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jili 63 free 120 Pushpa 2 stampede: Allu Arjun calls death ‘unfortunate,’ cites misunderstandings

X’s Yaccarino praises child safety bill and urges House backing

Jacques Audiard’s audacious musical “Emilia Pérez,” about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery, led nominations to the 82nd Golden Globes on Monday, scoring 10 nods to lead it over other contenders like the musical smash “Wicked,” the papal thriller “Conclave” and the postwar epic “The Brutalist.” The nominations for the Globes, which will be televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Jan. 5, were announced on Monday morning by Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut. The embattled Globes, which are no longer presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are still in comeback mode after years of scandal and organizational upheaval. Working in the Globes favor this year: a especially starry field of nominees. Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Denzel Washington, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Glen Powell and Selena Gomez all scored nominations. The young Donald Trump drama “The Apprentice” also landed nominations for its two central performances, by Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn. The president elect has called “The Apprentice” a “politically disgusting hatchet job" made by "human scum.” How much the recent president election will figure into Hollywood's awards season remains to be seen. In the season's first awards ceremony, the Gotham Awards, Trump went unmentioned but sometimes alluded to. Stan also received a nomination Monday for the dark comedy “A Different Man.” While “Oppenheimer” and, to a lesser degree, “Barbie,” sailed into the Globes nominations as the clear heavyweights of awards season, no such frontrunner has emerged this year — and, with the exception of “Wicked," most of the contenders are far lighter on box office. The Globes don’t often align with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, a much larger group that far more closely reflects the film industry. But they can give movies a major boost, and ripe fodder for their awards marketing. Netflix, which acquired “Emilia Pérez” after its Cannes Film Festival debut, dominated the nominations, leading all studios in both film nods (13) and in the TV categories (23). “Emilia Pérez," an operatic genre-skipping movie that combines elements of a narco thriller, a Broadway musical and a trans drama, scored nominations for its three stars: Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Gomez. No comedy or musical has ever received more Globe nominations. Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” landed seven nominations, including best picture, drama, and acting nods for Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce. The soon-to-be-released film, from A24, is uncommonly ambitious, with a runtime of three-and-a-half hours, including an intermission. A24 narrowly trailed Netflix in the film categories, scoring 12 nominations overall, including best actor, drama, for Hugh Grant's darkest turn yet in the horror film “Heretic.” Grant, in a statement, thanked the directors, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods “for spotting my need to kill." Close behind it was Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal tasked with leading the conclave to elect a new pope. It landed six nominations, including best picture, drama, and acting nods for Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini. Sean Baker's Palme d'Or-winning “Anora,” starring Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, was nominated for five awards, including best picture, comedy or musical, and best female actor for Madison and best supporting actor for Yura Borisov. The Globes will be hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, who scored her own nomination for best stand-up special. CBS, which began airing the Globes last year on a new deal, will hope Glaser manages to do better than last year’s emcee, Jo Koy, whose stint was widely panned. The nominees for best motion picture drama are: “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5.” The nominees for best film musical or comedy are: “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Pérez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance.” Coralie Fargeat's gory body horror satire “The Substance," starring Demi Moore as an actress who resorts to extremes to stay young in a Hollywood obsessed with young beauty, landed five nominations overall, including nods for both Moore and her younger doppelganger, Margaret Qualley. Among animated movies, DreamWorks' “The Wild Robot” also had an especially good day. The tale of the shipwrecked robot came away with four nominations, including one for cinematic and box office achievement, a relatively new category populated by big ticket-sellers like “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2.” The strong showing suggests the other animated nominees — “Flow,” “Inside Out 2," “Memoir of a Snail," “Moana 2," “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” — may have a hard time besting “The Wild Robot.” The Bob Dylan film “A Complete Unknown," starring Chalamet, also had a lot to celebrate. Coming off an endorsement from Dylan, himself, the film landed nominations for Chalamet, Edward Norton (who plays Woody Guthrie) and best picture, drama. Pamela Anderson also landed her first Golden Globe nomination. In “The Last Showgirl,” Anderson plays an aging Las Vegas showgirl, a performance that's led to the best reviews of Anderson's career. She was nominated for best female actor, drama, alongside Jolie ("Maria"), Nicole Kidman ("Babygirl"), Tilda Swinton ("The Room Next Door"), Fernanda Torres ("I'm Still