fb777 009

fb777 download Swiss Life Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SZLMY) Short Interest Down 29.2% in December

LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Men’s hockey: Lynden Breen scores hat trick in Maine’s win over RPI

'Alternativ fur Deutschland" (AfD) means "The Alternative for Germany", and the alternative on offer is fascism. Not actual Naziism, but the AfD uses fascist rhetoric and tactics to attract German voters. It has also attracted some improbable foreign admirers. One of those admirers is Talib al-Abdulmohsen, the Saudi Arabian psychiatrist who has now been charged with five murders and 200 attempted murders after deliberately driving into a holiday crowd at high speed in the Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg last Saturday. Another admirer of the AfD is Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and, in his own mind at least, the true co-president-elect of the United States. Last week Mr Musk reposted a video by Naomi Seibt, a German extreme right-wing influencer close to the AfD, posting at the top "Only the AfD can save Germany!" AfD leader Alice Weidel excitedly replied "Yes! You are perfectly right @elonmusk!" But how did these two fans of the AfD reach the same conclusions? Their conclusions are pretty standard on the not-quite-fascist right: extremely nationalist, anti-immigrant, racist, climate-change-denying, and so forth. Perhaps we should start with the fact that both Dr Abdulmohsen and Mr Musk chose to live a long way from where they grew up. Mr Musk was born into a wealthy South African family, went to university in Canada, and only moved to the United States when he was 20. Dr Abdulmohsen grew up in a Shia Muslim family (deeply unfashionable in Sunni Saudi Arabia) and moved to Germany in his mid-30s. They both uprooted themselves, although Mr Musk doesn't talk about it. Dr Abdulmohsen is that rare thing, an ex-Muslim Arab who is a self-declared atheist. The "rare" bit in that sentence is "self-declared": of all the Muslims I have known, only two close friends have ever revealed to me that they no longer believed in their birth faith -- but they both said that many others just keep their lack of belief to themselves. That made perfect sense to me, because I grew up in a place and time where publicly rejecting Christian belief would have had dire consequences for me: expulsion from school, conflict with my family, and a fair amount of casual violence whenever the topic came up. Even at the age of 13, when I stopped believing, I knew enough to tell nobody about it. Things are very different in the "post-Christian" West now, but it's still about 1960 on religious matters even in the better-educated parts of the Muslim world. The older generation are still in power and overwhelmingly still believers, but quite a few of the young have silently, secretly moved on. Only a tiny minority, like Talib al-Abdulmohsen, stand up and declare their disbelief. In Saudi Arabia, as in most Muslim countries, apostasy from Islam is a crime. So he became a refugee, was granted asylum by Germany, and devoted his life to helping other Saudi Arabians being persecuted for abandoning their religion to follow his example. Some did, but not many, and Dr Abdulmohsen grew progressively angrier at the German state for letting in so many Muslim believers. He was a man of strong right-wing convictions -- atheists are not always leftists -- so the AfD was a good match for his beliefs and values. The only point on which they differ (at least publicly) is the legitimacy of violence. The case of Elon Musk, like the man himself, is much simpler. Being the richest person in the world would distort anybody's judgement, and Mr Musk also brings an autistic disorder to the table. He attributes his success at least in part to this condition, but it has clearly grown over the years. Mr Musk used to be a typically apolitical tech bro. When he did talk politics, he deplored Mr Trump's views on climate change and most other topics. As recently as 2022, he said that "It's time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset." Now, he supports even Mr Trump's most ignorant statements, although at some level, he still clearly knows them to be wrong. The date gives it away as 2022 was when Mr Musk's oldest surviving child, "transitioning" from male to female, went to court at 18 to change her name from Xavier Musk to Vivian Jenna Wilson (her mother's surname). He had been brutally intolerant about her gender difficulties, she said, and she wanted no further contact with her father. And Mr Musk lost the plot. Entirely. "I lost my son, essentially," he said. His son was now dead to him, "killed by the woke mind virus". Any explanation will do when you're furious and desperate, and that is one that serves his purposes. Both Mr Trump's Republicans and the AfD serve it up for free. Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries. His latest book is 'Intervention Earth: Life-Saving Ideas from the World's Climate Engineers'. Last year's book, 'The Shortest History of War', is also still available.By David Jolly This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 21 episode of “The ReidOut.” On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump ’s pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, announced he was withdrawing his name from consideration . “[I]t is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on X. But let’s be clear, Gaetz didn’t drop out because he was a “distraction”; he dropped out because the votes weren’t there . The incoming administration couldn’t convince enough Republican senators to back Gaetz. This abrupt withdrawal is a hugely embarrassing moment for Trump. The president-elect thought he had a mandate to nominate whomever he wanted and push them through, no matter what skeletons were in their closet. This is Trump’s first big failure since winning a second term, and it should be seen as such. It’s also a failure of Vice President-elect JD Vance, who personally lobbied his Republican colleagues in the Senate on behalf of Gaetz. Clearly, he failed to convince enough of them to come around. The president-elect thought he had a mandate to nominate whomever he wanted and push them through, no matter what skeletons were in their closet. Within hours of Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump named longtime ally and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his new pick to lead the Justice Department. Bondi started as a relatively Jeb Bush-type Republican. As Florida’s attorney general, she pursued the opioid crisis and led an unsuccessful challenge to the Affordable Care Act — bread-and-butter Republican issues. She’s not somebody with a penchant for pursuing enemies like Gaetz, so it would be interesting to see if she pushes back against Trump. In 2017, Bondi was rumored to be in the running for a nomination as part of Trump’s first Cabinet but, at the time, they were not certain she would get confirmed because of a controversy surrounding a donation Trump made to her campaign in 2013 shortly before she declined to join a lawsuit against the now-defunct Trump University. Overall, I would say Bondi brings the basic qualifications that Gaetz did not. She certainly could be the administrator of the Justice Department. But, over the next few weeks, we’ll see how the politics, including that 2013 donation, play out. Allison Detzel contributed. David Jolly, an MSNBC political contributor, represented Florida's 13th Congressional District as a Republican in the House from 2014 to 2017. He is the chairman of the Serve America Movement. Jolly left the Republican Party in 2018.

Wike, G5 governors want to destroy PDP – Rep member ugochinyereContinuityTORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . "The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well," LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Crown CEO Issues Update Letter to Shareholders

Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollarTrump's Threat to Defund Public Media Puts NPR and PBS on EdgeLiz Davis is a familiar face to hundreds of girls who have attended high school at St Mary Star of the Sea College. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading Mrs Davis has been with the Wollongong school for 45 years: 44 of those as a teacher, and now as its archivist, the caretaker of its history. It was the "beautiful" teachers she had at Oak Flats High School, two in particular, who inspired her long career in education. These were a maths teacher, a gentle and friendly man named Mr Horton who made maths interesting, and a geography teacher, Miss Faulks (later Mrs Ross), who was generous in giving her time to explain things the young Mrs Davis didn't understand. "I was just snookered from year eight ... I just knew I wanted to become a teacher," she said. Mrs Davis went on to become a maths and geography teacher herself. But her path to teaching was not always easy: in her first year of university Mrs Davis was hit by a semi-trailer while crossing the road. While she miraculously escaped grievous injuries she suffered a broken hand and took the rest of the year off university to recover. Serendipitously, the delay meant that upon returning to university she met the man who became her husband, Ken. Mrs Davis finished her course, did honours and worked as a research assistant at Macquarie University before a postgraduate scholarship at the University of Toronto took her to Canada. Later, she taught at TAFE and took a job at an Anglican girls' school in Hurstville. "I loved my time there, I loved it - it was my first teaching role at a school," she said. Mrs Davis said she would have happily stayed there had Ken not wanted to return to the Illawarra. She applied for a job at The Illawarra Grammar School but the timing didn't work. Then a job came up at St Mary's and she started working there in September 1979, the start of a long connection with the school. She has seen many changes in that time: new buildings have sprung up, and nuns no longer teach there. But the school's values, which draw on the parable of the Good Samaritan, still reflect her own, especially hospitality and stewardship. Mrs Davis is passionate about social justice and is still the mentor of the Interact club (an offshoot of Rotary), through which students undertake community service projects. The school is also involved with other charities and causes. Mrs Davis recalled the students collecting resources for Sri Lankan children in the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and later sponsoring the education of an orphaned girl, who went on to become a science teacher. "The academic's really good too ... but to give back to the community, to me, is so, so important," Mrs Davis said. Mrs Davis attributes this passion to her refugee background: she moved to Australia with her family when she was five after they fled the Russian invasion of Hungary in 1956. She finished teaching last year but stayed as its archivist, with her work not only about preserving history but telling year seven students the school's 151-year story. Mrs Davis said the pinnacle of her career was seeing students leave the school satisfied with their time there. "If I had to relive it again, I'd do it the same, because it's just been a really, really happy journey for me," she said. Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. More from Education Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Trudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister saysProfessor Gyampo Rebukes NPP’s Blame on Low Voter Turnout for Mahama’s VictoryHeaded South for Winter? 5 Tips for Snowbirds About to Take Flight

Man Sentenced To 51 Months In Prison For Fraud, Ordered To Pay $6.1 Million Mykalai Kontilai , a 55-year-old Las Vegas resident, was sentenced on Thursday to 51 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.1 million in restitution for his involvement in a long-running fraud scheme. Kontilai, who previously went by Michael Contile , orchestrated an investment fraud through his company, Collector’s Coffee Inc. , also known as Collector’s Café. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kontilai was CEO of Collector’s Coffee and deceived investors from 2012 to 2018 by claiming the company was about to launch an online auction platform for collectibles, including sports and Hollywood memorabilia. Read Next: Friday’s Top 5 Trending Stocks: What’s Going On With SoundHound AI, GameStop, Lululemon? Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector's Coffee investors and then stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles. The SEC began investigating Kontilai around 2017, during which he obstructed justice by forging documents and lying under oath. Facing charges in Nevada and Colorado, Kontilai fled to Russia. He was later arrested in Germany on an Interpol Red Notice in 2023 and extradited to the United States in May to face the charges. On Nov. 21, Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. As part of the plea agreement in the case, the government moved to dismiss the Colorado case. SEC Charges Kiromic BioPharma, CEO, CFO With Failure To Disclose Material Information The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday filed settled charges against biotherapeutics company Kiromic BioPharma, Inc. KRBP , its former CEO Maurizio Chiriva-Internati , and its former CFO Tony Tontat , for failing to disclose material information about Kiromic's two cancer fighting drug candidates before, during, and after a July 2021 follow-on public offering that raised $40 million. The SEC's order found that two weeks before the public offering, the Food and Drug Administration notified Kiromic BioPharma that it had placed the drug candidates on clinical hold. Kiromic BioPhamra did not disclose the FDA clinical holds in its SEC filings, investor roadshow calls, or during due diligence calls leading up to the offering, despite the fact that Kiromic disclosed the hypothetical risk of a clinical hold and the potential negative consequences on Kiromic's business. Kiromic BioPharma and Tontat agreed to settle the SEC's charges in separate administrative proceedings and Chiriva agreed to settle the charges in federal district court. Kiromic was not ordered to pay a civil penalty in light of its self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation, and Chiriva and Tontat agreed to pay civil penalties of $125,000 and $20,000, respectively, to settle the SEC's charges. "These resolutions strike the right balance between holding Kiromic's then-two most senior officers responsible for Kiromic's disclosure failures while also crediting Kiromic for its voluntary self-report, remediation, proactively instituting remedial measures, and providing meaningful cooperation to the staff," said Eric Werner , Director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office. Read Next: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Fatally Shot Outside NYC Hotel Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.LONDON — Olivia Hussey, the actor who starred as a teenage Juliet in the 1968 film "Romeo and Juliet," died, her family said on social media Saturday. She was 73. Hussey died Friday "peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones," a statement posted to her Instagram account said. Hussey was 15 when director Franco Zeffirelli cast her in his adaptation of the William Shakespeare tragedy after spotting her onstage in the play "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," which also starred Vanessa Redgrave. "Romeo and Juliet" won two Oscars and Hussey won a Golden Globe for best new actress for her part as Juliet, opposite British actor Leonard Whiting, who was 16 at the time. Decades later Hussey and Whiting brought a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures alleging sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud over nude scenes in the film. They alleged they were initially told they would wear flesh-colored undergarments in a bedroom scene, but on the day of the shoot Zeffirelli told the pair they would wear only body makeup and the camera would be positioned in a way that would not show nudity. They alleged they were filmed in the nude without their knowledge. The case was dismissed by a Los Angeles County judge in 2023, who found their depiction could not be considered child pornography and the pair filed their claim too late. Whiting was among those who paid tribute to Hussey on Saturday. "Rest now my beautiful Juliet no injustices can hurt you now," he wrote. "And the world will remember your beauty inside and out forever." Hussey was born April 17, 1951, in Bueno Aires, Argentina, and moved to London as a child. She studied at the Italia Conti Academy drama school. She also starred as Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the 1977 television series "Jesus of Nazareth," as well as the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile" and horror movies "Black Christmas" and "Psycho IV: The Beginning." She is survived by her husband, David Glen Eisley, her three children and a grandson.

about https fb777 ph

Diabetes Dialogue: Exploring New Horizons in Incretin Therapy for Diabetes and Weight Lossfb777 download apk old version 。

Charlotte, North Carolina–(Newsfile Corp. – December 12, 2024) – SOUP , the first fully AI-driven social platform, transforming idea-sharing and collaboration, has announced the launch of its crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder . Image 1 SOUP directly addresses modern communication challenges, such as information overload, toxicity, and inefficient discourse. By offering focused, AI-enhanced spaces for meaningful discussions, the platform empowers individuals, teams, and communities to achieve real-time consensus and actionable insights. The iOS beta version has already demonstrated SOUP’s transformative potential, streamlining brainstorming, feedback gathering, and sentiment analysis. Image 2 Key Features of SOUP SOUP’s Vision, Funding Goals, and Growth Potential SOUP is raising $200,000 to advance its platform and expand its reach. The funds will be strategically allocated to: With these funds, SOUP aims to build a strong user base of ~37,000 users within the first six months of launch. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233482 #distro

GRAND FORKS — No. 9 St. Cloud State is playing at No. 16 UND in the opener of their two-game set in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Follow the game Time: 7:07 p.m. Place: Ralph Engelstad Arena TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD). Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Stream: NCHChockey.com. ADVERTISEMENT In-game updates UND's lines Forwards 22 Owen McLaughlin—15 Carter Wilkie—18 Jayden Perron 26 Dylan James—9 Sacha Boisvert—21 Ben Strinden 7 Mac Swanson—8 Jake Schmaltz—29 Jackson Kunz 19 Cody Croal—20 Cade Littler—28 Dalton Andrew Defensemen 16 Andrew Strathmann—25 Abram Wiebe 13 Caleb MacDonald—4 Jake Livanavage 3 Jayden Jubenvill—6 E.J. Emery 5 Dane Montgomery Goaltenders 35 T.J. Semptimphelter 30 Hobie Hedquist 33 Aleksi Huson Not in lineup: F Cameron Berg (inj), F Louis Jamernik V (inj), D Bennett Zmolek (inj), G Kaleb Johnson (inj), D Tanner Komzak St. Cloud State's lines Forwards 34 Adam Ingram—13 Tyson Gross—17 Ethan Aucoin 15 Barrett Hall—19 Verner Miettinen—23 Austin Burnevik 28 Gavyn Thoreson—16 Mason Salquist—18 Nick Portz 11 Grant Ahcan—12 Ryan Rosborough—7 Jack Reimann Defensemen 26 Cooper Wylie—21 Josh Luedtke 4 Colin Ralph—6 Mason Reiners 2 Karl Falk—14 Josh Zinger 5 Warren Clark ADVERTISEMENT Goaltenders 44 Gavin Enright 33 James Gray Not in lineup: F Daimon Gardner (inj), G Isak Posch (inj), F Ocean Wallace, F Jack Rogers, D Kaleb Tiessen Officials Referees — Brandon Schmitt and Justin Hills Linesmen — Tyler Liffrig and Kyle Stephens Supervisor — Mike Schmitt Pregame notes UND defenseman Caleb MacDonald returns after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury. . . UND is still without Cameron Berg (lower body), Louis Jamernik V (lower body), Bennett Zmolek (lower body) and Kaleb Johnson (lower body). . . Tanner Komzak is the lone healthy scratch. . . Dane Montgomery is the extra skater. He's able to slot in either at forward or defense. . . St. Cloud State is without injured forward Daimon Gardner (upper body) and goaltender Isak Posch (lower body). . . This is St. Cloud State's first trip to Grand Forks in two years. The Huskies did not come to The Ralph last season. . . UND freshmen were involved in all nine goals last weekend at Miami. . . UND is 8-1 when it scores first, 1-6-1 when it doesn't. . . St. Cloud State goalie Gavin Enright has made four starts against UND. He was at Bemidji State for all of them. Three came in The Ralph.

Ring Doorbell owners in South Buffalo may have gotten hundreds of unwanted messages late last night. Here's why they were sent. If you own a Ring Doorbell, there's a chance you've used, or at least seen the Neighborhood Alert Notification App. The idea is to share community-focused things that matter to people in a neighborhood. According to their website , the Neighbor's App can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they own a Ring device. It's meant to share information for things like if there's someone suspicious going door to door, or if packages are being stolen. On Wednesday night, people took this feature to a whole new level. It started with an innocent message warning people in a South Buffalo neighborhood that the power had gone out. Then the community literally began to chime in. Before you knew it, hundreds of people were responding with their own messages about the power outage. See how many of them came through by clicking here . Some talked about how they had started a pot roast and they were worried that it wouldn't cook. Others said they lost their pets in their house because it was so dark. Bags of popcorn were partially popped because the power went out before it was done. It may have been annoying, but at least a little bit entertaining too. Most people just decided to disable notifications on their app. Here's how you do that, according to Ring: To disable in the Ring app: Tap the menu (≡) at the top left of your Dashboard screen. Tap Control Center on the left side of the screen. In Control Center, navigate to the Neighbors section via the main menu. Dsable the feature via the toggle . Tap Confirm to disable. To disable on a computer or laptop: Sign in to your account at Ring.com using the same email that you use to log into the Ring app. Under the Account tab on the top right, click Control Center . In the Control Center, select Neighbors from the main menu on the left. Disable the feature via the toggle . Click Confirm to disable. To disable on Ring.com via a mobile device: Sign in to your account using the same email and password that you use for your Ring app. Tap the menu (≡) on the top left and tap Control Center . Tap Neighbors . Disable the feature via the toggle . Tap Confirm to disable. Check Out These Bizarre Moments Caught on CNY Ring Doorbells More and more people are switching out their old doorbells for RING or other video doorbell systems. It is truly incredible what this new technology can do. Video and audio quality on these devices is so good, in some cases footage captured has helped police solve crimes. These images are from bizarre moments captured by RING users. Gallery Credit: Andrew DerminioThe Tar Heels (5-1) play Indiana in the championship game on Monday. The Hoosiers upset No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in Sunday's first semifinal. Ustby made 6 of 8 shots from the floor with a 3-pointer for North Carolina on the way to her first double-double of the season. Donarski hit 6 of 10 shots with a pair of 3-pointers. Maddie Webber led the Wildcats (4-2) with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Lara Edmanson pitched in with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Tar Heels held Villonova's leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe to two points after she came in averaging 16.6 per game. Bascoe missed all seven of her shots — three from distance — and made 2 of 4 at the free-throw line. Ustby had seven points and Donarski scored five to guide the Tar Heels to a 17-7 lead after one quarter. Donarski scored five more in the third quarter to help North Carolina turn a 30-18 lead at halftime into a 44-23 advantage heading to the final period. North Carolina shot 40% from the floor, made 5 of 17 from beyond the arc (29.4%) and 4 of 6 at the foul line. Villanova shot 23.5% overall but made 5 of 18 from distance (27.8%) and 7 of 10 free throws. The Tar Heels scored 15 points off of 21 Villanova turnovers. They turned it over 14 times but it led to only three points for the Wildcats. North Carolina outscored Villanova 30-14 in the paint and never trailed. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

fb777 agent login registration

fb777 net NoneChina sanctions 7 US companies over support to Taiwan military

As Americans are beyond burned out, Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry preaches the right to rest

