's industry-leading technology, designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced professionals. Sign Up to Stay Ahead Prepare for Monport Laser's Cyber Monday Sale —your final chance this year to unlock massive savings and upgrade to industry-leading engraving tools. December 2 is just around the corner, and time is running out! Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Shoppers are encouraged to sign up on Monport's official website to stay informed about Cyber Monday updates. By signing up, you'll receive exclusive reminders, ensuring you're the first to know when the sale goes live. About Monport Laser Monport Laser is a global leader in laser engraving and cutting solutions, providing reliable and innovative tools for hobbyists, professionals, and businesses. With a focus on precision, durability, and customer support, Monport is committed to empowering creators and helping businesses grow with their state-of-the-art engraving technology. Contact Information View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monport-cyber-monday-mega-sale-final-chance-to-save-big-on-laser-machines-this-2024-302319089.html SOURCE Monport Laser

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- DWS Municipal Income Trust (KTF) (the “Fund”) announced today its regular November monthly distribution. Details are as follows: Declaration – 12/06/2024 Ex-Date – 12/18/2024 Record – 12/18/2024 Payable – 12/30/2024 Fund Ticker Distribution Per Share Prior Distribution Per Share DWS Municipal Income Trust KTF $0.0610 $0.0610 The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income each year through its regular monthly distributions and to distribute any realized capital gains at least annually. In addition, in any monthly period, to maintain its declared per common share distribution amount, the Fund may distribute more or less than its net investment income during the period. In the event the Fund distributes more than its net investment income during any yearly period, such distributions may also include realized gains and/or a return of capital. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value. It is estimated that a portion of the Fund’s December distribution consists of a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of a shareholder’s investment is paid back to the shareholder. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of its monthly distribution. As required by Federal securities laws, the Fund will issue a notice to its common shareholders in connection with its monthly distribution that contains information about the amount and estimated sources of the distribution and other related information. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2024 will be made after the end of 2024 and will be provided on Form 1099-DIV. Important Information DWS Municipal Income Trust. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds, and there may be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any gains or losses. Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one-time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to the net asset value. The price of a fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction. Certain statements contained in this release may be forward-looking in nature. These include all statements relating to plans, expectations, and other statements that are not historical facts and typically use words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” ”estimated” and similar expressions. Such statements represent management’s current beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Management does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: (i) the effects of adverse changes in market and economic conditions; (ii) legal and regulatory developments; and (iii) other additional risks and uncertainties, including public health crises (including the pandemic spread of viruses), war, terrorism, trade disputes and related geopolitical events. War, terrorism, sanctions, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises and related geopolitical events have led, and, in the future, may lead to significant disruptions in US and world economies and markets, which may lead to increased market volatility and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments. NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY DWS Distributors, Inc. 222 South Riverside Plaza Chicago, IL 60606-5808 www.dws.com Tel (800) 621-1148 © 2024 DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. All rights reserved. The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-103920 -1) (12/24) View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206189075/en/ CONTACT: For additional information: DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500 Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366 DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 349-4281 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: DWS Distributors, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:35 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:36 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206189075/enStep-by-Step Guide on How to Open a Demat Account for First-Time Investors

The market didn't appreciate Amgen 's ( AMGN 1.00% ) latest clinical data update, with the biopharma's shares falling more than 12% at one point on Nov. 26 from the previous day's close, though they recovered to close just 4.7% down for the day. And, with shares of certain direct competitors, such as Eli Lilly ( LLY 0.91% ) , rising, the prevailing assumption seems to be that one company's stumble is another's gain. But is the market's reaction appropriate, or is this a good opportunity to buy the dip? Let's take a closer look at the situation to determine if this stock is still worth buying. The picture is far from being grim here Amgen is looking to compete in the all-important market for anti-obesity medicines, facing off against the reigning champions, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk ( NVO 0.63% ) . Those two companies have blockbuster weight loss drugs on the market that you've probably heard of -- Lilly makes Zepbound, and Novo makes Wegovy. Both medicines are formulated as weekly injections. Over the course of 52 weeks of treatment, Zepbound helps patients lose on average 24% of their mass, whereas Wegovy has been shown in clinical trials to lead to a 14% reduction in mass. But patients tend to defect from treatment at high rates as a result of the difficult gastrointestinal side effects associated with both. Some estimates contend that discontinuation rates of these drugs are on the order of 50% after one year of treatment for obesity, though it's important to note that the issue is far from settled scientifically; other estimates specify discontinuation rates of anywhere from roughly 7% to 17%. So, Amgen has an opening to develop a drug that would beat the incumbents if its candidate excels in (at least) one of three areas: efficacy in causing weight loss, convenience in dosing, or tolerability (side effects). Per the results reported by Amgen, its program called MariTide, which just completed its phase 2 clinical trials, led to patients experiencing weight loss of 20% of their mass on average over the course of a year. Only 8% of patients discontinued treatment as a result of gastrointestinal side effects, and effects like nausea reduced significantly after the first dose. Phase 3 clinical trials of the candidate will soon commence. At a glance, it's easy to see why the market reacted so negatively. MariTide isn't dramatically more effective than the competition, and, viewing its tolerability data as conservatively as possible, it's comparable to the discontinuation rate data the other candidates produced in rigorous investigations. Still, it has a distinct advantage in convenience, as it only requires monthly dosing rather than weekly dosing. The market isn't entirely off base For investors trying to figure out whether to buy Amgen's stock, there's one question that cuts to the core of the issue with regard to MariTide. Could MariTide one day steal market share from the likes of Wegovy and Zepbound, given its somewhat mediocre mid-stage data? The answer to that question is unambiguously yes, for three reasons. First, Amgen has an entire phase 3 trial ahead to calibrate the dosing and timing of doses for MariTide. With the data it has in hand, it'll doubtlessly set out to investigate the ideal patient demographics in which the candidate is the most effective and the most tolerable. Second, current weight loss medicines target patients diagnosed with obesity, and not those who may not necessarily be obese but, nonetheless, fall within the overweight category. That's because for drug companies, the trade-off right now between developing a drug that patients can tolerate for extended periods, versus a magic drug that quickly addresses obesity, despite potential side effects, falls firmly in the latter category. Still, weight-loss drugs addressing obesity won't remain the only competitive market. People are eventually going to need more tolerable and more convenient interventions that are suitable for weight maintenance, or weight loss in cases other than obesity. MariTide could potentially fill that niche. Finally, everyone's bodies react differently to medicines. Patients who found Zepbound or Wegovy to be too uncomfortable to stay on, or ineffective for their needs, will need an alternative, and MariTide could be that alternative if it's commercialized one day. Therefore, with the above in mind, Amgen's stock is still worth buying on the dip . There's no guarantee that MariTide will be a blockbuster drug or a stunning success, but given the market's falling out with the stock, it's very likely that the candidate's potential positive impact on the company's finances is being undervalued.None

The NFL has fined Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant $6,594 for an unsportsmanlike penalty he received in Week 12's victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Bryant intercepted Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray midway through the third quarter and returned it for a touchdown. As Bryant crossed the goal line, he paid tribute to former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch's famous "Beastquake" celebration NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted the play on X. The NFL fined #Seahawks CB Coby Bryant $6,594 for unsportsmanlike conduct (obscene gestures) — his Marshawn Lynch tribute with a crotch grab on the way into the end zone last week. pic.twitter.com/Krkb5y3def Getting fined for celebrations has been controversial among fans. Lynch was not fined or penalized when he first did the "Beastquake" celebration back in the 2011 postseason, however he was fined when he did it in 2014, which was also against the Cardinals. The NFL cited that Bryant made an obscene gesture by performing a "crotch grab." The amount of Bryant's fine is puzzling because Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was charged $19,697 for the exact same celebration just two weeks ago. Bryant commented on getting penalized for it after the game. “Actually, I talk to my dad and my brother before every game and I just sensed the energy from those two before the game, and I told them once I get a pick-six I was doing [the Lynch celebration], because we’re playing the Cardinals and everything,” Bryant said. Bryant won't likely dwell on this. Seattle got the win, and Bryant was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. The 6-5 Seahawks now leads the NFC West by a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. The two teams will meet again in Week 14 in what will be a pivotal matchup. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contest

The first phase of Norfolk’s $2.6 billion floodwall and flooding mitigation project has new renderings showing how the project would transform the downtown waterfront. The city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presented the new design diagrams this week as part of a presentation to the Norfolk Architectural Review Board. The renderings show how the wall would tower 16.5 feet above the Elizabeth River, near locations such as Harbor Park, the Elizabeth River Trail and the future Norfolk casino property. The first section of the first building phase, 1A, runs from Berkley Bridge to Campostella Bridge . The overall endeavor, called Coastal Storm Risk Management Project , is a city partnership with the Army Corps and includes not only a floodwall but a series of levees, tide gates, pump stations and other mitigation efforts across the city. The federal government plans to fund 65% of the project, leaving the city and state to fund the remaining $931 million. Though the wall itself is not designed to combat nuisance flooding caused by high tide or regular storms, new pump stations at phase 1A would help would help address the problem around Harbor Park, said Doug Beaver, deputy city manager, during a Monday Norfolk City Council retreat. Beaver said the pumps would redirect storm water and could be turned on during rainstorms when necessary. The project drew criticism from community leaders in neighborhoods such as Berkley, Campostella and Campostella Heights, which were left out of initial floodwall plans. Afterward, the City Council asked the Army Corps to study whether the locations could be included. However, the Corps did not receive funding for that study, at least for 2024, according to WHRO reporting. Property owners and other residents in the historic, wealthy West Freemason district also have voiced opposition to the floodwall , saying it would block waterfront views and decrease property values. The design team plans to revise floodwall designs after input from the Architectural Review Board and submit then for approval at a later date, said Megan Shearin, a project spokesperson with the city’s Office of Resilience. Project leaders will hold monthly open houses on the project and city flood mitigation strategies and also ramp up other community meetings going forward, Beaver said at the retreat. The 1A design also needs to go through the Army Corps’ approval process, he said. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

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New Orleans Saints vs. Green Back Packers FREE LIVE STREAM (12/23/24) | How to watch, time, TV channel for Monday Night Football

A pair of teams with minimal rest will face off in Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday when No. 22 St. John takes on Georgia. St. John's (5-1), which will play its third game in four days, began the stretch in the Bahamas Championship on Thursday, dropping a heartbreaker to No. 13 Baylor. The Red Storm led by 18 in the first half before Baylor forced overtime. From there, St. John's rallied from five down with 1:47 left to send the game to a second overtime, where it saw Baylor knock down a pair of 3-pointers in the final seven seconds -- including Jeremy Roach's buzzer-beater -- to knock off the Red Storm 99-98. In the third-place game on Friday, St. John's breezed past Virginia 80-55. RJ Luis Jr. led the way with 18 points and four steals, followed by Kadary Richmond's 12 points, as the Red Storm took a one-point lead with 15:21 left in the first half and didn't trail again. "I'm really impressed with our guys, coming off a double-overtime, extremely emotional loss," St. John's head coach Rick Pitino said. "To respond that way was extremely impressive, both offensively and defensively." Pitino, in his second year with the Red Storm, was moved by something off the court on Friday, involving captain Zuby Ejiofor, who chipped in eight points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks. Ejiofor was serenaded by St. John's fans during the win, following his two missed free throws at the end of double overtime against Baylor. "When you've only been in a job for a year, you search for things you love about a place," Pitino said. "Tonight I found out what I love about St. John's. Our fans chanted Zuby's name the whole game, which doesn't happen anywhere else in America. I was really impressed with our fans and I thank them for making Zuby feel good, because he gives you all the energy." Luis leads the Red Storm with 17.3 points per game, followed by Ejiofor (10.7), Aaron Scott (10.5), Deivon Smith (10.3) and Richmond (10.2). Georgia enters Sunday's matchup looking to rebound from its first loss after falling to No. 15 Marquette 80-69 on Saturday. Georgia (5-1) battled back from a 15-point, second-half deficit, but was held to just three points over the final 4:57 in Saturday's loss. Blue Cain led the Bulldogs with a season-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers. "It's a process. It's a journey with this team," Bulldogs head coach Mike White said. "It's about continuing to make strides, continuing to protect our culture. ... At the end of the day, wins and losses are going to take care of themselves. We just have to embrace the process and enjoy it." Five-star freshman recruit Asa Newell was held to a season-low nine points but leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Silas Demary Jr. is second with 13.8. --Field Level Media

False hope: Last week's gains just 'dead cat bounce'Kansas City Chiefs back to winning ways against Carolina PanthersNone

NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of " The Simpsons Funday Football. " Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.None

Methodist preschool’s commitment in upholding quality early education laudedPresident-elect Donald Trump has tapped several border hawks with decades of experience for top positions at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has been nominated to lead DHS, Trump announced this week the nomination of Rodney Scott to lead the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which oversees the protection of the nation’s borders. Scott, Trump noted, served almost three decades at Border Patrol and led the agency through its implementation of the Remain in Mexico policy, Title 42, Safe Third Country Agreements, and oversaw record low levels of illegal immigration. In August of 2021, President Joe Biden had Scott removed as Border Patrol Chief where he had served since January 2020. Similarly, Trump announced the appointment of Caleb Vitello to become acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Vitello has served more than 23 years at ICE and currently works as the assistant director of the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs. “Caleb’s exceptional leadership, extensive experience, and commitment to ICE’s mission make him an excellent choice to implement my efforts to enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien crime,” Trump said. Tony Salisbury, currently the special agent in charge for ICE, has also been named Deputy Homeland Security Advisor on the White House Homeland Security Council, where he will serve under Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller. The appointments come as Trump has named former Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan as his border czar. Homan has expertise in the logistics of deportations, knowledge that he is expected to use to carry out the largest deportation program in American history. John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter here .

NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of " The Simpsons Funday Football. " Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.

Abbotsford's Devon Toews representing Canada at 4 Nations Face-OffiCoreConnect CEO McDermott purchases $49,421 in common stock

Quest Partners LLC Invests $630,000 in Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)You see someone in the midst of a mental breakdown, or high on drugs. Call 911 and they may get arrested. Things could get worse from there. They might lose their job, their apartment. Rather than get the care that could pull them out of a crisis, they could land in custody and spiral into further trouble. So a new program funded by the Kansas City Council offers another response: A call to an alternative number could hook the person up with a mental health clinician, a social worker or another professional to get them help. Kansas City’s fledgling Responding with Empathetic Alternatives and Community Health, or REACH, program aims to cut crime and keep people committing nonviolent offenses out of jail. The program launched in December and operates along the Prospect Avenue corridor from 27th Street to 45th Street. It offers a shortcut to help with homelessness, mental health issues and substance abuse problems. So instead of calling 911 and making it a police problem, residents can call 816-513-6010 or submit an inquiry at reach@kcmo.org to put REACH on the case. The Kansas City Council approved $1.2 million for the program, which sprang from a joint effort of the Kansas City Fire Department, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Kansas City Police Department. Representatives with the program said they are still establishing the hours of operation. If it works, said 6th District Councilmember Johnathan Duncan, it will be expanded across the city.The next expansion phase will be downtown, leaders with Decarcerate KC said. This is republished under a Creative Commons license.

US diesel exports to ARA set to rise on scarce European supply, firm US productionNEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin extended its streak of record highs after ticking above $99,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency has rocketed more than 40% in just two weeks. Now, bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000, just two years after dropping below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . The dramatic rally rolls on as industry players expect the incoming Trump administration to bring a more “crypto-friendly” approach toward regulating the digital currency. Bitcoin was trading at $99,526 Friday afternoon, according to CoinDesk. As with everything in the volatile crypto markets, the future is impossible to know. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Here’s what you need to know. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But, chances are, you've heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but the large majority of daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Crypto industry players have welcomed Trump’s victory, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, recently pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. How of this will actually pan out — and whether or not Trump will successfully act quickly on these promises — has yet to be seen. “This is not necessarily a short-term story, it’s likely a much longer-term story," Citi macro strategist David Glass told The Associated Press last week. "And there is the question of how quickly can U.S. crypto policy make a serious impact on (wider adoption).” One step Trump must take in the short-term is name a new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shares oversight of cryptocurrencies. Gary Gensler, current chair of the SEC, has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on crypto over recent years, penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. But he's also faced criticism from industry players in the process, like the chief legal officer of Robinhood , who described Gensler's approach toward crypto as “rigid” and "hostile.” Gensler will step down in January when Trump takes office. Adam Morgan McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko, thinks the industry is craving “just some sort of clarity.” Much of the approach to regulating crypto in the past has been “enforcement based,” he notes, which has been helpful in weeding out some bad actors — but legislation might fill in other key gaps. Despite crypto’s recent excitement around Trump, McCarthy said that 2024 has already been a “hugely consequential year for regulation in the U.S.” — pointing to January’s approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, for example, which mark a new way to invest in the asset. Spot ETFs have been the dominant driver of bitcoin for some time now — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. According to Kaiko , bitcoin ETFs recorded $6 billion in trade volume for the week of the election alone. In April, bitcoin also saw its fourth “halving” — a preprogrammed event that impacts production by cutting the reward for mining, or the creation of new bitcoin, in half. In theory, if demand remains strong, some analysts say this “supply shock” can also help propel the price long term. Others note it may be too early to tell. History shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of Federal Reserve rate hikes. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs. But experts still stress caution, especially for small-pocketed investors. And lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could mean less guardrails. “I would say, keep it simple. And don’t take on more risk than you can afford to," McCarthy said — adding that there isn't a “magic eight ball” to know for certain what comes next. Assets like bitcoin are produced through a process called “mining,” which consumes a lot of energy. Operations relying on pollutive sources have drawn particular concern over the years. Recent research published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal found that the carbon footprint of 2020-2021 bitcoin mining across 76 nations was equivalent to the emissions from burning 84 billion pounds of coal or running 190 natural gas-fired power plants. Coal satisfied the bulk of bitcoin’s electricity demands (45%), followed by natural gas (21%) and hydropower (16%). Environmental impacts of bitcoin mining boil largely down to the energy source used. Industry analysts have maintained that clean energy has increased in use in recent years, coinciding with rising calls for climate protections

Kansas City Chiefs back to winning ways against Carolina PanthersThe hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answersAmber Heard Speaks Out on Blake Lively’s Complaint Against Justin Baldoni By has spoken out about ‘s recent complaint against , as well as the social media backlash the actress faced earlier this year. What did Amber Heard say about the Blake Lively situation? In a statement to NBC News, Heard said that social media is a perfect analogy for the old phrase “a lie travels halfway around the world before the truth can gets its boots on,” and that she has lived the experience Lively is going through “firsthand,” a reference to her defamation lawsuit against her former partner, Johnny Depp. “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive,” said Heard. Heard’s case against Depp gained worldwide notoriety in 2022, and garnered opinions from any and everyone on the internet. Fans of both Heard and Depp’s were viciously defending either online, and following a jury that Heard had defamed Depp and awarding Depp $5 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages, the actress called the decision a wrong one, and one that “sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.” Lively’s complaints against Baldoni include claims of sexual harassment and a smear campaign In the case of Lively and Baldoni, this past week, Lively alleging him of sexual harassment and of coordinating an effort to destroy her reputation. In Lively’s claims, she states that things got so bad during filming that an all-hands-on-deck meeting was called due to her claims of a hostile work environment. During the meeting, Lively asked that Baldoni stop showing her nude videos or images of women, that he stop mentioning his pornography addiction to her, that Baldoni stop discussing sexual experiences in front of her, and that he also stop mentioning Lively’s weight. The complaint also claims that an agreement was made between production company Wayfarer Studios and the cast, in which the promotion of the movie would focus “more on [Lively’s character’s] strength and resilience as opposed to describing the film as a story about domestic violence.” However, Lively claims that Baldoni would renege on that and instead spoke in interviews about the film’s serious story. Lively also claimed that Baldoni and his PR manager, Melissa Nathan, discussed ways in which to start a social media campaign to harm her reputation. The filing by Lively includes 22 pages of texts between Baldoni’s publicist and Nathan, in which they discuss wanting to have Lively “buried.” (Source: ) Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share articleKozhikode (Kerala), Nov 24 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) performed remarkably well in the bypolls held in the state, despite the Congress-led UDF unleashing a false campaign against the government and joining hands with communal outfits to ensure their victory. He said the LDF achieved a significant victory in the Chelakkara assembly constituency and could increase its vote share in Palakkad segment in the bypolls, the results of which were announced on Saturday. Taking a dig at the opposition front, the CM asked what had happened even after the Congress-led UDF vigorously campaigned that the bypoll would be an evaluation of the state government. Addressing a party programme here, Vijayan said that the UDF made all attempts to wrest the Chelakkara constituency and gave utmost prominence for the constituency during the campaigning. He said the Congress tried to achieve a huge political victory by winning Chelakkara. "Then, what had happened when the results were announced?" Vijayan asked. He also accused the opposition front of joining hands with outfits like SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami to defeat the LDF in the bypolls held to Palakkad and Chelakkara assembly seats and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. If the bypoll result was examined overall, it could be seen that people of the state had stood with the Left government strongly, he said. The UDF candidate could not retain her vote share in Chelakkara, when compared to the performance of the party in the segment in the last Lok Sabha polls. But the LDF candidate could ensure his victory by achieving a remarkable margin, the CM added. Both the LDF and the UDF retained the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly seats respectively with a comfortable margin in the bypolls. The Congress won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a thumping margin. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

