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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:39 p.m. ESTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Buried among Florida's manicured golf courses and sprawling suburbs are the artifacts of its slave-holding past: the long-lost cemeteries of enslaved people, the statues of Confederate soldiers that still stand watch over town squares, the old plantations turned into modern subdivisions that bear the same name. But many students aren't learning that kind of Black history in Florida classrooms. In an old wooden bungalow in Delray Beach, Charlene Farrington and her staff gather groups of teenagers on Saturday mornings to teach them lessons she worries that public schools won't provide. They talk about South Florida's Caribbean roots, the state's dark history of lynchings , how segregation still shapes the landscape and how grassroots activists mobilized the Civil Rights Movement to upend generations of oppression. “You need to know how it happened before so you can decide how you want it to happen again," she told her students as they sat as their desks, the morning light illuminating historic photographs on the walls. Florida students are giving up their Saturday mornings to learn about African American history at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach and in similar programs at community centers across the state. Many are supported by Black churches, which for generations have helped forge the cultural and political identity of their parishioners. Since Faith in Florida developed its own Black history toolkit last year, more than 400 congregations have pledged to teach the lessons, the advocacy group says. Florida has required public schools to teach African American history for the past 30 years, but many families no longer trust the state's education system to adequately address the subject. By the state’s own metrics, just a dozen Florida school districts have demonstrated excellence at teaching Black history, by providing evidence that they are incorporating the content into lessons throughout the school year and getting buy-in from the school board and community partners. School district officials across Florida told The Associated Press that they are still following the state mandate to teach about the experience of enslavement, abolition and the "vital contributions of African Americans to build and strengthen American society.” But a common complaint from students and parents is that the instruction seems limited to heroic figures such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and rarely extends beyond each February's Black History Month . When Sulaya Williams' eldest child started school, she couldn't find the comprehensive instruction she wanted for him in their area. So in 2016, she launched her own organization to teach Black history in community settings. “We wanted to make sure that our children knew our stories, to be able to pass down to their children," Williams said. Williams now has a contract to teach Saturday school at a public library in Fort Lauderdale, and her 12-year-old daughter Addah Gordon invites her classmates to join her. “It feels like I’m really learning my culture. Like I’m learning what my ancestors did,” Addah said. “And most people don’t know what they did.” State lawmakers unanimously approved the African American history requirement in 1994 at a time of atonement over Florida's history. Historians commissioned by the state had just published an official report on the deadly attack on the town of Rosewood in 1923, when a white mob razed the majority-Black community and drove out its residents. When the Florida Legislature approved financial compensation for Rosewood's survivors and descendants in 1994, it was seen as a national model for reparations . “There was a moment of enlightenment in Florida, those decades ago. There really was," said Marvin Dunn, who has authored multiple books on Black Floridians. “But that was short-lived.” Three decades later, the teaching of African American history remains inconsistent across Florida classrooms, inadequate in the eyes of some advocates, and is under fire by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has championed efforts to restrict how race , history and discrimination can be talked about in the state’s public schools . DeSantis has led attacks on “wokeness” in education that rallied conservatives nationwide, including President-elect Donald Trump . In 2022, the governor signed a law restricting certain race-based conversations in schools and businesses and prohibits teaching that members of one ethnic group should feel guilt or bear responsibility for actions taken by previous generations. Last year, DeSantis’ administration blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African American Studies from being taught in Florida, saying it violates state law and is historically inaccurate. A spokesperson for the College Board, which oversees Advanced Placement courses, told the AP they are not aware of any public schools in Florida currently offering the African American Studies class. It's also not listed in the state's current course directory. Representatives for the Florida Department of Education and the state's African American History Task Force did not respond to The AP's requests for comment. “People who are interested in advancing African diaspora history can’t rely on schools to do that,” said Tameka Bradley Hobbs, manager of Broward County's African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. "I think it’s even more clear now that there needs to be a level of self-reliance and self-determination when it comes to passing on the history and heritage of our ancestors.” Last year, only 30 of Florida's 67 traditional school districts offered at least one standalone course on African American history or humanities, according to state data. While not required by state law, having a dedicated Black history class is a measure of how districts are following the state mandate. Florida's large urban districts are far more likely to offer the classes, compared to small rural districts, some of which have fewer than 2,000 students. Even in districts that have staff dedicated to teaching Black history, some teachers are afraid of violating state law, according to Brian Knowles, who oversees African American, Holocaust and Latino studies for the Palm Beach County school district. “There’s so many other districts and so many kids that we’re missing because we’re tiptoeing around what is essentially American history,” Knowles said. Frustration over the restrictions that teachers face pushed Renee O'Connor to take a sabbatical last year from her job teaching Black history at Miami Norland Senior High School in the majority-Black city of Miami Gardens. Now, she is back in the classroom, but she also has been helping community groups develop their own Black history programs outside of the public school system. “I wish, obviously, all kids were able to take an African American history class,” O'Connor said, “but you have to pivot if it’s not happening in schools.” Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Melbourne Renegades players have defended the Marvel Stadium surface after they squeezed out a two-wicket BBL win over Perth Scorchers to end a six-match losing streak to the West Australian team. Chasing the Scorchers’ 8-143, the Renegades were well placed at 3-96 in the tenth over but lost 5-44 thereafter to swing the game back into balance. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Questions answered over poor Marvel Stadium outfield. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today But Melbourne captain Will Sutherland kept his composure at the crease to score the winning runs with one over to go. Social media fired up over a patchy looking outfield which looked well below its best following a university graduation ceremony last week attended by tens of thousands of people, plus several recent concerts from Pearl Jam and Coldplay among others. “It’s a lot better than it looks to be honest, there’s no nasty ones we are getting in the face so we’re grateful for that,” Sutherland told Seven. Not everyone was buying it though. “This surface at Marvel Stadium is totally unacceptable for local cricket. And they’re trying to play professional cricket on it,” commentator Adam White said. The Scorchers batters found the going tough on a seaming wicket after being sent in. Cooper Connolly (66 off 50) and BBL debutant Matthew Spoors (29 off 26) were the only double digit scorers for the Scorchers. While the Scorchers limped to 4-48 at halfway, the Renegades bashed 42 off their four power play overs. They remained well ahead of the run rate through cameos from Tim Seifert (28 off 14), Jacob Bethell (30 off 22) and Laurie Evans (24 off 18). Scorchers spinners Ashton Agar (1-20 off four), Connolly (1-17 off three) and captain Ashton Turner (1-3 off one) slowed the run rate as well as taking wickets. A brilliant direct hit run out by Matthew Kelly at deep midwicket reduced the ‘Gades to 7-128 after 16 overs and Fergus O’Neill was caught at mid-off with four needed off nine balls. “We’re an aggressive batting lineup so we don’t want to change the way we play, (but) we probably could have played some slightly better shots through the middle there,” Sutherland told Seven. A big feature of the game was an outstanding fielding performance from Renegades livewire Mackenzie Harvey. He pulled off a sensational catch at midwicket, taking a leaping backward one-handed grab to dismiss Spoors, having already executed a direct hit run-out and saved several runs with his fielding. The Scorchers took 11 balls to score their first run and O’Neill (1-18 off four) didn’t concede any until his ninth delivery, which came from a misfield. Australian ODI and T20 representative Connolly scored just one off his first 12 balls, but eventually blasted the Scorchers to a respectable score, belting six sixes, including successive maximums over cover off fast bowler Kane Richardson. The Renegades’ win sees them improve to 2-1 while the Scorchers dropped to 1-2 after successive loses. “We felt like we fought valiantly to hang in as long as we did, ten overs into the game we were well behind the eight ball,” Turner told Seven.
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Justice Gorsuch will sit out a pending environmental case, citing ethics codeJoint Stock Company Kaspi.kz Announcement: If You Have Suffered Losses in Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ: KSPI), You Are Encouraged to Contact The Rosen Law Firm About Your RightsAbstract Security Joins Forces with Analytica42 to Supercharge Integration Delivery including integration to Google SecOps Platform
Nelly Korda even par in LPGA's CME Group Tour Championship Round 1The Chinese regime sanctioned 13 U.S. defense companies and six executives on Dec. 5 in response to the U.S. government’s latest arms sale to Taiwan. In announcing the sanctions, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the planned arms sale “interferes in China’s internal affairs, and undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The companies targeted include drone makers such as BRINC Drones Inc. and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems Inc.Others include Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc., Rapid Flight LLC, Red Six Solutions, Shield AI Inc., SYNEXXUS Inc., Firestorm Labs Inc., HavocAI, Neros Technologies, Cyberlux Corporation, Domo Tactical Communications, and Group W. The regime also sanctioned six senior executives from Raytheon, BAE Systems, Alliant Techsystems Operations, Data Link Solutions, and BRINC Drones. The sanctioned individuals are banned from entering China. All entities’ assets in China will be frozen, and all individuals and companies in China are banned from doing business with the sanctioned entities. The Epoch Times has reached out to the targeted companies and individuals for comments, and did not receive any response by press time. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never ruled Taiwan, although it claims sovereignty over the self-governed island and hasn’t ruled out taking the island by force. In recent years, the CCP has stepped up its military preparations to invade the island nation, and has conducted military drills encircling Taiwan. Although the United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it maintains ties with Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act and the U.S. “Six Assurances” to Taiwan, which recognize Taiwan’s right to self-determination and allow Washington to sell military equipment to Taiwan for the its self-defense. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, committing to “regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan” to help the island meet “the existing and likely future threats from the People’s Republic of China.” The recent $385 million arms sale plan was the 18th arms sale under the Biden administration. President Joe Biden has also approved arms donations using presidential drawdown. On Nov. 30, Taiwan’s Presidential Office thanked the United States, calling the Taiwan–U.S. security partnership “a critical cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” Researchers at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), told The Epoch Times that Beijing’s largely “symbolic” sanctions will not stop U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Chung Chih-tung, assistant research fellow at INDSR’s Division of National Security Research, said the United States has continued to sell arms to Taiwan despite Beijing’s protests since 1979 because strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities via arms sales is “an integral part of the U.S. policy to deter China” from invading Taiwan. Moreover, amid the increasingly tense U.S.–China relations, “Taiwan has an irreplaceable importance in the U.S. geostrategy of containing China,” he said. Wang Shiow-wen, assistant research fellow at INDSR’s Division of Chinese Politics, Military and Warfighting Concepts, said increased U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan will likely continue because of Beijing’s expansion of its military capabilities. “The military capabilities on the two sides of the [Taiwan] Strait is very imbalanced. The United States not only won’t stop arms sales to Taiwan, it will more likely sell more and better weapons to Taiwan, particularly when the United States is transitioning to a new administration,” she said. “It has little to do with the trade war and more to do with the balance of military power in East Asia,” she said, adding that the United States cannot allow Beijing to compromise U.S. defense in the first island chain via Taiwan, or absorb the chip-making powerhouse and use it as leverage against the world. It’s Lai’s first stopover on U.S. soil as president during a state visit to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau. Beijing later criticized the United States for allowing him to transit through Hawaii.Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, who relied on technology funneled from the U.S. by his alleged co-conspirator, officials said. “We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands,” said U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts . “Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating.” The defendants were identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who prosecutors say works at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, who was arrested Monday in Italy as the Justice Department seeks his extradition to Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Abedininajafabadi, who also uses the surname Adedini and operates an Iranian company that manufactures navigation systems for drones, has connections to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. They allege that he conspired with Sadeghi to circumvent American export control laws, including through a front company in Switzerland, and procure sensitive technology into Iran. Both men are charged with export control violations, and Abedini separately faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran. A lawyer for Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was arrested Monday in Massachusetts, did not immediately return an email seeking comment. U.S. officials blamed the January attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah. Three Georgia soldiers — Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross — were killed in the Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in northeastern Jordan called Tower 22. In the attack, the one-way attack drone may have been mistaken for a U.S. drone that was expected to return back to the logistics base about the same time and was not shot down. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. Tower 22 held about 350 U.S. military personnel at the time. It is strategically located between Jordan and Syria, only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Iraqi border, and in the months just after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Israel’s blistering response in Gaza, Iranian-backed militias intensified their attacks on U.S. military locations in the region. Following the attack, the U.S. launched a huge counterstrike against 85 sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Iranian-backed militia and bolstered Tower 22’s defenses. ____ Tucker and Copp reported from Washington.