SAD in Catch-22 situation after Akal Takht directivesAfter a thrilling conference championship Saturday and a drawn-out reveal show Sunday, the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. The first true tournament in FBS history has plenty to love -- and elements to loathe. What Went Right: Unique opening-round matchups Whether the first round proves to be more competitive than the four-team Playoff's often lopsided semifinal matchups remains to be seen. Until then, there is at least intrigue in the historic rarity of the four pairings. One opening-round matchup -- ACC automatic qualifier Clemson at Texas -- is a first-time encounter between two programs that combine for seven claimed national championships. Of the other three, the most recent contest occurred in 1996 when Tennessee topped Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. The Vols and Buckeyes meet as the No. 9 and No. 8 seeds at Ohio State's Horseshoe, with the winner advancing to face top overall seed Oregon. SMU, a perhaps surprising final at-large selection given the Mustangs' dearth of high-profile wins, meets Penn State for the third time ever and first since 1978. The Nittany Lions scored a 26-21 come-from-behind win in Happy Valley, where they will again host SMU. The Penn State victory ended a 30-year stalemate after the first and only meeting in the 1948 Cotton Bowl produced a 13-13 tie. Here's hoping the third part of a 76-year trilogy is as closely contested as the initial two. Meanwhile, the matchup with the most previous installments is the closest in proximity -- less than 200 miles separate in-state counterparts Indiana and Notre Dame -- and the most lopsided. The Fighting Irish and Hoosiers last played in 1991, with Notre Dame's 49-27 win marking its sixth straight victory by multiple scores. Indiana's last win in the series came in 1950, a 20-7 Hoosiers victory in Bloomington. What Went Right: Boise State's big opportunity Although not the first outsider to reach or win a Bowl Championship Series game, Boise State's 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma was arguably the most pivotal moment in building support for outsiders to compete for the national championship. The Broncos spent two decades knocking on the door, beginning with their perfect 2004 regular season, extending through two Fiesta Bowl wins, and withstanding the heartbreak of late-season losses in 2010 and 2011. The celebration in response to Boise State being part of the bracket -- and not just in, but as the No. 3 seed with a bye into the quarterfinals -- marked a culmination of generations of effort for just this opportunity. What Went Right: ‘Football weather' comes to the postseason From the birth of the bowl system with the first-ever Rose Bowl Game, college football's postseason has resided primarily in warm-weather destinations. This makes sense for the original purpose of bowl games as showcases and celebrations of a team's regular-season performance, but less so for the goal of crowning a national champion. After decades of playing what often amounted to road games in the postseason, northern teams get their opportunity to host. Three of the four first-round contests are in such climates -- though Indiana won't be particularly disadvantaged by weather when playing Notre Dame in South Bend. With average December highs in Pennsylvania in the 30s, SMU will need its heaters on the sideline at Penn State's Beaver Stadium. The more intriguing trip, however, is Tennessee's to Ohio State. Longtime college football fans know the arguments about SEC teams playing in Big Ten country late in the year. Pitting two high-quality teams from the two leagues head-to-head in such conditions is a highlight of this new postseason system. And, given Tennessee and Ohio State have two of the nation's best defenses, expect a style of play befitting what is often described as football weather. What Went Wrong: More teams means more politicking When Mack Brown seemingly spent as much time on TV campaigning in 2004 as that year's presidential candidates, George W. Bush and John Kerry, his Texas Longhorns were among a small collection of teams vying for BCS bids. With the 12-team Playoff opening the top postseason opportunities to as many as 20 teams realistically, the political campaign ads that mercilessly ended in early November were replaced by the politicking of college football figures. Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard spent last week taking shots at SMU and other programs over strength of schedule -- a point neglecting that the Cyclones' losses came to unranked Texas Tech and sub-.500 Kansas. Arizona State's thorough dismantling of Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game solved that debate at the proverbial ballot box. However, brace yourself for an offseason of recount demands coming out of the SEC. Alabama's exclusion at 9-3, while 11-2 SMU landed the final at-large spot, is sure to play into the same controversy that South Carolina coach Shane Beamer leaned into last week. Beamer told The State (Columbia, S.C.) last week that his program may consider changing its nonconference scheduling in response to its seemingly inevitable Playoff snub. It's an odd position, given South Carolina's three losses all came in-conference, and the Gamecocks' nonleague slate included sub-.500 teams Old Dominion, Akron and FCS Wofford. But then again, how often are political campaign pitches rooted in logic? What Went Wrong: Quantity over quality? A more salient position in Beamer's case for South Carolina is that the Gamecocks scored quality wins during a season-ending, six-game streak. With its Rivalry Week defeat of Clemson, South Carolina added a victory over a Playoff qualifier to complement victories over Texas A&M and Missouri. Alabama, meanwhile, boasts wins over No. 2 overall seed Georgia and that same South Carolina team in contention. SMU's resume might be the most likely to draw ire, given the Mustangs received the last at-large berth. However, SMU beat nine- and eight-win Duke and Louisville, with two losses by a combined six points. Indiana should be the more contentious at-large choice, with the Hoosiers beating only one team that finished above .500: 7-5 Michigan. Indiana's only other matchup with an above-.500 opponent was a 38-15 blowout at Ohio State. That's something Alabama and South Carolina have in common with Indiana, as all three teams lost in routs. Alabama dropped a 24-3 decision late in the season at Oklahoma that presumably doomed the Crimson Tide's chances, while South Carolina lost to Ole Miss 27-3. To that end, there are arguments to be made for and against every team that was on the bubble. No system will ever appease all parties. What Went Wrong: Seeding conundrum Much of the Playoff's very existence flies in the face of college football tradition. One facet of how the field was set that upholds tradition in its own small way is rewarding teams for winning their conferences by reserving the four first-round byes for league champions. When this format was implemented, however, the committee could not have envisioned that two of the top five conference champions would not be ranked in the top 10. Because three-loss Clemson survived a furious SMU comeback in the ACC championship game, and Arizona State caught fire after underwhelming losses to Texas Tech and Cincinnati to win a weak Big 12, the committee was in the unusual position of having to slot a non-power conference champion and double-digit-ranked team in a top-four spot. This first edition of the Playoff seems likely to be the last to use this format, even if this scenario seems like an outlier. --Kyle Kensing, Field Level MediaThe Satanic Sisters: The Disorder of Shared Madness and Its Criminal Impact

A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says

CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.com

Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations

A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says

Mexico City-based Prima has raised $23 million in funding to expand its offerings as a manufacturing and supply chain integrator across North America. The latest funding brings Prima’s total funding, including previously undisclosed rounds, to $42.5 million, the company said in a Friday (Dec. 6) press release . Prima uses a technology-first model to manage every step of the process of manufacturing custom parts and goods, operating complex industrial projects and sourcing goods from Mexico — including design, engineering, raw material procurement, factory floor operations, quality control and delivery, according to the release. The company does so by orchestrating its ecosystem of vetted service providers, with Prima serving as a one-stop shop and seller of record, the release said. The company serves 150 North American companies and aims to expand its foothold in the United States, per the release. “We are powering Mexico’s industrial renaissance with every partnership we forge, every engineer we train and every project we successfully complete,” Daniel Autrique , co-founder of Prima, said in the release. “With a team of nearly 80 people operating across six countries, robust funding and a track record of serving North America’s largest companies, we are off to a running start.” One of Prima’s customers, Rudy Bambic, CEO of Electrotech, said in the release that Prima has enabled the Illinois-based OEM to streamline its operations. “Its systems give us complete visibility and control for a level of efficiency we didn’t believe was possible,” Bambic said. “As a result, we will be able to make and shop products faster than ever to fulfill market demands while cutting our own costs. This in turn enables us to keep our prices low without compromising quality.” Over half of retailers and manufacturers are investing to modernize their procurement processes, according to the PYMNTS Intelligence and Corcentric collaboration, “ Digital Payments: A Changing Economy Sparks New Priorities for Systems Spending .” The report found that 57% of manufacturers and 54% of retailers said the most important reason for their investments in digital procurement systems is to modernize their procurement processes, while 37% of manufacturers and 20% of retailers said the most important reason for investing in working capital and credit systems is to modernize them. For all PYMNTS B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily B2B Newsletter .'Can't take chances': cops get broad knife-search power

Portugal winger Nani announces retirement

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Charlie , banking* for 62+ Americans, launched CharlieSaver , the most comprehensive source for senior discounts nationwide. CharlieSaver has scoured stores all across America to identify over 20,000 senior discounts across 1,000 shopping centers. CharlieSaver is free to use and available to all older Americans, not just Charlie customers. Senior discounts are an excellent way for older Americans to stretch their budget and make the most of the hard work they've put in over the years. This is especially true given that nearly half of older Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, and over 17 million American adults over 65 are economically insecure. At the same time, there are thousands of senior discounts available to this population that are difficult to find and impossible to keep track of. Older Americans could be missing out on hundreds of dollars in savings each year because there is no way to know about all the discounts available to them, and many retailers only offer a discount when asked directly by a customer. CharlieSaver does the important work of gathering all senior discounts in one simple-to-search website. CharlieSaver will continue to expand as new deals are discovered and more stores and restaurants join in to offer these valuable discounts. Charlie is also encouraging the public to share any discounts they find that are not listed on the platform and invites retailers to reach out if they want their senior discount included in CharlieSaver. CharlieSaver is Charlie’s latest effort to empower older Americans to make the most out of their money and keep it safe. Last week, Charlie announced Family FraudShield , a first-of-its-kind financial conversation guide aimed at helping people discuss financial fraud with their older parents and relatives. In June, Charlie introduced SpeedBump , a proprietary combination of pauses, alerts, and real-time education introduced at the exact moments customers are most vulnerable to fraud. In November 2023, Charlie launched FraudShield , a comprehensive, personalized suite of fraud protection tools built exclusively for the unique needs of 62+ Americans. *Charlie is not a bank, banking services provided by Sutton Bank; Member FDIC. About Charlie Charlie is the place for older Americans to get the most out of their money and keep it safe. Charlie uses machine learning technology and an expert, US-based customer service team to study older Americans’ unique financial habits, needs, and vulnerabilities. These insights inform the features and functions Charlie designs to provide them with financial flexibility and protection. With faster access to their Social Security check, groundbreaking fraud protection, competitive earnings on deposits, no monthly fees or minimums, and intuitive, age-optimized product design, Charlie customers have the financial peace of mind they deserve. Banking services provided by Sutton Bank; Member FDIC. To learn more, visit Charlie.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126462777/en/ CONTACT: Julie Halpin Julie@charlie.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DISCOUNT/VARIETY ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SENIORS TECHNOLOGY OTHER RETAIL DIGITAL MARKETING RESTAURANT/BAR CONSUMER PERSONAL FINANCE ONLINE PRIVACY RETAIL MARKETING FINANCE COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY BABY BOOMERS BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INTERNET ONLINE RETAIL SOURCE: Charlie Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 03:25 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 03:25 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126462777/enKey risk trends for Directors and Officers in 2025: insolvencies, geopolitical tension and “AI washing”: Allianz

‘Brotherhood panel’ to fight divisive forces

Daniel Suddeath column: Trump struggled to get platform approved first time. Will new term be any different?

m fb777 vin

Maverick McNealy birdies the last hole at Sea Island to finally become PGA Tour winner5 ways the new Ottawa budget changes what you payfb777 vip login registration 。

ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!Final regular-season games loom large in determining conference championship matchupsDyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: A Closer Look at Symptoms, Diagnosis and Clinical Research Underway

(BPT) - This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement and posture that begins in early childhood development. It is the most common cause of motor disability in children, affecting about one in 345 children in the United States. 1-2 It may happen as a result of lack of oxygen during or around birth, stroke, infection, a problem with metabolism or other problems that cause injury or affect the development of parts of the brain involved in movement control in the first few years of life. 3 CP is a permanent condition, affecting a person for their entire life. People living with CP typically have motor problems, which may include spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) or ataxia (poor muscle control), and many people have a mix of these motor disorders. 4 Dyskinesia due to CP (DCP) is one of the most disabling forms of CP and impacts approximately 10% to 20% of people living with CP. 5-6 According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), the combination of irregular and unpredictable movements (chorea) and twisting and repeating movements (dystonia) often disrupt activities and cause significant functional impairment, including the ability to maintain balance, walk or fine motor control. 7 Heather Riordan, M.D., Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, discusses the symptoms of chorea and impact on patients in a video shared on the CPF website here . About 30% of people with DCP are affected mostly by these involuntary and irregular movements (chorea), while dystonia is the predominant motor finding in the remaining 70%. 8 However, it is common for both chorea and dystonia movements to be present together. 6 For people living with DCP, these movements can occur in any region of the body, including the arms and legs, torso and face and may vary in severity. They are often triggered or made worse by stimulation or stress. Because dyskinesia can occur at rest and/or when actively using the body, the problems with movement are very burdensome in day-to-day living, with discomfort and pain affecting the quality of life for people and their caregivers. 9 Jen Lyman, mom to a son with DCP, highlights how dyskinesia makes communicating more difficult. "The most difficult thing about dyskinesia is watching my son struggle to do things that he wants to do, but the extra movements get in the way...special things, such as using a touch screen to video chat with his grandmother, are nearly impossible despite his best efforts to use his hands and fingers. Something so simple, yet so special for him should be effortless." DCP has a wide-ranging impact on the individual, including lifelong challenges with movement, a higher risk of other medical issues, a higher rate of mental health challenges and difficulties with communication. 10-12 "Those of us who have the privilege to serve patients with dyskinetic, hyperkinetic or mixed cerebral palsy see the functional impact of this very challenging type of tone every day," said Susan Biffl, M.D., Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "Patients face challenges with self-care, independence, mobility, communication, fine motor skills that affect occupational and recreational activities, swallowing, social interactions and even sleep. As this tone is variable, it is much more challenging to treat than more consistent tone issues, such as spasticity." Treatment Options There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for DCP. Dystonia and chorea are often managed separately as they respond differently to various treatments, which can make treatment challenging. 3 Most drugs being investigated for DCP have focused on dystonia, and more research is needed to determine potential treatments for chorea. New treatment options are needed to help manage these movement disorders and improve daily function and quality of life for those affected. "After 20 years of caring for individuals with cerebral palsy, I continue to find those with dyskinetic cerebral palsy among the most challenging to treat, largely due to the limited effectiveness of available pharmacologic options," said Joyce Oleszek, M.D., Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine. "There is an urgent need for more robust evidence to support pharmacologic treatments for this condition, given its profound impact on function, comfort and quality of life." Ongoing Research Clinical studies are important in the development of treatment options, allowing researchers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. The data from clinical studies are used to determine if an investigational treatment can be approved for use to treat certain disorders. There are ongoing clinical studies evaluating potential treatments for DCP, including one for chorea. Neurocrine Biosciences is conducting the KINECT ® -DCP clinical study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigating the study drug, valbenazine, for the treatment of DCP. The clinical study is currently enrolling children, adolescents and adults six to 70 years of age who have been diagnosed with DCP. "The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is excited to partner with Neurocrine Biosciences on this study," said Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. "We are proud to support strong research that can potentially bring meaningful change to the lives of those living with cerebral palsy." If you or someone you know may be eligible for this research study, please visit the study website for additional information here: FindADCPStudy.com . REFERENCES © 2024 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CAP-NBI-US-0115 12/2024 NBI-98854-DCP3018_11DecMatRelease_v1.0_25November2024

Assad’s fall in Syria will further weaken Hezbollah and curtails Tehran’s ‘Iranization’ of regioniOS 18.2 is out now for iPhone , delivering the next round of Apple Intelligence features such as Genmoji and Visual Intelligence (available for the first time in the UK ). Here's how to install it , and if you don't yet see what's new, make sure you've added yourself to the queue for access to the technology. And don't forget that Apple Intelligence works only on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro or M-series Macs and iPads (plus the newest Mac mini). But what if you don't want Apple Intelligence foisted on you? I'm not being an AI crank -- I appreciate features such as notification summaries and the Clean Up tool in the Photos app. And yet Apple Intelligence is also a work in progress, an evolving set of features that Apple is heavily hyping while also gradually developing. I wouldn't hold it against you if you wanted to not be distracted or feel like you're doing Apple's testing for them (that's what the developer and public betas are for). It's possible to turn off Apple Intelligence entirely, or to disable it for specific apps. And if you decide you want to jump back into the AI stream, you can easily turn them back on. Here's what you need to know. How to turn off Apple Intelligence entirely (iPhone, iPad and Mac) Open Settings (iPhone or iPad) or System Settings (Mac) and choose Apple Intelligence & Siri . Then turn off the Apple Intelligence option. Confirm your choice in the dialog that appears by tapping Turn Off Apple Intelligence . Turn off Apple Intelligence entirely with one switch. Here's what you lose: (Curiously, the Clean Up tool in Photos sticks around even when Apple Intelligence is turned off, perhaps because the first time you use it the app downloads resources for it.) How to turn off individual Apple Intelligence features Maybe you're finding some Apple Intelligence features helpful while others are annoying (or just highly amusing ). You can turn off specific features in the settings for apps to which they apply. For example, to disable text summaries in Messages notifications, go to Settings > Apps > Messages and switch off the Summarize Messages option. Turn off Messages summaries while still using other Apple Intelligence features. Some features are not as app-specific. Writing Tools, which use Apple Intelligence to proof or rewrite text, appear as an option when you select text, regardless of the app. To turn that off, you need to disable Apple Intelligence system-wide. Also note that nearly every app includes an Apple Intelligence & Siri option in Settings, with a Learn from this App option (turned on by default). That applies just to whether Apple Intelligence and Siri can monitor how you use it to make suggestions; it doesn't affect any particular Apple Intelligence features. For more on iOS 18.2, see how the Mail app in iOS 18.2 sorts messages into categories and if you haven't upgraded already, make a good backup first .