https://arab.news/7mnwp DOHA: Qatar’s prime minister said Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at cementing a truce and hostage exchange deal in Gaza following the election of Donald Trump as US president. “We have sensed, after the election, that the momentum is coming back,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told the Doha Forum for political dialogue. The Qatari prime minister explained that while there were “some differences” in the approach to an agreement by the outgoing and incoming US administrations, “we didn’t see or recognize any disagreement on the goal itself to end the war.” The Gulf emirate, along with the United States and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release after 14 months of war. But in November, Doha announced it had put its mediation on hold, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed “willingness and seriousness.” Sheikh Mohammed said there had been “a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” adding this had affected the Qatari decision to get talks “back on track” over the last two weeks. “We hope to get things done as soon as possible. We hope that the willingness of the parties to engage in a good faith continues,” he said. The prime minister also brushed off the prospect of Qatar facing greater pressure over the status of its political bureau for Hamas, which the Gulf state has hosted since 2012 with the blessing of the United States. He called the office a “platform to convene between the different parties,” adding that Qatar was not “expected to enforce solutions” on the Palestinian militants. On Syria, Qatar’s prime minister said Syrian President Bashar Assad failed to engage with his people and address issues like the return of refugees during a period of calm in the country’s war. “Assad didn’t seize these opportunities to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people, and we didn’t see any serious movement, whether it’s on the return of the refugees or on reconciling with his own people,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said at the Doha Forum for political dialogue. Qatar — which gave early support to the opposition after Assad’s government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011, leading to the civil war — remains a fierce critic of the Syrian leader but is calling for a negotiated end to the fighting. Sheikh Mohammed said the world had been “surprised” by the speed of a recent rapid advance by Islamist-led militants in Syria and cautioned that the situation might become “more and more dangerous,” threatening a return to a more intense level of civil war. He added such an outcome would “damage and destroy what’s left, if there is not any sense of urgency to start putting (in place) a political framework for what’s happening over there... in order to find a political solution.”Oligarchy is a form of government where the richest people in a country have captured its political system (or even filled it with themselves) and use that control to direct much of the government's efforts to increasing their own wealth and power. We'll soon again have a billionaire president — helped to power by the richest billionaire on the planet — with his election campaign funded in large part by at least $2 billion in direct, reported donations from roughly 150 billionaire families. It appears that the other roughly 350 billionaires who openly funded Trump in 2020 chose, this time, to instead donate to "dark money" SuperPACs created by five corrupt Republicans on the Supreme Court with Citizens United that don't list their donors or, in many cases, even report their expenditures. With an estimated $15 billion spent on this 2024 election, their expenditures probably dwarf the ones we know about (and collectively they carpet-bombed Americans in often-deceptive political advertising). And none of that covers the additional billions in "free media" Trump got from FOX "News," rightwing hate radio, and Musk apparently altering the Xitter algorithm to favor messages friendly to himself and/or Trump while suppressing anti-Trump or pro-Harris posts. This is extraordinarily bad for average Americans: With billionaires calling the shots in the upcoming Trump administration we can expect more pollution, fewer consumer protections, a war on unions, a frozen $7.25 federal minimum wage, bigger subsidies and grants to billionaires' companies (from the fossil fuel industry to defense and SpaceX), lower taxes on the morbidly rich, and cuts to social services and entitlement programs. But far more concerning is the simple reality that oligarchies are merely transitional forms of government, as I mentioned on Ali Velshi's show Sunday morning and wrote in The Hidden History of American Oligarchy. Ever since Ronald Reagan embraced neoliberalism (free trade, gut unions,... Thom Hartmann, AlterNet( ) has long been a favourite among Canadian dividend investors for its impressive yield. Yet lately, cracks have started to appear in its financial foundation. In contrast, ( ) continues to shine as a beacon of stability and growth. Offering a safer haven for those looking for reliable long-term investments. While TRP’s high dividend might catch your eye, RY’s comprehensive strength makes it the better choice right now. The dividend TRP’s dividend yield of 4.80% certainly stands out, but investors should dig deeper before jumping in. The dividend stock’s payout ratio of 77.60% raises red flags. This means TRP allocates most of its earnings to dividends. Leaving little room to reinvest in the business or buffer against economic downturns. Compounding this issue is the company’s staggering debt-to-equity ratio of 178.88%. This points to heavy reliance on borrowed money. In a high-interest-rate environment, this level of leverage could lead to significant financial strain. RY offers a far more balanced picture. Its dividend yield of 3.23% might not be as high as TRP’s. Yet it is underpinned by a payout ratio of just 48.98%, leaving plenty of room for reinvestment and growth. Moreover, RY’s financial health is impeccable, with a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.57 and a forward P/E of 13.66. Thus signalling that it is not only profitable but also reasonably valued compared to its peers. Into earnings Recent earnings further highlight the divergence between these two companies. For the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, TRP posted a modest revenue growth of 3.60% year over year, with quarterly earnings growth not even registering. This performance underscores its struggle to generate meaningful growth in a challenging operating environment. RY, in stark contrast, delivered a robust 13% revenue growth and an impressive 16.20% increase in quarterly earnings. This steady performance reflects RY’s ability to navigate headwinds effectively; it’s supported by diversified revenue streams and a strong operational base. TRP’s cash flow challenges are another significant concern. While its operating cash flow of $7.47 billion might look decent at first glance, the dividend stock is running a negative levered free cash flow. This means that it is spending more than it generates after meeting its financial obligations and capital expenditures. This shortfall suggests that TRP may struggle to fund future growth without further increasing its debt. RY, however, is in a league of its own with $732.14 billion in total cash, providing an enormous cushion to weather economic volatility or seize growth opportunities. Historically, TRP’s performance has been inconsistent, with its 52-week range showcasing significant volatility. Its current price is near its year-high, which might limit further upside potential. In contrast, RY has steadily climbed, with a 52-week high of $179.86, currently trading close to this peak, reflecting consistent investor confidence. Future outlook Looking ahead, TRP faces mounting uncertainties. Cost overruns on major projects and regulatory hurdles could weigh heavily on its future earnings and balance sheet. The sector itself is also subject to increasing scrutiny and volatility, adding another layer of risk. On the flip side, RY has a positive outlook, driven by technological investments, international expansion, and a focus on diversified services. Its consistent return on equity (ROE) of 13.68% shows efficient management. And its robust fundamentals ensure it is well-positioned for growth. When it comes to dividends, TRP’s high yield is tempting, but its sustainability is under question. Investors should consider whether the company can maintain such payouts given its limited financial flexibility and heavy debt burden. Meanwhile, RY has a long history of dividend growth, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders in a sustainable manner. With a lower payout ratio, RY is far less likely to cut dividends even during challenging times. Bottom line While TRP might seem attractive for its high yield, it comes with considerable risks. Its financial challenges, mounting debt, and modest growth prospects make it a risky bet, particularly in the current economic environment. RY, by contrast, offers a dependable mix of stability, growth, and dividends. For investors seeking long-term value, RY is the clear winner. A blue-chip stock that rewards patience and provides peace of mind in uncertain times.

app fortune rabbit NoneArizona State makes College Football Playoff with 45-19 win over Iowa State in Big 12 title gameOver-the-Rhine's Wildweed named one of Esquire's 'Best New Restaurants' in 2024LysteMize Digestion of Livestock Waste: Lystek announces research project with support from Natural Resources Canada

Sitime Corp's CFO Elizabeth Howe sells $878,120 in stock

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HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company's collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron's new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand's tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that "We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company's website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. This story was corrected to fix the spelling of Ken Lay’s first name, which had been misspelled “Key.” Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70Multi-year collaboration aims to expand artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, foster innovation, and enhance industry-specific solutions for diverse business leaders NEW YORK , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Genpact (NYSE: G ), a global professional services and solutions firm delivering outcomes that shape the future, today announced a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) with plans to accelerate the adoption of AI and empower business leaders across functions to harness its transformative potential. By simplifying access to cutting-edge data and AI technologies, Genpact and AWS are allowing a broad range of decision-makers—from CFOs and COOs to procurement and operations leaders—to drive innovation within their organizations. "Our collaboration with AWS is focused on bringing AI innovations directly to the forefront of decision-making across every line of business," said Murat Aksu , Global Leader for Partnerships, Genpact. "This Strategic Collaboration Agreement will break down traditional barriers to AI adoption, making it accessible to business leaders beyond the CIO's office, and help our clients accelerate value through AI-driven insights and solutions." While AI innovations were previously centralized within IT functions, this expanded collaboration ensures that advanced technologies can now be seamlessly integrated into all business lines. Genpact's collaboration with AWS democratizes AI capabilities, offering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of multiple business areas, empowering them to solve complex challenges with agility and efficiency. "Thanks to the Genpact and AWS collaboration, we've been able to become a fully cloud-native fixed-annuity provider," said Bob Guilmette , Chief Information Officer, Revol One Financial. "With AWS and Genpact's advanced technology expertise, we are streamlining operations, accelerating product launches, and enhancing digital customer experiences, positioning ourselves for sustainable growth and a competitive edge over legacy insurers." As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, Genpact brings deep expertise in AI, data and analytics. With nearly 1,000 certified AWS professionals, Genpact helps clients unlock the full potential of AWS services, including Amazon Connect and Amazon OpenSearch, to modernize operations and scale AI solutions. Genpact's numerous offerings in AWS Marketplace include: ContactUs.Ai: an end-to-end AI-powered customer experience solution Property Contents Claim solution: powered by generative AI, allows seamless digital experience and automation from inventory creation through settlement riskCanvas Discovery: empowers financial institutions with process improvement and automation, including generative AI integration for efficient financial crime prevention and compliance "We are expanding our collaboration with Genpact to drive AI transformation across industries," said Rima Olinger , Managing Director, North America Partners, AWS. "Genpact's industry expertise and advanced technology capabilities make them a valuable partner in helping organizations harness AI effectively, empowering business leaders to leverage data-driven insights and achieve their strategic objectives." This collaboration underscores the value of Genpact and AWS to provide flexibility and unlock greater business value for customers across industries. To learn how Genpact and AWS help enterprises across every industry and function, click here . About Genpact Genpact (NYSE: G ) is a global professional services and solutions firm delivering outcomes that shape the future. Our 125,000+ people across 30+ countries are driven by our innate curiosity, entrepreneurial agility, and desire to create lasting value for clients. Powered by our purpose – the relentless pursuit of a world that works better for people – we serve and transform leading enterprises, including the Fortune Global 500, with our deep business and industry knowledge, digital operations services, and expertise in data, technology, and AI. Get to know us at genpact.com and on LinkedIn , X , YouTube , and Facebook . MEDIA CONTACT: Sue Martenson Genpact Media Relations +1 978-905-9582 [email protected] SOURCE Genpact Ltd.Jay-Z was named in a Diddy lawsuit. Will other celebrities be next?Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

No. 22 Xavier unbeaten but looking for more effort vs. South CarolinaLOS ANGELES — Southern California’s notorious Santa Ana winds were predicted to return Monday night and utilities said they are prepared to cut power to hundreds of thousands of customers in areas where strong gusts could damage electrical equipment and spark wildfires. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for high fire risk with a rare “particularly dangerous situation,” or PDS, designation starting at 8 p.m. Monday into Tuesday for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The last time PDS red flags went up was the first week of November, when powerful, dry winds fed the Mountain Fire, which destroyed at least 240 buildings, mostly homes, in Ventura County. Before that, a PDS red flag warning hadn’t been issued for the region since 2020. “This event has the potential to be as strong as the November 5th-6th Santa Ana event that led to the Mountain Fire,” the weather service office for Los Angeles said Sunday on social media. Southern California Edison said it was considering targeted power shut-offs for more than 250,000 homes and businesses across seven counties starting Monday evening. Meanwhile San Diego Gas & Electric said it has notified nearly 117,500 customers that they might temporarily lose service to reduce the chance of wildfires. Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore. They typically occur during the fall months and continue through winter and into early spring. In Northern California, the weather service said chances were increasing for an “impactful rainfall event” late in the week for the San Francisco Bay Area.

An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onAP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. EST

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Qatar tribune Satyendra Pathak Doha Qatar’s healthcare landscape entered a transformative phase with the launch of the inaugural Qatar Medicare 2024 in Doha on Tuesday. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and in partnership with Qatar Chamber, the three-day event serves as a vital platform for showcasing cutting-edge innovations, fostering collaborations, and driving investments in the healthcare sector. Organised by International Fairs & Promotions (IFP Qatar), the first edition of Qatar’s international healthcare and medical trade exhibition and conferenceit brings together over 100 local and international companies, uniting stakeholders, experts, and investors to redefine the future of healthcare in Qatar andbeyond. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, director of the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases Preventive Programs at MoPH, alongside prominent figures including Faisal Mohamed Al Emadi, secretary general of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, chair of the health committee at Qatar Chamber. Their participation highlights Qatar’s commitment to establishing a world-class healthcare system that integrates innovation andsustainability. Speaking on the occasion, Al Ahmadani said, “The healthcare sector is a key pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, and the state is working tirelessly to build a high-quality, efficient healthcare system through the National Health Strategy 2024–2030 under the theme ‘Health for All.’ The private sector will play a pivotal role in achieving this vision, given its proven capabilities in delivering exceptional healthcareservices.” She said, “Qatar Chamber is fully committed to encouraging investors and business owners to engage in healthcare and pharmaceutical projects, leveraging the sector’s investment-friendly environment. We are also dedicated to fostering collaboration between public and private entities to enhance sustainability and achieve self-sufficiency in medical services and pharmaceuticals. “Qatar Medicare provides an exceptional platform for stakeholders in the healthcare sector to network, exchange ideas and expertise, and showcase the latest innovations and technological solutions in the field. This contributes to fostering collaboration and building new partnerships that benefit everyone involved.” Al Emadi said, “We are pleased to take part in Qatar Medicare Exhibition, particularly following the successful conclusion of the QRCS’s second Annual Scientific Conference. This event provides an invaluable platform for exploring cutting-edge medical solutions and pioneering initiatives while offering opportunities to engage with representatives from local and international healthcare institutions, exchange expertise, and learn about innovations in health and emergency care. Participating in this event underscores our commitment to addressing healthcare challenges, enhancing collaboration with healthcare partners, and developing innovative projects that serve both Qatar and the global healthcare sector.” The exhibition features the participation and sponsorship of a diverse range of key governmental and semi-governmental entities vital to Qatar’s healthcare sector. Key partners include Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation as official partners, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology as the government partner, Al Jazira Healthcare Manufacturing Company as diamond sponsor, the Qatar Red Crescent Society and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar as the gold sponsors, and the Qatar Cancer Society as the silver sponsor. Additionally, a broad array of private sector entities, including hospitals, medical centers, insurance companies, medical equipment suppliers and healthcare service providers, are actively involved, showcasing the seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing healthcare in Qatar. The exhibition showcases the latest healthcare innovations and technologies, presented by participating local and international entities, aiming to improve efficiency and quality of care, with an emphasis on digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, medical robotics, and electronic health records. It also explores investment opportunities in Qatar’s healthcare sector and plans for expanding healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, it includes specialised workshops and accredited sessions tailored for healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge of global best practices, while highlighting initiatives to improve healthcare services, including advances in primary care, disease prevention, and chronic disease management. IFP Qatar General Manager Haidar Mshaimesh said, “The Qatar Medicare exhibition is an ideal platform for building partnerships between the public and private sectors in healthcare. Furthermore, it connects government entities like the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the Primary Health Care Corporation with private companies, enabling networking and collaboration. The event also helps private companies explore investments in state-led healthcare projects, contributing to the development of Qatar’s healthcare infrastructure, while promoting knowledge and technology transfer between global and local companies and government entities, fostering the adoption of innovative solutions to strengthen the healthcaresystem.” Additionally, Mshaimesh said, “It features panel discussions and workshops to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences and the development of strategic alliances. The exhibition promotes partnerships that increase reliance on local healthcare products and services, reducing foreign dependence and promoting economic sustainability. It also highlights global standards in healthcare, such as patient safety and quality of care, while encouraging Qatari companies to deliver innovative medical services and products. This, in turn, strengthens the independence of the healthcare system and enhances the sector’s appeal to foreign investors.” Al Jazira Healthcare Manufacturing Company CEO Ashraf Alshoun said, “The event’s Diamond Sponsor, stated: “Our company is dedicated to meeting the growing needs of Qatar’s healthcare system by providing high-quality medical supplies. Through our participation in this event, we aim to showcase our latest innovations, which are key to advancing the healthcare sector.” Joe Hazel, CEO of Apex Health, a leading healthcare group, said, “Apex Health is glad to participate in Qatar Medicare 2024, showcasing our unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare in Qatar and the region. As Qatari healthcare company with a growing regional footprint, we are dedicated to supporting the development of world-class healthcare systems that prioritise innovation, accessibility, and excellence, ensuring healthier futures for all.” The conference agenda covers key topics including Qatar’s e-health Strategy, mechanisms for advancing Qatar National Vision 2030, strategic health infrastructure investments, and building a competitive healthcare system. It also examines the National Health Strategy (2024–2030), the modernisation programme for Hamad General Hospital, alongside initiatives to provide high-quality healthcare for migrant workers in Qatar. Additionally, the conference explores future technologies transforming the healthcare sector through specialized sessions presented by Mannai Corporation (Cisco), the exclusive Technology Partner, featuring leading experts. While Al Emadi Hospital, the Silver Sponsor, will shed light on excellence in healthcare technologies and services. Al Emadi Hospital Group CEO & Medical Director Abdulelah Al Adimi said, “We are delighted to participate in this event, which marks a significant milestone in the development of Qatar’s healthcare sector. This exhibition is a key platform for bringing together medical expertise and experience under one roof, reflecting Qatar’s ongoing support for healthcare improvement. “It also highlights the advancements in the healthcare system and fosters collaboration between health institutions and specialized companies. As the first private hospital established in Qatar, the participation of Al Emadi Hospital Group and its branches in this event, underscores its commitment to adopting new medical technologies and artificial intelligence to provide the best possible care to the community.” The conference will also explore methods for decoding healthcare data through analytics and artificial intelligence to extract actionable insights. Additionally, accredited training from Metco Care Health Services, the silver sponsor, will tackle the fundamentals of healthcare analytics, covering its applications in healthcare, including forecasting, simulation, real-world use cases, value-based care, population health management and healthcare analytics. For the first time, the event will feature a stage for innovative healthcare startups, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, enabling them to showcase their solutions and initiatives to a targeted audience of investors and healthcare leaders. Participants can showcase their groundbreaking concepts, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore potential partnerships with key industry players. Startups will also have the chance to give live presentations, demonstrating the practical impact of theirinnovations. Copy 04/12/2024 10None

No. 22 Xavier unbeaten but looking for more effort vs. South CarolinaGuessing game over Trump's Treasury pick adds to US bond market's negative moodDoha [Qatar], December 7 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met President and CEO of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende on the sidelines of Doha Forum. The leaders discussed the global economic and political scenario. Also Read | 'Matter of Immense Pride for India': PMO on Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad's Elevation As Cardinal by Pope Francis. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "A good conversation with Borge Brende of World Economic Forum in Doha today. Discussed the global economic and political scenario." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1865416400694554754 Also Read | South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Survives Impeachment Over Martial Law Declaration As His Party Leaders Boycott Vote. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos. The two spoke about developments in the Mediterranean as well as India-Cyprus bilateral partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Glad to meet FM Constantinos Kombos of Cyprus today. Spoke about developments in the Mediterranean as well as our bilateral partnership." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1865415989422121070 Kombos said he was 'pleased' to meet Jaishankar. In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to meet with India's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. Exchange of views on regional and international issues, and the further enhancement of Cyprus- India bilateral relations." https://x.com/ckombos/status/1865387213376123022 Earlier, Jaishankar on Saturday met Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani and Minister of State, Ahmed Al Sayed on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. The leaders were seen shaking hands and holding talks. "Pleased to meet Qatari Minister of Commerce & Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani and MoS Ahmed Al Sayed on the sidelines of the Doha Forum today," Jaishankar stated in a post on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1865389171285565949 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar participated in the Doha Forum on the topic "Conflict Resolution in a New Era". https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1865387847106093315 In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to participate in Doha Forum panel today on the topic "Conflict Resolution in a New Era" in Doha today along with PM & FM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar and FM Espen Barth Eide of Norway. As the conflicts around us increase, the need of the hour is more diplomacy, not less." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

background fortune rabbit NEW YORK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is pleased to announce that it released a total of 2,367 new part numbers in 2024, including introductions from SMP's Vehicle Control and Temperature Control divisions. New coverage for late-model import and domestic vehicles was added across all powertrains, including advanced internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and electric. Standard's ongoing commitment to advanced internal combustion engine (ICE) technology is evident in this year's releases. The Standard® Gas Fuel Injection program expands with the introduction of ten new Direct Injection High-Pressure Fuel Pumps covering 2.5 million import and domestic vehicles, and GDI High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits were added for GM cars and SUVs. Additionally, 31 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) Fuel Injectors were added. Standard's Turbocharger program expanded with the addition of several new Turbocharger Kits, as well as an array of related components such as Intercoolers, Bypass Valves, Wastegate Solenoids and more. Thirteen new Oil Filter Housing Assemblies and Kits were introduced with coverage for Chrysler, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Audi, Volvo and more. Emission control systems are increasingly complex, and Standard® has them covered more than ever before, with extensive additions to its evaporative emission, exhaust gas recirculation, and crankcase emission programs. Multiple Canister Purge Solenoids and Valves have been introduced, as well as over 30 EGR Tubes, Engine Crankcase Breather Hoses for nearly 14 million vehicles, and Fuel Vapor Canisters for popular Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Lexus and Toyota vehicles. Multiple powertrain-neutral categories are forecasted to grow, and Standard® has released extensive coverage in these categories. A total of 72 ABS Speed Sensors were added to Standard's product line this year, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) categories also saw substantial increases, with the addition of 53 new Park Assist Cameras and 76 Park Assist Sensors covering millions of late-model vehicles. Electronic Parking Brake Actuators were also released for over 13 million vehicles including the 2023-19 Mazda 3, 2024-23 Ford Heavy Duty trucks and Jeep SUVs through 2024. Four Seasons® introduced new coverage which included Hose Assemblies for millions of import and domestic vehicles. New Compressors were also added, with coverage for popular vehicles like the 2023-22and 2023-21 Hyundai Elantra. Coverage for hybrid and electric vehicles expands with Electric Coolant Pumps for the 2022-16 Lexus RX450h, 2019-17 Toyota Highlander, 2019-18 Toyota Prius C and more. Four Seasons' Air Door Actuator program has expanded, with dozens of new numbers, offering coverage for Ford, Chrysler, Subaru, Infiniti, Toyota and more. Additional categories that see expansion include Water Inlets, Water Outlets, Evaporators, Heater Cores and more. Jack Ramsey , Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SMP, stated, "We are proud of the expansion displayed by both divisions in 2024. Our distribution partners continually look to SMP for the highest-quality components along with expansive coverage, and we are committed to exceeding their expectations." All new applications are listed in the catalogs found at StandardBrand.com and 4S.com , and in electronic catalog providers. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. SMP sells its products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia , Mexico and other Latin America countries. For more information, download the SMP ® Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/standard-motor-products-releases-2-367-new-numbers-in-2024--302336665.html SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc."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.MIAMI , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gary Brecka , wife Sage Workinger and respective entities, IJS and TPH, today filed significant lawsuits related to their partnership with Cardone Ventures, LLC. The first complaint is a $100M defamation lawsuit filed by Brecka and Workinger against Elena Cardone , wife of Grant Cardone who co-founded 10X Health with Brecka and Workinger. It details the process by which Mrs. Cardone launched an allegedly intentional smear campaign designed to damage Brecka's reputation, including making false incendiary social media posts and nefarious public statements. The second complaint names Cardone Ventures LLC, a consulting firm claiming to help founders scale their businesses, and its CEO Brandon Dawson as defendants. The complaint details predatory efforts by Dawson and Cardone Ventures to take over 10X Health and edge out Brecka and Workinger through nefarious means and breaches of contractual agreements. Individuals who have worked with Cardone Ventures or CEO Brandon Dawson and may have information or similar complaints may call 305-603-0805 to leave confidential information for legal team review. Editor's Note #1: Copies of both complaints are included with this press release or available upon request. Exhibit information is also available upon request. Editor's Note #2: Brecka and Workinger are available for phone and on-camera interviews. Contact: Josh Merkin rbb communications (954) 789-5530 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renowned-human-biologist-and-longevity-expert-gary-brecka-files-100m-defamation-claim-against-elena-cardone-and-lawsuit-against-cardone-ventures-in-response-to-questionable-business-practices-302339380.html SOURCE IJS and TPH

2 House Republicans seek to stop IVF expansion in defense billDrones over US show gaps in airspace security, says top Trump adviser Michael Waltz gestures on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, July 17, 2024. — Reuters WASHINGTON: A raft of drone sightings in New Jersey and other U.S. states has underscored gaps in U.S. airspace security that need to be closed, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration has played down concerns about a growing number of reported drone sightings, saying most of them involve manned aircraft and stressing that there is no evidence of any national security threat. But U.S. lawmakers, including some of Biden’s fellow Democrats, have expressed frustration the government is not being more transparent and more aggressive in addressing public concerns. Waltz said Americans were growing frustrated with the failure of Biden’s administration to clarify what information they have on the drone reports. “What the drone issue points out are kind of gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense Department,” Waltz told CBS News’ Face the Nation. “President Trump has talked about an Iron Dome for America,” Waltz said, referring to Israel’s missile defense system. “That needs to include drones as well, not just adversarial actions like hypersonic missiles.” Developed with U.S. backing, Israel’s Iron Dome is a mobile air defense system designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells that endanger populated areas. The spate of reported drone sightings began in New Jersey in mid-November but has spread in recent days to include Maryland, Massachusetts and other U.S. states. The sightings have garnered media attention and prompted creation of a Facebook page called “New Jersey Mystery Drones - let’s solve it” with nearly 70,000 online members. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the U.S. response, saying his agency had deployed personnel and technology. ”If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware of any,” Mayorkas told ABC News.