Here") and — in a surprise — Kate Winslet ("Lee"). Anderson, reached by video conference Monday, said she put her whole life into the film. “I was making pickles and jam. I didn’t think I’d be doing any more in this industry,” said Anderson. “I was a little disappointed in myself and was kind of reassessing some of my life choices. But then this came up.” “The Bear,” which dominated the 2024 Globes, led all series with five nominations for its third season. That included nods for Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Its stiffest competition this year might come in the FX series “Shogun" (four nominations, including acting nods for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada) or Apple TV's “Slow Horses" (nods for Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden). “Only Murders in the Building” again led the comedy or musical category, with nominations for it stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Gomez, her second nomination to go with hers for "Emilia Pérez." The Globes aren’t ever quite drama-free, but things have settled down for the embattled awards body. After The Los Angeles Times reported that the HFPA voters included no Black members, among other issues, most of Hollywood boycotted the show and the 2022 ceremony was scrapped. Last January's Globes were the first after the disbanding of the HFPA and their acquisition by Dick Clark Productions and billionaire Todd Boehly’s private equity firm Eldridge Industries. However, earlier this fall, the Ankler reported that former members of the HFPA filed a letter with the California attorney general’s office questioning “the validity of the purchase.” Though the 2024 Globes were mostly panned, ratings improved. According to Nielsen, some 9.5 million watched, leading CBS to give the show a five-year deal. Last year, the Globes introduced two new categories that remain this time around: the cinematic and box office achievement award and the best performance in stand-up comedy on television. One tweak this time comes in the lifetime achievement awards. This year, those are going to Ted Danson (for the Carol Burnett Award) and Viola Davis (for the Cecil B. DeMille Award). Those will be handed out in a gala dinner on Friday, Jan. 3, two days before the Globes.Egale Canada, Skipping Stone and several families in Alberta have united to initiate litigation against the government of Alberta challenging the constitutionality of Bill 26. The controversial bill, which denies medically necessary care from being provided to gender diverse youth in the province, passed on Dec. 5, 2024. The decision to initiate litigation was announced Saturday morning in a press release. “The actions of the Government of Alberta are unprecedented. Never before in Canada has a government prohibited access to gender affirming health care,” said Kara Smyth, partner at McCarthy Tétrault and co-counsel to lawyers from Egale. The litigating party asserts that Bill 26 violates the Charter rights of gender diverse young people in Alberta; specifically, their section 7 right to security of the person, their section 12 right to be free from cruel and unusual treatment, and their section 15 right to equality. “Governments should not be interfering in medical decisions that young people and parents have a right to make alongside doctors and health care professionals,” Smyth said. “The draconian measures imposed in Bill 26 run directly counter to expert guidance and evidence, violate the constitutional rights of 2SLGBTQI people, and will lead to irreparable harm and needless suffering.” The group also believes Bill 26 violates the newly amended Alberta Bill of Rights, including the right to equality and the right to not be subjected to, or coerced into receiving, medical care, medical treatment, or a medical procedure without consent. Dr. Victoria Bucholtz, from the TransAction Alberta coalition, says the Alberta government has disregarded expert guidance and evidence as well as the voices of Albertan families. The coalition believes the policies use fear and disinformation to target a small and vulnerable part of the community: 2SLGBTQI young people. “We’re asking her (Premier Danielle Smith) to stop, she has ignored that plea and the UCP caucus has forced through an unpopular piece of legislation that does not help the community,” she told Global News. “Because the premier and the province have refused to listen to the vast majority of us... we are left with no recourse but to take them to court.” Professor Eric Adams of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law said the announcement isn’t surprising and he believes the litigating party has “potentially very strong arguments.” “You don’t win the case by yelling louder, you don’t win the case by pounding your fists, you win the case with evidence and arguments, so courts will be looking very carefully at the evidence,” Adams told Global News during an Skype interview. “Beyond the words, what do the studies say, what do experts say, what does medical literature say.” Adams says the Alberta government could eventually invoke the notwithstanding clause, which offers a protective shield against court decision, but he says they haven’t yet attached that clause to the legislation. “So, the stakes are high,” Adams added. Premier Smith recently said she doesn’t believe she’ll need to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield the three transgender bills from legal challenges. When Global News reached out for comment from the province, the Minister of Justice’s senior press secretary Chinenye Anokwuru provided this statement: “Alberta’s government carefully considers the rights of Albertans when drafting legislation, and we believe this legislation strikes an appropriate balance. As this matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