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?NDP Ready to Open ‘Gates’ to Pass Liberal GST Holiday Bill Separate From $250 Rebate

NoneLCNB stock touches 52-week high at $17.3 amid robust growth

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lessened its position in shares of Q2 Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:QTWO – Free Report ) by 11.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 64,640 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 8,040 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Q2 were worth $5,156,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Q2 by 54.2% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 481 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Q2 by 7,878.3% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,835 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $146,000 after purchasing an additional 1,812 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Q2 by 108.1% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 1,856 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $148,000 after buying an additional 964 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Q2 in the 2nd quarter worth about $153,000. Finally, Highland Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Q2 during the 3rd quarter valued at about $208,000. Q2 Price Performance Q2 stock opened at $106.37 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 2.50 and a quick ratio of 2.50. The stock has a market cap of $6.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -110.86 and a beta of 1.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $86.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of $72.63. Q2 Holdings, Inc. has a 1 year low of $34.59 and a 1 year high of $106.53. Analysts Set New Price Targets View Our Latest Analysis on Q2 Insider Activity In other Q2 news, General Counsel Michael S. Kerr sold 517 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.86, for a total transaction of $36,634.62. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 61,130 shares in the company, valued at $4,331,671.80. This trade represents a 0.84 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director James Offerdahl sold 1,013 shares of Q2 stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.97, for a total value of $74,931.61. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 18,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,389,822.33. This trade represents a 5.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 30,963 shares of company stock valued at $2,321,659. Corporate insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock. Q2 Profile ( Free Report ) Q2 Holdings, Inc provides cloud-based digital solutions to regional and community financial institutions in the United States. The company offers Digital Banking Platform, an end-to-end digital banking platform supports its financial institution customers in their delivery of unified digital banking services across digital channels. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QTWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Q2 Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:QTWO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Q2 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Q2 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Demarcus Robinson will not be suspended by the Los Angeles Rams this week after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Robinson will be available to play when the Rams (5-6) visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday. “I think he does understand the severity of this, and how lucky we were that nobody was injured,” McVay said. “I do believe that he's remorseful. We are going to let the legal process take place. The league has a process as well.” Robinson was arrested early Monday morning after California Highway Patrol officers observed a white Dodge sedan driving over 100 mph on the 101 freeway in the western San Fernando Valley, a few miles from the Rams’ training complex in Woodland Hills. The driver, who identified himself as Robinson, had “objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment,” the CHP said in a statement released to The Associated Press. Robinson spoke to the team and expressed remorse about his arrest, McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “I think it was a bad decision he made,” McVay said. “I don't think that makes him a bad person, and I do believe this is something that, with the words that he said, our guys will learn from it, and hopefully nobody is ever going to repeat something like this. Let it be a learning opportunity, and a fortunate outcome that nobody was injured.” Robinson has 26 receptions for 384 yards and a team-leading six touchdown catches while starting all 11 games in his second season with the Rams . He caught a TD pass in the Rams' 37-20 loss to Philadelphia several hours before his arrest. The nine-year NFL veteran has served as a capable No. 3 option for Stafford behind star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Robinson spent his first six NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl ring in February 2020, and spent one year with Baltimore before joining the Rams last year. “Let this be a lesson to all of us,” Stafford said. “We're lucky with the result that came of it, to be honest with you, that nobody was hurt or injured. I know that D-Rob is a great person. I love being around him. Love him as a teammate. ... I'm just trying to support him, help him out any way I can.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Costco Wholesale Corp. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market

It’s been an eventful year in Canadian politics — and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming return to the White House suggests the next one will be even more turbulent. Join the Star’s Ottawa bureau , for a live virtual conversation on the year that was — from , to , to , to billions in new federal spending, and the continuing rise of ’s Conservatives. Reporters Raisa Patel, Ryan Tumilty, and Mark Ramzy will join host Althia Raj. Return to the Star on Tuesday to watch the live video conversation, or find it as a bonus episode of the podcast in your feed. Here’s how to join:LCNB stock touches 52-week high at $17.3 amid robust growth

fb777 bet login

gf-777

( MENAFN - The Peninsula) AFP Pristina: Kosovo arrested several suspects Saturday after an explosion at a key canal feeding two of its main power plants, while neighbouring Serbia rejected accusations of staging the blast. The explosion Friday near the town of Zubin Potok, which sits in an ethnic Serb-dominated area in Kosovo's troubled north, damaged a canal that supplies water to hundreds of thousands of people and cooling systems at two coal-fired power plants that generate most of Kosovo's electricity. As security forces swarmed the area around the canal, whose concrete walls were left with a gaping hole gushing water, Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited the site and announced authorities had arrested several people. Law enforcement "carried out searches" and "collected testimony and evidence, and the criminals and terrorists will have to face justice and the law," he said. The arrests follow a security meeting late Friday, when Kurti pointed the finger at Serbia. "The attack was carried out by professionals. We believe it comes from gangs directed by Serbia," he told a press conference, without providing evidence. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hit back Saturday, denying the "irresponsible" and "baseless accusations". "Such unfounded claims are aimed to tarnish Serbia's reputation, as well as to undermine efforts to promote peace and stability in the region," he said in a statement to AFP. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric had earlier suggested on X that the Kosovar "regime" could itself be behind the blast, calling for an international investigation. The main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, Serb List, also condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms". AFP journalists at the scene saw water leaking heavily from one side of the reinforced canal, which runs from the Serb-majority north of Kosovo to the capital, Pristina. However, electricity supplies to consumers were running smoothly on Saturday morning, with authorities having found an alternative method to cool the plants, said Kosovo's Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli. Repair work was ongoing, authorities said, while Kurti confirmed workers had managed to restore water flows to 25 percent capacity. Fears of 'escalation' The United States strongly condemned the "attack on critical infrastructure in Kosovo", the US embassy in Pristina said in a statement on Facebook. "We are monitoring the situation closely... and have offered our full support to the government of Kosovo to ensure that those responsible for this criminal attack are identified and held accountable." Turkey's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, adding: "We call on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid escalation in the region." The NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission for Kosovo joined the calls for restraint. "It is important that facts are established and that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice," it said in a statement. The force is providing security in the surrounding area and has offered logistical, explosives removal and engineering support to the Kosovo authorities, it added. The European Union's ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, joined the international condemnation, saying on X: "The incident needs to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice." Animosity between ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo and Serbia has persisted since the end of the war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move that Serbia has refused to acknowledge. Kurti's government has for months sought to dismantle a parallel system of social services and political offices backed by Belgrade to serve Kosovo's Serbs. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday denounced "the act of sabotage on the critical water supply infrastructure in the Iber-Lepenc Canal" in comments on X, calling it "a serious crime that endangers the lives of Kosovo's citizens and undermines the process of normalizing relations in our region." Friday's attack came after a series of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including the hurling of hand grenades at a municipal building and a police station earlier this week. MENAFN30112024000063011010ID1108941910 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.General Mills’ (GIS) Strategic Moves and Market Outlook: Pet Food Acquisition and Earnings UpdateMeta donates $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund

Iqra University faces criticism over bold fashion show

United, Apple rolling out new way to track lost luggage with AirTagsUnited Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling.NoneUnited Airlines travelers with lost luggage have a new tool to track their bags. If the lost bag has an Apple AirTag in it, that information can now be passed directly to United, the airline announced Thursday. The new feature, called Share Item Location, allows travelers with an AirTag or other Find My network accessory to share the location with the airline’s customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event it’s misplaced. United says more than 99% of its customers pick up their luggage without a hitch. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File via CNN Newsource The feature is now available with iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 or macOS 15.2. “Apple’s new Share Item Location feature will help customers travel with even more confidence, knowing they have another way to access their bag’s precise location with AirTag or their Find My accessory of choice,” said David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer. Travelers on United whose bags do not arrive at their destination can file a delayed baggage report with United and share the link to the item’s location either through the United app or via text message. After the report has been submitted, customer service agents will be able to locate the item on an interactive map alongside a timestamp of a recent update. The shared location will be disabled after a customer has the bag, and customers can also stop sharing the location of the item at any time on their own. The location link will also automatically expire after seven days. Using AirTags or other tracking devices on luggage is increasingly popular among frequent travelers, with a significant boom following the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown , which displaced thousands of travelers over Christmas and into 2023, alongside much of their belongings. United says lost bags are rare, with more than 99% of its customers arriving with their bags. It says the new technology will help those with lost bags to recover them more quickly because the airline will have more information about them. Apple previously announced the new service will also be integrated at other air carriers, including Delta Air Lines. Others include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling.

Caitlin Clark is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, finishing her career with 3,951 points across four seasons. Now, when she looks back, she questions why she wasn’t guarded better. In a TIME interview with Sean Gregory, Clark noted just how much higher the basketball IQ is in the WNBA than in the women’s game. “Professional players and professional coaches — this is no disrespect to college women’s basketball — are a lot smarter,” Clark said. “I love women’s college basketball. But if you go back and watch the way people guarded me in college, it’s almost, like, concerning. They didn’t double me, they didn’t trap me, they weren’t physical.” Clark acknowledged that many of the players she faced were not continuing their careers past college, and that basketball IQ played a role. “A lot of those women will never go on to play another basketball game in their life,” Clark said. “They don’t have the IQ of understanding how the game works. So I completely understand it. And it’s no disrespect at all. They don’t have the IQ. You have to simplify it for girls at that age.” In her senior season, Clark averaged 32.1 points, 8.5 assists, and 7.3 rebounds, recording six triple-doubles. Her 2024 tournament run was punctuated by a 41-point, 12-assist outing in an Elite Eight win over LSU . In that game, she was primarily guarded by Hailey Van Lith, a 5’ 7 guard who clearly struggled to keep up with her. Caitlin Clark tweet pic.twitter.com/d5g87C6Uxb At the time, many wondered why LSU didn’t double-team her or put a more physical defender on her. The end result was a 94-87 Iowa victory. Now, we know that Clark also often wondered about opposing teams’ and coaches’ lackluster schemes as well. Clark struggled in the early days of her WNBA career, but quickly found her footing, going on to average 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. From the jump, she faced a level of physicality and defensive intensity she rarely faced in college. In her TIME interview with Gregory, an NCAA women’s basketball game between USC and Ole Miss was fitting playing in the background. “I feel like if I was out there, I would literally have 50 [points],” Clark said. “The college game is so much easier than professional.”

, the now-former head coach of the , has spoken publicly for the first time since his dismissal. Eberflus, who was relieved of his duties on Friday , expressed gratitude and reflected on his time with the team. In a statement released on Saturday, he said, " " He also extended his appreciation to the players, acknowledging their dedication and resilience. " ," he added. Eberflus' tenure with the Bears lasted , during which he amassed a 14-32 record. His time in Chicago was marked by challenges, including struggles with developing young quarterbacks. , drafted 11th overall in 2021 before Eberflus arrived, did not progress as expected under his leadership. Additionally, this year's No. 1 overall pick, , has experienced an inconsistent rookie season. Eberflus was often seen working closely with Williams on the sidelines, as captured during their Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions. Eberflus thanks fans for their support The Thanksgiving loss, where the Bears and ultimately fell 23-20 to the Lions, appeared to be the tipping point for the organization. On Friday, GM Ryan Poles announced the decision to part ways with Eberflus. " ," Poles stated. He also thanked Eberflus for his efforts and professionalism, wishing him and his family well moving forward. Despite the disappointing results on the field, Eberflus emphasized his pride in how the players represented the organization. " ," he remarked. He also expressed gratitude to Bears fans for their passion and support throughout his tenure. While his time in Chicago has come to an end, Eberflus leaves with an appreciation for the team and city that he served.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards. Altmeyer put Illinois in front with a 30-yard TD run with 3:07 to go. He passed to Josh McCray on the 2-point conversion, making it 30-24. Rutgers responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Athan Kaliakmanis had a 15-yard run on fourth down. He passed to running back Kyle Manangai for a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining. Illinois then drove 75 yards in eight plays for the unexpected win. Kaliakmanis was 18 for 36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 84 yards and two TDs. Monangai had a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards. Kaliakmanis found Ian Strong for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first half, and he scored on a 1-yard run to lift Rutgers to a 24-15 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois responded with Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run, setting up the roller-coaster finish. The start of the second half was delayed because of a scrum between the teams. There were no punches thrown and the officials called penalties on both schools. Monangai become the third player in Rutgers history to rush for 3,000 yards when he picked up 4 on a third-and-1 carry early in the second quarter. The defending conference rushing champion joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis in hitting the mark. Illinois: The great finish keeps the Illini in line for its first nine-win season since 2007 and a prestigious bowl game this season. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were seconds away from their first in-conference three-game win streak since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Illinois: At Northwestern next Saturday. Rutgers: At Michigan State next Saturday. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollTinubu's FG begs Nigerian workers, reveals month states will pay new minimum wage

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds leftFormer Patriots coach Bill Belichick will head coach North Carolina's Tar Heels

Poland's prime minister visits defensive fortifications on border with RussiaGSA Capital Partners LLP Acquires Shares of 3,345 The Southern Company (NYSE:SO)

The 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), slated for Sunday in the sisterly State of Kuwait, is expected to make many recommendations that align with the serious challenges facing the Arab region, including the situation in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, as well as the difficult political, economic and security circumstances that cast their shadows over many countries, political analysts said. In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), analysts expected the discussions to focus on economic challenges and pushing the wheel of development towards achieving more accomplishments. In this context, they stressed the importance of exploring means to promote the GCC Common Market and Customs Union, given the great importance of this file for the countries of the region. Nasser Al Otaibi, political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Kuwait's Al-Jarida newspaper, said the upcoming GCC Supreme Council Summit is being held at a critical time while the entire region is facing devastating wars and conflict, fateful issues and a crossroads. These critical circumstances cast their shadows on the GCC countries, making them a main focus on the Summit's agenda. Al Otaibi added that joint defense and security cooperation will also occupy a prominent place on the agenda in light of the tense conditions sweeping the Middle East. He also expected that the discussions will include ways to address the continued Israeli aggression, violations and crimes, while calling on the international community to support the steps of the International Court of Justice that condemns the violations of the Israeli Prime Minister and his former Defense Minister. The GCC summit will also address all pending issues for the member states with other countries outside the council, such as the maritime borders issue between Kuwait and Iraq, which still needs to be resolved by the Iraqi government, he added. Among the most prominent issues that will be addressed at the upcoming GCC Summit is navigation security in the Arabian Gulf and oil tankers protection, in order to ensure the stability of global markets and protect the vital energy artery, Al Otaibi emphasised. The Summit will confirm the cohesion of the GCC states in addressing new developments, emphasizing the unity of the Gulf house, based on deep-rooted common ties, he indicated. As for the expected recommendations, Al Otaibi said the Summit may call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and acheive a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and to put an end to the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples. In addition, the recommendations may call for building on the two arrest warrants issued by the International Court of Justice against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, sending a decisive message to countries supporting Israel that Arab countries, including the GCC countries, are exasperated by the systematic attacks and ongoing bloodshed under the pretext of "self-defense." Dr. Ahmed Qasim Hussein, a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and editor-in-chief of Arab Policies journal, said the upcoming GCC Summit is being held amid complex security and political challenges, including the regional situation in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and the ongoing unrest in the region. He indicated that these conditions combined cast a shadow over the security of the Arab region in general, and the security of the GCC in particular. He indicated that the repercussions of the Israeli war on Palestine and Lebanon will be one of the pivotal issues that will be addressed at the GCC Supreme Council Summit. He also expected that economic challenges, including strengthening the GCC Common Market and Customs Union, will receive special importance, given their vital role in supporting economic integration among the GCC countries. The Summit is expected to pay special attention to technology and digital development, with a focus on the rapid transformations in the artificial intelligence sector. Such issues require effective responses and joint strategies to enhance the capabilities of the GCC countries in dealing with these developments, in a way that achieves sustainable economic growth and contributes to consolidating the region's position as a global center in the field of innovation and technology, Hussein said. Hussein pointed out that strengthening joint GCC action is pivotal to confronting the current security and economic challenges facing the region. To this end, he expected the recommendations to include the establishment of effective mechanisms to deal with emergency crises, in light of the increasing military escalation between Iran and Israel. Hussein called on the GCC states to adopt a pioneering role by launching a regional initiative aimed at mobilizing international support to end the suffering of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples as a result of the Israeli aggression. He stressed the importance of investing the diplomatic and political capabilities of the GCC states and their leaders to influence the course of events and stop this aggressive war, in order to realize regional peace and stability. Dr. Tarek Hamoud, Professor of Political Science at Lusail University, said the Gulf Cooperation Council reflects the most successful Arab experience in terms of joint regional cooperation, which highlights the importance of its meetings in general; stressing the significance of the upcoming GCC Supreme Council Summit in Kuwati in light of the current circumstances that the region is going through. The current session is being held at a time when two Arab countries, Palestine and Lebanon, are being subjected to a brutal Israeli war, in addition to the political, economic and security crises suffered by other countries such as Syria, Sudan, Iraq and Yemen, which represent a great geopolitical importance for the GCC states, Hamoud said. These regional issues will occupy a prominent place on the summit agenda, in addition to internal issues specific to the GCC countries, such as enhancing cooperation in areas of strategic connectivity, whether in employment or facilitating movement between the GCC countries, he added. Related Story Qatar pitches for expediting GCC-EU FTA negotiations Qatar's hospitality sector sees improved room yield in September: NPCA late-game rally derailed by a missed field goal and Cowboys stun Commanders 34-26Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press The big moment. Former congressman Matt Gaetz’s time as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general has come to an end. It wound up lasting less than a Scaramucci. Gaetz, R-Florida, announced suddenly Thursday that he’s withdrawing from consideration, amid continued revelations about sexual misconduct claims against him, questions about a looming House Ethics Committee report and resistance from his fellow Republicans. Both Gaetz and Trump in social media posts claimed that Gaetz was doing well but had become a “distraction” – a PR word that often gets bandied about in untenable circumstances. But Gaetz’s downfall was about more than a momentary distraction. It was a sizable early setback for Trump, just more than two weeks after his triumphant 2024 election win. It’s also a sign that institutions – or at least a few members of them – can still stand up to Trump, and a remarkably swift conclusion to what could be a series of tussles between Trump and his own party. Let’s dive into those dynamics and other takeaways. IT’S A MAJOR SETBACK FOR TRUMP Gaetz was always going to be a tough sell, even for his fellow Republicans. Just four Republican senators would have been enough to kill his nomination if they voted with all Democrats. And plenty expressed reservations. There is not much love for Gaetz in congressional Republican circles, dating back to his successful effort to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California, last year. His baggage was also the most problematic among Trump’s controversial nominees, given that it involved allegations of sex with a 17-year-old – and particularly given the prospect of the ethics report coming out. On Tuesday, I wrote about how Gaetz’s nomination was in the most trouble, full stop. That wasn’t exactly a hot take. But just because this was predictable doesn’t mean it’s not bad for Trump. Trump chose to spend some of his earliest post-election political capital on this fight, daring Republican senators to defy him just a week after his election. He chose someone for a prestigious Cabinet department who had major baggage that was obvious to anyone with access to Google. And that gamble quickly fell apart. The whole thing suggests a very fast-and-loose Trump operation – no surprise if you were paying attention from 2017 through early 2021 – that is going to keep creating problems for the man in charge and his party. That there was apparently nobody around Trump willing or able to caution him against Gaetz doesn’t augur well for what lies ahead. Trump undoubtedly cares less about the idea that his political capital is damaged than your average politician. He’ll just move on to the next thing. But it can’t help but look like weakness – including to the Republicans he could clash with within the months and years to come. IT SHOWS THAT INSTITUTIONS CAN STILL STAND UP TO TRUMP Trump has claimed that the 2024 election gave him a huge mandate – despite him failing to win a majority of the popular vote and Republicans gaining relatively little ground. And Republicans have largely echoed that line. Some have gone as far as to suggest it’s time to just give Trump pretty much whatever he wants, including his Cabinet picks. We don’t yet know all the details of why Gaetz withdrew and how much the GOP resistance played a role (vs., say, Gaetz worrying about his own personal dirty laundry being aired). But regardless, this is an early signal that institutions – whether Republican senators, the legal and ethics systems, and/or the media – can still provide a significant check on Trump, if they are so inclined. We shouldn’t oversell that. As noted, Gaetz was always likely to be a bridge too far. And seeing Republican senators give lukewarm quotes about him and choose to fight against him more privately doesn’t exactly suggest they feel empowered to publicly stand up to Trump. A handful of senators with reservations about Gaetz is far from the entire Senate, even as the opposition was apparently enough to make him and Trump think twice about moving forward. Still, Gaetz’s failure was an early test of the system. The system didn’t work in Trump’s favor. And Trump’s critics right now probably undersell how assertive the GOP-controlled Senate, in particular, could be. This is a chamber that features plenty of institutionalists who don’t love the idea of being rolled by the president and forced to do things they don’t like (tariffs, abandoning Ukraine, etc.). Trump has also signaled he’ll push his political and policy norm-breaking quite a bit further than in his first term. It only takes four Republicans to stand in his way, and there are a fair number of moderates, Trump critics and retiring senators who could do so. WHAT IT MEANS FOR TRUMP’S OTHER PICKS When Trump picked Gaetz last week, theories abounded about how maybe this wasn’t all that it seemed – that it wasn’t truly about getting Gaetz installed as attorney general. A prominent theory was that perhaps Gaetz was a stalking horse. It held that he was a completely unacceptable pick put forward to be rejected and make Trump’s other picks, including his next pick for attorney general, look more acceptable by comparison. Whether or not that was the intent, the question now becomes whether Gaetz withdrawing will indeed make it easier for Trump’s other picks, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (health and human services secretary), Tulsi Gabbard (director of national intelligence) and Pete Hegseth (defense secretary). Will Republicans view themselves as having beaten back the worst of Trump’s picks and relent on other nominees? Maybe. But I think the lack of a true, extended fight over Gaetz makes that less plausible. It would be one thing if Republicans fought over Gaetz for months, and Trump supporters were able to send a strong signal that opposing Trump would come with a cost (including public attacks and primaries). Some murmurs of retribution began this week, but the revenge campaign never really took hold. Now Gaetz will be a distant memory by the time those other nominations get considered, and nobody had to vote against him. You could also make a strong argument that critics of Trump’s picks will be emboldened by beating this one back so quickly. WHAT’S NEXT FOR GAETZ Another big question after Gaetz’s withdrawal is what happens to his political career. He resigned from the current, 118th Congress last week, after all. But the Florida congressman was reelected this month to the 119th Congress and could take his seat come Jan. 3. Republicans will have a narrow majority in which every seat could matter. Georgetown University’s Matt Glassman has a good look at the legal ins and outs. Basically, it would probably be up to the Republican-controlled House, which can interpret its own rules. But also, coming back to Congress would almost undoubtedly lead to the release of that ethics report, at which point Gaetz and his fellow Republicans would have to relive all of this drama. And it could involve Republicans voting to reseat a guy they clearly have little regard for and view as a problem for their party. Gaetz has also been rumored as a potential candidate for Florida governor in 2026. As for whether he could win his party’s nomination and that office? It probably can’t be completely ruled out in a red state. A MOMENTOUS POLL NUMBER 51-36 That’s the margin by which voters in a new Economist/YouGov poll say they approve of Trump’s handling of his presidential transition. It’s one of the first polls of how people view Trump post-election. That suggests he’s gotten something of a honeymoon, at least as of Tuesday (when the poll concluded). It also suggests that the major controversies surrounding his Cabinet picks haven’t turned Americans against him. Or perhaps it’s that people really haven’t tuned in to nomination battles that won’t take place until early 2025. For instance, the same poll asked whether people approved of Gaetz’s selection, and voters were about evenly split – 37% favorable to 39% unfavorable. Maybe it’s just early and people have political fatigue. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousHow major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 12/10/2024