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https://arab.news/4yxue RIYADH: From protecting its growing digital infrastructure to exporting cybersecurity technologies and expertise, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key player in addressing global cyber threats. The Kingdom has made significant strides in developing its technology infrastructure, a key pillar of its Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil. This digital transformation has been accompanied by a comprehensive approach to online safety – including the adoption of the National Cybersecurity Strategy, which focuses on creating a secure digital landscape that supports rapid technological advancements. “The growth of Saudi Arabia’s tech infrastructure has substantially enhanced its cybersecurity capabilities,” Sohil Mohamed, director, cyber risk advisory lead at Alvarez & Marsal told Arab News. He praised the National Cybersecurity Strategy, saying that it prioritizes resilience, secure digital landscapes, and trust. This strategic approach ensures that Saudi Arabia’s technological growth is supported by adaptive risk management and dynamic defense mechanisms. In addition to the government’s efforts, the private sector has also played a critical role in building a secure digital ecosystem. The expanding cybersecurity market in Saudi Arabia As one of the fastest-growing markets in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity sector is valued at approximately SR13.3 billion. This rapidly expanding market offers substantial opportunities for public-private partnerships, particularly in developing advanced cybersecurity solutions and creating new business models for commercial involvement. Additionally, the Saudi government’s focus on digital transformation and cybersecurity has opened new avenues for investment. “Key areas of focus include the development of advanced cybersecurity solutions, engagement in public-private partnerships, and contributions to national initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Catalyst Program spearheaded by the National Cybersecurity Authority,” Mohamed said. These initiatives are driving a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen the Kingdom’s cyber resilience. Saudi Arabia’s investment in the sector also positions it as a key player in the global cybersecurity market. The government has partnered with international organizations and cybersecurity firms to enhance its capabilities and bolster the country’s readiness to handle large-scale cyber threats. This proactive stance is evident in Saudi Arabia’s role as host of major events, such as the Global Cybersecurity Forum, which brings together industry leaders. Sohil Mohamed, director, cyber risk advisory lead at Alvarez & Marsal. Supplied Protecting national infrastructure – a key priority Critical Information Infrastructure Protection has become a top priority for Saudi Arabia as it seeks to secure vital sectors, such as energy, finance, and transportation, from cyber threats. The Kingdom has experienced several high-profile cyberattacks, most notably the Shamoon attack in 2012, which targeted Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest energy companies. This incident underscored the importance of building robust cybersecurity measures to protect national assets. Saudi corporations are increasingly focused on quantifying the economic impact of potential cyberattacks, particularly in industries that form the backbone of the national economy. “Saudi corporations are progressively implementing sophisticated risk assessment tools and methodologies to quantify the economic impact of cyber threats,” Mohamed said. He explained that this includes evaluating potential financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage from cyber incidents. Additionally, cyber insurance is becoming a critical tool for mitigating risks. This provides financial protection against potential cyberattacks and promotes the adoption of best practices across industries. The growing reliance on cyber insurance reflects the increased awareness among Saudi businesses of the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. Exporting cybersecurity expertise and technology Saudi Arabia’s progress in cybersecurity is not only benefitting the Kingdom but also positioning it as a global leader capable of exporting expertise and technologies. The National Cybersecurity Authority has been instrumental in fostering international collaborations and creating platforms for knowledge sharing. Initiatives such as the National Cybersecurity Academy provide advanced training to professionals, equipping them with the skills needed to address both domestic and international challenges. Alvarez & Marsal’s Mohamed said: “By leveraging its robust cybersecurity frameworks and strategic partnerships, Saudi Arabia can offer tailored cybersecurity services and solutions to other regions. Initiatives such as the National Cybersecurity Academy by the NCA.” This capacity for exporting cybersecurity solutions will allow Saudi Arabia to play a critical role in addressing global online threats. Moreover, the Kingdom’s strategic location and status as a regional economic hub make it a key player in cybersecurity across the Middle East and North Africa region. Saudi Arabia is increasingly seen as a model for other countries seeking to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks. Its experience in managing threats and building resilient digital infrastructure has positioned it as a leader in this space. The Kingdom’s efforts to protect its critical infrastructure are seen not just as a defensive necessity but also as a key pillar in positioning the Kingdom as a leader in global cybersecurity. Vision 2030 has been a central driver of this transformation. Events such as the Global Cybersecurity Forum have cemented Saudi Arabia’s leadership position. File Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, highlighted to Arab News how the Kingdom’s digital growth has shaped its cybersecurity strategy. “Saudi Arabia has achieved fourth place globally in the digital services index, first regionally, and second among G20 nations. The rapid advance in technology has increased the digital ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, which in turn has further increased its exposure to cyber-attacks,” Omar said. He added: “In response, the Kingdom has successfully orchestrated a combination of regulations, investments, and awareness which has propelled most sectors to adopt a proactive security by design approach.” This proactive approach allowed Saudi Arabia to secure the highest ranking possible in the UN Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, a reflection of the Kingdom’s investment in a secure digital future. Omar pointed out that Vision 2030 has accelerated the investment in human capital to build critical national capability and aid nationals in attaining key cybersecurity skills and certifications. He also emphasized the vital role Vision 2030 plays in safeguarding the Kingdom’s critical sectors, particularly energy, finance, and smart cities, which are integral to the nation’s economy. “Saudi Arabia faces compelling challenges in these critical sectors due to the complex infrastructure, creating a potentially vulnerable and vast attack surface for adversaries,” Omar said. Omar noted Saudi Arabia’s determination to not only secure its own digital landscape but also position itself as a cybersecurity leader on the global stage. This leadership is exemplified by initiatives like the Global Cybersecurity Forum, which Omar describes as “a unique ecosystem and platform that is actively engaging with leading bodies such as the World Economic Forum,” thus shaping the future of cybersecurity well beyond the Kingdom. Addressing the cybersecurity talent gap Saudi Arabia has been proactively addressing the shortage of cybersecurity talent by heavily investing in capacity-building programs supported by both public and private sectors. “There are an estimated 19,600 Saudi cybersecurity professionals with 32 percent of them being female,” Omar said. He continued: “In addition, most major universities have cybersecurity education and training including Capture The Flag competitions, and all the major cybersecurity technology vendors provide training on their products and services.” These efforts are integral to the country’s broader vision of strengthening its digital infrastructure under Vision 2030. A secure future According to Omar, the cybersecurity industry in Saudi Arabia is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative and robust regulatory frameworks. “NCA released a report this year that estimates the size of the cybersecurity market to be SR13.3 billion with 31 percent of the spending from the public sector and the remaining 69 percent from the private sector,” he said. Omar went on to say: “Some analysts estimate the cybersecurity CAGR to be between 11 percent to 13 percent.” This is due to Vision 2030, which serves as a catalyst for developing the digital ecosystem, Omar explained, emphasizing the strategic role of the initiative in shaping the country’s cyber transformation.

Dell Stock Tumbles As Sales Miss Estimates Despite 'Robust' AI Opportunity - Investor's Business DailyAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details including where they system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.

NEW YORK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is pleased to announce that it released a total of 2,367 new part numbers in 2024, including introductions from SMP's Vehicle Control and Temperature Control divisions. New coverage for late-model import and domestic vehicles was added across all powertrains, including advanced internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and electric. Standard's ongoing commitment to advanced internal combustion engine (ICE) technology is evident in this year's releases. The Standard® Gas Fuel Injection program expands with the introduction of ten new Direct Injection High-Pressure Fuel Pumps covering 2.5 million import and domestic vehicles, and GDI High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits were added for GM cars and SUVs. Additionally, 31 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) Fuel Injectors were added. Standard's Turbocharger program expanded with the addition of several new Turbocharger Kits, as well as an array of related components such as Intercoolers, Bypass Valves, Wastegate Solenoids and more. Thirteen new Oil Filter Housing Assemblies and Kits were introduced with coverage for Chrysler, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Audi, Volvo and more. Emission control systems are increasingly complex, and Standard® has them covered more than ever before, with extensive additions to its evaporative emission, exhaust gas recirculation, and crankcase emission programs. Multiple Canister Purge Solenoids and Valves have been introduced, as well as over 30 EGR Tubes, Engine Crankcase Breather Hoses for nearly 14 million vehicles, and Fuel Vapor Canisters for popular Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Lexus and Toyota vehicles. Multiple powertrain-neutral categories are forecasted to grow, and Standard® has released extensive coverage in these categories. A total of 72 ABS Speed Sensors were added to Standard's product line this year, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) categories also saw substantial increases, with the addition of 53 new Park Assist Cameras and 76 Park Assist Sensors covering millions of late-model vehicles. Electronic Parking Brake Actuators were also released for over 13 million vehicles including the 2023-19 Mazda 3, 2024-23 Ford Heavy Duty trucks and Jeep SUVs through 2024. Four Seasons® introduced new coverage which included Hose Assemblies for millions of import and domestic vehicles. New Compressors were also added, with coverage for popular vehicles like the 2023-22and 2023-21 Hyundai Elantra. Coverage for hybrid and electric vehicles expands with Electric Coolant Pumps for the 2022-16 Lexus RX450h, 2019-17 Toyota Highlander, 2019-18 Toyota Prius C and more. Four Seasons' Air Door Actuator program has expanded, with dozens of new numbers, offering coverage for Ford, Chrysler, Subaru, Infiniti, Toyota and more. Additional categories that see expansion include Water Inlets, Water Outlets, Evaporators, Heater Cores and more. Jack Ramsey , Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SMP, stated, "We are proud of the expansion displayed by both divisions in 2024. Our distribution partners continually look to SMP for the highest-quality components along with expansive coverage, and we are committed to exceeding their expectations." All new applications are listed in the catalogs found at StandardBrand.com and 4S.com , and in electronic catalog providers. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. SMP sells its products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia , Mexico and other Latin America countries. For more information, download the SMP ® Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/standard-motor-products-releases-2-367-new-numbers-in-2024--302336665.html SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc.

Selangor Launches Visit Selangor Year 2025 Campaign with Digital Portal and Spark the Firefly Mascot, Targeting Eight Million Tourists and Economic GrowthTORONTO , Dec. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - RBC Global Asset Management Inc. ("RBC GAM Inc.") today announced updated estimated 2024 annual reinvested capital gains distribution amounts for unitholders of RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds. Please note that these are estimated amounts only, as of December 13, 2024 . The estimates could change if the RBC ETFs or ETF Series of RBC Funds, as applicable, experience subscriptions or redemptions prior to the ex-dividend date or for other unforeseen factors. The annual capital gains distributions for the RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds generally represent net realized capital gains within the RBC ETFs or ETF Series of RBC Funds, as applicable, and are typically not paid in cash, but are reinvested in additional units of the respective RBC ETF or ETF Series of an RBC Fund. The additional units will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution. The reinvested capital gains distributions will increase the unitholder's adjusted cost base for the respective RBC ETF or ETF Series of an RBC Fund. RBC GAM Inc. expects to announce the final 2024 annual reinvested distribution amounts for RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds on or about December 30, 2024 . Unitholders of record as of December 30, 2024 , will receive the 2024 annual reinvested distribution amounts. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2024, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc.) in early 2025. The updated estimated 2024 annual reinvested capital gains distribution amounts per unit for the RBC ETFs are as follows: FUND NAME FUND TICKER ESTIMATED ANNUAL REINVESTED CAPITAL GAIN PER UNIT RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF RLB $0.000 RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Corporate Bond ETF RBO $0.000 RBC Target 2025 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQN $0.000 RBC Target 2026 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQO $0.095 RBC Target 2027 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQP $0.000 RBC Target 2028 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQQ $0.000 RBC Target 2029 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQR $0.000 RBC Target 2030 Canadian Government Bond ETF RGQS $0.000 RBC Target 2025 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQN $0.000 RBC Target 2026 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQO $0.000 RBC Target 2027 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQP $0.076 RBC Target 2028 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQQ $0.083 RBC Target 2029 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQR $0.293 RBC Target 2030 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF RQS $0.000 RBC Target 2025 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQN $0.000 RBC Target 2025 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQN.U $0.000 RBC Target 2026 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQO $0.000 RBC Target 2026 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQO.U $0.000 RBC Target 2027 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQP $0.000 RBC Target 2027 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQP.U $0.000 RBC Target 2028 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQQ $0.000 RBC Target 2028 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQQ.U $0.000 RBC Target 2029 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQR $0.000 RBC Target 2029 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQR.U $0.000 RBC Target 2030 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUQS $0.000 RBC Target 2030 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUQS.U $0.000 RBC Canadian Discount Bond ETF RCDB $0.214 RBC PH&N Short Term Canadian Bond ETF RPSB $0.000 RBC U.S. Discount Bond ETF RUDB $0.000 RBC U.S. Discount Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUDB.U $0.000 RBC U.S. Discount Bond (CAD Hedged) ETF RDBH $0.000 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF RUSB $0.000 RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (USD Units)* RUSB.U $0.000 RBC Canadian Preferred Share ETF RPF $0.000 RBC Quant Canadian Dividend Leaders ETF RCD $2.372 RBC Canadian Dividend Covered Call ETF RCDC $0.000 RBC Canadian Bank Yield Index ETF RBNK $0.220 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF RUD $3.505 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RUD.U $2.463 RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RUDH $2.682 RBC U.S. Dividend Covered Call ETF RUDC $0.000 RBC U.S. Dividend Covered Call ETF (USD Units)* RUDC.U $0.000 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF RUBY $0.000 RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF (USD Units)* RUBY.U $0.000 RBC U.S. Banks Yield (CAD Hedged) Index ETF RUBH $0.000 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF RPD $0.000 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RPD.U $0.000 RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RPDH $0.000 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF RID $0.000 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RID.U $0.000 RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF RIDH $0.112 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF RXD $0.000 RBC Quant Emerging Markets Dividend Leaders ETF (USD Units)* RXD.U $0.000 * Capital gain distribution per unit ($) amounts are USD for RUQN.U, RUQO.U, RUQP.U, RUQQ.U, RUQR.U, RUQS.U, RUDB.U, RUSB.U, RUD.U, RUDC.U, RUBY.U, RPD.U, RID.U, and RXD.U The updated estimated 2024 annual reinvested capital gains distribution amounts per unit for ETF Series of RBC Funds are as follows: FUND NAME FUND TICKER ESTIMATED ANNUAL REINVESTED CAPITAL GAIN PER UNIT RBC Conservative Bond Pool – ETF Series RCNS $0.000 RBC Core Bond Pool – ETF Series RCOR $0.000 RBC Core Plus Bond Pool – ETF Series RPLS $0.000 RBC Canadian Equity Income Fund – ETF Series RCEI $0.070 RBC North American Value Fund – ETF Series RNAV $1.140 RBC North American Growth Fund – ETF Series RNAG $0.000 RBC U.S. Mid-Cap Growth Equity Fund – ETF Series RUMG $1.657 RBC Life Science and Technology Fund – ETF Series RLST $0.000 RBC International Equity Fund – ETF Series RINT $0.000 RBC Emerging Markets Dividend Fund – ETF Series REMD $0.000 RBC Global Energy Fund – ETF Series RENG $0.000 RBC Global Precious Metals Fund – ETF Series RGPM $0.000 RBC Global Technology Fund – ETF Series RTEC $0.000 Please note that the above estimated annual reinvested capital gains distributions do not include the cash distributions for December 2024 , which are reported separately. For further information regarding RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds, please visit www.rbcgam.com/etfsolutions . Forward-looking information: This notice contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this notice include statements with respect to the annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds. By their nature, these forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that the actual distributions will differ materially from the estimated distributions set forth in this notice. Factors that could cause the actual distributions to differ from the estimated distributions include, but are not limited to: the actual amounts of distributions received by the RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds; the actual amounts of capital gains generated from sales of securities; trading activity within the RBC ETFs and ETF Series of RBC Funds, including buying and selling of securities; and subscription and redemption activity. Distribution estimates do not denote the yield a client may receive. All values are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Totals may not sum due to rounding. The year-end distribution estimates are provided by RBC GAM Inc. and are for information purposes only. They do not reflect final attributions for tax purposes. For more information, please speak with your investment advisor. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). Please read the applicable prospectus or ETF Facts document before investing. Mutual funds and ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. ETF units are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange and ETF Series is a class of securities offered by a mutual fund that are bought and sold at market price on a stock exchange. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. RBC ETFs do not seek to return any predetermined amount at maturity. Index returns do not represent RBC ETF returns. RBC ETFs and RBC Funds are managed by RBC GAM Inc., a member of the RBC GAM group of companies and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada . RBC Target 2025 Canadian Government Bond ETF, RBC Target 2026 Canadian Government Bond ETF, RBC Target 2027 Canadian Government Bond ETF, RBC Target 2028 Canadian Government Bond ETF, RBC Target 2029 Canadian Government Bond ETF and RBC Target 2030 Canadian Government Bond ETF (collectively, the "Canadian TMGB ETFs"), RBC Target 2025 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF, RBC Target 2026 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF, RBC Target 2027 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF, RBC Target 2028 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF, RBC Target 2029 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF and RBC Target 2030 Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF (collectively, the "Canadian TMCB ETFs"), and RBC Target 2025 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF, RBC Target 2026 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF, RBC Target 2027 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF, RBC Target 2028 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF, RBC Target 2029 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF and RBC Target 2030 U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (collectively, the "U.S. TMCB ETFs"), do not seek to deliver a predetermined amount at maturity, and the amount an investor receives may be more or less than their original investment. 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The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices or (b) investment in or operation of the Canadian TMCB ETFs. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the Canadian TMCB ETFs or the suitability of the FTSE Maturity Corporate Bond Indices for the purpose to which they are being put by RBC GAM Inc. RBC Canadian Bank Yield Index ETF, RBC U.S. Banks Yield Index ETF, and RBC U.S. Banks Yield (CAD Hedged) Index ETF have been developed solely by RBC GAM Inc. and are not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported by Solactive AG ("Solactive"). Solactive Canada Bank Yield Index, Solactive U.S. Bank Yield NTR Index and Solactive U.S. Bank Yield NTR (CAD Hedged) Index are calculated and published by Solactive. Solactive does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance regarding the results to be obtained from the use of the index or index price nor does Solactive make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the ETFs. About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 98,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada , the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com . We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet . About RBC Global Asset Management RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). RBC GAM is a provider of global investment management services and solutions to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors through separate accounts, pooled funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, exchange-traded funds and specialty investment strategies. RBC Funds, BlueBay Funds, PH&N Funds and RBC ETFs are offered by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (RBC GAM Inc.) and distributed through authorized dealers in Canada . The RBC GAM group of companies, which includes RBC GAM Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) and RBC Indigo Asset Management Inc., manage approximately $680 billion in assets and have approximately 1,600 employees located across Canada , the United States , Europe and Asia . For more information, please contact: Brandon Dorey , RBC GAM Corporate Communications, 647-262-6307 SOURCE RBC Global Asset Management Inc. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/19/c4731.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.What both sides are saying about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah

Softgel Capsules Market Set for Exceptional Growth in the Forecast 2024-2032

NEW YORK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP) is pleased to announce that it released a total of 2,367 new part numbers in 2024, including introductions from SMP's Vehicle Control and Temperature Control divisions. New coverage for late-model import and domestic vehicles was added across all powertrains, including advanced internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and electric. Standard's ongoing commitment to advanced internal combustion engine (ICE) technology is evident in this year's releases. The Standard® Gas Fuel Injection program expands with the introduction of ten new Direct Injection High-Pressure Fuel Pumps covering 2.5 million import and domestic vehicles, and GDI High-Pressure Fuel Pump Kits were added for GM cars and SUVs. Additionally, 31 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MFI) Fuel Injectors were added. Standard's Turbocharger program expanded with the addition of several new Turbocharger Kits, as well as an array of related components such as Intercoolers, Bypass Valves, Wastegate Solenoids and more. Thirteen new Oil Filter Housing Assemblies and Kits were introduced with coverage for Chrysler, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Audi, Volvo and more. Emission control systems are increasingly complex, and Standard® has them covered more than ever before, with extensive additions to its evaporative emission, exhaust gas recirculation, and crankcase emission programs. Multiple Canister Purge Solenoids and Valves have been introduced, as well as over 30 EGR Tubes, Engine Crankcase Breather Hoses for nearly 14 million vehicles, and Fuel Vapor Canisters for popular Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Lexus and Toyota vehicles. Multiple powertrain-neutral categories are forecasted to grow, and Standard® has released extensive coverage in these categories. A total of 72 ABS Speed Sensors were added to Standard's product line this year, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) categories also saw substantial increases, with the addition of 53 new Park Assist Cameras and 76 Park Assist Sensors covering millions of late-model vehicles. Electronic Parking Brake Actuators were also released for over 13 million vehicles including the 2023-19 Mazda 3, 2024-23 Ford Heavy Duty trucks and Jeep SUVs through 2024. Four Seasons® introduced new coverage which included Hose Assemblies for millions of import and domestic vehicles. New Compressors were also added, with coverage for popular vehicles like the 2023-22and 2023-21 Hyundai Elantra. Coverage for hybrid and electric vehicles expands with Electric Coolant Pumps for the 2022-16 Lexus RX450h, 2019-17 Toyota Highlander, 2019-18 Toyota Prius C and more. Four Seasons' Air Door Actuator program has expanded, with dozens of new numbers, offering coverage for Ford, Chrysler, Subaru, Infiniti, Toyota and more. Additional categories that see expansion include Water Inlets, Water Outlets, Evaporators, Heater Cores and more. Jack Ramsey , Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SMP, stated, "We are proud of the expansion displayed by both divisions in 2024. Our distribution partners continually look to SMP for the highest-quality components along with expansive coverage, and we are committed to exceeding their expectations." All new applications are listed in the catalogs found at StandardBrand.com and 4S.com , and in electronic catalog providers. About SMP With over 100 years in business, Standard Motor Products, Inc. is a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. SMP sells its products primarily to retailers, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States , Canada , Europe , Asia , Mexico and other Latin America countries. For more information, download the SMP ® Parts App or visit SMPcorp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/standard-motor-products-releases-2-367-new-numbers-in-2024--302336665.html SOURCE Standard Motor Products, Inc.SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition to Accelerate Innovation-Driven Ecosystem Building with ...