Is the solution to teen despair teachable? Ambassadors of Compassion reaches into schools to tryDecember 16, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Shinshu University Excited state dynamics are essential for understanding fluorescence properties in molecules, impacting their application in technologies. Research at Shinshu University explores how molecular structure and geometry influence light emission in aggregation-induced emission molecules. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , reveals that changes in molecular shape affect emission behavior in both solution and solid states. These insights are crucial for advancing applications like organic light-emitting diodes and bioimaging, enabling innovations in material design and energy interactions. Light emission from molecules, particularly fluorescence, has fascinated scientists for over a century, revolutionizing areas like imaging, sensing, and display technologies. Recent advancements have brought attention to aggregation-induced emission (AIE)—a unique phenomenon where molecules emit light more efficiently when in a solid or aggregated state. Studying the reaction dynamics underlying this phenomenon is thus, important for understanding the molecular structural changes. Now, in a recent study, researchers from Japan explored α-substituted dibenzoylmethanatoboron difluoride (BF 2 DBM) complexes to unravel how molecular geometry and restricted excited state dynamics influence AIE. "AIE phenomenon has only been explained by theoretical quantum chemical calculations up till now. However, in our study, we explained this phenomenon by two spectroscopies for the first time," says lead author Yushi Fujimoto, a doctoral student at the Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Japan. The study was conducted in collaboration with Osaka University and Aoyama Gakuin University. AIE is a fascinating phenomenon that challenges the conventional quenching behavior seen in many materials. Most of the time, molecules tend to lose their luminescence when aggregated due to quenching effects. Certain molecules that exhibit the AIE phenomena tend to emit light instead of dimming under restricted conditions. This happens because, in solid form, the molecules cannot move freely. These restrictions help them emit light rather than lose energy in other ways. This behavior is explained by the restricted access to conical intersection (RACI) model, which describes how structural changes in a molecule can control its ability to emit light. The researchers demonstrated this effect in synthesized molecules of BF 2 DBM derivatives, namely 2aBF 2 and 2amBF 2 , which were α-methyl-substituted derivatives. "We analyzed the AIE effects of the molecules in solids and solutions using advanced techniques like steady-state UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and time-resolved visible and infrared spectroscopy to observe the molecule's light emission behavior over time," explains Prof. Hiroshi Miyasaka, a well-known researcher from Osaka University. The first molecule, 2aBF 2 , exhibited strong fluorescence in both solution and solid states, while the second molecule, 2amBF 2 , displayed weaker fluorescence in solution but showed much brighter emission in solid form. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . Co-author Prof. Akira Sakamoto from Aoyama Gakuin University clarifies this by saying, "Spectroscopy is a letter sent from molecules. Here, the molecular shape played a crucial role, with 2amBF 2 adopting a bent configuration in solution, causing energy loss through non-radiative processes, leading to weaker fluorescence. "In solid form , the bending was restricted, forcing the molecule to maintain a stable structure that emitted light." The study also reveals that rapid changes were observed within a short time frame. In solutions, the 2amBF 2 molecules underwent shape changes within a few trillionths of a second. These quick transitions to bent shapes facilitated energy loss and suppressed fluorescence. These findings have significant implications for the future development of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and bioimaging technologies. As co-author, Prof. Fuyuki Ito points out, "The exploration of excited state dynamics is crucial for enhancing the properties of luminescent materials, which can lead to advancements in OLED applications and bioimaging." This insight emphasizes how understanding the molecular behavior in excited states can improve the performance and efficiency of these cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging advanced spectroscopy and computational tools, the work sheds new light on how molecules interact with energy, deepening our understanding of fluorescence and its practical applications. More information: Yushi Fujimoto et al, Excited State Dynamics of Geometrical Evolution of α-Substituted Dibenzoylmethanatoboron Difluoride Complex with Aggregation-Induced Emission Property, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c10277 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society Provided by Shinshu UniversityNone
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PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) today announced that it has completed its previously announced offering of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.125% notes due 2030 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Notes due 2030 that FSK issued on November 20, 2024 , increasing the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the series to $700 million . BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., and Truist Securities, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering. FSK intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially repaying outstanding indebtedness under credit facilities and certain notes. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About FS KKR Capital Corp. FSK is a leading publicly traded business development company (BDC) focused on providing customized credit solutions to private middle market U.S. companies. FSK seeks to invest primarily in the senior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, the subordinated debt of private middle market companies. FSK is advised by FS/KKR Advisor, LLC. About FS/KKR Advisor, LLC FS/KKR Advisor, LLC (FS/KKR) is a partnership between FS Investments and KKR Credit that serves as the investment adviser to FSK and other business development companies. FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $83 billion in assets for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors, financial professionals and individual investors. FS Investments provides access to a broad suite of alternative asset classes and strategies through its best-in-class investment teams and partners. With its diversified platform and flexible capital solutions, the firm is a valued partner to general partners, asset owners and portfolio companies. FS Investments is grounded in its high-performance culture and guided by its commitment to building value for its clients, investing in its colleagues and giving back to its communities. The firm has more than 500 employees across offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Philadelphia . KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements and Important Disclosure Notice This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to future events or future performance or operations of FSK. Words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the economy, risks associated with possible disruption in FSK's operations or the economy generally due to terrorism, geo-political risks, natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19, future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in FSK's operating area and the price at which shares of FSK's common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Some of these factors are enumerated in the filings FSK makes with the SEC. FSK undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Information: Investor Relations Contact Anna Kleinhenn Anna.Kleinhenn@fsinvestments.com FS Investments Media Team Melanie Hemmert Melanie.Hemmert@fsinvestments.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fsk-completes-public-offering-of-100-million-6-125-unsecured-notes-due-2030--302339667.html SOURCE FS InvestmentsAMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Quinton Mincey had 27 points in UMass-Lowell's 96-83 victory over UMass on Saturday. Mincey added six rebounds for the River Hawks (6-4). Martin Somerville scored 22 points and added five assists. Yuri Covington had 19 points and shot 5 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 8 from the line. Jayden Ndjigue led the way for the Minutemen (3-7) with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Curry added 17 points and two steals for UMass. Marqui Worthy finished with 15 points. UMass-Lowell took a 17-13 lead in the first half with a 10-0 run. Led by 12 first-half points from Covington, UMass-Lowell carried a 40-38 lead into the break. UMass-Lowell took the lead for what would be the final time on Xzavier Lino's jump shot with 15:41 left in the contest. His team would outscore UMass by 11 points in the final half. UMass-Lowell plays Wednesday against LIU at home, and UMass hosts UMass-Boston on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
NEW YORK, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz KSPI resulting from allegations that Kaspi.kz may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Kaspi.kz securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29172 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On September 19, 2024, Culper Research issued a report entitled "Kaspi.kz (KSPI): The NASDAQ-Listed Fintech Moving Money for Criminals and Kleptocrats." In this report, Culper announced it was "short Kaspi, the operator of the largest payment network and second largest bank in Kazakhstan. We believe Kaspi has systematically misled U.S. investors and regulators in its repeated claims – especially ahead of the Company's January 2024 [NASDAQ] listing – that the Company has zero exposure to Russia." Further, Culper announced its "research exposes this grave deception: we believe that not only do Kaspi's relationships with Russian partners permeate every segment of its business, but that in the wake of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and into 2024, Russia has contributed materially to Kaspi's reported growth. Our research further unmasks Kaspi's history of shadowy dealmaking, which raises not only related party and self-dealing concerns, but also exposes the Company's vast, longstanding ties to bad actors including sanctioned oligarchs and Russian mobsters. We believe that Kaspi's premium valuation and US listing are at risk, and shares are headed lower." On this news, Kaspi.kz American Depositary Shares' ("ADS") fell 16.1% on September 19, 2024, and a further 2.7% on September 20, 2024. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal
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TORONTO , Dec. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Canada's Premiers are committed to maintaining strong Canada-U.S. relations, supporting energy security, and improving healthcare for Canadians. Premiers reaffirmed their support for a prosperous and secure Canada and for working with the federal government on trade, border security, and Arctic security and sovereignty. They also discussed the need for greater federal consultation on immigration policy changes, including targets and adequate federal funding to support service delivery for asylum seekers. Premiers also discussed public safety issues and continue to call on the federal government for further action on bail reform, countering organized crime including auto theft, and the movement of illegal guns into Canada . Premiers remain concerned about illegal migration, money laundering and the cross-border flow of firearms, fentanyl and precursors. The essential role of the Canada-U.S. relationship for Canadian prosperity was highlighted and Premiers committed to collaborating with the federal government to ensure the interests of all Canadians are represented in that relationship. Canada – U.S. Relations Canada and the U.S. form one of the largest integrated markets in the world with more than C$3.5 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border each day. The U.S. sells more goods and services to Canada than it sells to China , Japan , and Germany combined. Provinces and territories are strategic partners with the U.S. in trade and investment, transportation, critical minerals, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, natural resources, the environment, and Arctic security and sovereignty. The imposition of tariffs by the U.S. would be a significant failure on the part of the Government of Canada . Premiers are concerned about U.S. President-elect Trump's stated intent to impose tariffs on imports from Canada , hurting jobs, affordability, investment, and integrated supply chains in both countries. Premiers are committed to free and fair trade and will advocate against tariffs that threaten our deeply integrated and mutually beneficial economic relationships. Premiers will advocate for Canadians by supporting appropriate action by the federal government in response to any U.S. tariffs imposed on imports from Canada , and call on the federal government to ensure solutions are regionally fair, and provinces and territories are active participants in the design of Canada's response. Premiers agree that the priority is to act to avoid tariffs. They discussed the upcoming CUSMA review as a further opportunity to strengthen our trading relationships. Provinces and territories must have a significant role during the negotiation process to ensure a range of provincial and territorial interests are duly advocated for. All Premiers agreed that Mexico must strengthen its commitment to jointly addressing threats to North American competitiveness resulting from unfair Chinese trading practices. Canada's partnership with the U.S. is also founded on each country remaining a strong and reliable ally. Premiers urged the federal government to accelerate reaching the NATO defence spending target of 2% of GDP, recognizing its critical connection to strategic infrastructure as well as the broader implications for Canada's economic and security partnership with the U.S. Premiers also emphasized that more must be done to safeguard Arctic security and sovereignty. The federal government must take a proactive approach to secure our borders for Canadians. Premiers remain concerned about illegal migration, money laundering and the cross-border flow of firearms, fentanyl and precursors. Premiers discussed the Prime Minister's commitment to return to the First Ministers' table with a comprehensive border security plan, including the human and financial resources required for successful implementation. They agreed that it is critical that this plan demonstrates strong action and shows that Canada takes the security of our border seriously. The plan must also include measures to tighten the visa issuance policy to prevent arrivals to Canada under false pretenses. Premiers will pursue a COF Mission to the U.S. in February 2025 to further cement ongoing work to build strong U.S. partnerships. Energy Security Premiers discussed energy affordability and measures being taken to manage energy costs. They agreed the advancement of emerging technologies will provide opportunities for safe and reliable energy to meet the demands of a growing economy and population. Premiers also discussed opportunities to strengthen energy security in Canada and North America , and to supply the world with dependable and ethically produced energy and critical minerals. Premiers noted the challenges created by gaps in energy corridors to serve rural, remote, and northern regions. They remain committed to ensuring that residents, businesses, and industry continue to have access to reliable and affordable energy, and critical energy infrastructure, wherever they are in Canada. To support a lower-carbon economy, it is imperative that Canada's regulatory system focuses on attracting responsible development by emphasizing predictability, certainty, and a reasonable return on investment while protecting the environment. The federal government must honour its commitment to work with provinces and territories so that regulatory processes are efficient and non-duplicative for projects that support grid capacity, energy development, and access to critical minerals. Federal climate and energy policies must not infringe on provincial and territorial jurisdiction, impact affordability, or compromise the reliability of electrical systems. Premiers discussed the impacts of the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations, Clean Fuel Regulations, the draft oil and gas emissions cap, and the federal carbon tax scheduled to increase April 1, 2025 . The federal government must ensure its climate policies recognize early and ongoing climate action by provinces and territories and acknowledges their unique needs and differences while supporting a vibrant economy. Health Care Since 2010, provinces and territories have been leaders in reducing the costs of prescription drugs through the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). As of April 1, 2024 , the pCPA has saved $4.63 billion annually in combined jurisdictional savings. Premiers commended the good work of the pCPA, including the recent launch of the pCPA Temporary Access Process (pTAP), to ensure timely access to medicines and treatments. Together, Premiers noted their continued interest in driving work to accelerate patient access to new and lifesaving publicly funded medicines and referred this priority to Health Ministers. Provinces and territories continue to take action to improve health outcomes for Canadians, including the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers. Premiers urge the federal government to collaborate as a full partner on the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems across the country. SOURCE Council of the Federation Secretariat View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/16/c1991.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Meet Wall Street's Newest $1 Trillion Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock -- but Don't Rush to Buy It Just Yet
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'Big moments in big games': Middlesbrough FC chief on his side's loss at Leeds United after strong fightbackWe always knew when we had kids that we would move back to Bunbury — we both had amazing, adventurous childhoods, were able to walk to school and of course had lots of family support. When we fell pregnant with twin boys — sooner than we expected — the move back down south felt a bit abrupt and forced, but boy am I glad now that we did it straight away. Heading into the school holidays there is so much for us to do around Bunbury and the South West for our adventurous, ocean loving twin boys. Being surrounded by so much water, there’s somewhere for us to go fishing, crabbing and even hunting for yabbies no matter which way the wind is going. I always tell my friends, if you’re looking for me I’m probably out at The Cut flipping rocks hunting for rock crabs. We kicked off the holidays with a few day trips down to the Huts beach off Stratham. My husband is a free diver and of course we needed to stock up on crays for Christmas. The kids and I even all pile on to the stand up paddle board and paddle out to the reef, it’s like floating over an aquarium. It’s been a big busy year for our family so a secluded getaway out of reception was just what we needed. We are heading out to Bridgetown which is only just over an hour from Bunbury to stay at Into The Wild Escapes. My grandma grew up in Bridgetown and it’s a relaxed, family friendly town. We plan to swing past The Cidery which is known for natural cider and hearty, locally-inspired meals. From there we’ll head down to the Blackwood River park, which has plenty of shade, and after running wild on the playground we will see if we can spot some yabbies in the river before we head to accommodation for an outdoor bath on the deck. In January we will be heading to another one of our favourite spots in the South West, Augusta. My family has been going there for 25 years and every January, they re-book the same sites at Flinders Bay caravan park for a couple weeks of coastal walks, bakery runs and a lot of diving and fishing. As we have all grown up and started our own families, we have all come and gone as it suited us with work, kids and our own responsibilities, but we all make an effort to get down there. Flinders Bay Caravan Park is walking distance to the beach, with a beautiful bay for snorkelling, a pontoon for the bigger kids and a playground for the little ones. If it’s too windy down the beach, you can head around the river mouth — protected and the perfect spot for canoeing, fishing and is also super popular for kite surfing. Or, jump in your car for a 15 minute drive to Hamelin Bay. Living in Bunbury and exploring the South West has been the best decision for our family. The blend of adventure, ocean views, and family traditions has created a childhood for our boys that is as magical as ours once were. Whether it’s crabbing at The Cut, paddling out over reef aquariums, or enjoying an unplugged getaway in Bridgetown, this region offers endless memories waiting to be made. So, if you’re looking for us, chances are we’re out on the water, flipping rocks, or chasing the next adventure — right where we’re meant to be. Ashleigh Atkinson owns and operates The Climb Collective.LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], November 26 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Tuesday announced the government's decision to remove gutkha and liquor advertisements from state buses. The decision was taken during the recent Board of Directors (BOD) meeting of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Deputy CM Agnihotri said HRTC plans to modernise its fleet by replacing nearly 1,000 old buses. This includes the addition of 327 electric buses, 250 small buses, and 100 mini-tempo buses. He also revealed that tenders for 24 Volvo buses had been rejected due to a single bidder, and fresh advertisements would be issued. Agnihotri reiterated the government's commitment to reducing emissions and expanding the electric bus fleet. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: BJP, AAP Leaders Woo Slum Dwellers in Jhuggi Clusters Ahead of State Polls. Highlighting social concerns, Agnihotri said, "The decision to remove gutkha and liquor advertisements from buses is part of the government's larger effort to curb drug addiction and promote a healthier society." He added that the changes are aimed at prioritising public welfare, improving services, and strengthening the state's transport infrastructure. In a significant relief for farmers, the Deputy CM announced an exemption from luggage charges for transporting milk and vegetables. "This move is designed to support the rural economy and uplift the agricultural sector," he said. Also Read | Bangladesh: Lawyer Killed in Chittagong After Clashes Over Hindu Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das’ Arrest, Muhammad Yunus Orders Probe. "HRTC is dedicated to public welfare," Agnihotri stated. "We have introduced this exemption to help farmers bring their produce to markets, thereby strengthening the state's economy," he added. Agnihotri also addressed the ongoing legal challenges faced by HRTC, revealing that the corporation is involved in over 3,000 court cases. "HRTC has recorded a 14% revenue increase from April to October, reaching Rs66 crore. We are focusing on modernising and expanding our fleet, introducing new electric and diesel buses, and ensuring better services for the people of Himachal," he said. The Deputy CM highlighted the introduction of advanced technologies, including credit, debit, UPI, and National Mobility Card systems in HRTC buses. "Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to implement such measures, benefitting the nearly five lakh passengers HRTC serves daily," he added. "HRTC cannot be run as a purely commercial entity," Agnihotri remarked. "We operate on loss-making routes to serve remote areas and provide essential services. Additionally, we offer significant concessions, including 50% discounts for women and rebates across 28 categories. These efforts require substantial financial assistance from the government," he explained. On infrastructure development, Agnihotri announced plans to establish automatic vehicle testing centres in Hamirpur and Una. He also mentioned redesigning 148 surrendered routes and reassessing the ISBT Shimla allotment under the BOT model. Responding to opposition criticism, Agnihotri dismissed claims about a "toilet tax" as baseless. "The BJP is spreading misinformation. If they want, they can sit in toilets all day to confirm no such tax exists. The sewerage tax, levied at 30% nationally, was introduced during BJP's tenure. Our government has merely amended it to ensure fairness for large commercial establishments using government sewerage lines," he said. The Deputy CM also highlighted reforms in HRTC to ensure timely payment of pensions, salaries, and allowances to employees. "HRTC is not just a transport corporation; it's a lifeline for the people of Himachal Pradesh," he emphasised. "With such progressive measures, the state government is setting an example of how public welfare and infrastructure development can go hand in hand," he concluded. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trollingFinance adviser charts growth path for PSX
Man City collapse ‘difficult to swallow’ – Pep GuardiolaNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
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NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ponce Financial Group, Inc., (the "Company”) (NASDAQ: PDLB), the holding company for Ponce Bank (the "Bank”), announced that it will be presenting at a virtual bank conference hosted by Sycamore Analytics and Pendragon Capital Management on December 11, 2024 from 1:05 to 1:35 PM. To register for the event visit www.VirtualBankConference.com . About Ponce Financial Group, Inc. Ponce Financial Group, Inc., is the holding company for Ponce Bank. Ponce Bank is a Minority Depository Institution, a Community Development Financial Institution, and a certified Small Business Administration lender. Ponce Bank's business primarily consists of taking deposits from the general public and to a lesser extent alternative funding sources and investing those funds, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in mortgage loans, consisting of 1-4 family residences (investor-owned and owner-occupied), multifamily residences, nonresidential properties, construction and land, and, to a lesser extent, in business and consumer loans. Ponce Bank also invests in securities, which consist of U.S. Government and federal agency securities and securities issued by government-sponsored or government-owned enterprises, as well as, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and obligations, and Federal Home Loan Bank stock. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as "believes,” "will,” "would,” "expects,” "project,” "may,” "could,” "developments,” "strategic,” "launching,” "opportunities,” "anticipates,” "estimates,” "intends,” "plans,” "targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, adverse conditions in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on business activities; changes in interest rates; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which Ponce Bank operates, including changes that adversely affect borrowers' ability to service and repay Ponce Bank's loans; anticipated losses with respect to the Company's investment in Grain; changes in the value of securities in the investment portfolio; changes in loan default and charge-off rates; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, fraud and natural disasters; changes in government regulation; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that intangibles recorded in the financial statements will become impaired; demand for loans in Ponce Bank's market area; Ponce Bank's ability to attract and maintain deposits; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that Ponce Financial Group, Inc. may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements and the risk factors described in Ponce Financial Group, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”), which are available at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Ponce Financial Group, Inc. disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation. Contact: Sergio Vaccaro [email protected] 718-931-9000
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Inside ‘assassin’ Luigi Mangione’s life behind bars & why he may become a ‘zombie’ in hellhole jail he shares with DiddyRe: The Interfaith Voices column of Dec. 21, "This will not end with immigrants": This feature has been my refuge from the political screeds that have dominated letters to the editor and the As I See It columns — thoughtful and thought-provoking insights offered in calm, considerate voices from all faiths. Today’s screed, hypocritically wrapped in Scripture and biblical references is a travesty. Compare it to other recent offerings that invite the reader in, offering thoughts and experiences that induce one to sit back, look out a window and contemplate how it all fits in one’s own life. Very reminiscent of Father Neville’s calm, considerate and uplifting voice. We don’t need more diatribe. Not in Interfaith Voices, our one holy refuge in our paper. William Buckley Corvallis Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
All amounts in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 26, 2024 / RE Royalties Ltd . (TSX.V:RE)(OTCQX:RROYF) ("RE Royalties" or the "Company"), a global leader in renewable energy royalty-based financing, today announced that it has sent the notice of meeting, information circular, and proxy form (the "Meeting Materials") for the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on December 13, 2024 at 10:00 am PST at the Company's head office in Vancouver, B.C. (the "Meeting") to shareholders of the Company. However, due to the ongoing Canada Post labour dispute, the Meeting Materials may not be delivered on time to shareholders at their address. Copies of the Meeting Materials including the form of proxy have been filed and are available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://www.reroyalties.com/agm If you are a registered shareholder, please contact Yanne Yu at Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 1-800-564-6253 to obtain your proxy form control number to cast your vote for the upcoming AGM. If you hold shares through an intermediary such as a brokerage firm, please contact your intermediary directly for a copy of the proxy form. The voting deadline for the Company's upcoming AGM is 10:00 am, Pacific Time, on December 11, 2024 prior to the Meeting. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Bernard Tan CEO About RE Royalties Ltd. RE Royalties Ltd. acquires revenue-based royalties over renewable energy facilities and technologies by providing non-dilutive financing solutions to privately held and publicly traded companies in the renewable energy sector. RE Royalties is the first to apply this proven business model to the renewable energy sector. The Company currently owns over 100 royalties on solar, wind, battery storage, energy efficiency and renewable natural gas projects in Canada, United States, Mexico, and Chile. The Company's business objectives are to provide shareholders with a strong growing yield, robust capital protection, high rate of growth through re-investment and a sustainable investment focus. For further information, please contact: Investor and Media Contact: RE Royalties Ltd. Talia Beckett, VP of Communications and Sustainability T: (778) 374‐2000 E: taliabeckett@reroyalties.com www.reroyalties.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor any other regulatory body or securities exchange platform, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer or sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the short form base shelf prospectus or the prospectus supplement. The offer and sale of the securities has not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") with respect to the Company and within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. This information represents predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Forward-looking information may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the Company's financial results, future financial position, expected growth of cash flows, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, projected capital expenditures, taxes, plans, objectives, industry trends and growth opportunities including financing. The reader is referred to the Company's most recent filings on SEDAR as well as other information filed with the OTC Markets for a more complete discussion of all applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company's profile page at www.sedar.com . SOURCE: RE Royalties Ltd. View the original on accesswire.com
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Those who watched the video may be forgiven for thinking ghosts are real. Before their eyes was the familiar face of the late former Indonesian dictator Suharto , seated at a desk against a yellow background, wearing a traditional black kopiah hat and a batik shirt. Flanked by the flags of Indonesia and his party, Golkar, Suharto urged his listeners to vote for Golkar representatives in the upcoming elections. There was just one problem: the video came out in January 2024, a month before the presidential election that had as its frontrunner, Suharto’s former son-in-law and general, Prabowo Subianto, and Suharto died 16 years ago, in January 2008. Racking up over 4.7 million views as of December 22, the video was a “deepfake,” where technology was used to mimic the appearance and voice of the late dictator. It was shared by Erwin Aksa, the deputy general chair of Golkar, on X (formerly Twitter). Aksa clarified in the video caption that it was made using artificial intelligence technology, or AI. After exhorting viewers to elect the “right representatives,” Aksa said: “This video was made using AI technology to remind us how important our votes are in general elections which will determine the future so that the hopes of the Indonesian people are realised and prosperous.” Must Read What can the Philippines learn from how AI was used in Indonesia’s 2024 election? In neighboring Malaysia, the fast and affordable Internet connections available there allow citizens to consume online content at faster rates than ever before, including short videos like TikTok reels. This helped shape elections as well. The rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election, the party that won the most seats (49 out of 222) in parliament, could be largely attributed to PAS’ mastery of TikTok , according to experts. Elections galore 2024 has been a remarkable year for elections , and particularly for elections in Asia. We’ve seen voters in Taiwan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Iran, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan head to the polls, in many cases, resulting in changes of government or at least significant losses by the incumbents. If that does happen, long-running policies or plans for the future may be shelved, as the country either adjusts to a new government with different priorities, or the incumbents revise their policies to appeal to more voters before they get thrown out of power. With such high stakes, it is important that elections are kept free and fair, and voters have all the necessary information before they make up their minds. But if AI technology can be misused, generate misinformation and manipulate the voters, could elections be tipped one way or the other by nefarious actors, people who may not even reside in the country? We shine a spotlight of how AI, social media and electoral politics have already become enmeshed and entrenched in two recent elections in Malaysia and Indonesia. Internet-savvy countries Indonesia is a massive country in Southeast Asia, with a population of over 278 million, but it also has a high level of internet penetration. According to Indonesian site Antara News , citing the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association in January 2024, said that Internet penetration had reached 79.5%. With this figure reaching even higher levels among the younger generations (Generation Z from 19 to 27 years old had over 87% ), and the fact that Indonesia recorded the most number of TikTok users in the world in July 2024, surpassing the United States, it seems likely that Internet videos will remain an indelible element of future elections. Indonesia eventually elected Prabowo Subianto , defense minister and chair of Gerindra as the next president. But Golkar improved its own performance , gaining 15.3% of the vote as opposed to 12.3 in 2019, remaining the second-largest party in the legislature. Perhaps the AI video helped them on their way. In Malaysia, the use of the Internet has become far more widespread. “The environment has changed completely,” said James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, about modern social media. Thanks to upgraded Internet access and cheaper telecommunications technology, more people in Malaysia have access to social media than ever before. “For example, you can get unlimited broadband for your mobile phone in Malaysia, the cost is about 25 ringgit (US$6) a month,” he said. And what do the people use their high-speed Internet connections for? Getting online and sharing content one may have found elsewhere, without being too concerned about its authenticity. Lessons from Indonesia The Republic of Indonesia is somewhat overlooked when democratic elections are discussed, but it happens to be the world’s third-largest democracy , after India and the United States of America. With a GDP of US$1.37 trillion (2023), and a formidable military , Indonesia is one of the most significant countries in the Southeast Asia region. It is also a major diplomatic power in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and arguably in the greater Asia Pacific region. With its prominent position, elections in Indonesia therefore have significant impact on the region and the wider world. Hundreds of people run for elected office to help shape Indonesia’s destiny. One such person is Anindya Shabrina, 29, a legal affairs specialist who joined Indonesia’s Labour Party and ran as a candidate in the February 2024 elections. Describing herself as politically active since she was a student, Anindya decided to join the Labour Party, attracted to its left-leaning stance and open approach to recruitment. “Traditionally, young people who can compete in electoral politics here are mostly from political or wealthy families, but in the Labor Party, anyone can run.” Despite her parents’ concerns, they gave their full support to Anindya’s bid to stand for a seat on the Regional People’s Representative Council of East Java, in an ultimately unsuccessful effort. And perhaps they were right to be concerned. Anindya called the experience “incredibly challenging”, citing the financial disparity between herself and her more established opponents, who could promise tangible monetary assistance while she could only expound on her proposals. Anindya said that during the course of her campaign, she had come across several instances of AI-generated video clips used to support candidates, including the Suharto video. Even her own party got involved, although they decided to stop following concerns raised by creative industry workers. However, there was another, far nastier hurdle she faced. Anonymous online detractors leveled personal attacks and harsh criticism at her, and she even faced attacks from supposed political allies who objected to her even taking part in the election. “There have been attempts to cancel me, including spreading strange rumors, and an anarchist group even created a poster calling for violence against me.” When asked if she thinks AI technology would have made the situation worse, Anindya had zero doubt. “Especially for women,” she added, raising the possibility of using AI to create fake nude images. This is not an unfounded fear, with women politicians in other countries being harassed, insulted and attacked online. During the rule of right-wing Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, there was a surge of online gendered attacks , particularly on social media networks like Facebook. Lower barrier to entry Manipulated or edited photographs have been around for decades. Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin had photos edited when the people in them drew his ire. In the computer age, Photoshop became a common tool, and was quickly used to transform photos for political purposes. Behold this picture of Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in the 2008 election, edited to look as though she was toting a gun and wearing a bikini. But although Photoshop was widely available, anyone who intended to create digitally-manipulated images with the programme had to have some skills in the first place. In contrast, using an open AI program has a much lower barrier to entry. As Benjamin Ang explained, “AI opens up the capability to more people in Photoshop.” Previously, one needed skills in Photoshop or video and audio editing. But now, such skills are practically not needed because all the tools are available to the public, even if they don’t understand the language of their target audience. Ang is a Senior Fellow of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security. In his concurrent role as Head of Digital Impact Research, Ang is very familiar with the development of AI, and its widespread use in society, including in the political arena. Ang shed some light on just how and why AI has come about by leaps and bounds within the last few years, going from science-fiction and the mostly theoretical realm to widespread, everyday use. Calling it a “hockey-stick” effect, where progress is flat for a long time before it suddenly shoots up, Ang pointed to two other factors for the rapid development of AI. The first is the development of computer chips to the point where processing power is fast enough to handle the demands of AI. The second, Ang pointed out, is there has been roughly two decades of social media use where people have uploaded a staggering amount of personal information online. This, he said, allowed programmers to feed such information into data sets to train machine learning algorithms. Speed and ease Ang also highlighted that AI has made the speed of generating such content much faster. “Something which would have taken you an hour or several hours to do in Photoshop, or maybe a day to do video or audio editing can now be done in seconds. And because it can be done in seconds, you can keep on iterating it. You do it once, you can see ‘is it working’? You can do it again and again until you can really refine it, at a scale that has never before happened.” Roy Lee, an Assistant Professor of Information Systems Technology and Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, agrees. “Modern AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces and require minimal technical expertise. Unlike complex software like Photoshop, which demands specialised skills, AI platforms often offer intuitive prompts and automated features, enabling average users to generate high-quality content effortlessly.” The role of social media While AI has come on by leaps and bounds, its combination with social media is like setting an open flame to touchpaper; you get fireworks. Chin elaborated on the rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election. The key to their victory, in his view, was their mastery of using TikTok to win the hearts and minds of voters. The party backed influencers who created “very slick, professionally-run” videos that in combination with their popular religious messaging, created a “powerful machine.” But what about AI-generated videos? As in Indonesia, Chin foresees the same thing happening in Malaysia. While such content is currently “simple stuff,” using cartoon figures and the like, he has no doubt that come the next election cycle, political parties will be investing their resources in creating such content. “If you speak to all the political parties in the old days, a major portion of [their] money goes to ground campaigning, paying campaign workers, setting up booths, holding night ceramahs (night rallies). If you talk to them now, right, most of them said that they’re going to shift the bulk of those resources now towards social media.” Chin also believes that in the wrong hands, misleading content created by AI will be very effective, especially once high-quality videos start being produced in earnest. He pointed out that such content did not need to be entirely faked or created out of whole cloth. Perhaps an existing video could be edited to add a few words, or redact them, to produce a misleading message. And if it’s uploaded to TikTok, with its notoriously short attention span? “I doubt very much that the ordinary voter would be able to tell the difference.” What can be done? Indonesia has taken a few tentative steps to address the problem. About a week after the presidential election in February 2024, then-President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo signed legislation that requires digital platforms to pay media outlets that provide them with content. While it does not directly tackle the misuse of AI content, it could help to ensure digital platforms are more circumspect about the kind of content they share. In September 2024, the Jakarta Globe reported that Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology was preparing to issue new regulations to establish “clear guidelines” for the use of AI technology in Indonesia. Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said it would be carefully studied, and require consultation with the “AI development ecosystem.” The existing circular, issued on a temporary basis by the ministry, merely outlines “ethical guidelines” for the use of AI, including “respecting human rights” and the “need for transparency.” However, despite the change in presidential administrations, Nezar was re-appointed to his post by the new president, Prabowo, who took over in October 2024. There is some hope that Indonesia will continue to work on creating AI regulations. Meanwhile in September 2024, Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation introduced the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics, which seek to support safe and responsible AI development. Singapore looks ahead However, Indonesia and Malaysia’s neighbor Singapore is not waiting around, and has already introduced and passed legislation specifically governing the use of AI-generated content in an election, with one eye on its own upcoming general election. The city-state has recently gone through a rare leadership change, just its third in its near-60-year history. The new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, took over in May 2024. Unlike leaders of other countries, such as Japan, Wong did not call for snap elections soon after being sworn in. He must call for a new general election by November 2025, which leaves quite some time. He has time to see a new bill being introduced in parliament to directly address the issue of misleading, manipulated content. In October 2024, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo played a “deepfaked,” AI-generated video of herself in parliament. The virtual Teo said : “It only took one person one hour to create this, using easily accessible software that anyone can use right now from the Internet. Imagine if someone produced realistic deepfakes, depicting Members of this House saying or doing something we did not actually say or do, and disseminated it. Such technology will only improve, and deepfakes may become even more realistic, convincing, and easy to make.” The bill, which was passed by Singapore’s parliament, is a very narrowly-targeted one. It prohibits the publication of online content that “realistically depicts a candidate saying or doing something [they] did not.” It covers misinformation from both AI-generated content and non-AI techniques used to create content, such as Photoshop or audio dubbing. However, the law only kicks in when the Writ of Election is issued to the close of the polls, which means it is only active for Singapore’s election season. It doesn’t matter whether the content boosts or denigrates a candidate; both are prohibited. Reposting or sharing such content is also not allowed. Measures include asking the users to take down the content, or forcing the social media site to disable access to Singaporean users. Punishments include fines for up to S$1,000 (US$760) or jail for up to a year, and up to S$1 million (US$760,000) in fines for a social media service that does not comply. Harsh? Effective? It remains to be seen. Lee called the legislation a “commendable step,” but said the main challenge depends on its execution. “Social media companies will need to regulate and investigate digitally manipulated content swiftly when requested to take down such content. Given the vast amount of content they handle daily, this poses a significant challenge in terms of scalability and response time.” Cross-border content could also happen, and getting users to take down misleading content who are not in the country could take some time. To Lee, strengthening collaboration between regulators and social media platforms is important to ensure “comprehensive protection.” Beyond governments But what else can be done, if not through government legislation? According to Lee, enhancing public awareness and media literacy is also crucial. “Educating citizens on identifying manipulated content empowers them to critically assess information,” he said. And in what may be an illustration of the old adage, “set a thief to catch a thief,” Lee shared that AI solutions can also be used to detect misinformation on social media platforms, and other platforms with user-generated content. He believes fostering partnerships between academia and industry to continuously improve such tools could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Chin is more skeptical. He pointed out that for such AI-generated misinformation, the content is likely to be shared to you by a trusted individual, like a friend or family member. Chin also feels that Singapore’s attempt to tackle AI-generated misinformation may not be easily replicated in other countries. “It’s a small city state, it’s much easier to handle. But for countries like Malaysia, I think, is increasingly becoming difficult. Even for Singapore, right, I think it will be very difficult in the coming years because of new platforms like Starlink, which allows you to link directly to the satellite. So whatever filters you put in at the platform level, the ISP level, even that can be bypassed with new technology.” – Rappler.com Sulaiman Daud is a 2024 #FactsMatter fellow of Rappler. He is a writer and editor at Mothership , Singapore’s youth-focused digital news platform . Must Read How AI was used in 2024 elections: Voice and chatbot clones, drafting speeches, emails
Kim Kardashian, 44, shows off her washboard abs as she poses in white SKIMS underwear and rosary beads
Singer Diljit Dosanjh honoured former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a moving tribute during his concert in Guwahati on Sunday. The event came just days after the renowned economist and statesman passed away at the age of 92 in Delhi following a prolonged illness. Addressing the audience, Dosanjh reflected on Singh's simplicity and dignity throughout his political career. "He led a very simple life. Even when criticised, he never responded negatively or spoke ill of anyone, which is an incredibly challenging thing to do in politics," the singer remarked. He urged the younger generation, including himself, to learn from Singh’s exemplary conduct and humility. The concert, part of Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour, was dedicated to Singh’s memory. Sharing a video from the performance on Instagram, the artist emphasised the importance of drawing inspiration from the late leader’s life. Manmohan Singh’s contributions to India are widely regarded as transformative. As Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, he led sweeping economic reforms that set the foundation for India’s growth trajectory. Serving as the country’s 13th Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, his leadership was marked by economic resilience and efforts to modernize India's infrastructure and international standing. After retiring from public life in 2014, Singh left behind a legacy of integrity, intellect, and steadfast commitment to India’s progress. Diljit’s tribute resonated with many as a poignant acknowledgement of the late leader’s impact and values.CORPUS 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 and data from . The Associated PressEducation Minister Nara Lokesh said on Sunday that the state has initiated a Skill Census programme, first of its kind in the country, to develop self-employment-based skills among the youth. The state would also be providing training for courses in such a way that youths are equipped for jobs both internally and abroad, he said. On the Skill Census, Lokesh said an agreement was signed recently with Centurion University to develop self-employment-based skill programmes for the youth in rural areas. “Through this, enterprise clusters will be established in sectors such as garment manufacturing, auto parts, dragon fruit cultivation, smart agriculture and drone technology. Vocational training will be provided in these sectors.” He noted, “Recently, an agreement was signed with 2COMS to provide skill training to youths in courses that can fetch them jobs abroad too.” The first phase of the skill census of 1.12 lakh households and 2.77 lakh residents of Mangalagiri assembly constituency and Thullur mandals has been completed. “Arrangements have been made to start the skill census across the state soon and complete it within six months. Vocational training programmes were conducted for 6,035 candidates under the DDUGKY scheme,” the minister said. Focusing on aerospace, automotive and shipbuilding, 2,506 candidates from 63 engineering colleges were trained in high-end Dassault Systems labs. In collaboration with organisations like Wadhwani Foundation and NASSCOM, 27,928 candidates were trained in technical, employability and soft skills in 483 degree colleges, he said. Lokesh gave a route map of the activities to be undertaken in the Skill Development department in the next six months. He said, “APAAR IDs should be given to all (100%) polytechnic and ITI students in the state. Skill Census programme should be effectively carried out across the state.” Some 20,000 candidates should be trained in 200 skill hubs, 2,000 candidates in 37 skill colleges and 2,000 candidates in skill spokes with industry participation. 2,500 workers should be trained in NAC centers from the AP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Training programmes should be conducted for 150 people through Power Grid CSR, 30 people under the National Institute of Solar Energy CSR component at NAC centres, he said. The minister said employment should be provided to 26,000 candidates through DDUGKY skill development. Some 20,000 students from engineering colleges should be trained through CM Excellence Centres, 25,000-degree students in Employability Skill Centres and 10,000 students in Dassault Centres (CAD training). He said, “Under Skill International Programme, necessary training programmes should be completed through CEDAP to recruit candidates in sectors like Nursing, Construction and Automobile. Indo-Euro Synchronisation, 2Coms Consulting Pvt Ltd should facilitate overseas recruitment for nurses in Germany.” For artisans under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme, training programmes wuld be conducted for candidates under Nal Jal Mitra Scheme. He said the PM Internship awareness campaigns would be launched for industry onboarding and community awareness through DET & APSSDC. State-wide job fairs would be organised and job opportunities provided to the unemployed youth. Laboratories in government polytechnic colleges would be modernised and upgraded, and industrial laboratories would be set up in ITIs. The 5th semester textbooks and lab-manuals would be printed and provided to six departments through SBTET for diploma students in a timely manner, Lokesh said.
It has been more than four decades since Jimmy Carter campaigned for president in the Granite State. The former president was mostly unknown to New Hampshire voters when he launched his campaign, an effort that would eventually take him to the White House. Carter died Sunday . He was 100 years old. Carter spoke to an excited crowd in 1976 after he won the New Hampshire primary. "I remember when we couldn't find a microphone!" he said. Forty-five years later, friends and supporters have fond memories of Carter in the Granite State. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said Carter's campaign focused on everyday Granite Staters. "They essentially flew in, rented a car, got in it by themselves and drove to a town and would go up and down the street, then write handwritten notes that night and send it to the people," Buckley said. That personal touch left a mark. During a visit to Robie's Country Store in 1975, Carter would walk up to people and introduce himself. "He came up in back of me and he says, ''Good morning, Mr. Robie. I'm Jimmy Carter, and I'm running for president of the United States,' and I turned around quick and looked at him and I said, 'Jimmy who?'" said Lloyd Robie, of Robie's Country Store. >> New Hampshire Primary Vault: The history behind Jimmy Carter's stunning primary win in 1976 State Rep. Katherine Rogers, D-Concord, was one of Carter's first hired campaign managers in New Hampshire. "Looking back, people might say they didn't like a policy he had, something didn't work out, but I don't think you'd ever hear somebody say that Jimmy Carter lied, that there was a scandal, that he was untruthful," Rogers said in 2015. When Carter saw that interview with Rogers online, he sent her a handwritten note thanking her, once again, for her contributions to his campaign. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said Carter helped mark the start of her life in politics. "When Jimmy Carter got elected president, when he started running for president in New Hampshire, (my husband) Bill and I went to the first campaign organizational meeting that Carter had in 1975, and that was our immediate entrée into politics," Shaheen said. Even after a brain cancer diagnosis in 2015, followed by hospitalizations in 2019 after multiple falls, the 39th president was a lifelong champion for helping others through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. "Because that's what he truly believed in," said Jim Demers, of Demers and Blaisdell, a Concord-based government affairs firm. "He really exemplifies everything that's good about America," Buckley said.
Nita Simpson has lived more lives than many. She’s coached basketball. She’s coached volleyball. She’s coached boxing. She’s run a record label. She’s been a radio personality. All of these phases of her life have allowed her to find her purpose. Simpson is the founder and chief executive officer of Battle Tested Kids , a nonprofit organization that formed in 2019 and provides mentorship and sports training for low-income and underserved youth in Oakland. During the fifth annual Juneteenth in Oakland’s Town Jubilee, Simpson was recognized with the Town Hero award for her efforts. “It’s being able to see what a person is lacking and what a situation is lacking,” Simpson said, “and then being able to fill those gaps. That seems to be my gift. Giving people my work ethic, tapping into the mind, that seems to be the gift that God gave me.” With that gift, Simpson and her organization have been able to influence members of the next generation. Like Jamahl Foster, one of the first people who Simpson ever mentored. Simpson, having shared a church with Foster’s parents, has known Foster his entire life. When she began coaching him in basketball when he was in the eighth grade, she wasn’t afraid to challenge him. Foster recalls learning the importance of “extreme numbers” like making 1,000 shots per day and, on one occasion, running around a gym while carrying a rice bag. Simpson connected the work ethic needed to succeed in basketball with the work ethic necessary to succeed academically. Upon graduating from KIPP King Collegiate in San Lorenzo, Foster graduated with a degree in kinesiology at Cal State East Bay. Currently, the 29-year-old works as a financial consultant and personal trainer while serving as an assistant coach for Battle Tested Kids. “Some of these kids don’t really know work ethic,” Foster said. “So, we really try to teach these kids work ethic. They think they know with their little big heads, but then they get into our program. Then, they’re like, ‘Oh, I don’t know.’” Like Shariff Salzman, who was, by his own admission, “going down the wrong path” when he met Simpson at 16. Before working with Simpson, Salzman recalls “not really doing anything with my life.” He relied on marijuana to deal with childhood trauma. What Simpson provided was structure. Fresh off graduating high school, Salzman now has his hand in several businesses and makes music under the moniker Young Legend. “I would just be hanging out, not taking school seriously,” Salzman said. “I was failing my classes. When I joined the program, now I had to do (well) in school. She helped me get more laser focused, not just in basketball, but in life.” Like Yuniqque Robinson, who won a state championship under Simpson last season at Oakland High. If not for Simpson, Robinson might have quit on basketball entirely. Robinson recalled having a lack of motivation as she entered her senior year of high school. She didn’t want to play basketball. She didn’t want to run track. During early-season basketball practices, Robinson would storm off the court when she felt frustrated. Simpson, an honorable mention selection by this publication last season for coach of the year , was always there to provide equanimity, and Robinson believes she would’ve quit if not for Simpson’s influence. “She would sit me down and talk to me and tell me, ‘It’s OK, you’re not going to be perfect the first time you try it. Just keep going,’” said Robinson, who’s in her freshman year at Alabama A&M. “She motivated me to do better and keep trying and not give up on myself, because there was a time I wanted to quit basketball because I felt like I wasn’t good enough to play.” The path to forming Battle Tested Kids started, in essence, when Simpson was entering high school. Simpson grew up in East Oakland, but instead of attending an Oakland-area high school, she elected to attend Marin Academy, a private college preparatory school in San Rafael. Simpson, who attended public schools leading up to high school, knew that attending high school in Marin County would be starkly different compared to Oakland. But even as a preteen, she understood the value of branching out. “I remember my parents asked, ‘Are you sure you want to go there? This is the one?’ I told them, whoever offers the most money, that’s the place I’ll go,” Simpson said. “The reality was when you look at the population at the time, it is predominantly white. So, for me, as someone who wanted to operate in high places, it was a replica of what I would be dealing with in the real world.” From Marin Academy, Simpson attended Whittier College. Along with majoring in business, Simpson started her first business, Prime Dymes Entertainment, with her friend, Rita Forte. Simpson served as a personality on Whittier’s college radio station, which allowed her to become familiar with working with record labels. That experience set the stage for her to run Rah Muzik, otherwise known as Black & White Entertainment, from 2004 to 2007, their main artist being legendary Oakland rapper Keak Da Sneak. Following her time in the music industry, Simpson found her way back to the sporting world, spending time coaching basketball at Marin Academy, AIMS College Prep (both boys and girls) and, now, Oakland High School, which Simpson led to a state title in her first season as head coach. It was the totality of these lived experiences that set the stage for Battle Tested Kids to come into formation. Simpson’s ambitions, though, only begin here. She envisions one day having a dedicated facility, one that will allow the organization to stop renting out other spaces. From there? She wants a full-blown campus. “I want so much technology in (my facility). People will probably think, ‘She’s crazy.’ I am a little bit of that,” Simpson says with a smile. “There’s not even a professional facility that has what I want in mind. But this is the mecca of technology, so why can’t I have it? It’s just a matter of getting in the room with the right people to be able to make it happen.” If history is any indicator, doubt Simpson at your own risk. For more information, and to donate, go to sharethespiriteastbay.org/donate . Donations will help Battle Tested Kids to offer camp to 150 underserved youth, and to support and fund three paid internships for at-risk youth wanting to pursue careers in sports, social media management, photography, web design, entrepreneurship or marketing.“Suddenly, there was an explosive rise not ten feet away, and an eight-inch trout came up out of the water to take one of the airborne mayflies. In all my life, it was the most memorable rise of a wild fish." -- Jimmy Carter While I’ve never met President Jimmy Carter, he’s been a part of my life for a long time. I came of age politically in the early 1970s when the end game in the Vietnam War still stoked furious debate and the constitutional crisis of Watergate brought down the Nixon presidency. Historians, presidential scholars, and politicians fell over themselves to decry the excesses of what Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. famously termed "the imperial presidency."Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
DeNA (OTCMKTS:DNACF) Hits New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?The Fight Over Emissions From Heavy Trucks Moves To The Courts
Cemtrex Announces 1-For-35 Reverse Stock SplitCORPUS 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 .