RJ Johnson, Daylen Berry lift Charleston Southern to surprising 83-79 victory over MiamiThousands attend funeral of Afghan minister

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise decreased its stake in shares of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. ( NYSE:CX – Free Report ) by 32.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,743 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 9,645 shares during the quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise’s holdings in CEMEX were worth $120,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CX. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in CEMEX by 36.0% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,606 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 1,747 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its stake in CEMEX by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 75,949 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 2,654 shares in the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in CEMEX by 13.9% in the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 26,200 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $167,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in CEMEX by 14.7% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 26,831 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $164,000 after buying an additional 3,441 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC increased its stake in CEMEX by 14.5% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 29,736 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $181,000 after buying an additional 3,777 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.97% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered CEMEX from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of CEMEX from $6.50 to $6.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of CEMEX from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on shares of CEMEX from $10.00 to $8.90 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of CEMEX from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, CEMEX has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $7.82. CEMEX Price Performance Shares of CX opened at $5.51 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.98 billion, a PE ratio of 18.23 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.73. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. has a 1-year low of $5.00 and a 1-year high of $9.27. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $5.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.37. CEMEX Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a Variable dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th were given a dividend of $0.021 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 13th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. CEMEX’s dividend payout ratio is presently 13.33%. CEMEX Company Profile ( Free Report ) CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. ( NYSE:CX – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for CEMEX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CEMEX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .None

fb777 c0m login

https fb777 com 。

SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates ALTR, SASR, AUB, CYTH on Behalf of ShareholdersCLEVELAND (AP) — Two days before recording another milestone, resume-building sack on Sunday at Cincinnati, Myles Garrett delivered a jarring hit — on the Browns. In this case, any roughness could be deemed necessary. Garrett piled on to what has been a painful and puzzling season in Cleveland by saying he doesn't have any interest in going through another rebuild and wants to know exactly what the organization's offseason plans are to fix things. If that wasn't enough, Garrett indicated for the first time that he would consider leaving the Browns if his vision doesn't mesh with the team's ambitions. “It’s a possibility,” he said of playing elsewhere. "But I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play my career here.” It's unclear how Garrett's comments were received by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who have plenty to consider as the Browns (3-12) head into the final two weeks of a season that began with playoff expectations and could be followed by upheaval. The Browns haven't been this bad since going 0-16 in 2017. Garrett, who reached 100 career sacks by taking down Cincinnati's Joe Burrow late in the first half of Sunday's 24-6 loss , may have either added to the Haslams' long list of concerns — the Deshaun Watson contract situation is a priority — or brought them clarity. There's no denying that Garrett's remarks carry substantial weight, which is partly why he spoke up. He's the Browns' best player, a franchise cornerstone, a future Hall of Famer and arguably the most disruptive defensive force in the game today. He's also leading with actions. Garrett showed extraordinary effort in chasing down and tackling Burrow before tumbling out of bounds and crashing into Cleveland's bench and some portable heaters. He might be frustrated, but he's not giving up. “A testament of who he is as a player and who he is as a person,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. What the reigning Defensive Player of the Year says matters. It will be interesting to see if the Haslams listen. At this point, there are indications the Browns intend to stick with coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, whose major misses in recent drafts have become more magnified with each loss. There will be changes; it's just a matter of how drastic and if they'll be enough to satisfy Garrett's wishes. He turns 29 on Dec. 29 and has two years left on a $125 million contract extension. The All-Pro is in his prime and doesn't want to waste another season in a pointless pursuit of a Super Bowl title. His goal is to win a championship with Cleveland — or someone. Garrett's serious. He's asking the Browns to show him they are, too. Cleveland's defense is doing its part. For the second week in a row, the Browns contained one of the NFL's most talented offenses, holding the Bengals and their top-ranked passing game below most of their season averages. Burrow did throw three TD passes — for the seventh game in a row — but Cincinnati scored fewer than 27 points for the first time in seven games. The Browns continue to beat themselves with costly turnovers, some more costly than others. They drove to the Cincinnati 1-yard line in the opening minutes only to have D'Onta Foreman fumble as he neared the goal line. The Bengals capitalized by driving 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead that could have been Cleveland's. Running back Jerome Ford is making the most of a heavier workload and finishing strong. He ripped off a 66-yard run on the game's first play and finished with 131 all-purpose yards, including 92 on 11 carries and scored Cleveland's only TD. Ford's emergence as a potential No. 1 back — Nick Chubb's injuries have clouded his future — gives the team one less thing to worry about as it retools the roster. Kicker Dustin Hopkins hasn't shaken a startling slump. After being benched for a week to work through his struggles, Hopkins missed his only kick, pushing an extra point to the right. Hopkins felt confident going in, but he's back to trying to identify issues that could be equally mechanical and mental. He's just 16 of 25 on field goals, 16 of 19 on PATs and the Browns' decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer looks worse every week. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his calf early in Sunday's game, leaving his status in doubt for a second straight start this week. If Thompson-Robinson can't go, the Browns could go back to Jameis Winston, but he's dealing with a sore right shoulder. ... Tight end David Njoku is dealing with yet another injury after hurting his knee. The team is awaiting results on an MRI, perhaps a sign of the severity. Njoku has missed time with injuries all season. He finished with eight catches for 66 yards. 20 — Interceptions for the Browns this season. Thompson-Robinson's two picks on Sunday gave the team 10 in the last four games. Probably a half-empty stadium for a final home game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe right back was replaced at half time by Lewis Cook on Sunday at Old Trafford, with Andoni Iraola explaining that he felt some tightness, so he was replaced. Smith won the free kick in the first half against Manchester United that saw Dean Huijsen open the scoring for the . Speaking to the media ahead of the Boxing Day game on Monday, the Basque boss could not confirm if he would be able to recover in time for the game against the Eagles, as he had not yet been assessed. Iraola told the Daily Echo: “Adam is a little bit like the situation with Antoine [Semenyo] the other day, feeling some tightness. “With Antoine he recovered well and you could see yesterday. “I hope with Adam it happens the same but we don't know because we haven't still assessed him and we don't know.”

The next iPhone SE’s new modem reportedly won’t be as capable as Qualcomm’s

In a landmark moment at the on December 2, 2024, the logo of was unveiled by Dr. R.N. Padaria, Joint Director (Extension), ICAR, along with Malakajappa Sarawad, Vice President - Sales & Marketing of Arqivo Crop Solutions; JACS Rao, CEO of the State Medicinal Plants Board, Chhattisgarh; and MC Dominic, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran, among other esteemed dignitaries on the dais. The event, held at the IARI Grounds in New Delhi, marked a significant milestone for the agriculture industry, highlighting the collaborative spirit and innovation driving the sector forward. , the parent company of Arqivo, has established itself as a leader in the agrochemical industry. Headquartered in Chennai and operates globally over 90 countries with 9 international subsidiaries across Latin America, Central America, Europe, Middle East & Asia. Tagros has gained an international reputation for delivering high-quality products in and allied segments. The unveiling of Arqivo's logo symbolizes the company's commitment to further enhancing agricultural practices and offering cutting-edge solutions to farmers globally. Tagros operates 4 advanced manufacturing facilities at Dahej, Panoli, Ankleshwar and Cuddalore. These facilities underscore the company's ability to scale operations efficiently, ensuring seamless delivery of world-class agrochemical solutions to customers around the globe. Dr. Ramesh Chand lauded the initiative, highlighting the critical role of innovation in addressing the challenges faced by farmers. He emphasized the importance of partnerships like this in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ incomes and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. MFOI Samridh Kisan Utsav 2024 in Satna showcased new agricultural innovations to over 225 farmers, featuring displays from Mahindra Tractors,... Tagros' unmatched expertise in manufacturing and commitment to sustainability positions it as a trusted partner for farmers worldwide. By introducing Arqivo Crop Solutions, the company aims to strengthen its portfolio and provide innovative solutions that empower farmers, boost productivity, and contribute to global food security. The launch event also featured a panel discussion on emerging trends in , with prominent speakers emphasizing the need for robust crop protection solutions to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. Tagros is one of India’s fastest-growing manufacturers of agrochemicals, committed to delivering for global agriculture. With a customer-first approach and cutting-edge technology, the company continues to redefine industry standards, enhancing lives and livelihoods across continents.

Penn State preparing for hard-charging Jeanty and Boise State in CFP quarterfinalsBrookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. stock falls Friday, underperforms marketSinn Fein actively pursuing route into government, insists leader McDonald

Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State players have watched Ashton Jeanty make opponents look silly all season. They don't want to be the next defenders Boise State’s star posterizes with jukes, spin moves, stiff arms and heavy shoulders. But they also know that slowing down Jeanty, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting , will be their toughest task yet when the two teams meet in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. “In any other year, I think the guy wins the Heisman,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “You could make the argument that he should have won it this year. He is hard to tackle. He is compact, 5-(foot)-10, he has the ability to run away from you. He has the ability to make you miss.” Jeanty led the nation with 2,497 rushing yards on 344 carries this season. He scored more touchdowns (30) than any player since Najee Harris scored 30 times with Alabama in 2020. Additionally, Jeanty’s yards after contact (1,889) exceed every FBS running backs’ rushing total since Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard led the NCAA with 2,094 total rushing yards in 2019. Jeanty also forced an NCAA-record 143 missed tackles this season. The junior did it all behind an offensive line that has been forced to shuffle its parts in the wake of numerous injuries. Only left tackle Kage Casey and left guard Ben Dooley have started every game up front for the Broncos this season. “He’s a beast in terms of his production on the field, but then also his durability,” Franklin said. “There’s not too many people that are able to get clean shots on him. All of it is super impressive. But I think the stat that I mentioned earlier, the most impressive stat is the yards after contact.” This could be Jeanty’s biggest challenge to date, too. Although he’s helped Boise State churn out 250 rushing yards per game, good for fifth among FBS programs, the Nittany Lions are well stocked to defend the run. Their defense is seventh nationally allowing just 100 rushing yards per game and has tightened up down the stretch. In its last six games, Penn State is allowing just 2.7 yards per rush and has only given up three rushing touchdowns, two coming in the Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon. “They’ve had our backs throughout the whole year,” Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said. “They have made me a lot better throughout the year, just going against the best defense in America and just glad I got to go against them every day in practice and not against them out on the field in a game setting.” In the opening round of the CFP, Penn State held SMU to just 58 rushing yards on 36 carries. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions notched 11 of their 50 tackles for loss over the last six games against the Mustangs. Most of those came from a defensive line that regularly rotates run-stuffing tackles Zane Durant, Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard between dynamic ends Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Carter alone has 21 1/2 of his team’s 102 stops behind the line of scrimmage this year. He's hoping to add a few against Jeanty and stay off the star back's own long-running highlight reel. “I’m living in my dreams,” Carter said. “I’m having the most fun I ever had playing football and I’ve been playing since I was 8 years old. I’m very blessed. I’m just very humbled to have this opportunity. I just want to keep taking advantage of all the opportunities that I have.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Businesses in Springfield, Holyoke and Northampton are among 180 getting shares of $26 million from the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund . The Cannabis Control Commission provides free technical assistance through its own Social Equity Program. The program helps cannabis entrepreneurs in communities that have been disproportionately harmed by past marijuana prohibition. Grants range from $25,000 to $500,000 in four tiers based on whether the recipient has a license or is applying for one. Companies in Tier 1 are just entering the cannabis industry and receive up to $25,000. Stories by Jim KinneyPretty much everything that could go wrong for the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 14 went wrong. Not only did they lose "The Game" to the Michigan Wolverines by a final score of 13-10, but they also got into a massive brawl with Michigan immediately afterwards that could result in several players on both getting suspended. With the Wolverines winning this one late, their players rushed the field when the clock struck zero and planted their flag in the middle of the field. The Buckeyes took exception to this, and ended up starting a full-scale brawl with the Wolverines that quickly caught fans' attention. The aftermath of the fight was pretty messy, and there's a lot that both teams and the NCAA will have to work through as a result. With things still fresh, Ohio State's athletic director Ross Bjork refused to comment on the situation, saying he needed to gather more details on what actually happened. Per Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports, "Ohio State athletics director Ross Bjork declined to comment to CBS Sports when asked about the postgame skirmish. He needs to gather more details on what happened, he said." Ohio State athletics director Ross Bjork declined to comment to CBS Sports when asked about the postgame skirmish. He needs to gather more details on what happened, he said. Considering the scale of the fight, it's not a surprise to see Bjork is waiting for things to clear up before he fully addresses what happened. And beyond the fight, the team also lost a game they desperately needed to win, so it's safe to say there's going to be some soul-searching within Ohio State over the next few days. © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Not only did the Buckeyes likely lose their spot in the Big Ten Championship Game to the Penn State Nittany Lions, but their standing in the College Football Playoff rankings is set to tumble as well. There's a chance that this defeat could destroy Ohio State's 2024 campaign. For now, the Buckeyes are reeling in the wake of their defeat and this massive fight, but they still have a chance to salvage their campaign. It will require quite a turnaround, but you can't count Ohio State out just yet, even though things look quite dire in the wake of this crushing defeat. Related: Michigan Trolls Ohio State by Reposting Final Score with Subtle Twist