Study Finds Telemedicine Improves Care for Children with Eye CancerUS proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration

Luxury gets a royal treatment this New Year's Eve. . . These are among the ' star players, the headliners of a talent-laden roster -- and all three players have missed significant time in 2024 after "catching the injury bug". ' injuries are a key reason why the have underperformed relative to expectation and hype this season -- and the injuries may also keep embattled head coach in his role beyond January. The absence of in particular has been especially noteworthy, as he was only a couple months removed from inking a before he sustained a season-ending hamstring tear. Lamb needs shoulder surgery Even though the 7-8 Cowboys have already been eliminated from playoff contention, . To that end, Dallas has won four of its past five games...but its roster may look by the time Week 18 rolls around. Star wide receiver has joined the walking wounded in , and his season is over following a aggravated during the Cowboys' home win over the on Sunday. , who signed a huge contract extension himself over the summer, will need to repair the damage, putting part of his offseason regimen in jeopardy as the Cowboys look to improve in 2025. The book therefore closes on Lamb's productive 2024 season, in which he did not approach the high water marks of 2023 (when he set career highs for targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns) but remained a top-tier receiver anyway. , his fourth successive 1,000-yard campaign. With Dallas playing for nothing but pride and draft positioning, the choice was made to end Lamb's season, just as the decision was made not to rush back and to shut down . Cowboys fans can only hope that luck is on their team's side in 2025 as Dallas makes another plan to return to the playoffs.

The three soldiers of the Indian Army, who were among five who died in an accident in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir, were laid to rest with full military honours at their respective hometowns on Thursday. The soldiers, part of the 11 Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, were among five personnel who died when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a 300-foot-deep gorge during duty. The deceased soldiers were Subedar Dayanand Tirukannavar (44) from Belagavi, Sepoy Mahesh Nagappa Marigond (25) from Bagalkot, and Lance Naik Anoop Poojari (33) from Kundapur. Subedar Tirukannavar, a 25-year veteran of the Indian Army, was due to retire in a year. The mortal remains of Subedar Tirukannavar and Sepoy Marigond were flown to Sambra airport in Belagavi late Wednesday night. On Thursday, their remains were kept at the KGS School premises for public homage. Chief minister Siddaramaiah along with social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa and women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar paid their respects in a solemn ceremony. Speaking at the event, Brigadier Joydeep Mukherjee of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment Centre said, “The vehicle carrying the soldiers had fallen into a 300-foot-deep gorge. Three of them were from Karnataka and two from Maharashtra. We are soldiers, and our lives are dedicated to the nation.” Later in the day, Sepoy Marigond’s remains were transported to Mahalingapur in Rabkavi taluk, where his final rites were conducted with full military and state honours. Subedar Tirukannavar’s remains were laid to rest in his village, Panta Balekundri. His wife, Nanda, received the Tricolour draped over his coffin. Lance Naik Anoop Poojari’s mortal remains were flown to Mangaluru airport before being transported to Kundapur. They were kept for public viewing at the Bijadi Padu government school grounds. BJP MPs Brijesh Chowta and Kota Srinivasa Poojary received the remains at the airport earlier in the day. At the War Memorial in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah offered floral tributes to Subedar Tirukannavar and Sepoy Marigond. Addressing the media, he said, “The lives and careers of soldiers are of the highest honour. It is deeply saddening that soldiers from our state have been martyred in an accident. I pray for the peace of their souls and share in the grief of their families.” He also assured that the state government would provide all necessary support to the bereaved families. The accident occurred when the soldiers’ vehicle, travelling from Nilam Headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post, veered off the road and fell into the gorge. Brigadier Mukherjee confirmed that a quick reaction team (QRT) from the regiment immediately reached the site to carry out rescue and relief operations.Seongnam City to Participate in CES 2025, Paving the Way as a Global Innovation Hub

bet fortune rabbit Whoopi Goldberg was excited to show off her brand "new body" on The View this week, cheekily showing off guest Christian Siriano's work on her slimmed down figure on Thursday, Nov. 21. The fashion designer was welcomed by the whole panel of hosts decked out in clothing designed by him, surrounded by manikins showing off even more of his creations. 🤩🤩 SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about 🗞️🗞️ "This is the most stunning set I've ever seen ever; that I've ever done," he told the women as he joined them during the episode. "Thank you so much, this is like incredible." "I didn't even know they look this good!" he added. "We did," Sara Haines assured him, "And that's why we're all wearing your stuff today as well." Goldberg then stood up to show off the flowing overcoat she wore, asking him, "You haven't seen me in my new body, have you?" The coat tied around the front, over a button-up shirt, and featured frilled, oversized cuffs. "And you look incredible," he replied, gushing, "This coat was made for you, it's yours, you get it!" The Sister Act alum opened up earlier this year about turning to medication to help her shed weight as the daytime talk show's cast discussed Oprah Winfrey’s An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution. Goldberg used Mounjaro after steroids helped her to hit 300 pounds while filming Till . Sunny Hostin also admitted to using the medication, originally developed for diabetics, to help her lose the 40 pounds she gained during the lockdown period of the pandemic. “I was horrified by the fact that I would have to come out on air. I was," she admitted at the time. But, in addition to her weight, her cholesterol had also increased—which Mounjaro also helped to lower. "I feel better, I think I look better, and that’s what this is about for people,” she admitted. Next: Whoopi Goldberg Makes a Bold Declaration About Elon Musk's 'Actual' Political Role

The semiconductor industry faces heightened tensions as Chinese industry associations warn domestic companies against purchasing U.S. chips, describing them as 'no longer safe.' This cautionary message comes in response to renewed U.S. export controls targeting China's semiconductor sector, intensifying the long-standing trade conflict between the two countries. The United States, aiming to curb China's technological advancement, has restricted exports to 140 Chinese companies, affecting giants like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Despite this, the Semiconductor Industry Association refutes claims of U.S. chip unreliability and calls for precise export controls aligned with national security goals, advocating de-escalation. In retaliation, Beijing has banned exports of critical minerals used in military and manufacturing applications, indicating a strategic shift. These developments underscore a deeper economic tussle, where both nations strategize to reduce dependencies and secure their technological futures in a rapidly changing global landscape. (With inputs from agencies.)Innospec director Claudia Poccia sells $35,964 in common stock

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 announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, 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.

WWE Smackdown rebounded from the previous week’s Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul-related drop in the ratings last week. Friday’s episode brought in a 0.46 rating in the 18 – 49 demographic and 1.1578 million viewers per Wrestlenomics . Those numbers were up 43.8% and 27.9% respectively from the previous week’s 0.32 demo rating and audience of 1.234 million. The demo rating was still slightly down from the 0.47 demo rating from two weeks ago, while the audience was the highest since the October 11th episode had 1.652 million. Friday’s show up against the NBA game between the Warriors and Pelicans on ESPN, which did a 0.36 demo rating and 1.378 million viewers. Smackdown is averaging a 0.593 demo rating and 2.096 million viewers in 2024 to date, compared to a 0.592 demo rating and 2.238 million for the same point in 2023.Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he was focusing on outlining his election pitch to help people with disabilities instead of dwelling on his encounter with a care worker in Cork. Mr Harris spoke to Charlotte Fallon, a disability worker with St Joseph’s Foundation, after a clip of an exchange between them on Friday went viral. RTE footage posted to the social media site X shows Mr Harris on a canvass in Kanturk when Ms Fallon tells the Taoiseach carers “were ignored” and the Government has “done nothing for us”. Mr Harris responds by saying: “No, not at all”, and “that’s not true”, several times before shaking her hand. When asked whether he thought the clip would overshadow the Fine Gael campaign, Mr Harris said people would vote for the best plan on offer. “I hope people like to see humility in politics and if you get something wrong, you come out and you own it,” he said. “I’m human, I make mistakes,” Simon Harris said. “But you know what I do when I make a mistake? I own it. “There’s been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail and people dilly dally and debate for days. “You know what? I put my hands up. “I got it completely wrong. I was wrong, simple as. Spoke to Charlotte. “But much more importantly to me now, in my engagement with Charlotte and my engagement with people right across this country, it’s what I’m going to do for people with disabilities.” Asked about the encounter, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Ms Fallon had spoken “truth to power”. “The unfortunate thing is, in this case, power didn’t want to hear the truth, and that’s hugely, hugely problematic. “You hear all sorts of things out on the campaign trail, and I think a wise leader, a person who would wish to be taoiseach, listens and accepts that when somebody is telling you that your policies are hurting, hurting them, hurting the people that they represent and work for – you should hear that lesson. “If you’re not hearing that lesson, you’re not going to change your approach and in that meeting that happened in Kanturk, I think people just got a glimpse of actually what it would mean for Fine Gael to be back in government with Fianna Fail, because that’s their approach. “They don’t listen, they don’t respond, and they seem to think, astonishingly, that people ought to be grateful for their efforts, rather than hearing, reflecting and changing.”SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Bright Future, Inc. (OTC: EBFI) ($EBFI) ("Company") announces its wholly-owned El Salvador subsidiary, United Heritage Sociedad Anonima De Capital Variable ("United Heritage"), has been granted the prestigious license of Digital Service Provider in El Salvador. This significant milestone marks the first of two eagerly awaited licenses in the region, with the token issuer license pending and anticipated in the near future. Alexander Borodich, Founder of Universa Blockchain , expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are on the cusp of receiving our second pivotal license in El Salvador, which will position our Company to attract a substantial customer base through our local subsidiaries. We eagerly anticipate launching operations through the innovative New World Digital Gateway as El Salvador emerges as a leading hub in the digital realm." El Salvador's proactive stance in fostering a welcoming ecosystem for cryptocurrency businesses has drawn the attention of global digital assets firms like Eco Bright Future. With the newly obtained Bitcoin exchange license, United Heritage offers a secure and compliant platform to purchase, sell, and exchange Bitcoin. El Salvador recognizes Bitcoin as legal tender , a historic milestone for the country that opens up exciting possibilities within the digital currency landscape, as evidenced by today's high price of BTC , reflecting widespread adoption by mainstream users. The Company is strategically bolstering its presence in the global Digital Asset Market; El Salvador is just one of its strategic focal points. The expansion aligns with the Company's overarching strategy to ensure international compliance and broaden its customer base. It seeks to become a global frontrunner in real asset tokenization and cross-border "Smart Contract" technologies. Distinguished by its proficiency in tokenizing tangible assets, genuine real estate, and commodities, Eco Bright Future, Inc. leads the way in: - Tokenizing tangible assets such as real estate and commodities - Developing cutting-edge blockchain tools - Seamlessly integrating with established financial infrastructures Adopting a holistic approach, the Company believes it can seize market opportunities in El Salvador and diverse global markets. Leveraging its successful track record in digital commodity tokenization in the UAE and digital notary in Tunisia, the Company has positioned itself for its progressive international expansion. United Heritage will use Universa Blockchain's platform for decentralized storage and "Smart Contract" execution. This strategic technology selection minimizes disruptions to existing infrastructure while maximizing the digitization of business processes. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT: Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except for historical matters contained herein, this press release's statements are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may", "will", "to", "plan", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "could", "would", "estimate," or "continue", or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date hereof. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with OTC Markets. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Contact Information: George Athanasiadis Phone: +1 801 895 4672 Email: info@ecobrightfuture.com

Deutsche Bank chief global strategist outlook for the benchmark US equity index: S & P 500 to rise as high as 7,000 year-end 2025 “We see S & P 500 buybacks rising from an annual run rate of $1.1 trillion currently to about $1.3 trillion next year, rising in line with earnings. We see the demand-supply backdrop for U.S. equities remaining solid even with conservative assumptions, pushing the S & P 500 to around 7000 next year.” sees stronger US economic growth due to potential tax cuts and a deregulation push under the incoming administration Caveats: “main downside risks are more likely to emerge if greater weight is put on aggressive trade and immigration policies” “could be more negative for growth and push up inflation." would lead the Fed to cease its interest rate cutting cycle Fed could possibly contemplate restarting rate increases *** There you go, a couple of scenarios to watch out for. S&P 500, 7000 is off the charts! Well, this one anyway:Autry scores 16 as George Washington downs Illinois State 72-64Marqeta, Inc. Announcement: If You Have Suffered Losses in Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ), You Are ...