Two-thirds of Wild's top line back together with Eriksson Ek’s returnNORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Sasa Ciani had 16 points in UIC's 73-67 victory over Illinois State on Sunday. Ciani had nine rebounds for the Flames (9-4, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Javon Jackson scored 14 points while going 4 of 10 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 4 for 6 from the line. Ahmad Henderson II shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points. The Redbirds (8-5, 0-2) were led by Malachi Poindexter, who posted 20 points. Ty Pence added 10 points and Dalton Banks pitched in with nine points, five assists and two steals. Jackson scored nine points in the first half and UIC went into the break trailing 35-33. UIC outscored Illinois State by eight points in the second half. Ciani led the way with 14 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. ( TSE:NDM – Get Free Report ) (NYSE:NAK)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$0.82 and last traded at C$0.81, with a volume of 539606 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.73. Northern Dynasty Minerals Stock Up 12.3 % The stock has a market cap of C$440.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.33 and a beta of 0.75. The business’s 50 day moving average is C$0.66 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65, a quick ratio of 3.93 and a current ratio of 0.61. Insider Activity at Northern Dynasty Minerals In related news, Director Robert Allan Dickinson sold 100,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$0.59, for a total transaction of C$59,010.00. 1.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Northern Dynasty Minerals Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. engages in the exploration of mineral properties in the United States. It holds a 100% interest in the Pebble Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver-Rhenium project comprising 1,840 mineral claims that covers an area of approximately 274 square miles located in southwest Alaska, the United States. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northern Dynasty Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Building on the Answer with AI feature it added back in April, Brave today announced a new Chat mode for Brave Search that lets you ask follow-up questions to queries. “Starting today, when a query is recognized as a question, Brave Search provides a summary with a chat bar,” . “Engaging with this chat bar opens a chat experience, allowing users to explore the topic in more depth.” Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! This new Chat mode is powered by open and internal LLMs (large language models), Brave says, plus Brave Search results, reducing the chance of hallucinations. It builds on a previous feature, , which delivers Big Tech-free generative AI-based answers to questions at the top of the search results page. According to Brave, this experience now generates over 11 million answers daily. And now users can expand on that initial answer with follow-up questions: You’ll see an “Ask a follow-up question” chat box appear at the end of the AI answer so you can keep going. To test this, I asked Brave Search, “How many Star Wars movies are there?” Answer with AI responded that there were 12 canonical Star Wars movies*, with several more in development. So I asked, “when is the next movie coming out?” and it replied that has a May 22, 2026 release date. As with everything Brave does, Brave Search, Answer with AI, and the new Chat mode all emphasize user privacy, with no profiling or stored search history. (The results note that, “This chat is temporary and will not be saved.”) “These conversations are ephemeral, meaning they’re not persisted or stored,” the company explains. “Your conversations with Answer with AI remain safe and private.” Brave Search, Answer with AI, and Chat mode are free. If you’re using Brave and haven’t changed the default search engine, you can start a search directly from the address bar. Otherwise, you can and try it that way. * This is incorrect, there are 11. It counted (2022), a television series, as a movie for some reason. As it says, “AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.” But Wikipedia also says there are 12, with the 12th being a quickie theatrical release of some episodes as a movie of sorts. Eh. Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each FridayPromoting innovation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice Friday night. For decades, labor unions have sided with Democrats and been greeted largely with hostility by Republicans. But with Trump's populist appeal, his working-class base saw a decent share of union rank-and-file voting for Republicans this year, even as major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers , endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump sat down with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union leadership and members this year, and when he emerged from that meeting, he boasted that a significant chunk of union voters were backing him. Of a possible Teamsters endorsement, he said, “Stranger things have happened.” The Teamsters ultimately declined to endorse either Trump, the former president, or Harris, the vice president, though leader Sean O’Brien had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, told the Associated Press that O’Brien met with more than a dozen House Republicans this past week to lobby on behalf of Chavez-DeRemer. “Chavez-DeRemer would be an excellent choice for labor secretary and has his backing,” Deniz said. The work of the Labor Department affects workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employers' rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. On Election Day, Trump deepened his support among voters without a college degree after running just slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with noncollege voters in 2020. Trump made modest gains, earning a clear majority of this group, while only about 4 in 10 supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. Roughly 18% of voters in this year's election were from union households, with Harris winning a majority of the group. But Trump's performance among union members kept him competitive and helped him win key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chavez-DeRemer was one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act, which would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The measure would weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Trump's first term saw firmly pro-business policies from his appointees across government, including those on the National Labor Relations Board. Trump, a real estate developer and businessman before winning the presidency, generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. During his recent campaign, Trump criticized union bosses, and at one point suggested that UAW members should not pay their dues. His first administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. He has stacked his incoming administration with officials who worked on the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, which includes a sharp swing away from Biden’s pro-union policies. “Chavez-DeRemer’s record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers’ rights and economic security,” said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of National Employment Law Project, which is backed my many of the country’s major labor unions. “But the Trump administration’s agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles, threatening to roll back workplace protections, undermine collective bargaining, and prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working people. This is where her true commitment to workers will be tested.” Other union leaders also issued praise, but also sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” the president of the National Education Association, Becky Pringle, said in a statement, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler welcomed the choice while taking care to note Trump's history of opposing polices that support unions. "It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as secretary of labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda,” Shuler said.Why incoming FTC chair Andrew Ferguson will ‘bring the heat on Big Tech’Jamaica’s Tourism Incubator Programme receives $100m investment to support innovative businesses
These are the four up-and-coming British companies I recommend investing in for real rewards next year and beyond, by shares guru JOANNE HART By JOANNE HART Updated: 16:55, 29 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Stock markets are intended to help companies grow. However, that theory has been sorely tested this year, with many firms hit by a cruel combination of economic uncertainty and investor apathy. Rachel Reeves's Budget made matters worse but this is no time for investors to turn their backs on Britain. Many UK stocks have huge potential. Often undervalued by the stock market, they have proved their resilience in recent years and shown they can move forward, even when conditions are tough. Midas top picks for 2025 include four such businesses, drawn from very different markets but all expected to deliver real rewards for shareholders next year and beyond. Assura The NHS is in a mess. More than six million people are waiting for treatment and half of them have been on waiting lists for four months or more. Cancer targets are continually missed, A&E waiting times are a national disgrace, and GPs are stretched to breaking point. To cap it all, the nation is becoming less healthy, with obesity levels rising, heart disease increasing, and life expectancy falling in the poorest parts of Britain. Change is needed – and Assura is helping to provide this. It designs, builds and manages healthcare facilities, from GP surgeries and NHS training centres to mental health units and private hospitals. Today, Assura has about 620 properties, two-thirds of which are GP surgeries, while private hospitals account for a quarter of the group. Many households regard private hospitals as greedy, price-gouging businesses. However, these are not just used by wealthy clients but also the NHS, helping to shorten waiting times and offering specialist services that the state simply cannot afford. Nuffield Health for example, Assura's largest customer on the private side, is a charity focused on community wellbeing. Assura designs, builds and manages healthcare facilities, from GP surgeries and NHS training centres to mental health units and private hospitals (picture posed by models) On the GP front, Assura surgeries are often modern and purpose-built, designed in consultation with doctors to create an environment that works for patients and medics alike. Chief executive Jonathan Murphy joined the group as finance director in 2013, rising to the top job four years later. Well regarded, Murphy is determined to build a business that improves Britain's health and delivers rewards for investors. Earnings and dividends have risen steadily over the past decade and last summer, Murphy spent £500 million on a portfolio of 14 hospitals, which are expected to drive growth for 2025 and beyond. Even after splashing out on the new assets, Assura is still forecast to increase dividends by 3 per cent to 3.3 p in the year to March 2025, putting the shares on a generous 8.5 per cent yield. Midas verdict: Property firms have been savaged recently and Assura is no exception, with its shares almost halving in value since 2022. This seems excessive. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is determined to make his mark and Assura is well positioned to benefit, as the government strives to ease pressure on the Health Service by encouraging greater use of GP surgeries and private hospitals. At 38p, the shares offer long-term growth and highly attractive dividends. Buy. Traded on: Main market Ticker: AGR Contact: assuraplc.com Telecom Plus American statesman Benjamin Franklin is credited with coining the phrase that nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes. But its first recorded mention was actually in a work by British playwright Christopher Bullock. For most of us today, though, another certainty is monthly bills. Never welcome, their number seems to increase on a regular basis – gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, insurance, plus numerous subscriptions to everything from TV to toilet paper. Telecom Plus aims to simplify customers' lives, with one bill covering energy, internet use, mobile phones and home insurance. Starting out from a pub in Henley-on-Thames in 1996, the company has more than a million customers and is valued on the stock market at almost £1.4 billion. Operating under the brand name Utility Warehouse, the group is focused on delivering top-tier service, ease of use and consistently competitive pricing. Accolades and awards suggest that the business is true to its word, as it has just been ranked number one for energy by Citizens Advice. Not only does Telecom Plus differ from peers in the range of services on offer, but it also acquires customers primarily by recommendations from existing users. Ordinary people – teachers, nurses, firefighters, police – tell friends, family or neighbours about Utility Warehouse and are rewarded for every person that they convert. Payment comes as a percentage of the new customer's bill – generally about 2.5 per cent – and for serial recommenders, known as agents, the rewards can be substantial, stretching to hundreds of pounds a year. The system is highly unusual but it works, with customer numbers – and profits – growing by more than 10 per cent a year for the past three years and set to continue. Chief executive Stuart Burnett is keen to double customer numbers to two million over the next five to seven years and add more services to his roster, with motor and pet insurance high on his list. Customers receive a loyalty card too, which takes money off their bill when they buy goods at chains such as Sainsbury's and Boots. Savings can run into hundreds of pounds for committed customers. The more customers join the group, the more profitable it becomes and the more dividends can be paid to shareholders. Shares guru Joanne Hart recommends that you buy and hold shares in Telecom Plus Brokers forecast a dividend of 94p for the year to March 2025, rising to £1.07 the following year and £1.18 in 2027. With the shares at £17.28, that puts Telecom Plus on a yield of almost 5.5 per cent. Midas verdict: Telecom Plus shares peaked at more than £25 two years ago, when energy prices were soaring and inflation was rampant. They have fallen 30 per cent since then to £17.28, with investors worried that new customers will be harder to find in today's environment. Evidence to date would suggest otherwise and the shares should bounce back in 2025 and beyond. Buy and hold. Traded on: Main market Ticker: TEP Contact: telecomplus.co.uk Distribution Finance Capital Staycations came into their own after the Covid pandemic and many holidaymakers decided they preferred them. More than 500,000 caravans trundle round the UK each year, demand for campervans and motorhomes has been soaring, and sales of new vehicles top 25,000 annually. Manchester-based Distribution Finance (DF) Capital oils the wheels of this market and its prospects are bright. The company provides finance to hundreds of dealers nationwide, via loans that are repaid as soon as vehicles are sold. Loans are subsidised by manufacturers so DF works with these firms as well, ensuring processes run smoothly from start to finish. Founded in 2016 by a trio of financial specialists who cut their teeth at US giant GE Capital, DF aims to stand out from larger competitors through a combination of top-tier technology and old-fashioned, personal service. Read More Where you should invest your money to set yourself up for a prosperous 2025, by JEFF PRESTRIDGE Rivals tend to be large banks, saddled with legacy IT. DF has built its own systems, which are easy to use by makers and dealers. Motorhomes and caravans account for about a quarter of DF's business. However, the group operates in several other areas too, from boats and motorbikes to pre-fabricated holiday homes and lodges for retirement communities. The latter are increasingly popular for older couples looking to downsize, release some funds and have fun in their senior years. Trading is brisk across the group. Working with almost 100 manufacturers and about 1,200 dealers, DF is growing fast. Chief executive Carl D'Ammassa revealed earlier this month that results for 2024 would be significantly ahead of expectations with profits of more than £18.5 million, a fourfold increase over 2023. There are high hopes for 2025 as well, with D'Ammassa planning to offer loans not just to dealers but to their customers too. The motor finance market has become enmeshed in scandal, with dealers and lenders accused of hiding commissions and overcharging customers. DF Capital will focus on specialist vehicles rather than cars, but should benefit as lenders across the industry struggle with past problems. D'Ammassa intends to start small as well, so he can be choosy in his choice of customers and keep credit quality high. DF runs a fully licensed savings bank too, financing its lending activity by offering consumers attractive rates, simple online processes and, again, friendly personal service for those who need it. Midas verdicT: Distribution Finance shares topped £1.30 in 2019. Today, they are 36p, hit by concerns about Covid, high interest rates and the collapse of a troublesome manufacturer, Royale Life, in 2023. That issue has been resolved, important lessons have been learned and DF shares have come off earlier lows. However, they are still too cheap at 36p and should deliver strong growth in 2025 and beyond. Buy. Traded on: Aim Ticker: DFCH Contact: dfcapital-investors.com IIG Gambling in China dates back at least 3,000 years, starting with an ancient precursor to chess, known as liubo. Today, however, most forms of gambling are illegal in the People's Republic, with two notable exceptions: the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery, both of which are state-owned. Here too, there are restrictions, with lottery tickets historically available at just 200,000 designated shops, scattered across a country almost 40 times larger than Britain. Chinese New Year lottery tickets. About 100 million Chinese play the lottery today, out of a population of 1.4 billion Ten years ago, Englishman Daniel Levine and his Chinese colleague Frank Li Tong decided this presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drag Chinese lottery systems into the modern era and allow consumers to buy tickets online. The duo founded Hui10 to bring their idea to fruition and in 2023, UK-listed Intuitive Investments Group (IIG) acquired the business via a $365 million all-share deal. Aim-listed IIG boasts an impressive team. Chief executive Robert Naylor and chief investment officer Giles Willits have made serious money for shareholders in recent roles and hope to do the same again. Chairman Sir Nigel Rudd has a 40-year history of backing winners and believes Hui10 will turn IIG into a FTSE 100 business, so much so that he has persuaded top financiers to invest in the company. At the coalface, Levine and Tong have spent the past decade working with Chinese government bodies and local businesses. Now they are on the cusp of delivery. Systems have been approved and steps are under way to make China's lottery digital, including trial runs in certain parts of the country and promotional schemes with giants such as AliBaba, the Chinese equivalent of Amazon. A full roll-out is expected next year and the stakes are high. About 100 million Chinese play the lottery today, out of a population of 1.4 billion. If China were to follow the UK and America, those numbers could rise to at least 300 million over the next five years, sending IIG revenues from virtually nothing today to more than £1.5 billion, with profits running into hundreds of millions of pounds. Midas verdict: IIG shares are £1.10 today. If all goes according to plan, the stock could soar. Like any early-stage business, IIG is not without risk. But the board is top drawer, backers are savvy and Hui10 is determined to succeed. An appealing punt for the adventurous investor. Traded on: Aim Ticker: IIG Contact: iigplc.com Share or comment on this article: These are the four up-and-coming British companies I recommend investing in for real rewards next year and beyond, by shares guru JOANNE HART e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.MAI Capital Management Sells 1,382 Shares of Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB)