Amazon director Jonathan Rubinstein sells $1 million in stock

$5 house near Mitchell, Nebraska, is ready for Christmas

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby

Police are reporting a second incident of alleged extreme road aggression in a week. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The latest clash happened early on Sunday evening at the car park at Pine Island Reserve. After it, a 46-year-old is to face court accused of assault and threatening to kill someone. In an unconnected confrontation last week, one angry driver carried another angry driver off on the back of his ute. In Sunday's incident, the police said that a man and a woman were sitting in a car when a 46-year-old man who was known to the woman approached the vehicle. The police said that "the man began banging on the window before pulling the man out of the vehicle, punching and kicking him several times. "Bystanders intervened and separated the pair before the man got into his vehicle and drove at the other man. "The victim took shelter behind a boulder which the man hit with his vehicle before he fled the scene." Police said the alleged aggressor was arrested at 10pm in Calwell. "He has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, recklessly threatening to kill a person, and attempting to use an offensive weapon," ACT Policing said. In last week's angry confrontation, a driver got carried away - literally: he ended up being driven away on the back of the other truck in the confrontation . What seemed to have happened was that two drivers of trucks - a white Mazda B2600 ute and a white Toyota Hilux - stopped and confronted each other on Gundaroo Drive near the roundabout with the Barton Highway. ACT police arrested a man after he tried to run over another man in a car park. Picture by Keegan Carroll READ MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS: Tradies find alleged pipe bomb in home of public servant who issued explosives threats Accused work Christmas party rapist claims he was only 'reaching for vape' Allegedly negligent truck driver charged over death of motorcyclist They shouted at each other and the driver of the Mazda then jumped on the back of the Hilux which then drove off with the driver's "opponent" on the back. The Hilux then stopped and the unwilling passenger had to walk back to his own truck. It is not known how far he had to trudge. "Both vehicles stopped and a short time later, the Toyota was seen travelling north along Gundaroo Drive with the driver of the Mazda in the tray of the Hilux," the police said. "The driver of the Toyota pulled over and the man in the tray exited the vehicle and began walking back towards the Barton Highway." Police wanted anyone who may be able to help with information to get in touch. "Anyone with information that can assist police, or who may have witnessed the incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website . Information can be provided anonymously." Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Steve Evans Reporter Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." More from Canberra Man accused of threatening to kill, attempting to run over someone in car park 27m ago Police will investigate alleged bus driver fish head assault No comment s Job-sharing: Can two people share a Senate seat? High Court will be asked to decide No comment s Capturing a Canberra icon: 40 years of Kingsley's marked with short doco No comment s Getting TAFE right would be a boon for the country No comment s Health authorities explore how meet 'extraordinary' demand surge with static staffing No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...Cher’s memoir made Howard Stern want to ‘strangle’ Sonny BonoEven though Black Friday 2024 has passed, the Post Wanted team pulled *hundreds* of deals you can still shop. Luckily, you can shop extended Black Friday deals from a variety of retailers — including Amazon , Best Buy , Target , Walmart and more — but we’re here to boil it down for you. Why trust us? We’ve been reviewing the best products for years, have pieced together exclusive gift guides and, simply put, are experts on the best items and services worth your money. Now, during the biggest shopping weekend of the year, we’re placing everything worth buying in one place. RELATED : 100 trending gift ideas, per Google Shopping RELATED : Best Wayfair Black Friday deals Enter our live-updated roundup of the best extended Black Friday deals for 2024. Here, you’ll find a tasty buffet of retailers ranging from Kohl’s and The Home Depot to lululemon and Macy’s . Best Extended Black Friday Deals 2024 Amazon has a litany of extended Black Friday deals still on sale, even after its blowout October Prime Day event. One of the best items to pick up is the BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner that’s finally less than $100. Among this great deal, you can score incredible savings on beauty products , home items , must-have electronics and more. RELATED: Amazon Black Friday sale: 150+ best better-than-Prime Day deals we found Walmart is commonly known for its roster of rollbacks, but Black Friday weekend is bursting with blowout deals. You’ll save up to 65% on flash deals sitewide in addition to its regular, recurring rotation of rollbacks. Plus, enjoy 50% off Walmart+ membership for a full year . Black Friday is one of the best times at Walmart to purchase a new TV, like the LG 55′′ 4K UHD OLED Web OS Smart TV with Dolby Vision B3 Series ($798.00, Was $1,199.00). The retailer is also hosting amazing savings on home appliances like KitchenAid and Instant Pot , as well as toys like LEGO , Barbie and Fisher-Price . RELATED: Best Walmart Black Friday deals on AirPods Pro, Samsung Frame TV, more finds Target’s extended Black Friday deals are always some of our favorites. Even though we love rolling around the red cart with the bullseye in stores, we *love* the convenience of saving big-time online. This Black Friday weekend, Target is hosting a wealth of deals. Some top brands to consider are Samsung — like the 65′′ Class Q60D HDR UHD 4K Smart TV ($699.99, Was $899.99) — and Threshold , Target’s in-house brand for furniture and home decor. You’ll find great discounts on sofas , coffee tables , shelves and bedroom furniture . RELATED: Don’t miss Target’s Black Friday sale on best-selling toys, tech, more Nutrafol Women This Black Friday weekend, experience the power of Nutrafol, the award-winning hair growth supplement that’s revolutionizing hair wellness and fullness. Clinically tested to promote visibly thicker, fuller, and stronger hair, Nutrafol targets the root causes of thinning, including stress, hormones, and nutrition. Formulated with natural, drug-free ingredients like Sensoril Ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and marine collagen, this physician-developed supplement improves hair growth and supports overall well-being. Enjoy exclusive savings of up to 25% off on Nutrafol subscriptions for a limited time. Whether you choose the monthly, 3-month, or 6-month option, you’ll be on your way to transforming your hair from within. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your hair health and confidence — the results speak for themselves in just 3-6 months. This Black Friday weekend, Hulu is offering you its best price ever on one year of streaming! For a limited time, get 12 months of Hulu for just $0.99/month. For less than $12 over an entire year, you’ll be able to stream new movies straight from theaters, TV shows the day after they air, originals like “The Bear,” and so much more. Carl Fredrik This Black Friday weekend, we’re all about Carl Fredrik’s 30%-off sitewide discount. It’s a *phenomenal* opportunity to pick up The Carry-On X ($452.00, Was $645.00). With a chic yet durable design, it’s perfect for all of your travels. The Kohl’s extended Black Friday Sale is epic each year as it’s a great time to save on holiday gifts and all of your essentials from clothing to home. From experience, it’s the best season to purchase kitchen items on sale, like the Cuisinart 7-Cup Food Processor ($79.99, Was $129.99). You’ll also find snag-worthy deals on coats , shoes , bedding and more. Essentially, whatever you’re shopping for, Kohl’s has what you’re looking for at an excellent value. Kohl’s also runs some of the best promotions of the season, with great discounts, Kohl’s Cash (which you can use on future purchases) and exclusive sales. Reebok Score big savings at Reebok this Black Friday weekend during its major, up-to-70%-off discount. Thankfully, you’ll have access to all of its doorbuster deals on shoes, apparel and more during the brand’s *biggest* sale of the year. Namely, we love the Classic Leather Shoes ($55.99, Was $80.00) because of how versatile and timeless they are. Whether off to play at the courts or to a dinner date, rest assured they’ll be your new favorite, shiny pair. The Home Depot’s extended Black Friday Sale is the quintessential event for the Home Improvement King or Queen. From tool kits to appliances , there’s either a budget-friendly deal to grab or *finally* a major discount on a high-ticket item. One of the best deals we found is the DEWALT 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit ($149.00, Was $229.00). It has everything you’ll need to complete a variety of indoor and outdoor projects and hails from a brand we trust. Black Friday is also a terrific time to save on smart home devices and security systems , in addition to outdoor equipment , seasonal decor and garden tools . Whether you’re preparing for winter or gearing up for next summer, you can find deals on lighting and outdoor furniture as well. L.L.Bean Black Friday weekend at L.L.Bean means great savings on the items you’ve been wishing for. Save 15% off your purchase for a *very* limited time. Just be sure to use promo code GIFT15 at checkout. Oh, and we can’t neglect the classic Bean Boots ($126.65, Was $149.00). They’re the ideal gift for the man in your life this holiday season and one of the most well-made boots. Kendra Scott Kendra Scott is hosting 30% off sitewide, so now’s the time to pick up fashion jewelry for yourself and all of your loved ones this holiday season. Its best-selling Elisa Gold Pendant Necklace ($38.50, Was $55.00). This Black Friday weekend, stock up your cart with these precious, gorgeous finds. AquaSonic DUO PRO Electric Toothbrush Set The AquaSonic DUO PRO includes two ultra-whitening electric toothbrushes with 40,000 VPM motors, 10 ProFlex brush heads, and a UV sanitizing base for ultimate hygiene. With ADA acceptance and smart timers, it’s perfect for couples or families looking for professional-grade oral care. Cyber Weekend is the ideal time to grab this advanced set at a great value. This Black Friday weekend at Lowe’s is better than ever, with savings up to 50% off select major appliances . You’ll also get up to two free select tools when you buy a select tool or combo kit . What’s more, this sales-fest long weekend is where you’ll find fantastic deals on bathroom products (think: faucets, vanities and the like), grills and outdoor cooking items and fire pits and patio heaters . Consider this your tools pick-me-up shopping session, coupled with an end-of-season sale you don’t want to miss. Namely, we recommend grabbing the Craftsman VersaStack 262-Piece Polished Chrome Mechanics Tool Set with Hard Case ($149.00, Was $249.00). Not only is it an incredible value but it’s a homeowner’s party-in-a-box. It’s also one of our favorite brands, FYI. This Black Friday weekend, enjoy a 12-month subscription for only $19.99 total. Prefer a monthly subscription? Get your first six months for $1.99/month instead! Some of the best shows to stream on Peacock include “Yellowstone,” “Suits,” “The Office,” among other hits. Check off everyone on your holiday shopping list at Bath & Body Works. Right now, all Wallflowers fragrance refills are $3.95 for the ultimate stock-up. You’ll also love the buy three, get one free deal on full-size body, skin and haircare. Namely, we recommend anything with the Vanilla Bean Noel scent, a long-standing best-seller. Plus, all hand soaps are five for $27 for a limited time, making the perfect, budget-friendly stocking stuffer for multiple people on your list. Black Friday weekend at Old Navy is here and, as expected, you’ll find incredible savings on clothing for the entire family. Impressively, deals begin at $5, and almost everything is on sale! We’re all about the Cozy Crew-Neck Sweater ($19.99, Was $39.99) that’s a whopping 50% off that’s the epitome of winter. Any woman on your list will appreciate it, and it’s available in a few neutral shades, with plus sizes included. It’s the most wonderful time of the year for beauty lovers , as Sephora’s 2024 exclusive holiday gifts have arrived. While Sephora doesn’t typically offer incredible markdowns on a variety of products, you’ll be receiving fantastic values on bundles this Black Friday weekend. One of our favorites is the Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set ($95.00, $158.00 Value). We’ve gifted it to the men in our life in years past. The best part? It comes with a redeemable voucher for a full-sized fragrance bottle once he’s found his favorite spritz. One of the hottest brands that *everyone* is shopping for this Black Friday weekend is Apple, and rightfully so. The tech titan is notorious for hosting remarkable sales on laptops and computers , but also on other devices like tablets , smartphones, AirPods , AirTags and accessories. Shop the Apple iPad (9th Generation) that’s more than $100 off in honor of Black Friday. Better yet, you can grab the compatible Apple Pencil ($79.00, Was $129.00) that’s excellent for note-taking. If you’re looking to score more of a deal, consider certified refurbished Apple products as well. They still boast the same systems, though they were lightly loved. Looking for Apple TV+ deals? Right now, you can take advantage of a seven-day free trial or enjoy three months free when you purchase a new Apple device. Ulta Beauty is whipping up the beauty deals this Black Friday weekend, with up to 40% off sitewide. New deals on haircare, makeup and skincare drop every few hours, so it’s best to check in on its website — though we’ll be updating this guide, too. One thing’s for sure: you can never have too many makeup brushes , and the Morphe Face the Beat 5-Piece Face Brush Collection + Bag ($18.00, Was $30.00) is one of the very best. They’re easy to clean, last for years and blend like a charm. Show Me Your Mumu Show Me Your Mumu is offering up to 50% off their entire website for Black Friday weekend this year with the code SAYLESS . Don’t miss out! Stonewall Kitchen Love kitchen spices (and everything nice?) This Black Friday weekend, enjoy 25% off orders of $75 or more with promo code CYBER24 . From jams and jellies to pastas and sauces , it’s the most delicious Cyber Weekend deal yet. LAKE Pajamas If you’re on the hunt for a new set of pajamas or want to make sure you’re all set up for the matching Christmas family PJ moment with your crew this year, check out LAKE Pajamas. Enjoy 25% off sitewide, pus select items up to 50% off for a limited time. At Cabela’s, holiday savings abound far and wide. From hunting and shooting to fishing and boating (and everything in between) there’s something for everyone to grab on sale. Namely, we’re eyeing the RedHead Men’s Ultimate Flannel Long-Sleeve Shirt ($14.77, Was $29.99) that comes in an endless assortment of plaid color combinations. You can also score incredible deals for the entire family, from outdoor enthusiasts to winter lovers. Plus, you’ll receive additional savings on shipping with free express shipping on orders of $50 or more. Black Friday weekend at JCPenney is usually clad with a rich variety of deals across every category: women’s fashion , men’s fashion , home , jewelry , shoes and more. All orders of $49 or more come with free shipping (hooray!) and you can score gifts under $15. We’re all about the Levi’s Men’s 501 Original Fit Straight Jean ($47.70, Was $79.50), clad with more than 6,000 applauding reviews for the bottoms’ classic, timeless appeal. They’re available in a generous range of washes, and you’ll probably want to pick up more than one; they’re one of the best men’s jeans , after all. Beloved for its “ We Made Too Much ” section with frequent markdowns on popular styles, lululemon is unparalleled in the athletics, loungewear and simply comfy clothing space. The brand doesn’t frequently host “sales” per se, but its Black Friday discounts are ones you shouldn’t miss. For example, the Scuba Oversized Half Zip-Hoodie ($84.00, Was $118.00) is an item we anticipate selling out quickly. It’s the quintessential toss-on top for the colder seasons. Not to mention, it makes a great gift under $100. Macy’s Black Friday weekend sales offer some fantastic deals across a variety of categories, from clothing and beauty to home goods and electronics. Macy’s also has many cleaning appliances, such as the best cordless vacuum cleaners to help with the daily grind. Whether you’re looking for holiday gifts or treating yourself, there are incredible deals to take advantage — and several of them. That’s right, no more of those “ one! day! deals! ” as the commercials would ring in Macy’s heyday. In particular, we recommend adding the Lauren Ralph Lauren Women’s Hooded Quilted Coat ($89.99, Was $225.00) to your cart. It’s an impressive 60% off an ideal for any age. Plus, it comes in four moody colors, plus sizes included. Thank you, Kim K, for blessing our wardrobes with some of the softest and most flattering fabrics. We can’t get enough — and neither should you this Black Friday weekend. One of our favorite styles, the SKIMS Cotton Rib Tank ($30.00, Was $38.00) is available in a litany of colors and ideal for layering with your favorite joggers and slippers for a loungewear grouping made in heaven. TLDR: don’t miss Black Friday savings on some of those wishlist styles that have been in your cart for months. For more, read our full SKIMS review . Baked By Melissa Black Friday weekend just got even sweeter. For a limited time, enjoy 20% off all 25-pack cupcake bundles and 25% off all 50 and 100 packs. Whether you’re ordering for your upcoming holiday party or simply want a sweet treat, this is the deal you shouldn’t skip. This Black Friday weekend, new and existing Verizon customers will receive the service provider’s best deals on phones, tablets, home internet and more. Here’s an overview of the best deals to reap the benefits of while the offers last: With the Disney+ Black Friday deal, you’re getting twice the content at a fraction of the price! Normally priced at $10.99/month, the Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is currently $2.99/month for 12 months. BloomsyBox Gift your loved one a flower delivery service this Black Friday weekend. Thanks to BloomsyBox, you’ll save 30% sitewide. Use promo code BFCM30 at checkout and enjoy! This Black Friday weekend, enjoy six months of Max for only $2.99/month, down from the standard $9.99 a month. If you can’t stand ads, you’ll save $18.98 a month when you sign up for the HBO Max, Disney+ and Hulu bundle for $29.99/month for a limited time. Boy Smells Black Friday weekend is smelling good thanks to Boy Smells’ mega-deal. Save TK on almost everything, including its best-selling Kush Candle ($24.00, Was $48.00). Not to mention, it makes a lovely holiday gift. 111skin Luxury skincare never looked so good. Thanks to 111skin’s Black Friday Sale, you can finally snag those well-formulated products for 20% off on orders of $100 or more. You’ll want to pick up the brand’s Black Diamond Eye Cream ($240.00, Was $300.00) For a limited time, get your first two months of the Paramount+ with Showtime bundle — ad-free! — for only $2.99 /month (instead of $12.99/month!). Or, opt into the Paramount+ Essential plan, also $2.99/month for your first two months, down from $7.99/month. Live sports, documentaries, and more are a part of ESPN+’s vast streaming library. Right now, you can get one year for $99.99 — you’re getting 12 months for the price of nine! Whether you love ’em or hate ’em, Crocs are on sale for up to 50% off sitewide this Black Friday and ready for the easiest slip-on type of wear. Fit for every age, the brand has some clogs , platforms and wedges , sandals and more up for grabs. On sale now, the Salehe Bembury x The Pollex Kids’ Clogs ($35.00, Was $70.00) is a gift worth unwrapping underneath the tree this year. Available in a rainbow of colors, they boast superior traction for little ones to enjoy. This Black Friday, you can buy HOKAs for less than $100 (yes, really!) The popular podiatrist-backed running shoes are some of the best we reviewed and offer comfortable support and a thoughtful design for treads of all kinds. One of our favorite pairs to purchase as a treat for yourself or a loved one this holiday season is the All Gender Ora Primo ($95.99, Was $120.00) for its futuristic, textured silhouette and soft knit collar. Its elastic lace system and insulated puff upper also give it a dreamy, cloud-like fit. Black Friday at IKEA means wonderful discounts on storage solutions , furniture of all kinds, value-driven beds and mattresses and more. Not to mention, easy-to-assemble IKEA grabs can be as low as less than $10. We recommend shopping for the SLATTUM Upholstered Bed Frame ($99.00, Was $149.00) For a limited time, all bed frames are 40% off sitewide, which is an opportunity to take advantage of if you’re looking to spruce up your sleeping area. Honeylove Black Friday arrived at Honeylove, and you’ll save up to 60% off sitewide on shapewear, bras, underwear and more. For comfortable and flattering pieces, look no further. Pink Lily Boutique One of our favorite fashion labels is Pink Lily Boutique, where you’ll find Instagram-worthy pieces for a fraction of the cost. This Black Friday, enjoy 35% off sitewide using promo code DEALS . Psst...we recommend its Vintage Santa Light Gray Oversized Graphic Sweatshirt (28.00, Was $40.00) most of all. Many shoppers, near and far, are searching for the best Vuori Black Friday deals. Luckily, they’re all right here, as you can now snag premium fabrics for less. One of the very best styles that will make you feel like a million bucks is the Women’s Performance Jogger ($56.00, Was $94.00). Available in a few shades to choose from, they’re the bottoms you’ll want to live in 24/7 for their dreamy feel. For a limited time, enjoy 30% off sitewide on UGG styles, all so you can bundle up in time for the peak winter season. Its vast assortment of shoes is ideal for any recipient on your holiday shopping list — or hey, yourself. Shop the Women’s Neumel X Boots ($69.99, Was $140.00) which are *finally* less than $75. They’re great for snow, upcoming ski trips and moments when you really have to bundle up. They’re made of waterproof materials, are waterproof and have a chic, elevated look to them. Cheers to Black Friday savings at Aerie, where you can grab 40% off all leggings and sweaters. Plus, receive up to 60% off almost everything, just in time to revamp your wintertime wardrobe and pick up cozy finds for all of your loved ones. Pro tip? Add the High-Waisted Sweater Pant ($23.98, Was $59.95) to your cart for a supremely soft pair of pants that will have everyone ask, “ Where’d you get those? ” They’re available in plus sizes and offered in three other match-all shades. Bass Pro Shops is hosting holiday savings sitewide, with up to 40% off on the majority of items. Here, you’ll find the best-in-class products for camping and outdoor recreation , as well as hobby-based activities. Above the rest, we recommend the White River Fly Shop Vanguard Fly Rod ($149.99, Was $199.99). It’s an infusion of the latest GII technology, featuring a blend of 30-ton, 36-ton and 40-ton graphite; this is responsible for its forgiving moderate-fast action that’s primed to zip line with accuracy to near and far targets. It’s Black Friday everywhere, but it’s strong over at Gymshark. Enjoy up to 60% off sitewide to celebrate the long holiday weekend. Here, you’ll find an assortment of men’s and women’s athletic clothes and movement-focused essentials to dress up your dresser drawer. We’re big fans of the Heritage Washed Hoodie ($44.80, Was $64.00) that boasts a generous size range and comes in a range of colors to choose from for your best, less-than-$50 gift idea. For the gym lover, it’s great for featuring physique-accentuating seams within its design. We reviewed Wayfair , and can attest that the brand is one of the best places for ordering furniture online . Whether you’re shopping Black Friday for bedroom furniture or home decor, look no further than this flash sales retailer that is hosting up to 70% off all weekend long. Namely, we can’t stop raving about the Joss & Main Hanson Upholstered Wingback Bed ($949.00, Was $1,375.00) that adds luxe appeal to any space. Hint, hint: the brand also has some of the most remarkable sales offered at Wayfair. Hey angel, we have a pretty glamorous Black Friday offer worth raving about. At Victoria’s Secret, enjoy up to 50% off sitewide on pajamas , lingerie , bras , undies and more. For your best Black Friday purchase yet, pick up the Very Sexy Lace Scoop Bodysuit ($19.99, Was $59.95) that’ll spike your confidence. With its high-cut leg and all-over lace design, it’s *chef’s kiss.* This Black Friday, YETI is available at a variety of retailers — from Amazon to Dick’s Sporting Goods — but its direct website is where you’ll find sweet offers on an assortment of products. Enjoy up to 20% off sitewide for a limited time. During this pre-holiday sale, we recommend purchasing the Roadie 24 Hard Cooler ($200.00, Was $250.00) that’s perfect for all of your road trips. Want designer for less? The COACH Outlet is the place to be this Black Friday, with deals up to 70% off and bags for less than $125. Hallelujah. We seriously can’t stop glossing over the Smith Tote Bag ($214.00, Was $428.00) which looks just like a CELINE bag. Crafted of durable pebble leather, this premium leather tote bag can carry all your essentials and then some — including your laptop or book. Black Friday savings mean more time building brand-new LEGO sets . Starting Friday and into the weekend, take up to 40% off select sets — both for children and adults. The Mini Disney Palace of Agrabah ($27.99, was $39.99) is suitable for ages 12+ and comes with 506 pieces to spend time building, which is great for cozy wintertime evenings and rainy springtime days alike. Listen, you’ll want to pick up more than one set with these great prices. The moment we’ve all been waiting for — Drunk Elephant on sale this Black Friday. Though it may not seem like much, 20% off some of the best skincare in the biz is worth celebrating, especially when its lotions and potions retail for near-$100 regularly. We reviewed the entirety of Drunk Elephant , so when we tell you that the Bora Barrier Repair Cream ($55.20, Was $69.00) has a moisturizing, velvety texture like no other, we mean it. We also wrote an entire review on the formula, FYI. For more, read our full review of the brand’s B-Goldi Bright Drops. The Trunk 8.0 and gift cards are excluded from all promotions during Cyber Weekend. We need to place a trendy luggage and travel brand on your radar, and that brand is Nex Travel. Its Black Friday Sale is tough to beat with 20% sitewide, plus a free, matching color travel tag with every bag and luggage purchase. The Nex Travel Hawaii Edition Pioneer Luggage ($104.00, Was $130.00) features a TSA-approved lock, recycled PC materials and a grid bottom for stability. It’s also dent-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about mishaps at the baggage claim (#iykyk). Need to catch those ZZZs more soundly? There’s no time like Black Friday to grab a new mattress on sale. One of the best we reviewed is the Saatva Classic Mattress ($1,795.00, Was $2,095.00), which is available from twin to split king sizes and is $300 off just in time for pre-holiday savings. But, it’s not all about mattresses. At Saatva, you can save on bedding accessories like bed frames, adjustable bases, pillows and sheets and more. Piglet in Bed Not only do we love the name, but we love the sale. Luxury bedding brand Piglet in Bed is featuring 30% off bundles and 20% off almost everything. Word of advice? Add the Cotton Bundle ($193.20, Was $247.00) to your cart before it sells out for supreme overnight comfort. An area rug can make a world of difference to the overall aesthetic of your home, and one of the best places to pick up a new floor-topper is Ruggable. This Black Friday, enjoy 20% off select holiday styles with promo code HOLLY24 . On Ruggable’s website, you can take advantage of Last Chance Deals during Cyber Weekend. One of our favorite styles is the Nira Grey Rug ($289.00, Was $339.00) that complements any home and comes in a variety of sizes. It’s also one of the best washable rugs you can grab, making maintenance as easy as ever. Transport to paradise this Black Friday with soon-to-be-viral savings on TikTok-viral skincare brand Sol de Janeiro. During Black Friday weekend, take 20% off sitewide — including bundles — to stock up on all things Bum Bum Cream ($38.40, Was $48.00). Not only did we review the entirety of Sol de Janeiro but we can attest that its products make you feel luxe and refreshed, the perfect addition to your self-care regimen. Your best gift is waiting for you at BaubleBar, as the all-over-social media jewelry brand is offering 30% off sitewide, plus 20% off custom jewelry to *really* impress your loved ones this year. One of our favorite pieces that we gifted to our besties this year is the Initial Cuff Bracelet ($19.60, Was $28.00). Its dainty gold silhouette topped with a subtle initial makes it the perfect layering piece for that #armcandy. This Black Friday, enjoy 30% off sitewide at Outer, one of the best places to buy outdoor patio furniture . Its premium quality and vast array of options to choose from makes it a destination to hurry to while you can grab some new deck items on sale. For instance, the Open Weave Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs ($4,865.00, Was $6,950.00) is the brand’s modern reinterpretation of traditional wicker, which is ultimately chic. Its high-strength aluminum-magnesium alloy sub-frame is fortified to withstand harsh weather conditions as well, supporting a weight capacity of up to 400 pounds. You’ve most definitely heard of Our Place for those aesthetically pleasing pots, pans and kitchen accessories. If you don’t already have them gleaming on your stovetop, now’s the time to grab the items your home has been dreaming of during Black Friday. It’s one of the loftiest sales on the internet, with a bountiful 40% off sitewide discount. So, it’s the best time ever to grab the full-throttle Our Place Cookware Set ($295.00, Was $565.00), available in a plethora of dreamy colors that are all conveniently nonstick. For more, read our Always Pan review . We’re beyond obsessed with all things Anthropologie, as the artful retailer has the best gifts , in addition to its clothing and home decor. To celebrate the holiday season early, save 30% off this Black Friday, with up to 25% off select brands. You’ll also receive an extra 50% off sale and final sale items. Does it even get better than that? One of our favorite items to stash inside your online shopping cart is the Pilcro Alani Cashmere Mock-Neck Sweater ($173.60, Was $248.00) as its available in a span of shades and is the ultimate layering piece for cold-weather season. Indulge in the sweet, dreamy comfort of ettitude — one of the best brands for luxury bedding. For Black Friday, 40% off sitewide is the fabulous deal you’ll encounter, perfect for treating your loved ones to a better night’s rest right before the holidays. We love the brand’s CleanBamboo Signature Sateen Sheet Set ($247.80, Was $354.00) that’s offered in a wide range of colors, offered in twin to California King sizes and has garnered more than 4,500 dazzling reviews. All the while, the sheets maintain the ideal temperature for your best sleep. If you want to be intentional about your vitamins and supplements usage as we approach 2025, Ritual’s Black Friday Sale is a great place to start. The brand has been respected among the Post Wanted team for years for its transparency and science-backed commitment to helping to fill in nutrient gaps in your diet. For Black Friday, new customers can enjoy 40% off sitewide, while existing customers will receive 40% off all new subscriptions only. We recommend looking into the Synbiotic+ ($32.40, Was $54.00) that helps support a balanced gut microbiome. It’s also pregnancy-safe. Ann Taylor has some of the classiest clothing and accessories for any occasion. Luckily, it’s Black Friday Sale is just as splendid, with 50% off everything. Just be sure to use promo code FRIDAY . But, that’s not all. Select full-price sweaters are only $35, while select outerwear is only $99. You’ll also receive an additional 15% off when you spend $200 or more. That’s a pretty sweet promotion, if we do say so ourselves. What to buy? Our eyes are on the Tartan Rosette Drape-Neck Halter Top ($39.75, Was $79.50) as it’s flawless for this year’s holiday dinner and work meetings alike. Keep in mind that select items will be on sale, but you’ll still redeem 50% off your final cart purchase. MERIT Beauty is 20% off sitewide during Black Friday, and we’re just about ready to swipe on our blush and never look back. Needless to say, we’re all about the Flush Balm Cheek Color ($24.00, Was $30.00). Bonus points if you check out with the “Beverly Hills” shade. Better yet, this promotion includes all bundles and sets, which makes it the ideal time to pick up some pretty, well-packaged gifts for the holiday season. One of Post Wanted’s all-time favorite brands, found. There’s no cozier place to be then, well, Cozy Earth, especially during its Black Friday Sale. A mainstay on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for multiple years now, it’s an online destination you don’t want to neglect. This Black Friday, enjoy 40% off all sheets and up to 35% off everything. Plus, you’ll receive a free gift on all orders of $250. Overall, the best bamboo sheets we reviewed is, in fact, the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set ($172.80, Was $288.00). It’s available in a roster of neutrals to choose from, comes in twin to split king sizes and includes one flat (top) sheet, one fitted sheet and two pillowcases. Tractor Supply Co. Black Friday weekend hasn’t ended, and neither have the deals over at Tractor Supply Co. For a limited time, score up to 50% off sitewide on lawn and garden items, sporting goods picks and more. Belk It’s the *last day* to grab Black Friday deals at Belk, where you’ll find up to 75% off sitewide on a variety of items. What to grab? Start with the Belk Beauty Must Haves Scent Discovery for Him ($14.99, Was $25.00) so he can find his signature scent. HexClad Shop HexClad’s TK. The 12-Piece Hybrid Pots & Pans Set ($599.99, Was $999.99) is one of the best cookware offers yet, and it’s *clad* (ha!) with its signature tri-ply construction for faster, more consistent heating. Chewy is abounding with Black Friday offers, where you’ll find a lofty 50% off sitewide discount on pet food, treats, toys, beds, tech and apparel. Plus, select items are buy two, receive the third free. Pet owners, rejoice, as you’ll also receive 50% off your first autoship order of pharmacy items.As far as pet products go, we love the Frisco 52-inch Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo ($64.20, Was $91.72) as a new safe haven for your feline. Save up to 50% off on almost everything at Everlane, one of our favorite online destinations for clothing. You’ll also find up to 70% off sale items. Its pieces exude the aesthetic of “elevated basics,” and there are a few key favorites worth shopping for during its Black Friday Sale. We highly encourage you to add The ’90s Cheeky Hourglass Jean ($33.00, Was $110.00) as they’re the quintessential bottoms that’ll stand the test of time. They come in a few different washes and were specifically designed for hourglass shapes. Ah-mazing . During Black Friday weekend, enjoy up to 50% off, including the Theragun Sense ($199.00, Was $299.00). It’s one of the best massage guns you can buy and makes a great gift for the wellness lover you know. Specifically, this massage gun model (and a variety of others that Therabody offers) helps relieve aches and pains, ease soreness, tension and stiffness, reduce stress and help you sleep better. What’s better than that? Monos Need new travel gear? Monos is the place to be this Black Friday, with up to 40% off sitewide savings on its website. Just be sure to use promo code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout. One of our favorite items is the Metro Backpack ($181.00, Was $205.00). Not only is it one of the Black Friday grabs we recommend tossing into your cart ASAP but it’s also one of the best products we reviewed . Sfoglini Pasta Want pasta? Yes, even pasta is discounted on Black Friday 2024. Enjoy 20% off all orders for your best dinner dish yet. Whether you pick up a few spare boxes of different shapes and sizes, or opt for one of the brand’s gift sets, you’ll be glad you upgraded your pantry. Leatherology Gift premium, leather goods – and grab them at phenomenal prices. Enjoy 15% off sitewide with promo code HOLIDAY24 . Additionally, you’ll receive 20% off orders of $100 or more and 25% off orders of $250 or more. Luxury sleepwear brand Lunya is serving up an extra dose of luxury this Black Friday, with up to 70% off sitewide. That’s right — you can finally grab those silk pajamas on sale. So, it’s no surprise we recommend adding the Washable Silk Tulip Back Set ($141.00, Was $188.00). It’s one of our favorite matching sets to sleep in and offered in a wealth of royal-feeling colors. For eco-conscious, supremely soft mattresses and bedding, Avocado Green Mattress is one of the best brands to purchase from this Black Friday. We reviewed the brand and still rave about it. Its Black Friday Sale is quite generous, as you’ll benefit from up to 20% off mattresses. Oh, and all mattresses are on sale! In addition, enjoy 10% off furniture, pillows, yoga and more. You’ll also find up to 50% off bedding and apparel, with free shipping on most items (excluding Luxury mattress and furniture). We recommend buying the brand’s signature Avocado Green Mattress (Starting at $1,119.20, Was $1,399.00). It’s available from twin to California King sizes and comes in three different firmness levels — firm, medium and plush — to best suit your sleeping needs. Black Friday at Nordstrom is where you should be headed, especially if you’re a lover of all things lifestyle (think: beauty , fashion , home decor and the like). Deals are expected to hit the retailer’s website sporadically, and we outlined the best offers below. Plus, Nordstrom has some of the best gifts . Naturally, we’re beyond obsessed with the Vince Camuto Leila Block Heel Knee High Boot . It’s available in a few signature neutral shades and are set atop a slightly curved block heel. Plus, they look flattering with any outfit. SHEIN This Black Friday, enjoy up to 90% off on more than 300,000 items! It’s one of the *biggest* fashion deals yet, and you’ll want to shop items like the Relaxiva Turtleneck Drop Shoulder Top ($12.45, Was $20.79). For deals this good, you’ll want a brand-new wardrobe tossed into your cart. Citarella Citarella is having a first of its kind Black Friday deal where customers can enjoy free nationwide overnight shipping on all seafood orders of $150 or more starting on Nov. 29 through Dec. 2. Chewy Calling all animal lovers! We found the very best deals for your furry friends and chirping singers. For Chewy Black Friday deals 2024, find pet food and chew toys up to 50% off. Louis Vuitton Looking for the very best in fashion? Although Louis Vuitton Black Friday deals don’t happen directly on its site, we found a few hot deals on the vintage market. Best Buy Now is the perfect time to upgrade home appliances! We’ve found some of the best Black Friday microwaves deals in 2024 with savings of up to $200 and the best Black Friday refrigerator deals discounted up to $500 off. Your Black Friday FAQs, answered by shopping experts Some, though not all, stores and retailers extend Black Friday sales into the weekend. But hurry, because the best items, sizes and colors frequently sell out before sales actually end. This year, the online shopping holiday Cyber Monday takes place on Monday, December 2 , 2024. The short answer is, it depends. Some retailers approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday differently, discounting various brands and products throughout the days after Thanksgiving, sometimes at different price points. Traditionally, Cyber Monday offers retailers an opportunity to drop deeper discounts on already on-sale products. However, consumers should take caution: waiting for Cyber Monday is a risk that products, or certain sizes or models, may sell out. Conversely, some stores don’t differentiate between their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Jet-setters rejoice: Travel Tuesday , with its great deals on flights, hotels, cruises, all-inclusives, and more, will take place on Tuesday, December 3 , 2024. Right here! Follow Post Wanted shopping coverage for all the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday deals worth your coin in 2024. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and WembyNo. 18 Mississippi 89, Alabama St. 24