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TALLAHASSEE — Matt Gaetz’ knack for courting controversy has finally caught up with him. The right-wing firebrand, political prankster, steadfast Trump defender and party animal stepped down as the president-elect’s choice for Attorney General once it was made clear to him he didn’t have the needed support in the U.S. Senate. Senators on both sides of the aisle had reacted to the former Florida congressman’s nomination with shock, with one calling him “a not serious candidate” and others demanding more details about the sex scandals swirling around him for the past few years. After being asked Thursday to comment on a report that a 17-year-old girl had sex with him twice at a former lawmaker’s house party in Seminole County in 2017, Gaetz bowed out so he would not “unfairly become a distraction” for President-elect Donald Trump. Even without the allegations of sexual misconduct, Gaetz was an unusual choice for attorney general, experts said. He had the least amount of legal experience of any nominee since the end of World War II. “His background doesn’t look anything like other attorney generals going back to Eisenhower. It makes no sense,” said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond and expert on federal courts and the judicial selection process. Most presidents have picked attorney generals with vast professional and legal experience because they run an agency of 40 separate divisions, including the Office of Solicitor General, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Prisons, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Tobias said. “I don’t think he even appreciates how the DOJ works,” Tobias said. Gaetz’s reputation for trolling enemies on social media and insulting fellow members of Congress on conservative talk shows left him with few allies in Washington, D.C. In one of his most high-profile actions, Gaetz wore a gas mask on the House floor while Congress voted on a multi-billion dollar bill to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The big picture for Gaetz is that all his questionable behavior, actions and statements have caught up with him finally,” said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida. “For a long time it seemed like they would not because he had the president elect’s ear.” And now, his political future depends on Trump’s continued support. Trump didn’t waste any time replacing Gaetz with fellow Floridian Pam Bondi, a former state attorney general who is a more likable yet equally dedicated Trump loyalist without the same amount of baggage as Gaetz. But Trump took to his own Truth Social platform to praise Gaetz, saying he had “much respect” for his decision to step down. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump said. U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a fellow Republican from Florida and Trump supporter, posted on X that Gaetz was the victim of a media smear, and feared facing the same kind of brutal grilling as Justice Brett Kavanaugh endured six years ago. Gaetz ended speculation Friday that he would return to his Florida District 1 Congressional seat when the new session begins in January by saying that eight years was enough and it was time to move on to new things. “Usually at some point the president or nominee realizes it is not going to happen,” Jewett said. “Instead of forcing the issue and airing dirty laundry out in public they withdraw. That appears to be what happened.” Typically, presidents nominate attorney generals who have extensive experience, often as judges or prosecutors, as they will be overseeing the world’s largest law office, with more than 115,000 employees. Gaetz graduated from the College of William and Mary law school in 2007 and started working at the Fort Walton Beach law firm of Larry Keefe, who was Trump’s appointee as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida during his first term and is Florida’s public safety czar for Gov. Ron DeSantis. As a junior lawyer, Gaetz handled mostly run-of-the-mill cases. The Okaloosa County court records show him handling about two cases a year in his home county. His first two cases were traffic infractions, and he also worked on debt and contract disputes, negligence and workers compensation claims. One case involved a homeowners association in its dispute against Walton County over the location of a beach volleyball net, records show. After less than a year as a lawyer, Gaetz was pulled over for speeding in his father’s BMW and arrested for drunk driving. He refused to take a breathalyzer test and the charges against him were dropped. He’s been casual about maintaining his practice, Florida Bar records show. He had his license suspended for failing to pay his fees in 2021 but it was reinstated when he paid up. He also was cited for not keeping up with his continuing legal education requirements in 2023. And he was cited two years in a row for not being up to date on his trust account reports. In 2010, Gaetz ran as a Tea Party Republican and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. His financial disclosure form said he earned $29,000 from his legal practice that year. He spent his time defending Florida’s controversial “stand-your-ground” law and railing against the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. But he was instrumental in getting Florida’s medical marijuana law passed. He quickly got a reputation for lashing out against his political enemies in Florida and that expanded when he went to D.C. He was investigated by the Florida Bar for an incendiary tweet accusing Michael Cohen, a former Trump attorney and head of the Trump Organization, of infidelity. The House Ethics Committee admonished Gaetz for his comments. He also received a letter from the Florida Bar advising him that a comment he made about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, was inappropriate. He took down the post and apologized. When Gaetz criticized former Florida Rep. Chris Latvala, a fellow Republican, for meeting with the Rev. Al Sharpton in 2020, Latvala accused Gaetz of starting a sex game where lawmakers earned points for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists and married lawmakers. The game had been reported by the Miami Herald in 2017 but it wasn’t until 2020 that Latvala connected the game to Gaetz – who denied the accusation. As a freshman congressman in 2017, he raised eyebrows when he cast the lone vote against an anti-human trafficking bill. And his decision to wear the gas mask on the floor earned him condemnation from many quarters. Even more bizarre, in 2020 an unmarried Gaetz at the time shocked fellow members of Congress with the revelation that he had an “adopted” son, a Cuban immigrant whose mother had died of cancer and was the brother of Gaetz’ girlfriend at the time. “His temperament or personality just doesn’t fit the role. He’s never been a serious guy,” Jewett said. “His thing is firing up the base, getting media attention and likes on social media. That is not typically what you want in an Attorney General. That doubled with the ethical and legal clouds are a terrible fit.” ©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Jim Harbaugh still hasn’t beaten his older brother. The third HarBowl between John Harbaugh and his brother Jim went to John, again. The Baltimore Ravens fell behind 10 points early but then overwhelmed the Los Angeles Chargers the rest of the way. The Ravens went on to a with Lamar Jackson throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The Harbaughs coached against each other twice when Jim was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers, and John won both meetings, including Super Bowl XLVII. Monday’s result wasn’t due to John outcoaching Jim, though John had some strong decisions, including going for it on a key fourth down from his own 16-yard line. The mismatch was due more to John Harbaugh having a much better roster to work with. The Ravens have some flaws, especially on defense, but they’re still significantly ahead of the Chargers Give Jim Harbaugh some time. He’s doing just fine in his first season back in the NFL. The Chargers are 7-4, even after the loss, and likely to get a wild-card playoff spot. And maybe sometime soon he can have another rematch against his brother, and perhaps get a win against him. One of the bolder coaching decisions of the NFL season paid off big for the Ravens late in the first half. On their own 16-yard line, the Ravens acted like they were going to go for it just before the two-minute warning, trying to draw the Chargers offsides. That didn’t work, so it appeared they’d punt after the two-minute warning. But the offense came on the field, tight end Mark Andrews took a snap and sneaked it ahead for the first down. That gave the Ravens' offense some life, and the drive ended with Rashod Bateman’s 40-yard touchdown catch. That gave the Ravens a 14-10 halftime lead after they fell behind 10-0 early in the game. LAMAR GOES 40 YARDS DEEP TO BATEMAN. Ravens take the lead before half! 📺: on ESPN/ABC 📱: Stream on — NFL (@NFL) The Chargers executed a very nice 24-second drive to end the half, picking up 36 yards to set up a 52-yard field goal as the second quarter expired. The Chargers trailed 14-13 going into halftime. The defenses kept each offense out of the end zone in the third quarter. The Ravens lead was 17-16 going into the fourth quarter. It was a well-coached game between two good teams. As expected. The Ravens extended their lead early in the fourth quarter on a nice jumping touchdown catch in the end zone by tight end Mark Andrews. The Chargers might have answered, but there was an egregious drop by 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston on a third-and-6. Johnston could have turned it up for a huge gain, but it went right through his hands and the Chargers punted. It wasn’t a long Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry run that broke it open after that. It was Justice Hill who took a third-down handoff to the outside and found a seam for a 51-yard score. The Ravens led 30-16 after that big play and it was going to be very hard for the Chargers to come back from that. An LA touchdown in the final minute made the score look closer. Justice Hill takes it TO THE HOUSE 💨 (via ) — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) The Ravens have been a machine on offense in most games this season. The win gets the Ravens to 8-4, just behind the 8-3 Steelers for first place in the AFC North. At their best, the Ravens are a Super Bowl contender with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson leading the way. The Ravens are also superbly coached. So are the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh just needs a little more time to get his team to the same position John has his. This one's over. The Chargers failed to recover the onside kick, and the Ravens take over with 43 seconds remaining. They can run out the clock on a decisive 30-23 win. This was a nail-biter through the first half, but the Ravens imposed their will in the second. Aggression by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and execution by Baltimore’s run game resulted in three successful fourth-down conversions on three tries. The conversions ultimately resulted in two Ravens touchdowns. John Harbaugh improves to 3-0 in games against his brother Jim. The Ravens improve to 8-4, while the Chargers drop to 7-4. Both teams remain on the right side of the AFC playoff picture. The Chargers are still in this. A pair of pass interference penalties kept a drive alive that ended with a Gus Edwards touchdown run. The score cut Baltimore's lead to 30-23 with 46 seconds left. This one will come down to an onside kick. The Chargers came up with a stop and forced the Ravens to punt with 3:08 left in regulation. But they need a miracle, trailing 30-16 with one timeout remaining. Officials initially flagged this play for pass interference on the Chargers' failed third-and-18 attempt. But they picked up the flag after consultation. Was it the right no-call? PI or no PI? — BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) The Ravens continue to dominate the second half. A third-and-18 deep ball by Justin Herbert hits the turf, and the Chargers are forced to punt after gaining seven yards on three plays. A second-down sack short-circuited the drive. Baltimore's in control with the ball and a 30-16 lead with 6:31 remaining. Derrick Henry helped set up the Hill touchdown with some classic Derrick Henry stiff-arms. derrick henry — ◇ (@HOODH3RO) The second half continues to be all Ravens. Baltimore opened the game up on a 51-yard touchdown run by Justice Hill. The Ravens ran motion that confused the Chargers defense, and Hill rumbled down the left sideline for the score. The career-long run by Hill extends Baltimore's lead to 30-16 with 7:24 remaining. Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston had a third-and-6 catch in his hands and open field in front of him for a potential big gain. But he couldn't hold on. Johnston dropped the pass from Justin Herbert, and the Chargers were forced to punt thanks to the critical miscue at a key juncture of the game. Baltimore takes over possession with a 23-16 lead and 10:45 remaining. Quentin Johnston with a BRUTAL drop — Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has now been ruled out with a knee injury. It's Gus Edwards as the bellcow the rest of the way for Los Angeles. injury update: J.K. Dobbins (knee) has been downgraded to out. — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) The Ravens have now converted three fourth-down conversions into two touchdowns. Baltimore went for it twice on fourth-and-1 and converted each time on their latest drive and capped it off with a touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Mark Andrews in the back of the end zone. A two-point conversion fails, and the Ravens extend their lead to 23-16 with 12:32 remaining in regulation. John Harbaugh's playing aggressive against his brother, and it's paying off. TOUCHDOWN MARK ANDREWS!!!! TUNE IN ON ESPN!! — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) Baltimore started the fourth quarter by going for it yet again on fourth-and-1 after converting twice in two previous tries, including earlier in the same drive. So why not go for it again? Derrick Henry converts again with a 2-yard run to the Chargers' 23-yard line. The Ravens went for it again on fourth-and-1, this time from their own 39. There was no doubt about this one. Derrick Henry rumbled 27 yards to pick up the first down and then some. FOURTH-DOWN CONVERSION!!! PICKS UP 27!! Tune in on ESPN!! — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) The Ravens and Chargers have traded field goals to start the second half. The Chargers answered Baltimore's opening field-goal drive with a 10-play, 36-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker, his third field goal of the night and his second from 52 yards. Baltimore leads, 17-16 with 4:08 remaining in the third quarter. Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has yet to join his teammates on the sideline after halftime, according to ESPN. Dobbins is officially questionable with a knee injury. Gus Edwards would take over the lead role if Dobbins can't return. Justin Tucker's been uncharacteristically shaky this season with six missed field goals and one missed extra point. But he's true from 45 yards to cap Baltimore's first drive of the second half (10 plays, 43 yards) to extend the Ravens' lead to 17-13. Lamar Jackson completed passes on third-and-9 and third-and-10 to keep the field-goal drive alive. The Ravens start the second half with the ball and a 14-13 lead. A well-played half by both teams sends the game into halftime with the Ravens holding a 14-13 lead. Here are the key first-half stats: : 13 of 18 for 129 yards; 3 carries for 17 yards and 1 touchdown; 0 turnovers 5 of 9 for 89 yards and 1 touchdown; 3 carries for 14 yards and 1 touchdown; 0 turnovers 6 carries for 40 yards 9 carries for 66 yards 3 catches for 41 yards 1 catch for 40 yards and 1 touchdown 202 on 5.9 yards per play 176 on 7.7 yards per play 11 10 0 John Harbaugh's gamble did not go unanswered. The Chargers responded to Baltimore's stunning touchdown drive with a four-play 22-yard drive in the final 24 seconds of the first half. Cameron Dicker pays it off with a 52-yard field goal to cut Baltimore's lead to 14-13 at halftime. So far, the HarBowl is living up to its billing. Gutsy, aggressive play and strong execution from both teams. A big gamble pays off in a big way for the Ravens. Instead of punting, Baltimore went for it and got it on fourth-and-1 from its own 16-yard line after the first-half 2-minute warning. Five plays later, Lamar Jackson hit Rashod Bateman in a tight window for a 40-yard touchdown to take a 14-10 lead for Baltimore. John Harbaugh's gamble pays off big time against his little brother. TOUCHDOWN !!!!!!!! BIG PLAY BATE!!!! TUNE IN ON ESPN!! — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) The Ravens threw a big roll of the dice and picked up a first down on fourth-and-1 from their own 16 at the 2-minute warning. A direct snap to tight end Mark Andrews results in a 2-yard gain and a first down, and the Ravens don't give the ball back to the Chargers.A tech company has signed a mammoth office deal in the South Bay. Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Report an error Policies and Standards Contact Us Most Popular Asking Eric: Our 6-week separation has been so nice. Now she wants to hang out. Asking Eric: Our 6-week separation has been so nice. Now she wants to hang out. Miss Manners: It’s a party invitation! Why do they act like it’s some big chore? Miss Manners: It's a party invitation! Why do they act like it's some big chore? Dear Abby: I just learned that my surly mother-in-law has a policy on my life Dear Abby: I just learned that my surly mother-in-law has a policy on my life Miss Manners: I paid for my seat, and I’m not going to ask permission to recline Miss Manners: I paid for my seat, and I'm not going to ask permission to recline Dear Abby: I’m hurt that our family isn’t the grandparents’ priority Dear Abby: I'm hurt that our family isn't the grandparents' priority Harriette Cole: They seem to think my baby is their business Harriette Cole: They seem to think my baby is their business Dear Abby: We’re only in middle school and she’s getting a reputation Dear Abby: We're only in middle school and she's getting a reputation Vote now: Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week Vote now: Bay Area News Group girls athlete of the week They wanted good schools, nature and ‘a feeling of privacy.’ What could they find on the Peninsula with $3.5 million? They wanted good schools, nature and 'a feeling of privacy.' What could they find on the Peninsula with $3.5 million? Miss Manners: I won’t go to the wedding because of the dress code Miss Manners: I won't go to the wedding because of the dress code Trending Nationally Judge accused of ‘willful misconduct’ for letting illegal immigrant escape court Trump’s talk of reducing or relocating federal workers hits home in Maryland A young Coloradan learning to live with long COVID turns to TikTok to educate about chronic illness Fruit trees and ‘generational learning’ turn this California city into a parrot paradise as temperatures drop NBC’s enhanced yard lines, field numbers for Bills-49ers snow game draw strong reactions from viewersWorld champion Kyren Wilson shrugged off a headache and concerns over the speed of the tables to sweep past Stephen Maguire 6-0 in the first round of the UK Championship. Wilson dominated what had been a scrappy afternoon session at the Barbican Centre in York to take a 4-0 lead – with neither player able to build a half-century break. After the interval Wilson – who has won two ranking titles already this season – finally found some rhythm as a run of 71 put him within a frame of victory. 6-0! 🤯 World Champ Kyren Wilson is into the second round of the @VictorianPlumb UK Championship after a whitewash victory over Stephen Maguire. #VPUKChampionship pic.twitter.com/faJR3EDbSF — WST (@WeAreWST) November 25, 2024 After Maguire, who won the 2004 UK Championship title, missed another chance to build a response, Wilson, already 27 in front, took the opportunity to clear up to the pink. Wilson, second in the current world standings, avoided becoming another seed to suffer an early exit with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby both having failed to progress. “It was a strange match,” Wilson said afterwards to the BBC. “Early doors both of us were going into the pack, not really landing on a ball and having to play safe. “For me the table was so difficult to judge. I don’t know if that was what was wrong with Stephen today. “I felt if you were playing it slow, it was drifting to the right. “When you have to start hitting the balls a bit harder on these tables, the pockets are just so unforgiving that it makes the game harder. “I just had to stay composed. I felt amazing in my game, but it was not just quite clicking today.” Wilson also revealed he has been struggling with a headache. “I woke up with it again today,” he said. “Going out for the first frame, there is so much intensity, your heart is racing, the lights are quite different and it was so warm – I just felt like my head was going to explode. “So I had to get out of there and just take some more painkillers, but it is not too bad now.” Maguire, meanwhile, was downbeat after “one of the worst performances ever”. He said: “It was rubbish, nothing else I can say, just garbage. “It was a hard one to take. You just go home and see what the next day brings. “You can’t explain that. It was one of the worse performances ever. I am struggling to believe how bad that was.” WAKELIN BATTLES THROUGH! 🔥 He beats Matt Selt 6-4 in a fragmented affair in York – he plays Kyren Wilson next. #VPUKChampionship | @Victorianplumb pic.twitter.com/7C2Fz0kAVi — WST (@WeAreWST) November 25, 2024 There was a closer contest on the other table, where Chris Wakelin battled past Matthew Selt 6-4 to secure his place in the last 16 against Wilson. Wakelin, the 15th seed, had been 2-0 down before making a break of 75 in the third frame, which was followed by 68 from Selt. The match remained a tight affair, with neither player able to craft another half-century as it was locked at 4-4. After Selt looked set in the ninth frame, a missed black to the bottom corner proved costly as Wakelin came from behind to win 65-55 – and take the lead for the first time. Further breaks of 31 and 32 – as well as being helped by a doubled yellow – left Selt needing snookers before Wakelin eventually clipped in the brown to secure a hard-earned victory. In Monday’s evening session, qualifier Michael Holt pulled off another upset with a 6-1 win over 10th seed Gary Wilson. Holt – who came through four preliminary rounds in Leicester to reach the main draw – dug in to build a 4-1 lead, which he extended with a superb 95 clearance. The seventh frame, though, proved a tense affair as both men failed to make the most of promising positions – Holt snookering himself after potting the brown with only three other colours left. The world number 98, though, then clipped in a long pink to seal a memorable victory, reaching the last 16 of the tournament for the first time since 1999. THE SILENT ASSASSIN IS THROUGH! 💪 Jak Jones defeats Luca Brecel in a tight decider to reach the Last 16! #VPUKChampionship | @Victorianplumb pic.twitter.com/AnHwkL2xyA — WST (@WeAreWST) November 25, 2024 On the other table, Welshman Jak Jones reeled off three successive frames to stun former world champion Luca Brecel 6-5. Brecel, who has struggled for form since winning the world title in 2023, led 42-0 in the decider, but a missed red allowed Jones his chance. And the 2024 world championship runner-up took it superbly, compiling a 66 break that left Brecel with too much to do as he moved into the last-16.

Home and neighborhood environments impact sedentary behavior in teens globally December 3, 2024 University of California - San Diego Adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email The World Health Organization recommends no more than two to three hours per day of sedentary time for youth. However, adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study published in the Nov. 29, 2024 issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity . The most notable finding of the study, led by principal investigator James F. Sallis, Ph.D., distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego, and colleagues from 14 countries, found that simply having a personal social media account was linked with higher total sedentary time in both males and females. Social media was also related to more self-reported screen time. "Although there is great concern about negative effects of social media on youth mental health, this study documents a pathway for social media to harm physical health as well," said Sallis, who is also a professorial fellow at the Australian Catholic University. "These findings are concerning, as excessive sedentary behavior has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and mental health issues." Researchers analyzed accelerometer data from 3,982 adolescents aged 11 to 19 and survey measures of sedentary behavior from 6,302 participants in the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent Study, which covered 15 geographically and culturally diverse countries across six continents. The number of electronic devices within a home, how many adolescents had their own social media accounts and neighborhood walkability were significantly different across countries. For example, adolescents from India had an average of 1.2 electronic devices in the bedroom and 0.5 personal electronic devices, while the average number of such devices in Denmark was 4.2 and 2.3, respectively. In India and Bangladesh, fewer than 30% of adolescents reported having their own social media account, compared to higher socio-economic status countries where it was over 90%. Parents reporting on walkability identified Australia as having high access to parks, while Nigerian parents reported no access, and parents in Bangladesh and India reported poor access. Traffic was a concern among parents in Brazil, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Israel, and concerns about crime were high in the first three countries. Adolescents who reported less recreational screen time lived in walkable neighborhoods and had better perceptions of safety from traffic and crime than others. Girls who lived in neighborhoods designed to support physical activity were less likely to be sedentary. Despite differences in culture, built environments and extent of sedentary time, patterns of association were generally similar across countries, said the study's lead author Ranjit Mohan Anjana, M.D., Ph.D., of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India. "Together, parents, policymakers and technology companies can work together to reduce access to screens, limit social media engagement and promote more physical activity, thus helping adolescents develop healthier habits and reduce their risk of chronic diseases," said Anjana. The study's findings have significant implications for public health policy and highlight the need for further research into the causes and consequences of sedentary behavior among teenagers. Countries involved in study: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czechia, Denmark, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and United States. Story Source: Materials provided by University of California - San Diego . Original written by Yadira Galindo. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :

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WWE Smackdown rebounded from the previous week’s Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul-related drop in the ratings last week. Friday’s episode brought in a 0.46 rating in the 18 – 49 demographic and 1.1578 million viewers per Wrestlenomics . Those numbers were up 43.8% and 27.9% respectively from the previous week’s 0.32 demo rating and audience of 1.234 million. The demo rating was still slightly down from the 0.47 demo rating from two weeks ago, while the audience was the highest since the October 11th episode had 1.652 million. Friday’s show up against the NBA game between the Warriors and Pelicans on ESPN, which did a 0.36 demo rating and 1.378 million viewers. Smackdown is averaging a 0.593 demo rating and 2.096 million viewers in 2024 to date, compared to a 0.592 demo rating and 2.238 million for the same point in 2023.AI spurs 900% rise in holiday scamsIsraeli airstrikes killed a hospital director at his home in northeastern Lebanon and six others, while at least five paramedics were killed by Israeli strikes in the country's south on Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. The United Nations reported heavy clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Four Italian peacekeepers were lightly wounded when a rocket, likely fired by Hezbollah, hit their base, the U.N. said. A full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in September after nearly a year of lower-intensity conflict. More than 3,640 people have been killed in Lebanon and 15,350 wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation and ground invasion, the Health Ministry said Friday. In Gaza, Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of the territory, wounding six medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, the hospital director said Friday. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here’s the Latest: BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike killed the director of a university hospital and six others at his home in northeastern Lebanon, state media said. The strike targeted Dr. Ali Allam’s house near Dar Al-Amal Hospital, the largest health center in Baalbek-Hermel province, which has provided vital health services amid Israel's campaign of airstrikes, the Health Ministry said. State-run media reported that the strike came without warning. The ministry described his death as a “great loss,” and provincial governor Bachir Khodr said in a post on X that, “Mr. Allam was one of the best citizens of Baalbek.” In two separate episodes on Friday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed five paramedics with Hezbollah's medical arm, the Health Ministry said, describing it as “war crime.” The militant group provides extensive social services, including running schools and health clinics. In a report published Friday, the World Health Organization said nearly half of all attacks on health care in Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023, have resulted in fatalities. “This is a higher percentage than in any active conflict today across the globe,” WHO said. In Lebanon, 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 were injured between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 18, 2024, the report said. The Health Ministry said Friday that 3,645 people have been killed in nearly 14 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, while 15,356 were wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The death count includes 692 women and 231 children. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza, wounding six medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, its director said Friday. Hossam Abu Safiya said the strikes before dawn Friday hit the entrance of the emergency unit as well as in the hospital courtyard. He said two members of the nursing staff suffered critical injuries. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Abu Safiya said the strikes caused damage to the functioning of the generator and disrupted oxygen supplies. The hospital is currently treating 85 wounded, 14 children in the pediatric ward and four newborns in the neonatal unit, he said. During the past month, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit several times, was put under siege and was raided by Israeli troops, who are waging a heavy offensive in the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp and towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military says it detained Hamas fighters hiding in the hospital, a claim its staff denies. UNITED NATIONS – Two rockets hit a headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, injuring four Italian peacekeepers, the United Nations says. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the rockets were likely launched by Hezbollah militants or by affiliated groups Friday, impacting a bunker and a logistics area in the southwest headquarters at Chamaa. One of the structures that was hit caught fire, and the blaze was swiftly put out by U.N. staff, he said. According to Italy’s Defense Ministry, some glass shattered due to the explosion, hitting the four soldiers. Dujarric said the four injured peacekeepers were receiving treatment at the medical facility of the mission, known as UNIFIL. “Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening,” he said. Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the attack on the UNIFIL base “intolerable.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace, and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Dujarric said Friday’s attack was the third on Chamaa in a week and came amid heavy shelling and ground skirmishes in the Chamaa and Naqoura areas in recent days. UNIFIL’s main headquarters is in Naqoura. Friday’s attack follows a rocket attack on a UNIFIL base east of the village of Ramyah on Tuesday that injured four peacekeepers from Ghana. Dujarric said UNIFIL strongly urges Hezbollah and its affiliates and Israel to avoid fighting near its positions, which are supposed to be protected. “We remind all parties that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law” and the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, he said. BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and the southern port city of Tyre on Friday, after the Israeli army issued several evacuation warnings saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites. The strikes in Beirut came dangerously close to central Beirut and Christian neighborhoods. One strike hit a building housing a gym and medical and beauty clinics, located just meters (yards) from a Lebanese army base. “What is there in the building to target? This attack they carried out on us in this building is a criminal and vile act,” resident Hassan Najdi told The Associated Press. “Because if their intention is targeting Hezbollah, this building has nothing to do with Hezbollah.” Najdi said he purchased an apartment in the building last year but had not yet moved in. He allowed a displaced family to move in and urgently asked them to evacuate after receiving the Israeli warning. The blasts sent plumes of smoke into the air and shattered glass in the vicinity. No casualties have been reported, but the strikes caused damage to nearby infrastructure and a key road connecting central Beirut to its southern suburbs. “We remain steadfast,” said Ali Daher, an employee at a mall facing the targeted building. “Everything that is lost can be replaced, and whatever is destroyed can be rebuilt in (no time).” In Tyre city, the Israeli military conducted multiple airstrikes after a series of warnings, claiming the targets belonged to Hezbollah’s Aziz unit, accusing it of firing projectiles into Israel. The Israeli military carried out other airstrikes across Lebanon, many without warnings, as heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in villages along the Lebanon-Israel border intensified. ROME — Italy said Friday it plans to discuss the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court over the Israel-Hamas war when it hosts Group of Seven foreign ministers next week. Premier Giorgia Meloni insisted that one point remained clear for Italy: “There can be no equivalence between the responsibilities of the state of Israel and the terrorist organization of Hamas.” Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Meloni’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement Friday, Meloni said Italy would study the reasonings behind the decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy respects the ICC and supports it. “But at the same time we are also convinced that the court must have a judicial role, and should not take up a political role.” Tajani will host G7 foreign ministers Monday and Tuesday outside Rome for the final meeting of the Italian G7 presidency. “As far as decisions are concerned, we will take them together with our allies,” Tajani said. During the G7 meetings, “we will talk about this with my allies there, and we will see what to do next.” Another member of the governing coalition, the outspoken Transport Minister Matteo Salvini was more defiant in supporting Israel. “If Netanyahu comes to Italy he will be welcomed,” Salvini was quoted by Italian media as saying. This item has been updated to correct that Salvini spoke of a potential Netanyahu visit to Italy, not Israel. ROME — Four Italian soldiers were slightly injured after two exploding rockets hit the United Nations' peacekeeping mission base on Friday in Chamaa in southern Lebanon, Italy's defense ministry said. Initial information suggested that two rockets hit a bunker and a room of the mission base, damaging the surrounding infrastructure, the ministry said. Shattered glass hit the four soldiers. The incident was the latest in which UN peacekeeping posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called Friday's attack “intolerable.” He said he will try to speak to the new Israeli Defense Minister to ask him “to avoid using the UNIFIL bases as a shield.” Crosetto said the conditions of the four Italian soldiers “did not cause concern.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday said she learned about the new attack with “deep indignation and concern.” Meloni reiterated that “such attacks are unacceptable,” renewing her appeal for the parties on the ground “to guarantee, at all times, the safety of UNIFIL soldiers and to collaborate to quickly identify those responsible.” GENEVA — The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world. The U.N. health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more. WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat. Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah militants in the country two months ago. The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday. JERUSALEM — Israel’s new defense minister said Friday that he would stop issuing warrants to arrest West Bank settlers or hold them without charge or trial — a largely symbolic move that rights groups said risks emboldening settler violence in the Israeli-occupied territory. Israel Katz called the arrest warrants “severe” and said issuing them was “inappropriate” as Palestinian militant attacks on settlers in the territory grow more frequent. He said settlers could be “brought to justice” in other ways. The move protects Israeli settlers from being held in “administrative detention,” a shadowy form of incarceration where people are held without charge or trial. Settlers are rarely arrested in the West Bank, where settler violence against Palestinians has spiraled since the outbreak of the war Oct. 7. Katz’s decision was celebrated by far-right coalition allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. National Security Minister and settler firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir applauded Katz and called the move a “correction of many years of mistreatment” and “justice for those who love the land.” Since Oct. 7, 2023, violence toward Palestinians by Israeli settlers has soared to new heights, displacing at least 19 entire Palestinian communities, according to Israeli rights group Peace Now. In that time, attacks by Palestinian militants on settlers and within Israel have also grown more common. An increasing number of Palestinians have been placed in administrative detention. Israel holds 3,443 administrative detainees in prison, according to data from the Israeli Prison Service, reported by rights group Hamoked. That figure stood around 1,200 just before the start of the war. The vast majority of them are Palestinian, with only a handful at any given time Israeli Jews, said Jessica Montell, the director of Hamoked. “All of these detentions without charge or trial are illegitimate, but to declare that this measure will only be used against Palestinians...is to explicitly entrench another form of ethnic discrimination,” said Montell. BERLIN — A German official has suggested that his country would be reluctant to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant put Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, in an awkward position. The government said in a statement Friday that it is one of the ICC’s biggest supporters, but “at the same time, it is a consequence of German history that unique relations and a great responsibility connect us with Israel.” The government said it takes note of the arrest warrants and that “we will examine conscientiously the domestic steps.” It said that any further steps would only be an issue if a visit by Netanyahu or Gallant were “foreseeable.” Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit was pressed repeatedly at a regular news conference on whether it would be conceivable to arrest an Israeli prime minister. He replied: "It’s hard for me to imagine that we would carry out arrests in Germany on this basis.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday refused to comment on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, saying that the court's rulings are “insignificant” for Russia, which doesn’t recognizes the court’s jurisdiction. The ICC last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of other top Russian officials, accusing them of war crimes in Ukraine. The Kremlin has brushed off the warrants, saying that in Moscow’s eyes they’re “null and void.” Asked if the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and others can help resolve the tensions in the Middle East, Peskov said: “Well, in general, the actions of the ICC are unlikely to help anything. That’s the first thing. And secondly, we don’t see any point in commenting on this in any way, because for us these rulings are insignificant.” DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Large crowds of displaced people crammed themselves in front of a bakery in the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row, desperate to get their share of bread after bakeries closed for five days due to a flour shortage and the lack of aid. “I am a 61-year-old man. This is the third day that I have come to Zadna Bakery and I still cannot get bread ... I have children to feed,” said Majdi Yaghi, a displaced man from Gaza City. The price of a small bag of pita bread increased to $16 by Friday, a stark increase from about 80 cents last month. A bag of pasta now costs $4 and a small bag of sugar costs nearly $14. That has left many Palestinian families surviving on one meal a day and reliant on charitable kitchens to survive. In Khan Younis, women and children lined up at the al-Dalu charitable kitchen for bulgur, the only food available at the makeshift charity. One of the workers there, Anas al-Dalu, told the AP that they cook ten pots every day of either rice, beans, or bulgur. But that hardly fills the need for the thousands of people displaced in the area. “The charity here is in a difficult situation. It is a drop in the ocean, and there is no aid or charities. There is nothing," said Nour Kanani, a displaced man from Khan Younis. “It is a crisis in every sense of the word. There is no flour, no charities, and no food.” BEIRUT — Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers. A spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL told The Associated Press that they are monitoring “heavy clashes” in the coastal town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa to the northeast. UNIFIL’s headquarters are located in Naqoura in Lebanon’s southern edge close to the border with Israel. “We are aware of heavy shelling in the vicinity of our bases,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said. Asked if the peacekeepers and staff at the headquarters are safe, Tenenti said: “Yes for the moment.” Several UNIFIL posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded.