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EXCLUSIVE James Kennedy's girlfriend spoke lovingly of Vanderpump Rules star just one day AFTER his arrest Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By CHRISTINE RENDON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:22, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 23:55, 12 December 2024 e-mail 8 View comments Ally Lewber gushed about how 'proud' she was of boyfriend James Kennedy in an interview conducted the day after his domestic violence arrest. Lewber spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com at the New Year's Eve with Windsor soiree in Los Angeles , one day after Kennedy was detained on misdemeanor domestic violence charges after getting into an argument with an unknown woman. The arrest came after Kennedy and Lewber attended Kathy Hilton 's Christmas bash earlier that day. Speaking exclusively with DailyMail.com on Wednesday prior to news of the arrest breaking, Lewber described how happy she was to see how far Kennedy had come in his career and their plans to host her family at their home for Christmas. Lewber also revealed their professional endeavors post-Vanderpump Rules, with the show now moving forward with a new cast for it's upcoming 12th season. 'My family's coming here. So James and I are going to host this year.... I feel like an adult. Like my family's coming to me,' Lewber, who was co-hosting the Windsor bash, said. Ally Lewber gushed about how 'proud' she was of boyfriend James Kennedy in an interview conducted the day after his domestic violence arrest The arrest came after Kennedy and Lewber attended Kathy Hilton's Christmas bash together 'I got them stockings with their initials on it, so when they go in the guest room, I'm going to make it all cute,' she said. The holidays come shortly after Bravo announced they would be moving forward with a brand new cast for Vanderpump Rules, replacing the long-time stars with fresh faces. Lewber said they sensed the shake-up would be happening prior to the shock announcement. Read More EXCLUSIVE Vanderpump Rules alum Rachel Leviss breaks her silence on ex-fiance James Kennedy's arrest 'We knew it was going to look different,' she said. 'I don't think we knew for sure like... oh we got the boot. But we kind of knew it was coming. I think it was just seeing the fan's reactions that made it seem so real. Lewber said James handled the departure in a 'mature' manner. 'Like James, the way that he handled it, was so mature, because we talked about it a lot, and I think we both decided this doesn't fit our lifestyle. We already kind of known that. 'And so even over the past months, before we kind of knew, and it just feels like reaching for drama,' she said. 'I feel like excited for the future actually, and I don't have anxiety. I'm like, okay cool - You want to DJ, I want to do astrology. We're grateful for obviously, we've all seen James from where he is in the beginning to where he is now.' Ally said she was 'proud' of her boyfriend, who is now DJ-ing after starting off his reality TV career as a busser at SUR. 'We all knew James in the beginning, you know where he was, which was a busser, and he's worked his way to get to where he is now and I know he's proud of himself. I'm proud of him.' And the astrologer believes the axing is generally a 'good thing' for the cast, adding the stars will all be 'fine' after the shake-up. Ally said she was 'proud' of her boyfriend, who is now DJ-ing after starting off his reality TV career as a busser at SUR Lewber spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com at the New Year's Eve with Windsor soiree Lewber co-hosted the LA soiree 'I think it's overall a really good thing... they're a family, you know? And I feel I'm apart of it a little bit. They're a family and they've been through so much together. I feel like it is, it's just a change. It's a big change. Everyone will be fine. They're all going to be fine. It's time. 'The universe made the decision, it is what it is. Drama free? It's a good thing,' she said. Lewber hinted that Scheana Shay was particularly emotionally impacted by the axing. 'I talk to Scheana the most. I haven't seen her in person, so it's hard to really gauge the true emotions. I think that everyone's a little... I think we all feel the same. I think Scheana is probably the most... she's sensitive,' she said. 'Her and James are the both I would say the most emotional, sensitive ones. And she'll be fine, she knows that. 'But it is still a little, wow, we have to say goodbye to this entire era,' she said, adding she was touched seeing the fans reaction to their departure. 'The fans, everyone making all those tweets and stuff, I was watching them, it made me cry,' she said. 'That's so sweet.' As far as a potential future on the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, The Valley, Ally said that wasn't in the cards for them Ally sensed this wouldn't be the last viewers would be seeing of Kennedy. 'I think that James will find his way back on the screen. I told him, "You were meant for TV. You're meant for the stage. DJ-ing, reality, wherever it is. It's where he's destined, I think. And definitely DJ, I think he's actually excited to really focus on that.' 'He has a full other year of LIV Nightclub at the Fountainbleu,' she said. 'And then he's touring with Pauly D... They're doing a little like collab. I think it's just for two months, the first half of next year.' she said. 'And then he's like making music.' 'He's been in the studio yesterday, was in the studio today, working with different DJs, so he's going to like release music,' she added. As far as a potential future on the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, The Valley, Ally said that wasn't in the cards for them. 'I don't think it's for us,' she said, however added, 'I'll never say never, we never know what's happening in the future.' Despite the uncertain TV future, professionally Ally will be keeping busy with her astrology business and a 'big' project she plans on announcing shortly after the new year. Los Angeles Vanderpump Rules James Kennedy Share or comment on this article: James Kennedy's girlfriend spoke lovingly of Vanderpump Rules star just one day AFTER his arrest e-mail Add commentThe former FBI informant who claimed he could prove that then-Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden were paid $5 million a piece by the owners of Ukrainian energy company Burisma now admits he made the whole thing up. Alexander Smirnov lied when he told the FBI that Hunter Biden, who sat on Burisma’s board while President Joe Biden was serving as No. 2 in the Obama White House, used his father’s political position to force the Ukrainian company into making payments to both Bidens in 2015 or 2016, he admitted in a plea deal revealed Thursday. “In truth and fact. Defendant had contact with executives from Burisma in 2017, after the end of the Obama-Biden Administration and after the then-Ukrainian Prosecutor General had been fired in February 2016 — in other words, when (Biden) could not engage in any official act to influence U.S. policy,” the plea deal reads, in part. According to the plea, which serves as an admission to guilt on a felony count of lying to investigators and three more of tax evasion, Smirnov, took issue with the Bidens in 2020 for political reasons and told his FBI handler he had knowledge of corruption, but investigators later learned he was embellishing his access to company officials and inside information. “Defendant transformed his routine and unextraordinary business contacts with Burisma in 2017 and later into bribery allegations against Public Official 1, the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties for President, after expressing bias against Public Official 1 and his candidacy,” the plea reads, in part. Smirnov’s entirely-made-up version of events served as the backbone of a year-long effort by Congressional Republicans to drum up impeachment charges to levy against President Biden over his alleged role in the bribery scheme. Ohio’s U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said Smirnov’s assertion got to the “ heart ” of the GOP’s investigation into the Bidens, while House Oversight Chair U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-KY, called it “ a very crucial piece of our investigation. ” After Smirnov was arrested in February, prosecutors revealed much of the information he was sharing with his FBI handlers was coming from the Kremlin. “Smirnov admitted that officials associated with Russian intelligence were involved in passing a story about Businessperson 1,” they wrote , referring to Hunter Biden. Smirnov’s exact claims were made public in June of 2023, after U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley published a redacted version of the FBI form he used to spin his lies to his handlers. Ranking House Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik told Fox News that the allegations represented “the biggest political corruption scandal, not only in my lifetime, but I would say the past 100 years.” Hunter Biden was recently pardoned by President Biden for any and all crimes he may have committed while working for Burisma and in the years that followed. ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.SC will take up Places of Worship pleas on December 12How to survive political debates at Thanksgiving dinner, according to a family therapist
Saquon Barkley is the NFL's version of Shohei Ohtani: AnalysisTESCO customers can make a difference to the lives people facing hunger and hardship by donating long-life items this week. This comes as stores in Ilkley are taking part in the 12th annual Tesco Winter Food Collection, with donated items going directly to the charities Trussell and FareShare. Both charities expect to see extremely high demand for their services this winter, and the Food Collection provides vital extra donations. Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: “Our partners tell us they’ve seen even more families needing their help and they expect demand to increase this winter, so we’re encouraging Ilkley customers to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection. With frontline charities and foodbanks facing exceptionally high demand this year, pre-packed donation bags make it easy to make a big difference to someone else’s Christmas. “We’ve boosted our ongoing support to FareShare and Trussell with a donation of £500,000 each this year to help them meet additional demand through the summer and winter holiday periods when family finances are facing the most strain.” In response to this, Tesco is making its pre-packed customer donation bags available at even more stores in an effort to top the two million meals donated at last year’s collection. All large stores already offer them during the supermarket’s Winter Food Collection, but this year 86 of the largest Express stores will also stock them to make donating even easier no matter where you shop. The bags, which typically cost between £2 and £3, are pre-filled with healthy and nutritious long-life items and can be picked up by Ilkley customers in store and paid for at the checkout. The donated food is passed to FareShare and Trussell, who will distribute it to charities and food banks to help families who need it most. Tesco’s Winter Food Collection, runs in Express stores from November 25-30 and in large stores from November 28-30. According to FareShare and Trussell are UHT and powered milk, the most-needed items tinned meat and fish, and sponge/rice pudding. Emma Revie, Trussell Chief Executive, said: “Food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship. They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. But with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks are having to purchase record amounts of emergency food.”
The Ottawa Senators realize they can't continue to tread water much longer if they hope to end their seven-year playoff drought. With a nine-game road trip on the horizon, the Senators will try to take advantage of home ice while they can when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday evening. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Outwander analyzed PwC survey data to identify major concerns among this year's holiday travelers. Rising costs and delays top the list. Click for more. Canceled flights, rising costs, and other top concerns among holiday travelers this seasonCelebrities who had the worst year in 2024Integral Ad Science CFO sells $80,592 in company stock
Israel, Hezbollah Agree On Lebanon Cease-Fire To End Nearly 14 Months Of Fighting
genie wish granted
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. It’s not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. “I don’t think that’s crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left,” Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven’t reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team’s struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Broncos hope to continue playoff push when they meet the banged-up Raiders
Miller puts up 24, SMU downs Longwood 98-82
Timberwolves push back start time vs. Spurs because of issue with game court
Tears, hugs, and an unexpected reunionBOSTON (AP) — UConn coach Jim Mora pulled a move that would make Bill Belichick proud while preparing the Huskies to play the notoriously churlish former New England Patriot's next team in his old backyard. Mora and his players were more than 45 minutes late for what was scheduled as a 30-minute media availability a day before Saturday's Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora then gave a non-apology straight out of Belichick’s playbook. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content.
BOSTON — UConn coach Jim Mora pulled a move that would make Bill Belichick proud while preparing the Huskies to play the notoriously churlish former New England Patriot’s next team in his old backyard. Mora and his players were more than 45 minutes late for what was scheduled as a 30-minute media availability a day before Saturday’s Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora then gave a non-apology straight out of Belichick’s playbook. “We practice at a certain time the day before a game,” Mora said. “And we stuck to the script.” A six-time Super Bowl winner in New England with Tom Brady, Belichick was fired after going 4-13 in 2023, leaving him just 14 wins short of matching Don Shula’s all-time record for NFL victories. Unable to land a pro job at the age of 72, Belichick signed on with North Carolina — his first college gig — when they fired 73-year-old Mack Brown. Belichick hasn’t taken over on the Tar Heels’ sideline yet; interim coach Freddie Kitchens — another ex-Cleveland Browns coach — will lead them in the Fenway Bowl. But the future Hall of Famer’s potential return to a football field in Boston has been the biggest story ahead of Saturday’s game. Belichick did not attend media day, and Fenway Bowl executive director Brett Miller tried to preempt questions about him by asking reporters “to keep questions focusing on the players and coaches out here today.” “I don’t need to beat around the bush any more than that,” he said in comments that would have been cryptic if it weren’t so obvious to everyone who he meant. “I know there’s probably a lot of questions that you guys have about next year, particularly one side. Please do your best to keep it to these guys, because they’ve earned the right to be here.” The request wasn’t completely successful, with Kitchens taking a question about Belichick specifically and saying he talks to his new boss every day. Earlier this month, Kitchens said: “He asks questions; I answer the questions.” “I’m going to try to soak in all I can from him, and be a better coach because of it,” Kitchens said after Belichick was hired. “I love Carolina, I want what’s best for Carolina, and I know that right now at this moment in time, coach Belichick is what’s best for Carolina. “At the end of the day, he’s a ballcoach,” he said, “and I enjoy working for ballcoaches.” Mora also brushed off a question about whether the next Carolina coach would have any impact on Saturday’s game. “It’s irrelevant to us,” said Mora, who was 0-1 against Belichick in four seasons as an NFL head coach. “We can’t control the emotions of our opponents. And as far as I know, coach Belichick will not be taking the football field on Saturday, so it’s not relevant to this football team in our preparation. North Carolina (6-6) will be playing in a bowl for the sixth straight year – the second-longest streak in program history. The Tar Heels climbed from back-to-back nine-loss seasons in the final years of Larry Fedora to reach into The Associated Top 25 in each of the previous four seasons under Brown, who also coached them from 1988-97 in one of the most successful eras of Carolina football history. After starting out 3-0 this year, the Tar Heels lost four straight — including a 70-50 loss to Sun Belt Conference team James Madison. They won three more to gain bowl eligibility before a loss to Boston College that sealed Brown’s fate, and a season-ending loss to rival NC State. UConn is playing in its second bowl game in three seasons under Jim Mora, bouncing back from last year’s 3-9 record to post its first eight-win season since Randy Edsall took the Huskies to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010. An independent, UConn won all of its games against the non-Power 4 conferences and lost to Syracuse, Wake Forest and Duke of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Maryland of the Big Ten. Miller said the bowl, which has struggled to find traction in a city more focused on the success of its professional sports teams, sold more tickets this year than in its first two. The Belichick angle is certainly part of that, but the game has also had some good success picking teams, hosting Louisville in 2022 — the year before the Cardinals climbed into The Associated Press Top 10 – and then SMU last year, one season before the Mustangs made the College Football Playoff. “Could one of these teams be next,” Miller said. “We’ll see.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up {a href=” https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apnews.com%2Fnewsletters&data=05%7C02%7CCBrunt%40ap.org%7C4180f2ba57054c0e19e408dcc76ec553%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638604525783273417%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pbTLVU6CNFfqcI89TDiRYd2p9R9Hyw4Nl7ZaVMJWA68%3D&reserved=0 ”}here{/a}. 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Western Union to Present at the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference on December 4thHow major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 11/26/2024
Ex-Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet may be in some hot water after getting into a fiery verbal altercation with a crew of NBA officials on Saturday night. During the end of a game between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers, the 30-year-old VanVleet was ejected from the game after he pointed to each of the officials and said something. The altercation was apparently due to the ex-Raptor thinking he had been fouled on the previous play. After getting ejected, things came close to becoming physical as VanVleet continued to verbally spar with one of the officials and nearly touched one ref’s face as he was pointing. “I think I’m in enough trouble as it is tonight, so I probably don’t need to discuss too much officiating with you guys,” VanVleet reportedly said after the game, “Heat of the moment, you always feel right — I know the refs aren’t trying to be wrong but we disagreed quite a bit tonight.” This type of altercation with the officials on the court is sure to result in some sort of supplementary discipline for VanVleet. This wouldn’t be the first time that he would be punished for letting his thoughts be known about the officiating of an NBA game. Back in March of 2023, while a member of the Raptors, VanVleet following a loss to the LA Clippers. The NBA fined him $30,000 for that particular outburst. NBA fans were sure to share their thoughts on this current situation on social media. It’s become a staple of VanVleet’s fiery personality over the years to call out the refs. He is enjoying a good start to the NBA season with the Rockets as the team currently sits third in the Western Conference with a 12-6 record. The only teams better in the West are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors. No official suspension or fine has been announced for VanVleet, but it would not be surprising to see one come across in the next day or so.Few presidents have come as far as fast in national politics as Jimmy Carter . In 1974, he was nearing the end of his single term as governor of Georgia when he told the world he wanted to be president. Two years later, he was the president-elect. Although his name recognition nationally was only 2% at the time of his announcement, Carter believed he could meet enough people personally to make a strong showing in the early presidential caucuses and primaries. He embarked on a 37-state tour, making more than 200 speeches before any of the other major candidates had announced. When voting began in Iowa and New Hampshire in the winter of 1976, Carter emerged the winner in both states. He rode that momentum all the way to the presidential nomination and held on to win a close contest in the general election. His career as a highly active former president lasted four full decades and ended only with his death Sunday in his hometown of Plains, Ga. He was 100 and had lived longer than any other U.S. president, battling cancer in both his brain and liver in his 90s. A life that bridged political eras James Earl Carter Jr. was the 39th U.S. president, elected as a Democrat displacing the incumbent Republican, Gerald Ford, in 1976. Carter would serve a single tumultuous term in the White House, beset by inflation, energy shortages, intraparty challenges and foreign crises. But he managed to win the nomination for a second term. He lost his bid for reelection to Republican Ronald Reagan in a landslide in 1980. Thereafter, he worked with Habitat for Humanity and traveled the globe as an indefatigable advocate for peace and human rights. He was given the U.N. Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1998 and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter was the first president from the Deep South elected since the Civil War. He entered politics at a time when Democrats still dominated in his home state and region. He had begun his career as a naval officer in the submarine corps, but in 1953 he left the service to take over the family peanut business when his father died. He later served four years in Georgia's state legislature before making his first bid for governor in 1966. In that contest, he finished behind another Democrat, Lester Maddox, a populist figure known for brandishing a pickax handle to confront civil rights protesters outside his Atlanta restaurant. Carter shared much of the traditional white Southern cultural identity. But he was also noted for his support for integration and the Civil Rights Movement led by fellow Georgian Martin Luther King Jr. Four years after losing to Maddox, Carter was elected his successor and declared in his inaugural speech that "the time for racial discrimination is over." Time magazine would feature him on its cover four months later, making him a symbol of the "New South." And as his term as governor ended, he was all in on a presidential bid. But he did not burst onto the national stage so much as he crept up onto it, appearing before small groups in farming communities and elsewhere far from the big media centers. A meteoric rise to the White House Beyond his earnest image and rhetoric, Carter also had a savvy game plan based on the new presidential nominating rules that the Democratic Party had adopted in the early 1970s. Carter's team, led by campaign manager Hamilton Jordan, mastered this new road map, with Carter climbing from a strong showing in the still-new Iowa caucuses to a clean win in New Hampshire's primary. So though in January 1976 he was the first choice of only 4% of Democrats nationally, he won the first two events and leveraged that attention to capture the imagination of voters in other regions. Carter shut out segregationist champion George Wallace in the Southern primaries and also dominated in the industrial states of the North and Midwest. Democrats held 48 primaries or caucuses around the United States that year, and Carter won 30, with no other candidate winning more than five. Wherever he went, he was able to connect with rural voters and evangelicals wherever they were to be found — doing well in big cities but also in the sparsely populated parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. While Carter's juggernaut lost momentum in the summer and fall, with Republican President Gerald Ford nearly closing the polling gap by Election Day, the Georgian held on to win 50% of the popular vote in November. By winning in his home state and everywhere else in the South (save only Virginia) while holding on to enough of the key population centers in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, Carter was able to cobble together nearly 300 Electoral College votes without winning California, Illinois or Michigan. Troubles in office The surprisingly modest margin of Carter's victory over Ford augured more difficulties ahead. And as well as the Carter persona may have suited the national mood in 1976, it did not fit well in the Washington he found in 1977. All presidential candidates who "run against Washington" find it necessary to adjust their tactics if and when they are elected. But the former peanut farmer and his campaign staff known as the "Georgia mafia" never seemed to lose faith in the leverage they thought they had as outsiders. Almost immediately upon taking office, Carter encountered difficulties with various power centers in Congress. He and his tight circle of aides brought along from Georgia and the campaign were not attuned to congressional customs or prerogatives, and a variety of their agenda priorities ran afoul of their own party's preferences. A case in point was a "hit list" of Western water projects that the Carterites regarded as needless pork barrel spending. For a raft of Democratic senators and representatives facing reelection in thirsty states and districts, the list came as a declaration of war. Although Congress fought Carter to a draw on the projects, many of these Western seats would be lost to Republican challengers in 1978 and 1980. Carter did have signal successes in brokering a historic peace deal between Israel and Egypt and in securing Senate ratification of his treaties ceding the Panama Canal to Panama. He also managed to achieve significant reforms in regulations — especially those affecting energy production and transportation — that would eventually lower consumer prices. Carter had taken office amid historically high inflation and energy prices that had persisted since the Arab oil embargo of 1973. Carter appointed a new chair of the Federal Reserve, Paul Volcker, whose tight money policies eventually tamed inflation but also triggered a recession and the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression. Along the way, there was more grief on the oil front as Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979 caused not only a price spike but long lines at the pump — worse than in 1973. Carter and the Democrats paid a price, suffering more than the usual losses for the president's party in the 1978 midterm elections, which greatly reduced Democratic margins in both the House and the Senate. Yet the Iranian crisis had even worse consequences. The revolution saw the overthrow of the Shah, a longtime ally of the U.S., and the installation of a stern theocratic regime led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a fierce critic of the United States. When Carter agreed to grant the Shah a visa to receive cancer treatments in the U.S., young followers of the ayatollah overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran . Fifty-two Americans were taken hostage for 444 days. Carter's efforts to free them were unavailing. An airborne raid intended to free them ended in catastrophe in the Iranian desert, leaving eight U.S. service members dead after a collision of aircraft on the ground. Afghanistan becomes an issue Yet another blow was dealt to Carter's standing when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to prop up its client regime there. Opposing that aggression was popular, but Carter's decision to retaliate by having the U.S. boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow was less so. Carter was able to use the hostage crisis to his advantage in suppressing the challenge to his nomination mounted by Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. Carter refused to debate Kennedy and made the primaries a kind of referendum on the Iranian situation. Enough Democrats rallied to his side that Kennedy's bid, a favorite cause of liberal activists and organized labor, fell far short. Still, it contributed to the weakness of Carter's standing in the general election. And what had worked against a challenger from the Democratic left did not work when Carter faced one from the Republican right. Ronald Reagan was a former two-term governor of California who had sought the nomination twice before, and he did not begin 1980 as the consensus choice of his party. But he wove a complex set of issues into a fabric with broad appeal. He proposed sweeping tax cuts as a tonic for the economy, more spending on defense, a more aggressive foreign policy and, just as important, a return to the traditional values of "faith, freedom, family, work and neighborhood." He also opposed abortion and busing for racial integration and favored school prayer — the three hottest buttons in social policy at the time. After a come-from-behind win in New Hampshire and a sweep of the Southern primaries, Reagan never looked back. His triumph at the Republican National Convention in Detroit set the tone for his campaign. The election looked close at Labor Day and even into October. But the single debate the two camps agreed to , held on Oct. 28, 1980, the week before the election, was a clear win for the challenger. Carter failed in his attempts to paint Reagan as an extremist. The Republican managed to be reassuring and upbeat even as he kept up his attacks on Carter's handling of the economy and on the rest of Carter's record. The polls broke sharply in the final days, and in November, Reagan captured nearly all the Southern states that Carter had carried four years earlier and won the 1980 presidential election with 489 Electoral College votes. Carter conceded before the polls had even closed on the West Coast. Reassessment in retrospect Historians have generally not rated Carter's presidency highly, and he left office with his Gallup poll approval rating in the low 30s. But there has been a steady upward trajectory in assessments of his presidency in recent years, and his Gallup approval rating has climbed back above 50% and has remained there among the public at large. This reflects the work of several Carter biographers and former aides and the natural comparison with the presidents who have followed him. In 2018, Stuart E. Eizenstat, Carter's chief domestic policy adviser, published President Carter: The White House Years , which historians have praised both as a primary source and as an assessment of Carter's term. In it, Eizenstat wrote that Carter "was not a great president, but he was a good and productive one. He delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office. He was a man of almost unyielding principle. Yet his greatest virtue was at once his most serious fault for a president in an American democracy of divided powers." As far back as 2000, historian Douglas Brinkley wrote that in the first 20 years after Carter lost the presidency, he had become "renowned the world over as the epitome of the caring, compassionate, best sort of American statesman ... an exemplar of behavior for all national leaders in retirement." A new life out of office But the greatest factor in Carter's rising reputation was his own performance in his post-presidential career. He worked with Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate homes for low-income families. He taught at Emory University and established his own nonprofit, the Carter Center . And over the ensuing decades, he published more than two dozen books and became an international advocate for peace, democratic reforms and humanitarian causes. As former president, Carter did not shy from controversy, particularly when it came to the Middle East, the region that gave him his greatest foreign policy achievement and also his most damaging setback as president. He opposed the Gulf War in 1991 and the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and he angered many when he likened Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid in South Africa. He also riled many Americans by suggesting that opposition to President Barack Obama was rooted in racism. More recently, he earned new admirers and detractors alike with his public disapproval of then-President Donald Trump.SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PROCEPT BioRobotics® (Nasdaq: PRCT) (the “Company”), a surgical robotics company focused on advancing patient care by developing transformative solutions in urology, today announced that members of management will present at the upcoming 36th Annual Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference in New York City. Management is scheduled to present on Wednesday, December 4 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A live webcast of each event, as well as an archived recording, will be available on the “Investors” section of the company’s website at: https://ir.procept-biorobotics.com . The webcasts will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event. About PROCEPT BioRobotics Corporation PROCEPT BioRobotics is a surgical robotics company focused on advancing patient care by developing transformative solutions in urology. The HYDROSTM Robotic System is the only AI-Powered, robotic technology that delivers Aquablation therapy. PROCEPT BioRobotics designed Aquablation therapy to deliver effective, safe, and durable outcomes for males suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms or LUTS, due to BPH that are independent of prostate size and shape or surgeon experience. BPH is the most common prostate disease and impacts approximately 40 million men in the United States. The Company has developed a significant and growing body of clinical evidence with over 150 peer-reviewed publications, supporting the benefits and clinical advantages of Aquablation therapy. Investor Contact: Matt Bacso VP, Investor Relations and Business Operations m.bacso@procept-biorobotics.com
The were without starting quarterback for their against the on Sunday. Despite Hurts' absence, the managed to get quality play at quarterback from their two backups and . McKee entered the game in the second half and threw a pair of touchdown passes, the firsts of his career. A player’s first career touchdown is usually a time for celebration, and those players are often awarded the football to remember the occasion. When it came to McKee, though, wide receiver A.J. Brown missed the memo. Here’s what happened. Brown was on the receiving end of McKee’s 20-yard touchdown pass and celebrated the score by launching the ball into the crowd in the third quarter. It was quickly brought to his attention why he shouldn’t have done that. As a result, Brown had help tracking down the fan who caught the ball and promised to give him his game-worn jersey in return for McKee’s football. AJ Brown launched Tanner McKee's first TD ball into the stands. Big Dom had to go get it 😂 — NFL (@NFL) Brown lived up to his promise, walking over toward the end zone where he scored the touchdown and found the fan. Brown was seen taking off the jersey and signing it for the fan before throwing the jersey up to him. Promise kept. A.J. Brown hooks up fan Patrick with a signed game-worn Jersey for returning Tanner McKee’s first TD ball. — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) McKee entered the game after Pickett left with a rib injury in the third quarter. McKee finished out the Eagles 41-7 rout of the completing three of four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns. He threw the first one to Brown in the third quarter to take a 34-7 lead after the PAT. He also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to receiver DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter.Florida Democrat Defects to Join Republicans Over ‘Extreme Progressive Voices’ in Party
US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the United States is expected to announce it will send another $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. It's part of a push by the Biden administration to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Officials say the large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds. The officials say they expect the announcement will be made on Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, dies at 105 HONOLULU (AP) — The oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah has died. He was 105. Warren Upton died Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California. Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, says he suffered a bout of pneumonia. The Utah was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began bombing the Hawaii naval base in the early hours of Dec. 7, 1941. The attack propelled the U.S. into World War II. Israeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. Friday's incident was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in the surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. What Snoop wants: Arizona Bowl gives NIL opportunities to players for Colorado State, Miami (Ohio) TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — When Snoop Dogg agreed to become the sponsor of the Arizona Bowl, he had a demand: It must have a NIL component. Other bowls have provided NIL chances for single players the past few years, but the Arizona Bowl is believed to be the first to offer NIL compensation to every player on both Colorado State and Miami (Ohio). The players participated in youth clinics before Saturday's game and will be compensated for their time. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.
As fate would have it, a chance encounter led Jessica back to her hometown after all these years. The sight of her children, now young adults, brought tears to her eyes as she realized how much time had passed. The family reunion was a mix of emotions – joy, relief, and a tinge of sadness for the lost years. However, the love and bond they shared were as strong as ever, bridging the gap that had separated them for so long.HOUSTON (AP) — Will Levis threw for 278 yards and his 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo put Tennessee on top in the fourth quarter and the Titans held on for a 32-27 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled for the touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. Titans coach Brian Callahan held both hands in the air and smiled after watching the miss that allowed his team to win on a day it had three turnovers. The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked C.J. Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions as the AFC South-leading Texans lost for the third time in four games. Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. Tennessee extended the lead to 23-17 on a 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk with nine minutes left in the third. Stroud threw his second interception with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter but Ward’s touchdown came three plays later to put the Texans on top 24-23. The Titans fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and Houston recovered it. A 54-yard field goal by Fairbairn extended the lead to 27-23 with about 10 minutes to go. Dameon Pierce returned the opening kickoff 80 yards to get the Texans in the red zone. Houston cashed in on the next play when Stroud found rookie Cade Stover on a 19-yard pass for his first touchdown reception. The Titans trailed by four after a field goal by Folk when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Tennessee extended the lead to 17-7 when Tony Pollard ran 10 yards for a touchdown with about 11 minutes left in the second. Pollard finished with 119 yards and a touchdown. Nico Collins scored on a 5-yard reception with about six minutes left in the second. Levis fumbled on the Houston 32 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half and Houston recovered the ball. Stroud connected with Collins on a 56-yard pass on the next play, but the Texans couldn’t move the ball and settled for a 28-yard field goal to tie it at 17-17. Houston forced a punt after that, but rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. got his first career interception two plays later to give Tennessee the ball back. Folk’s 56-yard field goal, which tied his career long, put the Titans up 20-17 at halftime. Injuries The Titans were without cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, and safety Amani Hooker, who was added to the injury report Sunday morning with an illness. Hooker leads the Titans with three interceptions. ... Houston S Jalen Pitre injured his shoulder in the second quarter and didn’t return. ... CB Ka’dar Hollman left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Up next Titans: Visit the Commanders next Sunday. Texans: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday. ___ AP NFL: Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press
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As the year comes to a close, fans and players alike will look back on the memorable moments and upsets that defined the WTA season. Zheng Qinvvn's victory over Iga Swiatek at the Olympics will surely be remembered as one of the most inspiring and remarkable upsets of the year, proving that in tennis, as in life, the underdog can rise to the top against all odds.
Timberwolves push back start time vs. Spurs because of issue with game courtThe UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel. The resolution -- adopted by a vote of 158-9, with 13 abstentions -- urges "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," and "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" -- wording similar to a text vetoed by Washington in the Security Council last month. At that time, Washington used its veto power on the Council -- as it has before -- to protect its ally Israel, which has been at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack. It has insisted on the idea of making a ceasefire conditional on the release of all hostages in Gaza, saying otherwise that Hamas has no incentive to free those in captivity. Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood repeated that position Wednesday, saying it would be "shameful and wrong" to adopt the text. Ahead of the vote, Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon said: "The resolutions before the assembly today are beyond logic. (...) The vote today is not a vote for compassion. It is a vote for complicity." The General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council, which has been largely paralyzed on hot-button issues such as Gaza and Ukraine due to internal politics, and this time is no different. The resolution, which is non-binding, demands "immediate access" to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, especially in the besieged north of the territory. Dozens of representatives of UN member states addressed the Assembly before the vote to offer their support to the Palestinians. "Gaza doesn't exist anymore. It is destroyed," said Slovenia's UN envoy Samuel Zbogar. "History is the harshest critic of inaction." That criticism was echoed by Algeria's deputy UN ambassador Nacim Gaouaoui, who said: "The price of silence and failure in the face of the Palestinian tragedy is a very heavy price, and it will be heavier tomorrow." Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. That count includes hostages who died or were killed while being held in Gaza. Militants abducted 251 hostages, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 44,805 people, a majority of them civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry that is considered reliable by the United Nations. "Gaza today is the bleeding heart of Palestine," Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said last week during the first day of debate in the Assembly's special session on the issue. "The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare," he said, calling for an end to the "impunity." After Wednesday's vote, he said "we will keep knocking on the doors of the Security Council and the General Assembly until we see an immediate and unconditional ceasefire put in place." The Gaza resolution calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present "proposals on how the United Nations could help to advance accountability" by using existing mechanisms or creating new ones based on past experience. The Assembly, for example, created an international mechanism to gather evidence of crimes committed in Syria starting from the outbreak of civil war in 2011. A second resolution calling on Israel to respect the mandate of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and allow it to continue its operations was passed Wednesday by a vote of 159-9 with 11 abstentions. Israel has voted to ban the organization starting January 28, after accusing some UNRWA employees of taking part in Hamas's devastating attack. abd/sst/jgc/nro/desM/I Homes CEO Robert Schottenstein sells $828,690 in stockIn a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has decided to part ways with the idea of appointing a Sports Director, a role that has been a staple at top football clubs around the world. This decision comes amidst a period of restructuring and changes within the club's hierarchy, with sources citing a shift in the management's philosophy and approach to decision-making.