Love Actually fans are only just realising why it took Rowan Atkinson so long to wrap that necklace & more film secretsAdvocates working to end childhood food insecurity, estimated to impact one in five Maine children, are preparing for President-elect Donald Trump to attack federal food nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC, and the school meals program. The United Way reports 44 percent of Maine families are currently struggling to make ends meet. Food insecurity advocates said many are relying on food pantries to feed their families, even those with Supplemental Food Nutrition Assistance or SNAP. But welfare programs like SNAP could soon be under threat. President-elect Trump is reportedly considering cutting food stamps and overhauling Medicaid. At a town hall-style meeting Thursday, advocates said State Direct Certification found that 40,000 Maine kids were eligible for summer Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, or EBT, this year because of their participation in MaineCare. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, collects data on those students. Full Plates Full Potential Executive Director Justin Strasburger said CEP data on food insecurity ensures the federal government pays its fair share for free school meals. “That means they should be covering the correct meal cost for all of the free and reduced cost meals. If we’re not able to tell them how many children accurately fall into those categories, the state ends up paying an outsized share of those costs,” Strasburger said. Strasburger said one estimate of the state burden was $18 million. He said protecting CEP and SNAP is crucial to keep Maine kids fed and advocates are uniting to do so. Anna Korsen, Policy Director with Full Plates Full Potential said the outgoing Congress is trying to pass a spending bill that would preserve SNAP benefits. “What we expect with this extension of the Farm Bill that would be included in the spending package is what we have in the farm bill that we have now. No scary riders, no cuts to SNAP. We’ll have the same funding in the Farm Bill for a one-year extension,” Korsen said. Korsen said they are also urging Maine’s Congressional Delegation to include in the spending package SNAP benefits that have been stolen from Maine clients’ EBT cards using skimming technology. More articles from the BDN

Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby

fb777 tv

m.fb.777 NoneThere’s no denying that prescription glasses once came with a lot of baggage. Eyeglass wearers in school used to have to deal with the label “four eyes,” and past decades have snubbed the fashion potential of well-crafted frames. With this history of discrimination, it is unsurprising that many have given up on finding a comfortable and stylish pair of frames, defaulting to costly contact lenses instead. Those first discovering they need a glasses prescription might groan at having to hunt for a pair of frames they can live with. The world of prescription eyeglasses has changed, however. Today, more are finding that stylish frames can transform and complete their look. Additionally, online shopping options have made prescription glasses more affordable and accessible than ever before. With wide selections and customizable options, shopping for glasses has evolved from a burden to an enjoyable journey to individualized, comfortable and stylish frames. For many decades, eyeglasses were limited in selection. Those who needed to wear them found that they were singled out for having blocky, uninspiring frames on their faces at all times. Even amidst this stigma, it wouldn’t take long for nonconformist individuals to discover the potential of customized frames. In recent years, stylish eye equipment has been rising in high fashion. Eyeglasses have hit the runway, appearing in fashion collages like those at the Miu Miu’s spring 2024 show. As more designers craft fashion-forward frames, prescription eyeglasses can now be used as a signature to an individual’s style. In the past, prescription eyeglass selections were limited to what was in stock at the local optometrist’s office. Frames from the high fashion world were often only available to wealthy trendsetters. Today, online stores have made a wide variety of glasses available to everyone. These extensive arrays range from classic to modern designs. Whether you are searching for a chic librarian look or ultramodern frames to make a statement, there’s a pair to suit everyone’s taste. Longtime glasses wearers are familiar with the sticker shock of shopping in a traditional store. With limited supplies and options, the cool designer pair on the rack can easily bust a budget. However, online shopping has made it easier for customers to find high-quality eyewear without sacrificing style. Online stores include frames from various brands, giving consumers more options and often at lower costs. As prescription glasses have evolved, the industry has introduced more customization options. Those shopping for glasses online can now choose add-ons such as bifocal lenses, blue light blocking, safety lenses and more. For those looking for prescription sunglasses for sunny days, there are also choices for tints and mirroring. With this plethora of options, shoppers can find features that suit their lifestyle and visual needs . Shopping for prescription glasses online has never been more convenient. Virtual try-ons allow consumers to see how frames will look before purchasing. Easy prescription uploads streamline the process of ordering lenses that meet visual requirements. With these technologies available, a shopper can try on dozens of frames and order prescription glasses without ever needing to leave home. Prescription glasses no longer carry the stigma once attached to them. Stylish frames have entered the high fashion world, and online retailers have made countless customizable glasses available. Today’s eyeglasses combine functionality with fashion. With the ease of online shopping, everyone can achieve better vision and chic looks. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

None

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”

“We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL (National Football League) commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings. “We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit on Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game at Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Mr Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”

(CNN) — House Republicans voted on Thursday to block a Democrat-led effort to release a long-awaited Ethics Committee report on allegations against former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. The House took a step to effectively shut down a resolution from Democrats that would have required the public release of the report. House GOP leaders sidelined the effort by Democrats by setting up a vote to refer the resolution to the committee, a move that blocks the report’s release for now. The outcome of the vote raises the question of whether the findings of the panel’s investigation will ever become public. Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general last month after it became clear he didn’t have the votes in the Senate to win confirmation. The former congressman had faced headwinds on Capitol Hill in his bid to lock down sufficient support, and some Senate Republicans had called for the release of the ethics report as part of the vetting process. Last month, before Gaetz withdrew, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted behind closed doors – and against the will of Democrats on the panel – not to release the results of the investigation at that time. The panel met again Thursday ahead of the House vote, but did not provide any information on whether the report would be released, saying in a statement after the meeting only that it was “continuing to discuss the matter.” House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he does not think the report should be released because Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, so the ethics panel no longer has jurisdiction. Gaetz, a Florida Republican, resigned from Congress shortly after Trump announced him as his pick for attorney general. The Ethics Committee said in June, when it provided an update on the status of the investigation, that it was reviewing allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.” The panel noted in making the announcement that Gaetz has “categorically denied all of the allegations before the committee.” The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.Report: Twins avoid arbitration with relief pitcher Brock Stewart

TAIPEI, Taiwan – RCBC Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva captivated a global audience of banking and finance visionaries at the 40th Asian Bankers Association (ABA) General Meeting and Conference with a powerful call to action on digital finance and sustainability. Speaking at a packed plenary on Technology-Driven Transformation in Banking, Villanueva showcased how innovative financial solutions and sustainable practices revolutionize the global banking landscape and drive inclusive growth. “Digital disruption and sustainable finance have transformed banking and expanded financial inclusion. Today, financial services reach every digital user, breaking free from physical branches to empower lives worldwide. This progress stands on decades of embracing new technologies and the power of digital transformation,” Villanueva stated. Highlighting the Philippines’ progress, Villanueva cited the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ success surpassing its Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap target, with 52.8% of retail financial transactions now digital. He also projected the Philippines as a rising digital economy, poised to reach a staggering US$1 trillion by 2033, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Villanueva emphasized that sustainable finance extends beyond economic benefits, offering digital solutions to underserved communities and fostering economic resilience and social inclusion. “By harnessing technology, we drive environmental responsibility and equitable growth, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future,” he added. The plenary also featured insights from Mr. Shahid Syed, Managing Partner – Asia Pacific Financial Services Sector Leader of IBM Consulting, Mr. Titan Chia, Head of Information Management of CTBC Financial Holding, and Mr. Him Chuan Lim Group Head, Strategy Transformation, Analytics & Research of DBS Bank, each addressing how banks can navigate the challenges of digital transformation while ensuring security, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. The forum was moderated by Mr. Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director and Head of Asia of Erste Group Bank AG. Villanueva also participated in the CEO Forum: The Great Banking Transition, joining a distinguished panel of global leaders to tackle the challenges and opportunities reshaping financial institutions amid rapid digital innovation, regulatory changes, and market disruptions. Drawing insights from the Philippines’ thriving digital economy, Villanueva stressed the importance of agility and resilience in adapting to the evolving financial landscape while ensuring institutions remain positioned for sustainable growth. Moderated by Tony Yang, President of CTBC Bank, the panel also featured Mr. Vinayak HV, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company in Singapore; Mr. John Berry, CEO of Qorus; and Mr. Atsushi Masuda, Chairman of The Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia (ACRAA). With the theme “Asian Banks: Transitioning Towards a Sustainable Future,” the 40th ABA Conference held last November 18-19 provided a platform for thought leaders to shape the future of Asian banking, with sessions focused on sustainability, customer-centric services, and cross-border business strategies. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.$2 million international shoplifting ring broken up in Queens, officials sayNone

NoneNOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pieridae Energy Limited (“Pieridae” or the “Company”) (TSX: PEA) is pleased to provide 2025 guidance including scope of the 2025 capital program along with production and Net Operating Income 1 (“NOI”) projections. Pieridae’s specific priorities for 2025 are: Sustain a safe and regulatory compliant business Minimize facility outages to maximize sales and processing revenue. Further grow the third-party gathering and processing business at our operated facilities. Meaningfully reduce operating expenses to improve corporate netback. Deliver attractive ROI on value adding optimization projects included in the 2025 capital program. Reduce long term debt to improve financial flexibility. The 2025 production guidance of 23,000 to 25,000 boe/d assumes that approximately 9,400 boe/d of previously announced voluntary production shut-ins in Central AB, Northern AB, and Northeast BC persist throughout 2025. These dry gas, low margin properties produce to third-party facilities and were shut-in during the second and third quarters of 2024 due to low AECO natural gas prices and high processing costs. These shut-ins represent approximately 25% of the Company’s production capability. Material production upside is possible if these properties are reactivated; management’s decision to reactivate production from any of these areas is subject to supportive long-term economics. The shut-in production can be restored within one to two weeks and subsequent well and reservoir performance is not expected to be negatively impacted. Pieridae has hedged 110,000 GJ/d of its 2025 natural gas production at a weighted average fixed price of $3.32/GJ, and 1,679 bbl/d of its 2025 condensate production with a weighted average floor price of CAD$84.41/bbl and a weighted average ceiling price of CAD$92.32/bbl. The Company’s aggregate hedge position for 2025 totals 19,055 boe/d or approximately 80% of the above production guidance range. The unrealized gain on the Company’s hedge portfolio, which extends to mid-2028, is approximately $87 million using the forward strip as of November 30, 2024. Pieridae’s legacy fixed price sulphur contract, which was entered into in 2019, expires on December 31, 2025. Under this contract, the Company receives a net fixed price of approximately $6/tonne for the majority of its sulphur production of approximately 1,400 tonnes per day. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Company will receive market price for all sulphur production, less normal deductions for transportation, handling, and marketing representing a significant potential revenue opportunity. As of November 30, 2024, the spot west coast sulphur price is approximately US$143/tonne, prior to transportation and marketing costs. The $25-$30 million capital budget in 2025 includes approximately $14 million directed towards a high-impact well and facility optimization program funded with the equity raised during Q3 and Q4 2024. These high return, short payout capital projects are expected to increase sales revenue, improve facility efficiency, reduce operating cost and fuel gas consumption, and lower GHG compliance costs. Spending on this program commenced in Q4 2024 and will continue throughout 2025. The remainder of the 2025 capital is focused on routine capital maintenance, field operating technology upgrades, and site closure / decommissioning expenditures in Alberta and BC. Notably, Pieridae has not scheduled a major maintenance turnaround planned at any of the Company’s deep-cut, sour gas processing facilities during 2025 given the successful completion of gas plant turnarounds and other maintenance projects in 2023 and 2024. The next major maintenance turnaround is scheduled for 2026. Due to the current outlook for North American natural gas prices, Pieridae is not planning to resume drilling operations during 2025. Pieridae will only exploit its portfolio of high impact conventional Foothills drilling opportunities once natural gas prices sustainably recover and the Company has achieved its deleveraging target. ABOUT PIERIDAE Pieridae is a Canadian energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The Company is a significant upstream producer and midstream custom processor of natural gas, NGLs, condensate, and sulphur from the Canadian Foothills and adjacent areas in Alberta and in northeast British Columbia. Pieridae’s vision is to provide responsible, affordable natural gas and derived products to meet society’s energy security needs. Pieridae’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol “PEA”. For further information, visit www.pieridaeenergy.com , or please contact: Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements contained herein including, without limitation, management plans and assessments of future plans and operations, Pieridae’s outlook, strategy and vision, intentions with respect to future acquisitions, dispositions and other opportunities, including exploration and development activities, Pieridae’s ability to market its assets, plans and timing for development of undeveloped and probable resources, Pieridae’s goals with respect to the environment, relations with Indigenous people and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, estimated abandonment and reclamation costs, plans regarding hedging, plans regarding the payment of dividends, wells to be drilled, the weighting of commodity expenses, expected production and performance of oil and natural gas properties, results and timing of projects, access to adequate pipeline capacity and third-party infrastructure, growth expectations, supply and demand for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, industry conditions, government regulations and regimes, capital expenditures and the nature of capital expenditures and the timing and method of financing thereof, may constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively “ forward-looking statements ”). Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “continue”, “focus”, “endeavor”, “commit”, “shall”, “propose”, “might”, “project”, “predict”, “vision”, “opportunity”, “strategy”, “objective”, “potential”, “forecast”, “estimate”, “goal”, “target”, “growth”, “future”, and similar expressions may be used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, processing, marketing and transportation, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of resources estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers, incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and the risk factors outlined under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein. The recovery and resources estimate of Pieridae's reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated resources will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such forward-looking statements, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Pieridae believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Pieridae can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Pieridae operates; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Pieridae to obtain and retain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; the ability of the operator of the projects which Pieridae has an interest in to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Pieridae to obtain financing on acceptable terms; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas resources through acquisition, development and exploration; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of Pieridae to secure adequate product transportation; future oil and natural gas prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Pieridae operates; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future sources of funding; production levels; weather conditions; success of exploration and development activities; access to gathering, processing and pipeline systems; advancing technologies; and the ability of Pieridae to successfully market its oil and natural gas products. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Pieridae's operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca), and at Pieridae's website (www.pieridaeenergy.com). Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, management cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Pieridae assumes no obligation to update or review them to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements contained herein concerning the oil and gas industry and Pieridae's general expectations concerning this industry are based on estimates prepared by management using data from publicly available industry sources as well as from reserve reports, market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which Pieridae believes to be reasonable. However, this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics. While Pieridae is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, the industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors. Additional Reader Advisories Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Abbreviations Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.YXT.com Announces Strategic Management Changes

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA's playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State's head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans' QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. "There had to be some sort of solution," he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school's Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki "showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, 'Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?" Bush said. "And I said, 'Oh, absolutely.'" Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. "I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride," DuBois said. "And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field." All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they're getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. "We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn't forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football," Klosterman said. "We've now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend." The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it's typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles "likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure," Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. "The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues," Kolpacki said. "It can be just deafening," he said. "That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off." Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a "win-win-win" for everyone. "It's exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it's really exciting for our students as well to take what they've learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed." Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has emphasised the crucial role of State Legislatures in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future. He made the emphasis, on Friday while delivering his opening speech at the Retreat for Speakers and Principal Officers of the State Houses of Assembly (South West Region) in Ekiti state, where he addressed the importance of proactive stances by state legislatures in the ongoing constitution review process. Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, highlighted the committee’s current work on 161 constitutional amendment bills. The bills cover key thematic areas such as devolution of power, judicial processes, electoral matters, state policing, gender issues, human rights, local government reform, and political economy. He said: “Currently, the Committee is reviewing 161 constitution amendment bills across key thematic areas: devolution of power; judicial processes; electoral matters; state policing; gender issues; human rights; local government reform and political economy (revenue allocation and taxation). “This process underscores the importance of state legislatures. When these bills are transmitted to you for approval, your proactive stance will be crucial in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future”. The deputy speaker also announced plans for a national dialogue on local government reform, which will focus on administrative independence, financial autonomy, accountability, and the conduct of free and fair local government elections. Kalu also said that the zonal public hearings are expected to kick off in January 2025, to gather regional inputs for constitution alteration bills. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Federal Legislature and State Assemblies, stating that together, they can champion reforms that promote economic growth, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability”.

Songs to Get Through the Winter HolidaysIngersoll Rand stock soars to all-time high of $105.68

None

So you're gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidaysEconomists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out,” Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit auto stocks on Tuesday, particularly shares of GM, which imports about 30% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and Stellantis, which imports about 40% from the two countries. For both, about 55% of their lucrative pickup trucks come from Mexico and Canada. GM stock lost almost 9% of its value, while Stellantis dropped nearly 6%. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. However, Morningstar analyst David Whiston said automakers probably won't make any immediate moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, it said. “Tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry,” it added. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned last week that tariffs could force it to raise prices. Tariffs could trigger supply chain disruptions as people buy goods before they are imposed and companies seek alternate sources of parts, said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University. Some businesses might not be able to pass on the costs. “It could actually shut down a lot of industries in the United States. It could actually put a lot of U.S. businesses out of business,” he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about working together. "This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico, and seizures have increased. Trump has sound legal justification to impose tariffs, even though they conflict with a 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former Clinton administration trade official. The treaty, known as the USMCA, is up for review in 2026. In China’s case, he could simply declare Beijing hasn't met obligations under an agreement he negotiated in his first term. For Canada and Mexico, he could say the influx of migrants and drugs are a national security threat, and turn to a section of trade law he used in his first term to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum. The law he would most likely use for Canada and Mexico has a legal process that often takes up to nine months, giving Trump time to seek a deal. If talks failed and the duties were imposed, all three countries would likely retaliate with tariffs on U.S. exports, said Reinsch, who believes Trump's tariffs threat is a negotiating ploy. U.S. companies would lobby intensively against tariffs, and would seek to have products exempted. Some of the biggest exporters from Mexico are U.S. firms that make parts there, Reinsch said. Longer term, Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the threat of tariffs could make the U.S. an “unstable partner” in international trade. “It is an incentive to move activity outside the United States to avoid all this uncertainty,” she said. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own. Sheinbaum said she was willing to talk about the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Ali said. “If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in a hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories. Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information Minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed. Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities. Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- BlackRock Advisors, LLC announced today that the Boards of Directors of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EGF) and BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BKT) (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) have approved the reorganization of EGF with and into BKT, with BKT continuing as the surviving Fund (collectively, the “Reorganization”). Following the closing of the Reorganization, BKT, as the surviving Fund, intends to offer to repurchase a portion of its common shares via an annual tender offer if certain conditions are met during specified time periods. It is currently expected that the Reorganization will be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to the requisite approvals by EGF’s shareholders. Shareholders of BKT are not required to approve the Reorganization. Additional Information about the Reorganization and Where to Find It This press release is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of the Funds nor is this press release intended to solicit a proxy from any shareholder of any of the Funds. The solicitation of the purchase or sale of securities or of proxies to effect the Reorganization will only be made by either a definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus. This press release references a Proxy Statement/Prospectus, to be filed by BKT. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus has yet to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). After the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is filed with the SEC, it may be amended or withdrawn. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not be distributed to shareholders of EGF unless and until a Registration Statement comprising of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is declared effective by the SEC. The Funds and their respective directors, officers and employees, and BlackRock, and its shareholders, officers and employees and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Reorganization. Investors and shareholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the Funds' respective directors, officers and employees, and BlackRock and its shareholders, officers and employees and other persons by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE FUNDS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE REORGANIZATION. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS CAREFULLY. THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities, in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted. Security holders may obtain free copies (when they become available) of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov . In addition, free copies (when they become available) of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC may also be obtained by directing a request to BlackRock at (800) 882-0052. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or a Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to a Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to each Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of each Fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126352668/en/ CONTACT: BlackRock Closed-End Funds 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 05:06 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 05:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126352668/enPoulin has game winner as Montreal Victoire tops Minnesota Frost 3-2 for 3rd straight winCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5 , the first to ride Boeing's new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they're fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: "We're just on a different path." NASA astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore stand together for a photo June 5 as they head to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for their liftoff on the Boeing Starliner capsule to the International Space Station. "I like everything about being up here," Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun." Both astronauts lived up there before, so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. "Mindset does go a long way," Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first graders in October. He's from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. "I don't look at these situations in life as being downers." Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams pose for a portrait June 13 inside the vestibule between the forward port on the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. "When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year," NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free said. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams was "invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined to comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. "Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission," NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, both Expedition 71 flight engineers, make pizza Sept. 9 aboard the International Space Station's galley located inside the Unity module. Items are attached to the galley using tape and Velcro to keep them from flying away in the microgravity environment. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, had to deal with "rumors," as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's "super hungry" and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod's 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. "Hopefully I'll be home before that happens — but you never know," she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. The astronauts in the video seemed to be in good spirits with one stating, “It’s gonna be delicious.” (Scripps News) "We can't deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together," his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband "has it worse than us" since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. "We are certainly looking forward to February!!" she wrote. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, gives a thumbs up as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Complex 40 for a mission to the International Space Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., (AP Photo/John Raoux) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov leave the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, talks to his family members as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov looks on after leaving the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Two astronauts are beginning a mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) In this image from video provided by NASA, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, and astronaut Nick Hague travel inside a SpaceX capsule en route to the International Space Station after launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (NASA via AP) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Falcon 9's first stage booster returns to Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The former Coronation Street star had two stints on the show, finishing seventh in 2012 before taking part in a special South Africa all-stars spin-off 11 years later. Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, is the latest in a series of Corrie actors and actresses to appear on the ITV show, and Helen is backing her former co-star to thrive. "Alan is someone I've known since I was really little, and will be great in the jungle," she said in an interview associated with WhichBingo. "When you're in Coronation Street; there's such a social aspect of being part of the show and you meet people from all walks of life. Helen when she starred in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa (Image: ITV) "You hang around for such a long time with people of different ages and different backgrounds, so it really puts you in good stead for appearing on a show like I'm A Celeb. "I definitely think it's done that for me in my life. So, Alan will be great socially, and he's got a lot about him as a person too. "He knows it's hard. He will definitely be able to do the trials and is a very grounded person as well. He'll be a team player and will smash it." Flanagan will also be keeping a close eye on Tulisa Contostavlos, revealing her affection for the N-Dubz singer. Alan Halsall in I'm a Celeb (Image: ITV) She said: "I love Tulisa. I have seen lots of her social media stuff; I know her, and she's a really lovely girl. "I think she will do fab in it and is genuinely a nice person as well." Appearing on I'm A Celeb can be a punishing ordeal, and the 34-year-old admits to... James HilsumIf you have $5,000 sitting in a savings account and no future plans for it, it could be worth putting the money to work in the share market. After all, with tipped to fall next year, the interest you earn in a savings account will likely be only modest from 2025 onwards. Whereas Australian shares have shown that they could turn these funds into so much more if you invest wisely. But which ASX shares would be good options for a $5,000 investment today? Let's take a look at a couple that analysts rate highly. They are as follows: ( ) The first Australian share for investors to consider for a $5,000 investment right now is Goodman Group. It is a specialist global industrial property and digital infrastructure group. It owns, develops, and manages high quality, sustainable properties that are close to consumers and provide essential infrastructure for the digital economy. A $5,000 investment in its shares 10 years ago would have been very successful. During this time, its shares have averaged a total return of 21.3% per annum. This would have turned $5,000 into almost $35,000 over the period. The good news is that Morgan Stanley believes the company's fine form can continue. Particularly given its exposure to artificial intelligence through its data centre pipeline. It has an overweight rating and $42.40 price target on the company's shares. Based on the current Goodman share price of $36.26, this implies potential upside of 17% for investors between now and this time next year. Another Australian share that could be a top option for a $5,000 investment is NextDC. It is one of the region's most innovative data centre-as-a-service providers. Like Goodman, its shares have delivered market-beating returns over the past decade. During this time, they have generated a total return of 24.5% per annum. This would have turned $5,000 10 years ago into almost $45,000 today. Fortunately, the team at Morgans believes that the company is well-placed for growth in the coming years. This is thanks to the cloud computing and artificial intelligence booms. It believes that "significant demand for cloud computing and AI-related digital infrastructure is going to unpin attractive returns and long-term growth." The broker currently has an add rating and $20.50 price target on NextDC's shares. This implies potential upside of 26% for investors over the next 12 months.

how to withdraw in fb777

The people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q & A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . ___ Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. AP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data Early this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate a wider problem in the armed forces. Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Defense, wasn’t alone. The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page highlighted the same report as evidence that extremists in military communities were “phantoms” created by a “false media narrative.” The X account for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee posted that the study showed the focus on extremism in the military was a “witch hunt.” But The Associated Press has found that the study relied on old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Mexico suggests it would impose its own tariffs to retaliate against any Trump tariffs MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods if the country doesn’t stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border. Sheinbaum says she is willing to engage in talks on the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem. She says "one tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” referring to U.S. automakers that have plants on both sides of the border. After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a required agreement with President Joe Biden’s White House to allow his transition team to coordinate with the existing federal workforce ahead of taking office on Jan. 20. The overdue agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House has issued appeals in both public and private for Trump’s team to sign on. The agreement is a critical step in the process meant to ensure an orderly transfer of power at noon on Jan. 20 and limits the risk that the Trump team could find itself taking control of the massive federal government without being aware of ongoing programs and operations. Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report says SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report that has been unsealed. Brazil’s Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. Bolsonaro called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, that would have declared the vote fraudulent, to justify a possible military intervention. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. Ukraine says Russian attack sets a new record for the number of drones used KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force says Russia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. It said Tuesday that most of the drones were intercepted, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions. Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks since the middle of the year. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, issued a rare official acknowledgement of its assets being hit on its own soil by U.S.-made longer-range missiles that the U.S. recently authorized Ukraine to use.fb777 apk 。

David Beckham’s doing it. So is Meghan Markle. With a list of fans longer than Jack’s beanstalk, we ask experts if TikTok’s latest hobby could make us healthier. When you think of Kate Moss, does a pair of pruning shears spring to mind? No? How about Gisele Bündchen? It turns out the supers share more than a talent for the runway, since the notorious nature lovers have been quietly cultivating their veggie gardens for years. And with more than 660 million gardening posts and counting on TikTok, the cover girls seem to have been early adopters of a burgeoning trend for tillage . It’s 2024 and everyone from Meghan Markle (who has made jam from the fruits of her own garden) to David Beckham with his farming forays in the Cotswolds, is a budding botanist. As a passion for plants grows on social media (thanks in no small part to these celebs and their high-end horticulture), the ‘green thumb’ demographic is skewing younger than ever before. Celebs have clearly cottoned on to the benefits, but is it all aesthetics, or is gardening a sleeper hit for mental health? Should we all start bending over flower beds like Beckham? Scientifically speaking, there’s little doubt that time spent in the great outdoors is good for the noggin. In 2022, a multidisciplinary taskforce from the World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry and Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine included exposure to green spaces in their recommended guidelines for the treatment of major depressive disorders. The report also recommended physical activity – another key component of a good gardening sesh. Dr Maria-Elena Lukeides, psychologist at The Wellness Fountain, confirms that connecting with nature can offer meaningful psychological benefits, ranging from reduced stress to improved mood and even a sense of accomplishment. “When people nurture plants, they experience a sense of control and achievement,” she explains. “Then, if we look at the repetitive nature of gardening tasks, this can serve as a form of meditation, helping you to slow down and calm the mind.” And with burnout at an all-time high, it’s no surprise we’re turning to green spaces for some much-needed solace. This is certainly the case for Lee Sullivan, founder of Urban Veggie Patch, who shares gardening tips with more than 150,000 followers on her Instagram account. “My garden has become a haven. Somewhere I can go when life gets stressful or busy to regain clarity and a sense of peace,” she says. Sullivan’s passion for plants blossomed in the wake of new motherhood while experiencing mild postpartum depression. “I found gardening was helping me regain a sense of self, lifting my mood and creating new purpose.” But she’s noticed other benefits, too. “Not only are you eating lots of nutrient-dense wholefoods, caring for a garden can also be great cardio!” A 2024 metanalysis looking into the impact of gardening on overall wellbeing confirms the benefits may indeed stretch further than a healthy mind. Studies included in the analysis linked gardening with lower stress levels, improved emotional resilience, greater community connection and even physical health outcomes – think lower blood pressure and a dialled-down risk of health conditions including type 2 diabetes. A 2024 metanalysis looking into the impact of gardening on overall wellbeing confirms the benefits may indeed stretch further than a healthy mind. Image: Pexels Stuck in the inner city with little more than a windowsill to work with? Don’t let that kill the vibe. Dr Lukeides assures me, “Tending to plants indoors still provides similar benefits.” According to researchers from RMIT and the University of Melbourne, simply sharing your home with greenery might be enough to reap the benefits of what you’ve sown. They found that living with multiple indoor plants can meaningfully enhance both air quality and mental wellbeing. So, slap on your gumboots, some gloves and a cute pair of op-shop overalls, and get planting. We’re rooting for you. More Coverage How to be a better plant parent Melissa King Super herbs: The best herbs to keep your immunity in top shape Charlotte Brundrett Originally published as Why A-List Celebs are hot for horticulture Lifestyle Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Entertainment Punk rock band The Offspring planning Aussie tour in 2025 American punk rockers The Offspring are playing an exclusive Melbourne show on Sunday at one of the city’s most loved venues. Read more Lifestyle Jordan Ablett gives thanks for life with Levi Jordan Ablett has endured more heartache than most. But the mum-of-three is doing all she can to look on the bright side. Read more