CPR training event honors Preston Lord, teaches over 100 people life-saving skills

What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Nail-biting OT Win Over the Chicago BearsA new frame is coming to Warframe with the game’s upcoming 1999 expansion: Cyte-09. Cyte-09 will be Warframe’s 59th frame and the latest after Koumei, but until recently, not much has been known about him. But that’s changing as developer Digital Extremes releases more information. We don’t know exactly when Warframe: 1999 is coming, although it’s set for December, but there is a lot to look forward to, like Cyte-09, the Technocyte Coda , new weapons, new modes, new areas, and more. Keep reading to learn everything we know about Warframe’s next frame, Cyte-09. What are Cyte-09’s abilities in Warframe? The concept for Cyte-09 is a stealthy sniper Warframe, and that’s been known for a while, but we’ve only learned recently what his abilities actually do, which is as follows: Sneak : Plant an antenna that projects a forward wave scan. Detected enemies take increased weak point damage and become visible through walls. Weapons gain punchthrough. Resupply : Throw two elemental ammo packs that instantly refill the active weapon’s magazine and grant the weapon an additional instance of a selected elemental damage type and status effect. Reload clears the effect. Sniper rifles gain extra damage. Evade : Jump backwards and become invisible for a short duration. Weak point kills extend the duration and heal Cyte-09. Neutralize : Summon the Neutralizer, Cyte-09’s exalted sniper rifle. Bullets ricochet off weak points to seek out other nearby weak points. Alt fire lobs a cold grenade that completely freezes enemies. The big question when it comes to Cyte-09 is how his exalted sniper rifle will work. It’s unclear not only how powerful it will be but also exactly what its mechanics are and how they might synergize with Cyte-09’s other abilities. We don’t have these answers yet, but Warframe: 1999 isn’t too far off. What does the Warframe community think about Cyte-09? In general, spirits are high. Many community members are excited to see another stealth frame get added to the game, the prospect of an exalted sniper rifle many find fresh and interesting, and Cyte-09’s kit seems to appeal to many Warframe fans. However, some do have concerns. Considering the Warframe meta is so strongly focused on AoE damage potential, particularly when it comes to weapons, some worry that a sniper rifle might not be able to keep up in higher-level content. Some already anticipate replacing Cyte-09’s sniper rifle ability with something else. Others wonder how ‘bullets ricocheting off weak points to seek out other weak points’ will work in the context of Cyte-09’s overall kit and if that ricochet power will be enough to take down tough enemies with ease or not. Of course, this is all speculation in the here and now.BATAVIA, Ill., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High Wire Networks, Inc. HWNI , an award-winning leading global provider of managed cybersecurity solutions, has initiated the next phase of its new strategic growth plan with the addition of new sales team members and additional marketing resources. These moves are aimed at accelerating growth in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from the company's Overwatch cyber portfolio, and building upon the record revenue from continuing operations generated in the third quarter of 2024 . The company has appointed industry veterans with proven track records in managed cybersecurity who are now focused on attracting larger channel partners who represent enterprise-class clients. These efforts align with the company's transition to increased average contract size and higher average MRR per channel partner which began earlier this year. The company will continue to support and grow its well-established base of smaller managed service providers (MSPs) and enable them to grow their managed cybersecurity business. High Wire's sales organization will also continue to evolve with the goal of creating competitive advantages for all of its channel partners through hyperautomation and greater agility as provided by the company's Overwatch managed cybersecurity platform. "In the second and third quarter of this year we were intensely focused on making the changes necessary to transform our Overwatch business, which has quickly evolved from ‘start-up mode' to becoming recognized by Frost & Sullivan and others as one of the best Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) in the country," stated High Wire Networks CEO, Mark Porter. "We believe this elevated status reflects how we have assembled the strongest and most experienced management team in the managed cybersecurity space and are now ready to scale at a much greater pace," continued Porter. "We are now focused on accelerating revenue growth and tracking our MRR ‘exit velocity' at the end of each quarter, and this is keeping us on track for our strongest quarter yet in Q4." The Overwatch operations team continues to develop and deploy the company's proprietary hyperautomations, with this enabling revenue growth and gross profit expansion at a faster pace than the need for adding personnel to the security operations team. "We see this leverage in our operational model as our key to profitability and stronger cash flow, and we are pushing forward on this path very aggressively," added Porter. The new Overwatch team additions will report directly to the company's chief revenue officer, Mark Dallmeier, who joined High Wire in third quarter of this year. Dallmeier has brought to Overwatch more than 27 years of senior leadership experience in taking technology and managed services companies into ‘hypergrowth.' Dallmeier's appointment followed the earlier appointment of veteran cybersecurity thought leader and executive, Edward Vasko, CISSP, as High Wire's chief operations officer and chief executive officer of the Overwatch managed cybersecurity services division. Vasko brings more than 33 years of experience and achievement in the cybersecurity industry, including business formation and product development, and leading strategic M&As and major exits. "Our greater focus on MRR and team building efforts have already resulted in the largest pipeline of large deals in our company's history," added Porter. "Several of these are currently in the final closing stages. "Combined with now a much cleaner capital structure, we are well positioned for an uplisting to a major exchange—especially given how the capital markets are looking the best they've been in a long time. Capable players in the banking space have expressed strong interest and confidence in assisting us with such an endeavor and we're quickly moving forward to seize the opportunity." To learn more about High Wire and its award-winning managed cybersecurity services go to HighWireNetworks.com or view the company's free video series on its YouTube channel. About High Wire Networks High Wire Networks, Inc. HWNI is a fast-growing, award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity. Through over 200 channel partners, it delivers trusted managed services for more than 1,100 managed security customers worldwide. End-customers include Fortune 500 companies and many of the nation's largest government agencies. Its U.S. based 24/7 Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center is located in Chicago, Illinois. High Wire was ranked by Frost & Sullivan as a Top 15 Managed Security Service Provider in the Americas for 2024. The company was also named to CRN's MSP 500 and Elite 150 lists of the nation's top IT managed service providers for 2023 and 2024, and ranked among the Top 250 MSSPs for 2024 according to MSSP Alert . Learn more at HighWireNetworks.com . Follow the company on X , view its extensive video series on YouTube or connect on LinkedIn . Forward-Looking Statements The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as "anticipate," "appear," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "indicate," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would," and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company's performance, are all "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations. High Wire Contact Mark Porter Chief Executive Officer High Wire Networks Tel +1 (952) 974-4000 Email Contact Investor Relations Ronald Both or Grant Stude CMA Investor Relations Tel +1 (949) 432-7557 Email Contact © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Chandigarh, December 30 : Farmers have announced a 'Punjab Bandh' on Monday leading to the expected closure of all shops across the state and disruptions in road and rail services. However, emergency services will continue to operate. There will also be no supply of milk, fruits, and vegetables until the protest ends on Monday evening as several trade organisations lent their support to the bandh. "Farmer union leaders will enforce a chakka jam on roads and rail lines from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Government and private institutions are requested to stay closed. Only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, marriage vehicles, or anyone in a dire emergency, will be allowed to pass," reports quoted a senior farm leader as saying. Tripura: Protest Rally by Samyukta Kisan Morcha Held in Agartala to Support Farmers' Demands. SKM, KKM Call for Bandh The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Sarwan Singh Pandher -- who happens to be the coordinator of both forums -- said traders, transporters, employees unions, toll plaza workers, labour, ex-servicemen, Sarpanches and teachers' unions, social and other bodies, and some other sections have lent their support to the bandh. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. With Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader. Farmers Protest: ‘Fight Will Last Till Last Breath’, Says Jagjit Singh Dallewal Whose Fast Completes 28 Days for Kisan’ Rights. Roads and Railway Services To Remain Closed He further said the farmers wanted to make it clear that whatever situation arises the responsibility will lie with the Centre and the constitutional bodies. Rail movement and road traffic will remain closed on Monday. In support of the farmers' Bandh call, bus services in Punjab will remain suspended on Monday. While the PRTC bus services will be shut for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the private bus operators have announced their full support, thus declaring the suspension of services across the state from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Besides a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands. This bandh, the farmer leader said, will force the Centre to accept the demands of farmers. He slammed the Union government for failing to accept the demands of farmers. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after security forces stopped their march to Delhi. A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8, and again on December 14. Security personnel in Haryana prevented them from proceeding. There will be a complete bandh on December 30, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said. However, emergency services will remain operational. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the call for a 'Punjab bandh' on December 30 is getting good support from various sections. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. To ensure the success of the bandh, SKM (Non-political) and KMM convened a meeting of transporters, employees, traders and others at the Khanauri protest site last Thursday. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 08:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Snowflake director Frank Slootman sells $700,074 in stockbug do fortune rabbit 。

Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda criticized the Congress as “parasitic” that survives by relying on other parties before eventually undermining them. He advised Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy to distance himself while he still could. Addressing a public meeting held by BJP at Saroornagar Stadium on Saturday, December 7, Nadda said that Congress was “standing on the crutches and running with the support of regional parties.” “Congress has been working on four principles- as long as you live, live happily, enjoy, borrow and drink ghee. When everything is over, who will remember whom?” he remarked, commenting on the state government taking loans. Comparing the Congress’ guarantees with a magician’s tricks, Nadda said that whether it was in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka or Telangana, the party hasn’t fulfilled its election promises after coming to power. Listing out Congress’s promises, including giving Rs 12,000 per year to auto drivers, providing unemployment allowance to job-seekers, loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, establishing 6,000 new schools, Rs 12,000 per year assistance to farm workers among the few, Nadda questioned whether the promises were fulfilled or not. As the mobilisation for the public meeting was thin, the ‘nay-saying voices’ were less in number and low in volume. Nadda claimed that through the devolution of taxes, the Modi government has provided Rs 1.60 lakh crore along with Rs 1.19 lakh crore as grants-in-aid to Telangana. He also said that the works for the establishment of the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) at Bibinagar will be completed shortly. Highlighting BJP secured seven seats in the Lok Sabha election from Telangana, Nadda expressed confidence that the saffron party will come to power in Telangana eventually. Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay, addressing the meeting alleged that CM Revanth was a puppet in the hands of “urban naxals.” “Those appointed by the Congress government in the education commission are urban naxals. Half of the state government comprises urban naxals. Revanth Reddy’s government is trying to turn the youth of the state into naxals. Do you want to become someone like Ambedkar, Shivaji, Savarkar, Swami Vivekananda, Sardar Patel, or an urban naxal?” he asked the crowd. Bandi Sanjay also alleged that CM Revanth has a ‘secret dealing’ with BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao and claimed it was this reason why senior leaders of the pink party, KTR and Harish Rao, are still not in jail.Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!www.purestorage.com (PRNewsFoto/Pure Storage) (PRNewsfoto/Pure Storage) Awarded industry-first design win from a top-four hyperscaler SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG), the IT pioneer that delivers the world's most advanced data storage technologies and services, announced financial results for its third quarter fiscal year 2025 ended November 3, 2024. "Pure Storage has achieved another industry first in our journey of data storage innovation with a transformational design win for our DirectFlash technology in a top-four hyperscaler," said Pure Storage Chairman and CEO Charles Giancarlo . "This win is the vanguard for Pure Flash technology to become the standard for all hyperscaler online storage, providing unparalleled performance and scalability while also reducing operating costs and power consumption." Third Quarter Financial Highlights "Our third quarter results exceeded our expectations on revenue and operating income, demonstrating the sustaining strength of our business models," said Kevan Krysler , Pure Storage CFO. "We remain focused on driving both near-term results and long-term value creation through disciplined investments and innovation that position Pure as the leader in transforming the data storage landscape." Third Quarter Company Highlights Industry Recognition and Accolades Fourth Quarter and FY25 Guidance These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. Refer to the Forward Looking Statements section below for information on the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from these statements. Pure has not reconciled its guidance for non-GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating margin to their most directly comparable GAAP measures because certain items that impact these measures are not within Pure's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures guidance to the corresponding GAAP measures are not available without unreasonable effort. Conference Call Information Pure will host a teleconference to discuss the third quarter fiscal 2025 results at 2:00 pm PT today, December 3, 2024. A live audio broadcast of the conference call will be available on the Pure Storage Investor Relations website . Pure will also post its earnings presentation and prepared remarks to this website concurrent with this release. A replay will be available following the call on the Pure Storage Investor Relations website or for two weeks at 1-800-770-2030 (or 1-647-362-9199 for international callers) with passcode 5667482. Additionally, Pure is scheduled to participate at the following investor conferences: Wells Fargo 8th Annual TMT Summit Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Time: 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET Chief Technology Officer Rob Lee 27th Annual Needham Growth Conference Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025 Time: 9:45 a.m. PT / 12:45 p.m. ET Founder & Chief Visionary Officer John "Co z" Colgrove Chief Financial Officer Kevan Krysler The presentations will be webcast live and archived on Pure's Investor Relations website at investor.purestorage.com . ---- About Pure Storage Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG) delivers the industry's most advanced data storage platform to store, manage, and protect the world's data at any scale. With Pure Storage, organizations have ultimate simplicity and flexibility, saving time, money, and energy. From AI to archive, Pure Storage delivers a cloud experience with one unified Storage as-a-Service platform across on premises, cloud, and hosted environments. Our platform is built on our Evergreen architecture that evolves with your business – always getting newer and better with zero planned downtime, guaranteed. Our customers are actively increasing their capacity and processing power while significantly reducing their carbon and energy footprint. It's easy to fall in love with Pure Storage, as evidenced by the highest Net Promoter Score in the industry. For more information, visit www.purestorage.com . Connect with Pure Blog LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Pure Storage, the Pure P Logo, Portworx, and the marks on the Pure Storage Trademark List are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pure Storage Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Trademark List can be found at purestorage.com/trademarks . Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our products, business and operations, including but not limited to our views relating to our opportunity with hyperscale and AI environments, our ability to meet hyperscalers' performance and price requirements, our ability to meet the needs of hyperscalers for the entire spectrum of their online storage use cases, the timing and magnitude of large orders, including sales to hyperscalers, the timing and amount of revenue from hyperscaler licensing and support services, future period financial and business results, demand for our products and subscription services, including Evergreen//One, the relative sales mix between our subscription and consumption offerings and traditional capital expenditure sales, our technology and product strategy, specifically customer priorities around sustainability, the environmental and energy saving benefits to our customers of using our products, our ability to perform during current macro conditions and expand market share, our sustainability goals and benefits, the impact of inflation, economic or supply chain disruptions, our expectations regarding our product and technology differentiation, new customer acquisition, and other statements regarding our products, business, operations and results. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted include, among others, those risks and uncertainties included under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our filings and reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on our Investor Relations website at investor.purestorage.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . Additional information is also set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 4, 2024. All information provided in this release and in the attachments is as of December 3, 2024, and Pure undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law. Key Performance Metric Subscription ARR is a key business metric that refers to total annualized contract value of all active subscription agreements on the last day of the quarter, plus on-demand revenue for the quarter multiplied by four. Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, Pure uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, and free cash flow. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses such as stock-based compensation expense, payments to former shareholders of acquired companies, payroll tax expense related to stock-based activities, amortization of debt issuance costs related to debt, and amortization of intangible assets acquired from acquisitions that may not be indicative of our ongoing core business operating results. Pure believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when analyzing historical performance and liquidity and planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our non-GAAP measures may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP results of operations to the nearest comparable GAAP measures" and "Reconciliation from net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow," included at the end of this release.

Shocking Insights: The Hidden Cost of AI Data Centers that Investors Must Know

New Omni Theater at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is ready for next generationShopping on Temu can feel like playing an arcade game. Instead of using a joystick-controlled claw to grab a toy, visitors to the online marketplace maneuver their computer mouses or cellphone screens to browse colorful gadgets, accessories and trinkets with prices that look too good to refuse. A pop-up spinning wheel offers the chance to win a coupon. Rotating captions warn that a less than $2 camouflage print balaclava and a $1.23 skeleton hand back scratcher are “Almost sold out.” A flame symbol indicates a $9.69 plush cat print hoodie is selling fast. A timed-down selection of discounted items adds to the sense of urgency. Welcome to the new online world of impulse buying, a place of guilty pleasures where the selection is vast, every day is Cyber Monday, and an instant dopamine hit that will have faded by the time your package arrives is always just a click away. By all accounts, we’re living in an accelerating age for consumerism, one that Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, its fierce rival, supercharged with social media savvy and an interminable assortment of cheap goods, most shipped directly from merchants in China based on real-time demand. The business models of the two platforms, coupled with avalanches of digital or influencer advertising, have enabled them to give Western retailers a run for their money this holiday shopping season. Software company Salesforce said it expects roughly one in five online purchases in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada to be made through four online marketplaces based or founded in Asia: Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop - the e-commerce arm of video-sharing platform TikTok - and AliExpress. Analysts with Salesforce said they are expected to pull in roughly $160 billion in global sales outside of China. Most of the sales will go to Temu and Shein, a privately held company which is thought to lead the worldwide fast fashion market in revenue. Lisa Xiaoli Neville, a nonprofit manager who lives in Los Angeles, is sold on Shein. The bedroom of her home is stocked with jeans, shoes, press-on nails and other items from the ultra-fast fashion retailer, all of which she amassed after getting on the platform to purchase a $2 pair of earrings she saw in a Facebook ad. Neville, 46, estimates she spends at least $75 a month on products from Shein. A $2 eggshell opener, a portable apple peeler and an apple corer - both costing less than $5 - are among the quirky, single-use kitchen tools taking up drawer space. She acknowledges she doesn’t need them because she “doesn’t even cook like that.” Plus, she’s allergic to apples. “I won’t eat apples. It will kill me,” Neville said, laughing. “But I still want the coring thing.” Shein, now based in Singapore, uses some of the same web design features as Temu’s, such as pop-up coupons and ads, to persuade shoppers to keep clicking, but it appears a bit more restrained in its approach. Shein primarily targets young women through partnerships with social media influencers. Searching the company's name on video platforms turns up creators promoting Shein's Black Friday sales event and displaying the dozens of of trendy clothes and accessories they got for comparatively little money. But the Shein-focused content also includes videos of TikTokers saying they're embarrassed to admit they shopped there and critics lashing out at fans for not taking into account the environmental harms or potential labor abuses associated with products that are churned out and shipped worldwide at a speedy pace. Neville has already picked out holiday gifts for family and friends from the site. Most of the products in her online cart cost under $10, including graphic T-shirts she intends to buy for her son and jeans and loafers for her daughter. All told, she plans to spend about $200 on gifts, significantly less than $500 she used to shell out at other stores in prior years. “The visuals just make you want to spend more money,” she said, referring to the clothes on Shein's site. “They're very cheap and everything is just so cute.” Unlike Shein, Temu's appeal cuts across age groups and gender. The platform is the world’s second most-visited online shopping site, software company Similarweb reported in September. Customers go there looking for practical items like doormats and silly products like a whiskey flask shaped like a vintage cellphone from the 1990s. Temu advertised Black Friday bargains for some items at upwards of 70% off the recommended retail price. Making a purchase can quickly result in receiving dozens of emails offering free giveaways. The caveat: customers have to buy more products. Ellen Flowers, 36, a lifestyle blogger who lives in Dallas, recently decided to pair a $3,500 dining table with $25 dining chairs from Temu to save money. She's also purchased clothes from Temu. The quality or fit wasn't always always great, so Flowers donated some unwanted pieces to thrift stores to avoid paying return shipping fees that would cost almost as much as the clothes. Flowers planned to buy stocking stuffers on Temu as well as baubles for an ornament-swapping party in early December. She also wanted to buy necklaces and bracelets for an activity at her 5-year-old niece's upcoming birthday party. “I love buying my nieces presents,” Flowers says. “Since they’re young, they don’t need the Louis Vuitton handbag. I can give them a cute handbag from Temu. Then they’ll lose interest in a month and I’ll buy them another one.” Despite their rise, Temu and Shein have proven particularly ripe for pushback. Last year, a coalition of unnamed brands and organizations launched a campaign to oppose Shein in Washington. U.S. lawmakers also have raised the possibility that Temu is allowing goods made with forced labor to enter the country. More recently, the Biden administration put forward rules that would crack down on a trade rule known as the de minimis exception, which has allowed a lot of cheap products to come into the U.S. duty-free. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to slap high tariffs on goods from China, a move that would likely raise prices and across the retail world. Both Shein and Temu have set up warehouses in the U.S. to speed up delivery times and help them better compete with Amazon, which is trying to erode their price advantage through a new storefront that also ships products directly from China. Meanwhile, Temu is onboarding Chinese merchants to store inventory in the U.S., a move that would allow the company to not be as exposed to changes around the de minimus trade rule, said Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse. The change comes as both Shein and Temu are attempting to expand beyond the bargain-hungry shoppers who popularized their platforms. Temu is allowing sellers to ship products to customers from local U.S. warehouses and says the move will allow it to sell larger items like furniture as it expands its selection of big-ticket items. Meanwhile, American children's clothing retailer The Children’s Place signed a deal last month to distribute its products through Shein’s platform. Last year, Shein went into business with women's fashion retailer Forever 21. It has been working to recruit other brands and reportedly has hopes of getting listed on the London Stock Exchange.