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Trial of ex-FBI informant indicted for lying about Bidens delayedBurlington Stores, Inc. Names Shira Goodman to Board of Directors
B.C.'s best high school ballers compete at Langley hoops tourney
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump threatened the United States’s closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump’s second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that “the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff.'” It’s unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a “get out of jail free card,” Dawson said. “This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration,” Dawson said. “Everyone said, ‘Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.’s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?'” But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another’s right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump’s first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America’s whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed “the new NAFTA,” was a key test for Ottawa following Trump’s first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week’s tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are “a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives.” “Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role.” During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media “trade wars are good, and easy to win.” Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an “unmistakable signal that business as usual was over.” “The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda.” It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was “kind of insulting.” Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau “very dishonest and weak.” Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It’s unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. “I think it will be short-term,” Dade said. “The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
Okanagan MLAs express concern with removal of religious sign from nativity sceneBriaCell Therapeutics Announces Closing of $5.5 Million Public Offering
Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More Shutterstock is reshaping how AI companies access training data through a novel “research license” approach, launching first with AI creative technology company Lightricks . The partnership, announced today, allows Lightricks to train its open-source video generation model LTXV using Shutterstock’s extensive HD and 4K video library. The new licensing model addresses a critical challenge in AI development: the high cost of accessing quality training data. It enables companies to start with a smaller research license for testing and experimentation before committing to more expensive commercial licenses. Making ethical AI development more accessible for startups “Many companies and model trainers have taken the route of unauthorized data scraping [instead of] making the necessary investment to achieve the quality and level of trust needed to develop commercially viable models,” said Daniel Mandell, Shutterstock’s global head of data licensing & AI, in an exclusive interview with VentureBeat. “However, we don’t think that financial investment should be a barrier for those looking to enter this space with an ethical approach.” This two-phase approach could transform how startups approach AI development. Craig Andrews, Lightricks’ global PR manager, describes it as “a turning point for smaller, more agile developers who want to explore innovative applications of generative AI without the heavy upfront costs of traditional licensing.” Legal protection and fair compensation in the age of AI The timing is significant, coming amid increasing legal scrutiny of AI training data practices. Several major AI companies face lawsuits over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted material for model training. Shutterstock’s approach offers a legitimate alternative while ensuring content creators receive compensation. “We’re setting a standard for ethical AI development while ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their work,” Andrews explains. “This approach not only fosters trust in the creative ecosystem but also establishes a sustainable framework for responsible AI innovation.” Revenue sharing: A win-win for creators and AI companies Shutterstock has implemented a revenue-sharing model where contributors receive 20% of the revenue from data licensing deals. Contributors can also opt out of having their content used for AI training, though Mandell notes only about 1% have chosen to do so. Lightricks plans to use the licensed video data to enhance LTXV , its open-source video generation model released last month. The model has already gained significant traction, with “thousands of downloads on GitHub and Hugging Face ,” according to Andrews. One notable use case is real-time video generation for interactive ecommerce. The partnership aims to address technical challenges in AI video generation, particularly motion consistency in longer videos. “One of the biggest technical hurdles in AI video generation is achieving consistent motion and structure over longer video segments without sacrificing quality,” Andrews says. “Shutterstock’s high-quality video library provides an extensive dataset that helps us address this challenge.” For Shutterstock, this partnership represents a strategic shift in its business model. The company has already established partnerships with major AI companies including Nvidia , Meta , and OpenAI . Mandell emphasizes that the research license model could democratize access to high-quality training data for smaller organizations and research institutions. Setting new industry standards for ethical AI development The collaboration also reflects a growing trend toward transparency and ethical considerations in AI development. Lightricks made LTXV open-source to promote collaboration and innovation, while Shutterstock’s licensing approach ensures proper compensation for content creators. “The important message here is that companies, no matter the size or funding, no longer have an excuse to scrape unlicensed content for training purposes,” Mandell concludes. “There is a better way to enter this evolving market.” This partnership could set a new standard for how AI companies access training data, potentially influencing industry practices as concerns about the sources of AI training data continue to grow. The success of this model could determine whether other content providers follow Shutterstock’s lead in creating more flexible, accessible licensing options for AI development. If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI. Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving timeThe artist’s concept portrays a sleek and modern new building with sharp angles and generous natural light. The Butte Community Wellness and Resilience Hub would be built near the Butte Civic Center and on formerly contaminated ground associated with the Parrot Tailings. As envisioned, the center would serve a host of functions, ranging from providing recreation and wellness programming and facilities to a shelter during times when wildlife smoke diminishes air quality and threatens health — an increasingly common scenario given climate change. Butte-Silver Bow County appears destined to benefit from EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. The city-county learned recently that it would receive a multi-million grant from the program. Fine-tuning will follow, according to Taylor Gillespie, a regional spokeswoman for EPA. “After a grant is selected, they go through work plan negotiations which is a back-and-forth process between Butte-Silver Bow and the EPA project officer to make sure that the details are solid and that they are on track to meet the requirements of the grant,” Gillespie said. “This would include going line by line through their budget, looking at all of the specifics in the work plan, etc.” EPA has not yet announced the grant amount, but Butte-Silver Bow’s application last spring sought $20 million. And that’s the amount J.P. Gallagher anticipates local government will receive. “This is going to be a huge benefit to the community,” said Gallagher, chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow. “We are very confident that we will be fully funded but before we go into final engineering and design, we need the full confirmation of that funding,” he said. “The cost of construction could affect the square footage of what can be built. There are still some unknowns.” An estimate of total square-footage was not available Thursday. Gallagher said the city-county received feedback that its application, completed in consultation with Water & Environmental Technologies, was one of the most complete received by EPA for funding from the agency’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. No taxpayer money was involved in preparing the ambitious grant application, Gallagher said. The proposal had to fall within the grant program’s environmental and climate justice framework. The grant application alluded to the human and economic costs of federal Superfund designation for Butte because of historic mining and smelting pollution. “With an active Superfund site, prolonged disinvestment and significant indicators of poverty and negative environmental impacts, Butte-Silver Bow has been designated as a disadvantaged community and continues to struggle with the impacts of social, economic and environmental decline,” the application noted. Given that status, how will Butte-Silver Bow pay to operate the new facility? One estimate puts annual operating costs at about $560,000. The feasibility study completed by Water & Environmental Technologies cites a variety of ways, in fees and rentals, that the facility could cover expenses. Gallagher weighed in. “The analysis is that the facility would make money to pay for operation,” he said. The feasibility study observes, “One of the most important criterion when selecting and evaluating potential programming is the ability of that programming to recover at least 100% of its expense.” The study adds, “Providing spaces for event, birthday, meeting, fitness and gymnasium rentals offers potential for recovering expenses.” Gallagher said the recreational functions of the facility will likely be less like a fitness center and more like a gym — with basketball and volleyball courts and probably pickleball, too. Programming at the Community Wellness and Resilience Hub would focus on such things as community resiliency, emergency preparedness and wellbeing activities. Several regional environmental consulting businesses and contractors benefit from the so-called remediation economy tied to Butte’s status as a federal Superfund site. And a few cleanup projects have benefitted the community in tangible ways. But a cost/benefits analysis of the Superfund status hitched like a lamprey to Butte since 1987 would have to consider a host of costs, including environmental stigma. Some residents of Butte-Silver Bow are routinely critical of EPA’s handling of Superfund work in the region. But relationships recently improved when EPA proposed a dramatic decrease in the action level for lead in residential soils and interior dust.
ESTERO, Fla. (AP) — Kaden Cooper led Louisiana Tech with 16 points, and Daniel Batcho and Amaree Abram made key free throws in the closing seconds as the Bulldogs defeated Richmond 65-62 on Tuesday. Cooper added nine rebounds and four steals for the Bulldogs (6-0). Batcho scored 13 points, going 4 of 6 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. Abram shot 3 for 13 (2 for 7 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. Delonnie Hunt finished with 26 points and three steals for the Spiders (3-4). Abram scored eight points in the first half and Louisiana Tech went into halftime trailing 35-27. Sean Newman Jr. scored a team-high 12 points for Louisiana Tech in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Jennings rushes for tiebreaking touchdown and Presbyterian defeats Butler 30-27
Known for their postgame hugs of each other , the goaltending tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark became one of the best in the league over three seasons for the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately for the duo, with Swayman's emergence in the playoffs last season and Ullmark's pending free agency in 2025, Boston sent Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in June for depth forward Mark Kastelic, backup goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and a first-round pick in 2024. However, things haven't gone to plan for the Senators (9-11-1) or Bruins (10-9-3) with their starting netminders this season. Swayman and Ullmark have struggled immensely, each sporting a save percentage below .890. Here is what has gone wrong for the netminders: Jeremy Swayman's holdout The Bruins, who host the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, decided in the offseason that Swayman would be their full-time starter, but they still had to sign the restricted free agent to a new contract. Unfortunately for Boston, that didn't come easily. Swayman held out until Oct. 6, two days before the Bruins' opener against Florida. After missing all of training camp and preseason, Swayman struggled in his first regular-season game, stopping just 20 of 24 shots in a 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Swayman's struggles could be attributed to the lack of preseason games that would've allowed him to ease back into the swing of things. Too many games to handle? Although Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender in 2022-23, he only started 48 games, the lowest number of games started for a Vezina Trophy winner in a non-shortened season. In the three seasons Swayman and Ullmark were teammates with the Briuns, Swayman played 122 games and Ullmark 130, a near-even split. After spending three seasons in a tandem, perhaps neither goalie was prepared for a full-time starter role. Typically, a starting goaltender plays 50 or more games during a regular season. For Ullmark, the 48 games he started for Boston in 2022-23 were a career high. What the analytics say In addition to their poor save percentages, analytics also show that Swayman and Ullmark aren't necessarily victims of poor team defense in front of them. Ottawa, which plays next at San Jose on Wednesday, and Boston are fifth and 14th in shots against per game, respectively. When it comes to goals saved above expected , Swayman is the eighth-worst goalie in the league with a -6.5 mark, while Ullmark is 10th worst with -5.7. Ullmark is even worse in five-versus-five situations, ranking last among goaltenders with an -8.6 5v5 goals saved above expected. Swayman sports a -0.9 figure. Additionally, when it comes to their value provided to their teams, both Ullmark and Swayman have a negative 5v5 Wins Above Replacement, per MoneyPuck . Ullmark's is a league worst -1.43 while Swayman's is a -0.15. Can they turn things around? With both teams sitting outside the playoff picture, they'll need their netminders to return to form to make it to the postseason. Swayman's November was an improvement from October, albeit slight (.890 save percentage to .884 save percentage in October). On the flip side, Ullmark's has played worse, going from .904 to just .864 save percentage. Given their play before this season, it's likely that both find their form. However, if Swayman and Ullmark don't bounce back soon, Boston could be out of the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and Ottawa will miss the playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Get ready for the Tata IPL 2025 player auction . This year's event will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This will be the second consecutive year that the auction has been hosted outside India. So get ready for the extravaganza where each franchise will bid to get the best players. IPL 2025 player auction date and time The two-day IPL 2025 mega auction will take place on November 24 and November 25 in Jeddah starting 12.30 pm local time (starting at 2.30 pm IST). Assembly Election Results Election Results 2024 Live Updates Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024 Live Updates Jharkhand Assembly Election Results 2024 Live Updates IPL 2025 player auction live streaming Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Star Sports channels in India. Live streaming will also be available on the JioCinema app and website. Don't miss this exciting event as teams build their rosters for the next IPL season. IPL 2025 player auction players and slots The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted 574 players from the initial 1,574 registrations. This includes 366 Indian players and 208 overseas players, with representation from associate nations as well. In this year’s auction, a total of 204 slots are up for grabs across the 10 IPL teams, with 70 slots reserved for overseas players. The highest reserve price is Rs 2 crore with 81 players opting to be in the highest bracket. IPL 2025 player auction marquee players Seven Indian stars will be featured in the marquee sets. These players include Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh. IPL 2025 teams There are 10 teams: Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kinds, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challenger Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Players retained at IPL 2025 Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni. Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porel. Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan. Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh. Lucknow Super Giants: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni. Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Punjab Kings: Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma. Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal. Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head.Are You Facing YouTube Video Not Playing? Fix Now!
(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest and tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit .ESTERO, Fla. (AP) — Kaden Cooper led Louisiana Tech with 16 points, and Daniel Batcho and Amaree Abram made key free throws in the closing seconds as the Bulldogs defeated Richmond 65-62 on Tuesday. Cooper added nine rebounds and four steals for the Bulldogs (6-0). Batcho scored 13 points, going 4 of 6 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. Abram shot 3 for 13 (2 for 7 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Leafs get 'good news' on goaltender Anthony Stolarz's injury
Neil Critchley's Hearts penalty gripe branded 'ridiculous' as Copenhagen boss tells him why it didn't matter anywayStewartville boasted too much talent in too many places to not repeat as state champions on Saturday in the Prep Bowl. The Tigers, seemingly masquerading as a small-school program, culminated an undefeated season with a 43-22 victory against Dassel-Cokato in the Class 3A title game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The defeat was so complete, Stewartville widened its margin of victory enough to warrant the mercy rule for a small portion of the fourth quarter. The win also gave Stewartville (14-0) a second consecutive perfect season, and the program’s 28th consecutive victory. Parker Wangen rushed for a touchdown, caught another and kicked a 25-yard field goal for Stewartville. Dassel-Cokato (11-2), the 2021 3A Champion, could not get off the U.S. Bank Stadium field. The Tigers went 8-for-11 on third down and 1-for-1 on fourth down. Stewartville, which entered the game with seven shutouts this season, allowed only 4.5 points per game entering the championship game.Never entered into pact to operate airport in Kenya: Adani
(CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump’s team has signed an agreement with the White House unlocking key transition briefings and activities after a lengthy delay amid concerns, in part, over a mandatory ethics agreement. “President-elect Trump is entering the next phase of his administration’s transition by executing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Joe Biden’s White House,” incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in a statement. “This engagement allows our intended Cabinet nominees to begin critical preparations, including the deployment of landing teams to every department and agency, and complete the orderly transition of power,” Wiles continued. The White House agreement, which was due October 1, serves as the gatekeeper for access to agencies and information and could lay the groundwork for Trump’s team to receive security clearances necessary to begin receiving classified information, although it was not immediately clear how that information sharing with the Biden administration would proceed. “The Transition already has existing security and information protections built in, which means we will not require additional government and bureaucratic oversight,” the Trump transition said in a statement. Trump’s team also said it “will not utilize taxpayer funding for costs related to the transition.” It added that it “will not use government buildings or technology provided by GSA (the General Services Administration) and will operate as a self-sufficient organization.” Its existing ethics plan “will meet the requirements for personnel to seamlessly move into the Trump Administration,” it said, noting that that agreement will be posted to the GSA’s website. With the agreement in place, members of the Biden administration can now begin to prepare their incoming counterparts for a handoff on January 20. CNN has reached out to the White House, the Office of Management and Budget and the GSA for comment. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.Ready Capital Corporation Declares Fourth Quarter 2024 DividendsSome N.B. child protection social workers left out of negotiated wage top-up, union says
Rahul Gandhi does not deserve to be Leader of Opposition: BJPPaul George Suffered No Structural Damage To Knee, Out At Least Next Two Games