By Twink Jones Gadama In a nation where the democratic process is held in high regard, the recent actions of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have sparked widespread outrage and concern among citizens. Anabel Mtalimanja, the chairperson of the MEC, finds herself at the center of a brewing storm as calls for accountability grow louder. The impending civil strife, fueled by allegations of technological manipulation and disenfranchisement, has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Malawi. The controversy began with the introduction of the Smartmatic machine, a technological device that has been met with skepticism by many Malawians. Critics argue that the machine is capable of manipulating figures, casting doubt on the transparency of the electoral process. Despite these concerns, Mtalimanja has remained steadfast in her support for the Smartmatic system, dismissing calls from citizens and civil society organizations to abandon its use. This stubbornness has not only alienated a significant portion of the electorate but has also raised fears of potential unrest as the country approaches the next election. The third phase of voter registration, which recently concluded, has been particularly contentious. Reports have emerged that millions of eligible voters were denied their right to register due to the Smartmatic machine’s programming. According to numerous accounts, the machine was set to close at 4 p.m., leaving many individuals unable to complete their registration before the deadline. This has led to accusations that the MEC is deliberately disenfranchising voters, particularly those from the southern and northern parts of malawi, areas dominated by the opposition. As the clock ticked down to the registration deadline, long lines formed outside registration centers across the country. Many citizens, eager to exercise their democratic right, arrived only to find that the Smartmatic machine had already shut down for the day. Frustration and anger boiled over as individuals who had waited for hours were turned away, their hopes of participating in the upcoming election dashed. The situation was exacerbated by reports of technical malfunctions and inadequate staffing at registration centers, further complicating the process for those seeking to register. In the wake of these events, civil society organizations have mobilized to demand accountability from the MEC. Protests have erupted in various cities, with demonstrators calling for Mtalimanja to resign and for the immediate suspension of the Smartmatic system. The message is clear: Malawians are unwilling to accept a compromised electoral process that undermines their fundamental rights. The stakes are high, as the upcoming election is seen as a critical moment for the country’s democracy, and any perceived manipulation of the process could have dire consequences. The situation has drawn the attention of international observers, who are closely monitoring developments in Malawi. Concerns have been raised about the potential for civil unrest if the MEC does not address the grievances of the electorate. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have issued statements urging the MEC to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, warning that failure to do so could lead to instability in the region. Mtalimanja’s refusal to heed the calls of the people has led to a growing sense of disillusionment among voters. Many feel that their voices are not being heard, and that the MEC is more concerned with maintaining the status quo than with ensuring a fair electoral process. This sentiment has been echoed by political leaders from various parties, who have called for an independent investigation into the use of the Smartmatic machine and its impact on voter registration. As tensions rise, the potential for civil strife looms large. The memories of past electoral violence are still fresh in the minds of many Malawians, and the prospect of a repeat of such events is a source of deep concern. The government has a responsibility to ensure that the electoral process is free from manipulation and that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in shaping their future. Failure to do so could have catastrophic consequences for the nation. In the face of mounting pressure, Mtalimanja has remained defiant, insisting that the Smartmatic machine is a necessary tool for modernizing the electoral process. However, her insistence on using a system that has been widely criticized raises questions about her commitment to upholding the democratic principles that underpin the nation. The electorate is demanding transparency and accountability, and the longer the MEC delays in addressing these concerns, the more likely it is that civil unrest will erupt. As the country prepares for the upcoming election, the stakes could not be higher. The integrity of the electoral process is paramount, and the actions of the MEC will have lasting implications for the future of democracy in Malawi. Anabel Mtalimanja’s accountability for the impending civil strife is not just a matter of political responsibility; it is a reflection of the broader struggle for justice and equality in a nation that has long grappled with issues of governance and representation. In the coming weeks, the pressure on the MEC will only intensify. Citizens are demanding answers, and the call for accountability will not be silenced. The future of Malawi’s democracy hangs in the balance, and the actions taken by the MEC in the face of this crisis will determine whether the nation can move forward or whether it will be plunged into chaos. As the clock ticks down to the election, the eyes of the world are watching, and the time for decisive action is now. The people of Malawi deserve a fair and transparent electoral process, and it is the responsibility of the MEC to ensure that their rights are upheld. The consequences of failure are too great to ignore, and the call for accountability will not be easily dismissed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .The Kings are close to signing veteran forward Jae Crowder , Shams Charania of ESPN tweets . Sacramento worked out Crowder back in September. Crowder played the past year-and-a-half with the Bucks and averaged 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 50 games last season while making 25 starts. Crowder has appeared in over 800 regular-season games since making his NBA debut in 2012. The 34-year-old has averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 25.0 minutes per game across 12 seasons, posting a shooting line of .419/.348/.777. In his prime years, he played a key three-and-D role on contending teams in Boston, Cleveland, Utah, Miami and Phoenix. The Kings have an open roster spot and are $3.7M below the luxury-tax line, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets . The news regarding Crowder coincides with an injury update from the club. Trey Lyles has a Grade 1 right calf strain after undergoing an MRI, James Ham of The Kings Beat relays ( Twitter link ). He’ll be reevaluated in 3-4 weeks. Lyles has appeared in 18 games this season, including two starts. He’s averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game. Sacramento has lost its last four games, dropping to 8-10 on the season. This article first appeared on Hoops Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

UP bypolls: BJP wins three assembly seats, SP bags two

Pakistani authorities launch operation to clear Imran Khan supporters from the capitalPutin signs law letting Ukraine fighters write off bad debts

JMM Secures Second Consecutive Win in Jharkhand

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Ali said. “If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in a hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories. Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information Minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed. Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities. Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

PTC launches new evening barber programAungban to host Chilli, Onion, Ginger Crops Fair in Dec

Taylor Swift shares excitement on baby news following boyfriend Travis Kelce opening up on fatherhood

1. A hanging garbage bag holder that'll make you say, "Well, why didn't I think of that?" Just sweep any food scraps right in as you're cooking, and it won't crowd your counter space. Promising review: "I love the convenience of this product. It fits perfectly over my kitchen counter drawer and holds my vegetable waste. I was moving my large trash can over to my prep area each time I cooked. Now I just put this trash holder up and a recycle bag. So easy, so clean. I just bought a second one for a friend! " — Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 2. A splatter guard aptly named "Frywall" to keep the grease contained when you're grilling a burger or piece of salmon. It's got you covered — literally. It's made of BPA-free silicone that's heat-resistant up to 450 degrees. You can throw it in the dishwasher for cleaning and roll it up for compact storage. This size is designed to fit any 10-inch pan, but it also comes in a larger size and a smaller size . Promising review: "I bought the 10-inch to use with my cast iron skillet. It fit perfectly, was easy to wash and dry, and folded flat for easy storage in the rack with my pot lids. What a dream not to have to clean up those splatters, especially on the cooking grates which are, in my case, heavy and awkward to wash. No more avoiding recipes that call for a sear because I don’t want to deal with a mess. I bought one for my sister...we both don’t like having extra gadgets in the kitchen, but this is worth having. Also great for placing in the salad bowl before tossing...again, no mess. For me, the cooking screens are not worth it because as soon as you lift them to turn your food you get splattering. Getting some for X-mas stocking stuffers." — R. Feinberg Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in four colors). 3. A handy gadget for slicing a bunch of cherry tomatoes (or grapes or olives) at once. No more painstakingly slicing them one by one! Promising review: "Great product, I love cherry tomatoes in salad but it always takes time to cut them. Now it’s solved and I liked the slicer so much that I bought five for all my friends and relatives! Thanks to the people who designed it! So simple but so thoughtful." — alena Get it from Amazon for $15.95 . 4. A spill stopper so starchy foods (like pasta and potatoes — the best foods) don't boil over and create a giant mess you have to clean up after dinner...or the next day. This 11-inch spill stopper is made of silicone that's heat-resistant up to 400 degrees. It's also microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "This little gadget is amazing — it really works! I've used it with boiling potatoes and pasta. It's so much nicer to be able to just wash this off instead of scraping the burned-on, starchy residue off the top of the stove. After I used it a few times, I bought a few more as gifts for family members, and they're all delighted with them, too. " — Busy Crafter Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in three colors). 5. A clip-on strainer to prevent your food from falling into the sink — and without needing to haul out the full-size colander. This is especially handy if you're cooking for just one or two people. It's made of flexible silicone and designed to fit most pots and pans. Promising review: "Finally, a product that does what it's actually advertised to do. We were skeptical, but the first time out, it easily fit on the pot we were using. The clips are sturdy and we didn't lose one potato when we drained the pot. In fact, it worked so well, I bought four more and gave them to friends! " — Charla P. Get it from Amazon for $16.50 + (available in four colors). 6. A cutting board with a bottom tray for catching chopped veggies, run-off juices, or scraps. Bonus for BBQ season: you can also use the tray to marinate meats. It's also dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "I have had mine for eight years now and it still is in excellent shape. It is like an extra pair of hands when cooking. I just ordered five more for Christmas gifts. This thing will not disappoint, so buy with confidence!!" — Jason C. Get it from Amazon for $21.99 . 7. A set of stackable refrigerator storage bins so you can actually see all your snacks and ingredients at a glance. It's satisfying, space-saving, and waste-reducing (because you'll end up reaching for more of the food when it's not hidden). Promising review: "I have recently bought a fridge over freezer refrigerator and received the fridge bins as a Christmas gift. After organizing the new appliance with the bins, everything is in 'standup' eyesight. Best of all, it stays organized! I have since bought a set to gift to someone else. I promise it has brought delight to my life!" — M. Malpass Get a set of six from Amazon for $34.99 . 8. A collapsible multipurpose stand that's primarily a bottle drying rack — but can also serve as a plastic bag holder. It's made of solid steel so it's actually very sturdy and stable. Read our review of this multipurpose rack (#1 on the list). Promising review: "This is my second one for myself. I bought a total of four — two I gave as gifts. I have several water bottles and most times I wash more than one at a time. I also reuse silicone bags and sometimes plastic bags and dry those on this item. I dry drinking glasses, too. I have no complaints about this bottle dryer and highly recommend it. I read some reviews on Amazon that said theirs were not sturdy. This one is very sturdy. If you place your heavier bottles or glassware properly and opposite from each other, there should be no problem. I keep it on the counter near my kitchen sink, ready to use." — baby game Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (available in two colors). 9. A set of stove counter gap covers to keep crumbs (and liquids) from falling into the unreachable abyss. These are heat-resistant up to 446 degrees so you don't have to worry about them melting while you cook. They're easy to wipe clean but you can also toss them into the dishwasher. Promising review: "Ugh, I hated cleaning in between the oven and counters. Crumbs everywhere! I saw my friend had these nifty covers, and I had to have them! Mine are four years strong and still look great. I've ordered a few more for friends and family and they love them! " — H.Kim21 Get a set of two from Amazon for $24.95 (available in two lengths and colors). 10. A brush and squeegee combo for swiping spills and scraps from the counter into the sink. And it'll easily rinse clean after, unlike a rag or paper towel. Full disclosure: I own this nifty gadget and love it. Promising review: "We have had several people ask us where we got this! We have gifted it several times as well. It’s perfect for the gunk in your sink and is easy to use!" — Brynn Leavitt Get it from Amazon for $11.02 . 11. A cold brew maker so you can make delicious, cafe-quality iced joe at home instead of spending $$$ at a coffee shop. Plus, this will actually look cute sitting in your fridge. Promising review: "I have several, both large and small sizes. I always have two in the fridge, one for iced tea and one for cold brew coffee. I have given them as gifts, and everyone loves them. They are super durable, easy to clean and so useful. Worth every penny." — cdunn Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes). 12. A slotted fish turner that's definitely not just for fish — reviewers say it'll effortlessly slide under anything like burger patties, warm cookies, fried eggs, and more. It's flippin' awesome. Promising review: " This was a gift for our daughter-in-law because she came here and was envious of ours. If you want to flip anything, get this." — Beth L. Get it from Amazon for $15.95 . 13. A microwave pasta cooker for making dinner in minutes, because some days you're so hungry that the regular way just takes too darn long and requires too many pots and pans. Promising review: " I love my Fasta Pasta so much that I bought a bunch more to gift to family and friends. Making pasta meals with this microwave product is a breeze... much easier and more convenient that the traditional way of cooking spaghetti, penne, macaroni, etc. and the pasta is perfect every time!" — Laura Burnham Get it from Amazon for $16.99 . 14. A perforated washing bowl so rinsing rice and produce won't be a draining process. This colander bowl is made of BPA-free, food-grade plastic and is top-rack dishwasher–safe. It comes in two sizes — both have drainage holes on the side, but the smaller bowl has a solid bottom whereas the larger bowl has a perforated bottom. Promising review: "Love this item. I purchased one over 10 years ago at a store and haven’t been able to find it again until now. Got three because my mom wanted one and another for a family member." — JO Get it from Amazon for $8.15+ (available in two sizes). 15. A two-stage knife sharpener that'll restore dull blades to a razor sharp state. And when you're done, it'll fit nicely in the drawers. Read our full review of the KitchenIQ knife sharpener ! Promising review: "I never thought I'd be writing a review on a knife sharpener, but I love this damn thing. I'm woefully terrible at sharpening my blades with a traditional knife sharpener. I'm better off just buying a new knife set. I had a set of dull KitchenAid knives, and I used this on all of them, and it's completely renewed my set. I can finally chop and slice cleanly. It's such a simple gadget, but it really improved my knives and it is EASY. I gave one to my mom as a gift because I liked it so much. " — Victoria O. Get it from Amazon for $8.45+ (available in three colors). 16. A silicone freezing tray to get perfect individual portions of homemade broth, chili, smoothies, or pasta sauce. It's simply ideal for your weekly meal prep. It comes with a lid to help maintain freshness and keep out odors. It's made of food-safe silicone that's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "Obsessed with these. As a soup lover, this is the perfect way to freeze some soup for a 'rainy day.' They are very sturdy and can be stacked in the freezer to save space. Easy to pop out frozen soup cubes. Loved them so much, I’ve bought more to give to fellow soup lovers for gifts. " — Hood Family Farms Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four colors). 17. A manual food chopper for breaking up ground meats, mashing potatoes, or cutting up hard-boiled eggs. This food chopper is made of food-safe nylon and has no sharp edges. It's safe to use with nonstick cookware. Promising review: "I purchased this and liked it so much I purchased and gave away as Christmas gifts. Breaking up meat with a spatula or spoon is SO much harder than using the ChopStir. With ChopStir, you don't get wrist fatigue, and the meat is broken up into consistent sizes throughout the pan. I had a party guest ask me how I managed to break up the sausage in my stuffed mushrooms so well, and I showed her the ChopStir. She was one of the people I got this for for Christmas, and she's been loving it ever since!" — Sarah Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors). 18. A space-saving under-cabinet jar opener reviewers say actually works — on bottles and jars of all sizes — and isn't gimmicky. Promising review: " I got this as a gift and have since gifted to several others. It's easy to install and is completely out of sight. It makes any lid simple to unscrew, even the tiny ones on nail polish! Seemed like one of those useless as-sold-on-TV gadgets, but it's not. I've had the same one for years, and it's never let me down." — S. Spiry Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 19. A pack of scrubby dishcloths that won't get soggy and stinky or fall apart like sponges. Reviewers say these are durable and last for a long time. They stay odor-free without washing or microwaving and are safe to use on non-stick cookware. Promising review: " I love these so much, I keep gifting them. I had to buy more in fear of missing getting more. Note...my first has not needed replacement. I have one at home and one in my camp gear. I use them very, very, very often. Used on cast iron, blackened with soot, and soap rinsed to clean again. Cannot be better. Caution, it does snag, but who cares?" — Nora Allen Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8+ (available in three colors). 20. A 4-in-1 chopper to make slicing, dicing, and spiralizing 👏 so 👏 much 👏 easier. Reviewers say it's game-changing for prep and has even encouraged them to eat more veggies. Promising review: "I don't usually write reviews but this is awesome! I never knew I needed this in my life so bad!! My hands start to hurt pretty bad after a few minutes of chopping veggies, not to mention it's time-consuming. This dicer has fixed all that!!!!! I love it and have sent one to a couple of family members. Highly recommend if you do any cooking that involves chopping!!" — Leah Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ . 21. A silicone spoon rest for catching dripping sauce while also keeping your utensils separate and secure. It'll be one less thing to worry about in a chaotic kitchen. You know, like the time you offered to make a three-course meal for your in-laws. Promising review: "I like this drip pad (spoon rest) very much. I bought several as gifts for family and friends. I am always using more than one utensil when I cook, so this size is just great." — Caliartist Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and 24 colors). 22. A set of magnetic stainless-steel measuring spoons (with a leveler!) so you never again have to deal with that annoying ring holder. These come apart as easily as they can be stored together in your drawers — without individual spoons getting lost. The narrow side is designed to reach into smaller spice jars. Promising review: "I love these measuring spoons! They are magnetic so I'm not digging through my drawer for the size I want. Love having the two sizes also. Several people in our family got these for Christmas. Now some are getting them for birthdays. " — Tina Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 23 colors). 23. A handheld milk frother that probably attended barista school because it'll help you whip up a cappuccino that looks and tastes incredibly ~profesh.~ Because it's small and battery-powered, you can use it for camping as well. It comes with a stainless steel stand so you don't have to worry about setting it down on the counter. Promising review: "Love it! It works a long time before the battery needs to be replaced. I use it every day, and it lasts 2+ months. Froths and mixes really well. Is portable and cleans easily! ( I always give them as gifts now — people don't know what they're missing. )" — Patricia Get it from Amazon for $7.58+ (available in 22 colors). 24. An adjustable baggy rack to hold storage bags open while you scoop food into them (which means less spillage on the counter and the floor). It folds down flat so it can fit into any kitchen gadget drawer. Promising review: "This kitchen 'tool' is the BEST thing ever! I have a large family and we use a lot of baggies for meal prep and leftovers. These bag racks have changed the game for me in the kitchen! I buy them now to use as gifts for showers and Mother's Day , etc... EVERYONE needs one of these in their kitchen drawer." — A. Roland Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 . 25. A 5-in-1 unitool you can use as a slotted spoon, a solid spoon, a spatula, a turner, and a cutting tool. It's truly doing the most. This tool is made from nylon and heat-resistant up to 480 degrees. It's also dishwasher-safe. Promising review: "I love this kitchen tool so much that I have bought it for all my friends and neighbors. It is truly an all-in-one tool. I also love how little space it requires." — Pete Whiley Get it from Amazon for $10 . When the person you gifted your fave kitchen gadget to loves it as much as you do: The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Pakistan seals off its capital ahead of a planned rally by Imran Khan supporters