South Korea's leader prompts dismay by briefly declaring martial law. Here's what to know

Thompson-Herro fight leads to ejections of multiple players and coaches in Heat's victory in HoustonIt could have been a photo people posted on family WhatsApp groups on what seemed like a routine day—a young girl in a crowded metro, clicked by a friend. The difference, however, was that it was not a friendly click. The photo was maliciously made public on social media. An anonymous social media handle posted the picture, “calling the girl out” for “having an affair with a Hindu boy”. The post’s caption said: “The girl in hijab was in a relationship with a Hindu boy”, who had “gotten off the metro at a station” before the picture was supposedly taken. What followed was a barrage of comments against the girl in particular and women from Kashmir working or studying outside the Valley in general. Religion was invoked, the girl was vilified. This is one brazen example of social media defamation of girls in Kashmir—a Muslim-majority region not known to enforce diktats on either dress or morality, except for a brief period in the 1990s when an all-women separatist organisation, Dhuktaran-e-Milat, tried to enforce hijab. The movement did not last, as it failed to garner public support. The Dhuktaran cadre, known for throwing colour on “non-hijabi women”, was denounced for humiliating girls publicly. However, for some time now, fast-sprouting faceless accounts/handles have been using social media as a platform for the resurgence of this very narrative. For them, everything spells problems—girls enjoying a musical evening at a college fest, marriages, relationships and even friendships happening outside of religion and region. In a similar incident a few months ago, a Kashmiri girl and her friends, who happened to be her non-local classmates, were attacked by a mob of local boys. Later, the video of the altercation was uploaded on social media. The video identified the girl, her residence, and the educational institute. The video was, however, taken down, sources say, following intervention by the local police. BY Mehroob Mushtaq Not Standalone Incidents These incidents are not standalone. For years, the social media landscape in Kashmir is reeking of misogyny. The real-life misogyny is spilling onto social media platforms. Taking a leaf from the right-wing book, Kashmiri men, like the Hindutva brigade in the rest of the country, want to take control of “what women do” and “what they wear”. Some call it the rise of the “right in Kashmir”, others a “mere reaction” to what is happening in the rest of the country in the name of “ love jihad ”. Technology and social media are providing the required tools to spread this misogyny. Girls are trolled for anything from riding a bike to reciting poetry. “ Papa ki pari ” is a highly abused tagline, used not only in Kashmir but the rest of the country as well. Social Scientists agree that cyber misogyny is on the rise. “Social media is a new platform that has given people the agency and space to express themselves. The abuse that women face in private and public spaces is now being witnessed on virtual platforms as well. Women face ‘digital abuse’ for numerous reasons, and misogyny is the most important one,” said sociologist Farah Qayoom. BY Zahir Abdullah The trend started with trolling women for their choice of clothes and careers, demeaning their achievements and has now become a new form of harassment for Kashmiri women on social media. Any out-of-the-box video featuring a girl, any achievement highlighted on social media has some keyboard warrior sitting on a prowl. In February 2022, Srinagar’s Aroosa Parvaiz, who had topped class 12 board exams in the science stream, was trolled for not wearing a hijab after photographs of her without a headscarf went viral across social media. The 17-year-old girl, who was hailed as an achiever by people, was soon targeted for her appearance with derogatory comments and vicious attacks flooding social media. Some people hide behind the anonymity of unidentified accounts and use hate and trolling as weapons of harassment and character assassination. The incident happened in the backdrop of Karnataka’s hijab ban in educational institutes. More recently, in October, a video from a college festival in SKUAST, Jammu, was relentlessly shared on X with sermons of “dwindling morals of Kashmir students, especially girls”. The X user called the video “a serious concern” because young female students were seen clapping and enjoying the musical programme. Questions were raised about Kashmiri values and the dwindling morality. In another post, the same user posted a video of a male singer singing in woods and called it “mesmerising”. BY Ather Zia Shrinking Social Media Space Experts agree social media spaces are shrinking for women in Kashmir, and most women are leaving platforms for fear of being trolled. “On social media platforms, many Kashmiri women are targeted for their dress, not covering their head, their appearance, and so on. Often, it is seen that the ones doing it use religion to malign women. Misogynist religious ideology is reflected when many Kashmiri women are asked to keep their heads covered, to wear a certain type of dress, and are accused of having relations with Hindu boys,” Qayoom adds. However, she adds that the digital abuse that women face is not confined to Kashmir but is the same as it is in the rest of the country. “It’s a reflection of the larger social inequality that women are inferior to men that prevails in our society,” she says. Statistics show women across the world are subjected to abuse. A 2023 UN report says 16-58 per cent of women are targeted online in Kashmir; however, it is being used as a tool for the subjugation of females. Creating Synthetic Role Models Another phenomenon Kashmir watchers believe that fuels the misogyny is the “synthetic role model narrative”. “A certain set of women, who are pro-administration, mostly seen supporting the BJP at the Centre government and its stance on Kashmir , are being promoted as role models for Kashmiri women and girls,” says a politician who did not want to be named. “The state facilitates these women; they call themselves social media influencers but are government mouthpieces. This type of social remodelling and botched reengineering has also made people sceptical of the rise of girls as social media opinion-makers or role models. And as a consequence, common women and girls are unfortunately bearing the brunt,” he adds. This “role model” trend started in 2019, when a girl claiming to be Kashmiri featured in viral videos extending support for abrogation of Article 370. A media article later revealed the girl was not “a Kashmiri Muslim” as was being projected but a Sindhi who claimed ancestry in Kashmir. The young girl, who later married a Kashmiri politician from BJP, has since spoken in various international forums supporting India’s reading down of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Experts say such achievers and influencers undermine the real achievers and leave people with a sense of doubt. “State manufacturing role models, stigmatises the narratives and helps further fuel misogyny,” says an expert. BY Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra Surprising as it may sound, in a place like Kashmir, where any social media post can lead to years in jail, the trend is catching on unabated. Police say they initiate action upon receiving complaints. Whether the complaint is from the victim or flagged by another person, the concerns are met with “swift and decisive action”. However, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V K Birdi, urged “women to report the incidents”. “We acknowledge the problem, are cautious, and try to scan social media for such incidents. But people have to also come forward. If any girl feels threatened, she can register a complaint at our cyber police station, and we will take the required action. We have acted very swiftly many times when women have complained,” he says. “However, if the content is viral and risks the safety of the women/girls, action is taken without any complaints,” he adds. Is cyber harassment of women a reaction to the “love Jihad” conspiracy theory in the rest of the country? “They have anti-conversion laws, and we can’t even talk about it”, “are you supporting organised bhagwa ‘love traps’, “are you also sleeping with some Hindu?”, and many similar replies with extremely unparliamentary language were reactions this reporter got after objecting to a misogynist post regarding interfaith relationships. Most of the abusive replies were from accounts formed a few months ago with just a few followers. Although cyber trolling is a common phenomenon, social scientists say the trolls are taking refuge in the “love jihad conspiracy” being fuelled in the rest of the country. Every time an Islamophobic incident takes place in the rest of the country, misogynistic and trolling incidents of women are on the rise. Earlier this year, many X accounts, including that of a senior politician, ran into trouble with law enforcement agencies when the marriage certificate of a local Kashmiri Muslim girl with a Hindu non-Kashmiri boy was widely circulated on social media. Another document confirming her religious conversion also went viral. The incident had many Kashmiris crying foul claiming such marriages and conversions were part of “organised bhagwa love traps”. Many users on X claimed the Centre and state were closing their eyes to the cases where the brides happened to be Muslim, especially Kashmiri. BY Naseer Ganai Junaid Azim Mattu , former mayor of Srinagar, posted the same documents on his X account, trying to draw a parallel with a case of a cleric of Dargah Hazratbal, who was barred from performing religious duties for “helping a man convert to Islam”. “A 23-year-old Muslim girl, Humerah, from a village in Baramulla is converted to Hinduism by Sanatan Vedic Samaj Kalyan Sansthan, given a name Purni, and married to a certain Mr. Parihar from Maharashtra by an organisation that proclaims, “approved by the government of India. No cry for Love Dharam Yudh?” Mattu had written. Existence of Traditional Misogyny While Kashmir has not been a strictly patriarchal society but it’s also not a matriarchal society as well. Although women have traditionally been given opportunities in education and employment, men have greater power and social status than women. Qayoom said that the problem is that “in a traditional society like Kashmir, children are not socialised to accept gender equality”. “We don’t inculcate a gender-sensitive approach in our children. Boys are made to believe that they are superior, and girls are inferior. When such boys grow up, they harbour a misogynistic attitude, and it is reflected in their expressions over social media and other such platforms,” Qayoom says. Qayoom believes there is a need for comprehensive strategies to address this pressing issue; people must learn to create a balance between traditional and cultural beliefs and modern life. Social scientists say society has to be reminded that respect for women cannot be only for those, those who live in your home, your mother and daughters but it has to be extended to those whom you don't know. Those whom you meet in unfamiliar situations like social media. “These interactions would define who you are,” says Qayoom. These interactions cannot be governed by premature judgements, the patriarchal norms and predetermined or predefined rules particularly for women.Sony Group and Honda Motor plan to start taking orders for their first electric vehicle after collaborating for two and a half years as two of Japan’s most renowned companies. Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) will show a prototype of its fully electric sedan called Afeela next month at the Consumer Technology Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This announcement was made by Izumi Kawanishi, president and chief operating officer of SHM. To launch in the US SHM recently announced that they will be exhibiting at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, from January 7, 2025. Before the public exhibition, the JV will present at the Sony Group press conference on January 6. In addition, on January 7, SHM will hold its first solo press conference to present further details about the official launch of Afeela in 2025. The booth at CES 2025 will showcase the latest model updated towards its product launch. Through the vehicles on display and various visual contents, the latest initiatives and specifics on AFEELA’s concept of “Autonomy (evolving autonomy), Augmentation (extension of the body, time and space) and Affinity (affinity with people, and coexistence with society)” will be introduced. The brand “Afeela,” which aims to “redefine the relationship between people and mobility,” is scheduled to launch its first mass-produced EV model in 2025, with deliveries expected to start in 2026. Sony, Honda’s first electric sedan The sedan will be all-wheel drive and powered by two electric motors, one on each axle, producing 241 horsepower. A combined horsepower rating has not been released, but an electric sedan with the potential to make over 400 horsepower has caught our attention. The company says the sedan will ride on an air-spring suspension system and a staggered tire setup with wider rubber in the rear. A 91.0-kWh battery pack is sandwiched under the Afeela’s floorboards, but we are still determining the car’s range estimate. The company claims it can charge up to 150 KW at fast chargers. Peeking inside the Afeela EV sedan reveals a U-shaped yoke-style steering wheel—seemingly inspired by the Tesla Model S Plaid—among several futuristic elements. The cabin glows with ambient lighting, and we can see a rotary controller ahead of the center armrest that allows us to access the car’s entirely digital dashboard. The general layout is simple and clean, and the cabin seems spacious for a sedan, but we won’t know more until closer to the car’s on-sale date. The official range of the sedan still needs to be unveiled, but it could be between 250 miles and 275 miles on a single charge. In addition, SHM has decided to introduce Ridevu, an in-car entertainment service developed for the automotive industry by Sony Pictures Entertainment, as an offering for Afeela in the US. SHM is committed to pursuing mobility as a creative entertainment space. With the introduction of RIDEVU, customers can enjoy hundreds of feature films from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s premium content library and stream them whenever they want by purchasing or renting through the application. As a Mobility Tech Company that connects diverse inspirations and pursues cutting-edge technology, SHM will realize innovations in mobility that affect people’s sensibilities and behavior.

BEIJING , Dec. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: "The Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind carries forward the same spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Both are rooted in traditional Chinese values such as 'Be kind to your neighbor,' 'Seek amity through integrity,' and 'Promote harmony among all nations.'" These are the remarks made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence on June 28 . In his speech, Xi expounded on the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and their relevance for the times, charting the course forward for building a community with a shared future for mankind. He also noted that all countries must shoulder their common responsibility for peace, and commit to a path of peaceful development, and work together to seek peace, safeguard peace, and enjoy peace. Throughout the centuries, humanity has been dreaming of keeping war as far away as possible from mankind so that children across the world can grow up happily under the sunshine of peace. The baton of history is passed from generation to generation, and the cause of human progress moves forward from one era to another as humanity seek answers to the questions of the times. The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence initiated seventy years ago provided a historic answer to the significant question of how to handle state-to-state relations. Seventy years later today, challenged by the historic question of "what kind of world to build and how to build it," Xi has answered the call of the times by proposing the community with a shared future for mankind. Both manifest China's firm resolve to follow the path of peaceful development. The Chinese civilization, with a history of over 5,000 years, has always cherished peace. The pursuit of peace, amity and harmony is an integral part of the Chinese character which runs deep in the blood of the Chinese people. According to British scholar Martin Jacques, the values of "pursuing the common good for all" and "promoting harmony among all nations" embodied in traditional Chinese culture reflect the profound inclusiveness of Chinese civilization, which have influenced China's policies and proposals. China was long one of the most powerful countries in the world. Yet it never engaged in colonialism or aggression. Over the past 70-plus years since its founding, the People's Republic of China never provoked a war or occupied an inch of foreign land. China stands against isolation and in favor of interaction, advocates coexistence and shared progress while opposing coercion, and advocates peace through harmony and rejects the law of the jungle. The intrinsic peacefulness of Chinese civilization determines that China will always work to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, and uphold international order. China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and will always be a practitioner of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and building a community with a shared future for mankind. This year, Xi proposed to build a common home of peace and tranquility at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan , announced to jointly advance modernization underpinned by peace and security at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and promised to build a BRICS committed to peace, and called on all BRICS members to act as defenders of common security at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia . These important proposals represent China's commitment to practicing common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and China's determination to implement the Global Security Initiative, creating strong momentum for world peace and development. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Xi has set an example for the world by working for people's wellbeing, upholding social fairness and justice, and advocating for peace over war, cooperation over confrontation, and creation over destruction. The intrinsic peacefulness of Chinese civilization determines that Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. A modernized China will strengthen the force for world peace and development. The modernization China pursues is not for the country alone. The country will stay committed to peaceful development, the policy of forging friendships and partnerships with neighbors, and the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. It is ready to share more of the benefits of Chinese modernization with its neighbors. China's peaceful development is always closely connected with that of the world. It remains committed to seeking common security through solidarity and cooperation, and working with all countries to build a beautiful world of lasting peace and universal security. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said China's peaceful development is a noble cause in the history of mankind and is conducive to the peace and progress of all humanity. Drawing wisdom from the profound history of Chinese civilization, China is fulfilling its responsibility as a major country in the new era. It will never take the trodden path of colonial plundering, or the wrong path of seeking hegemony when one becomes strong. Instead, it will stay on the right path of peaceful development. Moving forward, China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, making new contributions to promoting world peace and stability, as well as the common progress of humanity.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ten yards into a scramble, Patrick Mahomes could have easily slid for a first down or simply ducked out of bounds and moved on to the next play. Instead, the three-time Super Bowl MVP cut back inside and raced another 23 yards up the field, helping to set up Spencer Schrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired as the Chiefs held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. “At that point, yards are more important than getting out of bounds,” Mahomes said. “With three timeouts, I just tried to just cut through and Justin Watson had a great block and was able to get down the field and get out of bounds.” The game-winning drive was the 21st of Mahomes' career, and the Chiefs won a game decided in the final seconds for the fifth time this season. Eight of the Chiefs' wins have come by one-score margins. “You always want to have some blowouts and be a little calmer in the fourth quarter, but I've always said it could be a good thing when you get to the playoffs later in the season knowing that you have been in those moments before, and knowing how to attack it play by play not making it too big of a moment,” Mahomes said. Then he smiled and said: “But I would say this more than anybody, I would love to win a game not by the very last play.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns in his first game at Bank of America Stadium and ran for 60 yards — including 33 on that last-minute play — as the Chiefs (10-1) scored on six of their eight possessions. Noah Gray caught four passes for 66 yards and scored two touchdowns for the second straight week, and DeAndre Hopkins also found the end zone for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Kareem Hunt ran for 68 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 19 yards. Bryce Young played well for Carolina (3-8), finishing 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown while leading the Panthers back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game on Chuba Hubbard's 1-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion with 1:46 remaining. Panthers coach Dave Canales, who benched Young earlier this season for veteran Andy Dalton, said last year's No. 1 overall draft pick “absolutely” will remain the team's starting QB next week. That's a break from Canales' recent pattern of waiting a few days to name a starter. “Bryce is certainly making the most of his opportunities,” Canales said. “And he is making a statement to all of us. Showing us he can make plays in critical areas. He did a great job extending today.” Said Young: “For me, I just want to focus on what I can control. Regardless, I always have the same mindset and preparation, wanting to be better throughout the week. I am definitely grateful for confidence.” Still, there is room for improvement. The Panthers moved the ball well but struggled in the red zone, resulting in field goals of 30, 32, 29 and 33 yards for Eddy Pineiro, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. The Chiefs wasted no time setting the tone as Samaje Perine returned the opening kickoff 56 yards and Mahomes found Gray for a 35-yard touchdown strike on the third play of scrimmage for a 7-0 lead. Gray went nine games without a TD catch before hauling in two last week against Buffalo. His 11-yard score late in the second quarter gave him two more against the Panthers. Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised Mahomes' poise but said he was concerned about his team's nine penalties for 90 yards. Moving on up Kansas City's Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards and moved into third place in career yards receiving by a tight end. He ranks behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. However, Kelce failed to find the end zone for the ninth time in 11 games this season. Brooks' debut Running back Jonathan Brooks made his NFL debut for Carolina, but the second-round pick was limited to 7 yards on two carries. Injuries Panthers: Rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital, where he was evaluated for a neck injury and released. He landed awkwardly on his head after making a catch near the end of the second quarter. Up next Chiefs: Host Las Vegas on Friday. Panthers: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday. COWBOYS 34, COMMANDERS 26 LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert choked back tears taking responsibility for missing the extra point that would have tied the score in the final minute. Jeremy Reaves choked back tears blaming himself for a missed assignment that led to a kickoff return touchdown. And John Bates choked back tears talking about moving forward from his costly fumble. All of those late mistakes contributed to the Washington Commanders' third consecutive loss, 34-26 to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in a game that was wholly unremarkable until fourth quarter chaos. The teams combined to score 31 points in the final four minutes, the most in an NFL game in more than a decade, and the Commanders (7-5) came out on the wrong end of it in a defeat that further endangers their playoff chances. “Any time you lose a game or you lose a game in that type of fashion, it’s very difficult and it’s tough, but it never comes down to one play,” rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels said. “There’s plays throughout the game where little things add up to big things.” There were a lot of little things. After Bates fumbled, the Cowboys (4-7) took an 11-point lead and the Commanders made a 2-point conversion to cut the deficit to three, Dallas' KaVonte Turpin returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. “I didn’t make the play when it was there to make, and it cost us,” said Reaves, one of the league’s top special teams players and the All-Pro pick for that two seasons ago. “No excuse, man. I’ve made that play 100 times, and I didn’t make it today and it cost us the game. It’s unacceptable. It’s solely on me. It’s going to sting for a while. It’s going to hurt.” After Seibert made a 51-yard field goal, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard TD that made it 27-26 with 21 seconds left. Coach Dan Quinn said no thought was given to going for 2 in that situation. Seibert, who missed the past two games with a right hip injury, was wide left on the point-after attempt. “I just wasn’t striking it well,” said Seibert, who added he felt fine and did not blame a low snap for his miss. "It didn’t make a difference at all. It was on me.” Juanyeh Thomas returned the onside kick immediately after 43 yards for a touchdown to put Dallas up eight with 14 seconds left. The 31 combined points are the second most in a game since at least 2000, behind only Minnesota and Baltimore's 36 in their game Dec. 8, 2013. Cowboys-Commanders was the first game in the Super Bowl era to have two missed extra points, two kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked punt. “We got down to the end there and it was a game-situational extravaganza,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “It was like Yahtzee. Everything was in there." While Washington's skid continued, the Cowboys ended their losing streak at five thanks to strong play from QB Cooper Rush, a defense that forced two turnovers and, of course, special teams success. Rush was 24 of 32 for 247 yards and TD passes to Jalen Tolbert and Luke Schoonmaker. “Lot of games left,” Rush said. “We’re sitting at 4-7. This is why you play them.” The Commanders have some soul-searching to do after losing as a 10 1/2-point favorite in the meeting of NFC East rivals and doing so in a way that left players so emotional. “The crazy games, I know they feel a little bit better whenever you win them,” punter and holder Tress Way said. “But that’s a tough pill to swallow.” Injuries Cowboys: LG Tyler Smith was inactive with ankle and knee injuries. ... RG Zack Martin (ankle), CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and TE Jake Ferguson (concussion) were ruled out prior to game day and did not travel for the game. Commanders: RB Austin Ekeler was concussed on a kickoff return in the final seconds and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. ... RB Brian Robinson Jr. left with an ankle injury in the first half, returned and then left again. ... RT Andrew Wylie was concussed in the third quarter and did not return. ... C Tyler Biadasz was evaluated for a concussion in the fourth. ... CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) missed a third consecutive game since being acquired at the trade deadline from New Orleans. Up next Cowboys: Host the New York Giants on Thursday in the traditional Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas. Commanders: Host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday in Washington’s final game before its late bye week. VIKINGS 30, BEARS 27, OT CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 90 of his 330 yards in overtime to set up Parker Romo's game-ending 29-yard field goal, and the Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Chicago Bears 30-27 on Sunday after giving up 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation. Darnold threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Addison caught eight passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown, and T.J. Hockenson had 114 yards receiving for the Vikings (9-2), who remained one game behind Detroit in the rugged NFC North. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears (4-7), who lost their fifth straight and fell to 5-18 in one-possession games under coach Matt Eberflus, who is 14-31 in 2 1/2 seasons. Minnesota appeared to have the game in hand, leading 27-16 with 1:56 left after Romo kicked a 26-yard field goal. But the Bears weren’t finished. Deandre Carter made up for a muffed punt that led to a touchdown in the third quarter with a 55-yard kickoff return to the 40. Williams took it from there, capping an eight-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. A 2-point conversion pass to DJ Moore made it 27-24 with 22 seconds remaining. The Bears recovered the onside kick and Williams hit Moore over the middle for a 27-yard gain to the 30 before spiking the ball. Cairo Santos made a 48-yard field goal as time expired. Chicago won the coin toss, but Williams was sacked for a 12-yard loss on second down, leading to a three-and-out. The Vikings took over at the 21, and Darnold led a 10-play drive, overcoming a sack and two penalties. Darnold connected with Hockenson for a 29-yard completion that put the ball on the 9. He took a knee and then Romo nailed the winner. Darnold surpassed his previous season high of 19 touchdown passes with a 2-yarder to Addison on the first play of the second quarter, and he made it 14-7 with a 5-yard score to Jalen Nailor late in the first half. He completed 22 of 34 passes. Aaron Jones ran for 106 yards and a score for the VIkings. Williams was 32 of 47 with a 103.1 passer rating in his second straight solid performance since Thomas Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. Moore caught seven passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Allen added 86 yards receiving and the late TD. Injuries Vikings: LB Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) and LT Cam Robinson (foot) left in the first quarter. ... Darnold missed two plays after he was hit by Gervon Dexter Sr. on a pass play with about 6 1/2 minutes. Up next Vikings: Host Arizona next Sunday. Bears: Visit Detroit on Thanksgiving.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Left-wing politician Yamandú Orsi is poised to become the next president of Uruguay after his main challenger in the runoff conceded defeat Sunday and even the outgoing leader of the South American country congratulated him. His victory marks the return of a center-leftist government to Uruguay's presidency after five years of a conservative administration. But who is Yamandú Orsi? From a working-class family to heir of the left A teacher of history, folk dancer and former mayor, the 57-year-old politician is considered the political heir of former President José Mujica, who accompanied him in his campaign and praised him as a new leader able to find the right balance between the complex dynamics on the social, political and economic chessboard. Orsi was born on June 13, 1967, in the rural area of the Canelones department. His father was a vineyard farmer and his mother a seamstress. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . He has several similarities with his political godfather, such as the love for the countryside and a quiet lifestyle. Throughout the campaign, he was often photographed drinking mate, walking his dog and wearing casual suits. His administration is to take office next March, and like Mujica, he has said that he will not live in the presidential residence. He turned to the left after the dictatorship While living in the countryside, his sister taught him to read and write. But the young Orsi began to shape his political views and desires in the middle of the dictatorship in Uruguay, which lasted from 1973 to 1983. Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), addresses supporters after winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Natacha Pisarenko After the end of the dictatorship, Orsi joined the Popular Participation Movement led by Mujica, the ex-guerrilla leader who became president in 2010. He promises a renewed left in Uruguay Orsi focused his campaign on promoting friendly-environmental policies, promises to support small producers and social inclusion policies. He has also promised a renewal of the left by favoring dialogue with everyone, and he insisted during the campaign that he’s not planning any dramatic changing in the country of 3.5 million people. Although he says it’s important to promote social welfare, Orsi has had used a friendly tone toward the market and private sector.South Korea's leader prompts dismay by briefly declaring martial law. Here's what to knowCORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Jordan Roberts scored 19 points as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beat Schreiner 103-44 on Sunday. Roberts went 7 of 11 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) for the Islanders (8-6). Dian Wright-Forde scored 14 points while shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 6 for 8 from the line and added three steals. Sheldon Williams shot 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. The Mountaineers were led by Beau Cervantes, who recorded nine points. Kamden Ross added seven points and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Arcadium Lithium Announces Shareholder Approval of Proposed Rio Tinto Transaction and Provides Regulatory UpdateThe people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Food and Drug Administration Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Surgeon general Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” National Institutes of Health As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . ___ Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Mike Stobbe, The Associated Presscasino fortune rabbit 。

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Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Wednesday, 1 p.m., EST, Netflix. BetMGM NFL Odds: Chiefs by 2 1/2. Against the spread: Chiefs 7-8; Steelers 10-5 Series record: Steelers lead 25-14. Last meeting: Chiefs beat Steelers 42-21 in the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022, in Kansas City. Last week: Chiefs beat Texans 27-19; Steelers lost to Ravens 34-17 Chiefs offense: overall (13), rush (15), pass (12), scoring (11). Chiefs defense: overall (3), rush (3), pass (17), scoring (3). Steelers offense: overall (19), rush (11), pass (25), scoring (12). Steelers defense: overall (11), rush (8), pass (20), scoring (7). Turnover differential: Chiefs plus-4; Steelers plus-16. WR Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder on the first play of the preseason and landed on injured reserve, made an impressive regular-season debut against Houston last week. “Hollywood” caught five passes for 45 yards, including an early 13-yarder that converted a fourth down and led to an eventual touchdown. But perhaps most importantly, Brown's mere presence kept Houston from double-teaming Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce all afternoon. LB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro is dealing with an ankle injury and had a quiet game in the loss to Baltimore, finishing with just four tackles and didn’t have a single hit against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh's best chance at pulling the upset relies heavily on disrupting Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes at every turn. To do it, Watt will need to do some Watt-like things. The 30-year-old leads the NFL in forced fumbles for a defense that thrives on takeaways. Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris against the Chiefs rush defense, which is ranked third in the NFL and allowing just 91.4 yards per game. The Chiefs held the Texans' Joe Mixon to just 57 yards rushing last week, the latest in a season-long trend of shutting down top running backs. The Browns' Nick Chubb had 41 yards the previous week, and the Ravens' Derrick Henry, the Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Saints' Alvin Kamara are among those who have similarly struggled against Kansas City. Chiefs: LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and CB Chamarri Conner (concussion) are likely to miss a second straight game. DT Chris Jones (calf) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee) are iffy after getting hurt against Houston. Steelers: WR George Pickens (hamstring) should return after missing the past three games. S DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin) may also be back after sitting the past two weeks. Starting CB Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and backup wide receiver/special teams ace Ben Skowronek (hip) are out. The Steelers have dominated the series, leading 23-14, but the Chiefs have won the past three games. That includes a 42-21 rout in their most recent matchup in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022 — the last game played by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to the Chiefs' three-game win streak, the Steelers had won three in a row, including an 18-16 victory in the divisional round on Jan. 15, 2017, that they won despite not scoring a touchdown. Kansas City can clinch the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye with a win over the Steelers, or if the Bills lose or tie when they play the Jets on Sunday. ... Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, but can still earn its first AFC North title since 2020 by winning its last two games. ... The Chiefs can set a franchise record for regular-season wins with their 15th by beating Pittsburgh or Denver in their regular-season finale, breaking a tie with the 2020 and ‘22 teams. ... The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes needs three TD passes to break Peyton Manning’s record of 244 for a QB's first eight seasons. Mahomes did not start as a rookie and has played just 111 games while Manning played 128 over that span. ... Mahomes has dominated the Steelers so far in his career, throwing 14 touchdowns without a pick while leading Kansas City to three victories in as many tries. ... Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins has an NFL-leading 177 straight games with a catch. TE Travis Kelce is second with 173. ... Kelce has 76 TD catches, tied with Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs record. Kelce has 79 total TDs, four shy of Priest Holmes' franchise record. ... WR Xavier Worthy has five TD catches, tied for the sixth most by a rookie in Chiefs history. Worthy also has three TD runs, and the eight total is also tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie has intercepted a pass in back-to-back games. He did not have a pick in his first 48 games. ... This is the 12th game in Steelers history to be played on Wednesday and the first since 2020, when a showdown with the Ravens was repeatedly postponed because of COVID-19 issues. Pittsburgh is 5-6 all time on Wednesdays. ... A healthy Pickens will likely give the Steelers passing game a serious boost. QB Russell Wilson is averaging just 167.7 yards per game in Pickens' absence, down from 271 yards per game with Pickens in the lineup. ... This is Pittsburgh's first regular-season game against a team with 14 wins. ... The Steelers have five wins against the defending Super Bowl champions since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. ... Pittsburgh is 26-12 in Weeks 17 and 18 since the start of the 1990 season, the second-most wins in the NFL over that span behind Green Bay (28). ... The Steelers have won seven straight games and 12 of their past 13 the week following a loss of at least 17 points. ... Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 31 takeaways. and has forced at least two turnovers 11 times. It might be championship week in your league, so why not turn to a championship quarterback. Mahomes has earned the benefit of the doubt even in a “down” season by his standards and with Pittsburgh missing its top cornerback and the pass rush slowed of late, give Mahomes a start against a team he has toyed with in his career. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Black Friday and Cyber Monday e-commerce sales broke records again this year, with Adobe pointing out that US sales increased 10.2% YoY to $10.8 billion on Black Friday while Cyber Monday sales rose 7.3% YoY to ~$13.3 billion. Peak sales hit $15.8 million per minute on Monday evening. Shopify is a major beneficiary of Black Friday sales, and coming off a strong Q3, saw another record-breaking holiday. Shopify’s growth was quite strong at two times higher than overall Black Friday sales, with GMV increasing 22% YoY to a record $5 billion. For Black Friday/Cyber Monday, GMV rose 24% YoY to $11.5 billion with peak sales hitting $4.6 million per minute. POLAND - 2023/03/07: In this photo illustration a Shopify logo seen displayed on a smartphone. ... [+] (Photo Illustration by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Q3 was strong with revenue growth accelerating to 26% YoY, operating income more than doubling YoY and FCF margin approaching 20%, the true test will be Q4. Shopify will need to prove to the Street that it can continue to re-accelerate revenue into 2025 given the strong Black Friday trends and international expansion efforts. Shopify Revenue Growth Reaccelerates in Q3 Shopify reported a strong third quarter earlier in November, with revenue growth reaccelerating more than 500 bp sequentially. Q3 revenue increased 26.1% YoY to $2.16 billion, with growth accelerating from 20.7% in Q2. Excluding logistics (comps from Q2 23 to Q2 24), Q3 was the sixth consecutive quarter with revenue growth of >25%. For Q4, management guided revenue growth in the mid- to high-20% range, benefiting from the holiday season and building upon Q3’s growth. Given the recent data on Black Friday sales, Shopify is well on its way to deliver on this guide. FBI Warns iPhone And Android Users—Stop Sending Texts Microsoft’s New Update—Bad News Confirmed For 400 Million Windows Users FBI Warns Smartphone Users—Hang Up And Create A Secret Word Now Shopify's revenue growth reaccelerated in Q3 after decelerating for five consecutive quarters. Shopify pointed out three key drivers of revenue growth and strength in Q3: · Strong GMV growth · Subscription Solutions revenue growth · Increased Payments penetration I break these key points down for you below. GMV Driven by European Growth of 35% International helped to drive the beat this quarter, with GMV “outside North America growing 33% in Q3. European GMV grew greater than 35% as our largest markets of the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands continue to gain traction.” Global GMV increased 24% to $69.7 billion in the third quarter, the fifth quarter in a row where growth exceeded 20%. This was driven by same-store sales growth by Shopify and Shopify Plus merchants (organic growth from existing stores), as well as that international strength. Shopify Plus is tailored to large and enterprise businesses, offering exclusive conversion and automation features and lower fees to help drive growth for those merchants. Additionally, Q3 offline GMV was up 27% YoY, and has more than doubled in just the past three years. Q3 B2B GMV grew over 145% YoY, and has now had five consecutive quarters of triple-digit growth. This shows Shopify’s diversity ability to grow beyond digital stores for small-to-medium sized retail customers, which had driven the bulk of the business during the stock’s Covid surge. The expansion into Europe also shows promising signs of Shopify’s ability to scale globally in a more meaningful way. The company stated they “made enhancements to localization, shipping, and compliance, and are pairing that with intensified marketing efforts” for Europe. Black Friday was also strong and an early indicator for Q4, with Shopify recording $5 billion in GMV for the holiday, a 22% YoY increase, in-line with last year’s growth. Deutsche Bank analysts noted that this GMV puts Shopify on track to hit Q4 GMV expectations of $92.8 billion, correlating to a 23.6% YoY increase, about in line with Q3’s growth rate. To note, GMV growth of 24% lags revenue growth of 26%. This is not necessarily a negative; however, it does hint that customer spending could be slowing slightly, and a further decoupling of the two rates could suggest a revenue re-acceleration may be short-lived if this decoupling continues. Subscriptions: MRR Accelerates 3-Points Shopify’s Subscription Solutions revenue, the second stated driver of revenue growth, increased 26% YoY to $610 million, and represents 28% of revenue. Growth has decelerated from 34% YoY in Q1 and 27% YoY in Q2, but MRR trends point to growth stabilizing around 26% or reaccelerating slightly come Q4 and into 2025 with some pricing and merchant growth tailwinds. In Q3, MRR growth accelerated 3 points to 28% YoY, up from 25% in Q2, reaching $175 million. Plus contributed 31% of MRR, flat with last quarter, while Plus, Standard and Point of Sale all saw “continued growth” in Q3. In Q3, MRR growth accelerated 3 points to 28% YoY, up from 25% in Q2, reaching $175 million. Shopify Payments up 31%, Shop Pay up 42% Shopify Payments facilitated $43 billion in GPV in Q3, up 31% YoY, with penetration rising to 62% of GMV (compared to 58% last year). Shop Pay similarly increased 42% YoY to $17B in GMV. Management attributed the strength in payments to a few factors: strong performance of merchants utilizing Payments, more of which are Plus subscribers, higher global adoption of payments; and increasing penetration of Shop Pay. For Q4, Payments are likely to provide a headwind down the line, due to holiday season dynamics. In Q3, the lower margins on Payments came from a higher mix of Shopify Plus merchants, which are larger enterprises at a fixed rate, and due to a higher mix of credit card usage compared to debit card usage. Shopify explained that Q4 “sees a higher percentage of revenue from Payments given the high-volume holiday selling season,” and as a result, management expects “higher dollar losses on Payments” due to that volume growth. Q4 Earnings Pop May be Short-Lived Analysts are forecasting that Shopify regresses back towards revenue growth in the 20% range by FY25. Currently, Shopify is estimated to report 27.2% YoY growth in Q4, supported in part by 24% YoY growth in Cyber Week GMV. This would mark a sequential acceleration of 110 bp, and 360 bp faster growth than the 23.6% recorded last Q4. Analysts are forecasting that Shopify regresses back towards revenue growth in the 20% range by ... [+] FY25. Shopify’s revenue growth is more correlated to GMV growth now as opposed to 2022 and early 2023. For example, Shopify was reporting revenue growth rates >10 percentage points higher than GMV growth due to GPV growth, pricing and merchant revenue growth. By Q4 2023, revenue growth became much more closely tied to GMV – Shopify reported 23.2% GMV growth in that quarter and 23.6% revenue growth, and in Q1 2024, GMV growth was 22.8% versus revenue growth of 23.4%. However, Q3 showed a larger decoupling of the two, with GMV growth of 24.0% lagging revenue growth by more than 2 percentage points. Q3 showed a larger decoupling of GMV and revenue growth, with GMV growth of 24.0% lagging revenue ... [+] growth by more than 2 percentage points. This suggests that if GMV growth begins to peak in Q4 and decelerate, revenue growth may soon follow if Shopify cannot push GPV growth to >30% or pull additional levers such as pricing to maintain a high-20% revenue growth rate. To point out, analysts currently expect GMV growth of ~23.6% in Q4, again much slower than the 27.2% estimated revenue growth rate, though increased Payments volume will play a role in that. Moving into 2025, if GMV trends towards 20%, there’s risk that revenue growth will follow. These are a few things that I’m watching for as I continue to evaluate Shopify. I provide weekly deep dives, real-time trade alerts and weekly webinars to evaluate positions and discuss potential entries and exits. Learn more here . Executing Well with 132% Growth in Adjusted Operating Income Shopify is executing very well despite margin headwinds, driving operating income growth well in the triple digits despite contracting gross margins in Q3. Corporate gross margin contracted 90 bp, dropping from 52.6% last year to 51.7%, weighed down by Merchant Solutions (accounting for 55% of gross profit dollars), where gross margin contracted 130 bp to 39.7%. Management added that Payments had an adverse impact to Merchant Solutions’ gross margin for two reasons: it accounted for a larger portion of revenue, while it also had lower margins due to higher Plus merchant mix on a fixed rate and a higher credit card mix compared to debit cards. Despite the headwinds to gross margin, Shopify’s cost optimization efforts are bearing fruit. Gross profit increased 24% YoY, or $217 million in dollar terms, while operating expenses increased just 7% YoY, or $56 million in dollar terms. This drove a 132% YoY increase in adjusted operating income from $122 million in $283 million, or 13.1% of revenue. This led to a 99% increase in adjusted net income, excluding equity investment impacts. Q4 is expected to see this dynamic continue, despite more margin headwinds. Based on management’s guidance, gross margin is expected to contract 3.2% QoQ and 1.1% YoY while operating income is projected to increase 2.8% QoQ and increase 2.5% YoY. Shopify Stock Has Potential Catalysts Ahead Shopify has a couple catalysts ahead, one in moving upstream to capturing more enterprises on the platform, and the other within AI and automation features facilitating daily workflows for merchants. In Q3, management highlighted that the quarter was “an exceptional quarter in terms of new enterprise-level brands” from all verticals coming to Shopify. Management said that enterprise “is a massive opportunity to build for the long term,” with the opportunity only beginning to bud, with just 16 enterprise launches in Q3. Shopify believes it offers a value proposition for enterprises to switch to its platform due to flexibility and speed. To demonstrate this, management explained that “one merchant recently brought over 44,000 SKUs to Shopify in less than three minutes, a task that used to take hours if not days. This significant reduction in data migration hassle is a big deal as it removes major friction point for merchants looking to move to Shopify.” Migrating over more enterprise brands in the coming quarters can provide tailwinds to both GMV and GPV, bringing more sales and more payment transactions to the platform. The data migration point ties hand in hand with another catalyst for Shopify, arising from AI and automation features. Shopify is working on improving merchant automation, from data migration to inventory management and more. Shopify Flow, which is Shopify’s low-code workflow automation app that empowers merchants to build custom automations has been improved with 304 new actions in the API. Shopify Inbox is now utilizing AI to assist merchants in quickly responding to customer inquiries, while new automations for tax filings and VAT were added to Shopify Tax. Shopify is also implementing artificial intelligence to drive higher levels of personalization for customers, and in turn, drive higher value for merchants. President Harley Finkelstein explained Shopify thinks “search and AI together makes the Shop search way more relevant, way more personalized,” and that “the change that we've made, in some cases, have led to an 18% increase in sessions where a buyer engages in a recommendation with our new home feed.” To that extent, Shopify announced that Mikhail Parakhin recently joined as CTO, after spending more than a decade at Microsoft helping to launch Copilot and spearheading search and AI innovations at Yandex. Shopify said that Parakhin “brings a wealth of experience in AI and search technologies” and “in just over two months since he joined us, he has already made a significant impact enhancing our products.” Technical Analysis: As long as any weakness can hold $89.95, I expect the uptrend to push into the $132 region and then the $150 - $190 region. If any further weakness cannot hold $89.95, then the odds SHOP will push higher go down significantly. It is well above this level, so we should continue to look higher. As long as any weakness can hold $89.95, I expect the uptrend to push into the$132 region and then ... [+] the $150 - $190 region Once it gets to the $132 - $190 region, what next? This is where SHOP gets a little tricky. The larger uptrend off the 2022 low has unfortunately been quite messy. This opens the door to several potential larger patterns in play. What my firm can say with a higher degree of confidence is that if SHOP can break above the $190 region and do so on elevated volume and in a direct manner, it will favor the more bullish interpretation of what is potentially playing out. However, if it fails to breakout over the $190 region, and instead see a larger pullback from the $150 - $190 region, then we will likely see a notable correction before pushing higher. We really will not know what is in play from a technical analysis perspective until we get into the above target range and see what SHOP’s price does next. Conclusion Shopify has performed well despite gross margin headwinds, as prudent cost optimization efforts are leading to significant operating leverage. Q3 demonstrated this with triple digit operating income growth despite gross margin contracting nearly 1 percentage point. Although this dynamic along with strong growth is expected to continue into next quarter, ideally I’d want to see GMV keep pace with revenue growth into 2025. Analysts seem to agree with next year consensus showing growth exiting next year at 21.2%. Although the near-term catalyst is strong Black Friday performance, likely leading to strong holiday performance (we will see), the medium-term catalysts are found in global expansion, increased enterprise mix, and placing more focus on AI and automation features to help merchants increase productivity and drive more sales. Stay on the leading edge of AI with I/O Fund’s high-performing tech portfolio, which had 7 positions outperform the Nasdaq-100 last year for a cumulative return of 131% since inception. Year-to-date for 2024, the I/O Fund had 10 positions beating the indexes, many held at high allocations, and we are prepping for a strong 2025. Take advantage of our Black Friday sale, our largest sale of the year with up to $250 off! 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