How to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Wednesday, November 27Lindsey Vonn takes another step in comeback at age 40, competes in a pair of downhills

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. People are also reading... Paige Hubl, former Nebraska volleyball player and Lincoln Southeast coach, dies at age 34 Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Lincoln Southwest vs. East boys basketball game briefly suspended due to 'unsafe environment' 'It could be very special': Why signs point to strong match between Nebraska, Pinstripe Bowl Andi's Ascent: She didn't want to play volleyball. Now Andi Jackson is the sport's next best thing Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say 'Straight up theft': Lincoln craft fair organizer under fire after canceling event Nebraska defensive lineman announces he’ll return for 2025 season Tony White leaves Nebraska for Florida State defensive coordinator job 140 layoffs hit Lincoln immigration services center; more likely Taco restaurant started by brothers in Grand Island expands to Lincoln Lincoln Public Schools chief Gausman announces plans to retire Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola 'Not what we want to do': Nebraska's Matt Rhule talks pregame handshake snub with Iowa Nebraska volleyball aces first test, sweeps Florida A&M in first round of NCAA Tournament “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’"Ceasefire Deal Between Israel, Hezbollah Takes Effect Wednesday: Biden

After missing out on Juan Soto, the New York Yankees made their first splash of the offseason. The Yankees and left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried have agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, several reports said Tuesday. The contract includes the most guaranteed money for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history, ESPN reported. A two-time All-Star, Fried will join right-handed ace Gerrit Cole to form a one-two punch at the front of the Yankees' rotation. Fried, 30, spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves and went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts last season. He had 166 strikeouts and a career-high 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. He also pitched a major league-high two complete games (one shutout). Fried was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024, and he received votes for the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 (placing fifth) and 2022 (second). In 168 career games (151 starts), Fried has gone 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 863 strikeouts against 246 walks in 884 1/3 innings. He has tossed six complete games, including four shutouts. --Field Level Media

Rising Cybersecurity Insurance Demands Create New Opportunities for Technology Service Providers, Says Info-Tech Research GroupQatar tribune BerlincTypeface:> Germany has halted decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens following the ouster of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, a spokesman for the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) told DPA on Monday. The halt applies to more than 47,000 asylum applications from Syrians in Germany in which the civil war and current political situation in Syria would be major factors in deciding whether the applicants should receive asylum or not, the BAMF spokesman said. “The BAMF takes a very close look at the individual cases, including an assessment of the situation on the ground in the country of origin,” an Interior Ministry spokesman told journalists in Berlin. The agency has the option of deferring decisions on asylum cases if the situation in an applicant’s home country is unclear, and that currently is the case in Syria, the ministry spokesman said. (DPA) Copy 10/12/2024 10

Upon Further Review: With 14 targets against the Rams, it's clear Amari Cooper has Josh Allen's trust

Challenges to Asean rights declaration

Jimmy Spithill introduces his new Red Bull Italy SailGP Team

Mikel Arteta hailed the best away European performance of his Arsenal reign after watching his side dismantle Sporting Lisbon 5-1. The Gunners delivered the statement Champions League victory their manager had demanded to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Inter Milan last time out. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track, lifting them to seventh place with 10 points in the new-look 36-team table. It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League since beating Inter by the same scoreline in 2003. “For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” said Arteta. “The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.” A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners took the lead after only seven minutes when Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s cross, and Saka teed up Havertz for a tap-in to double the advantage. Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Declan Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A miserable night for prolific Sporting striker Gyokeres was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.T he landscape of MBA education in India has changed significantly in recent years, driven by the evolving demands of the industry and changing student expectations. One of the pressing questions facing both educators and students is that of specialisation: whether to pursue a major-minor combination or a more focused single major. This decision, often made early in a student’s journey, has long-term implications on career trajectory, employability, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving business environment. Historically, MBA programmes were designed to provide a broad-based education that equipped graduates with general management skills. Over time, however, industries began to demand deeper expertise in specific domains such as finance, marketing, operations, and human resources, leading to the introduction of specialisations. Today, many B-Schools offer the option of choosing either a single major specialisation or a major-minor combination, which allows students to gain expertise in one primary area (major) while also acquiring knowledge in a secondary field (minor). This framework allows students to balance depth of knowledge with breadth of understanding. For instance, a student pursuing a major in finance with a minor in marketing gains deep expertise in financial management while also understanding the nuances of how financial decisions impact marketing strategies. This approach raises certain questions. Does a dual focus dilute depth in either area? Critics argue that students might not develop enough expertise in either the major or minor field if attention is split. While graduates may possess broad knowledge, they might lack the specialised skills that certain industries demand. Are cross-functional skills becoming more important? Proponents of the major-minor system emphasise the growing need for professionals who are not confined to silos. A marketing manager today, for example, cannot succeed without understanding the financial impact of marketing campaigns or the technological tools that drive data-driven marketing. Corporate perspective Tech-driven sectors, such as data science, analytics, and fintech, often require deep domain expertise, with employers favouring candidates who have focused their MBA studies on a particular area. A singular, specialised major is often more valued, as it signals the candidate’s readiness to hit the ground running in complex, technical roles. On the other hand, industries such as consulting or general management often prefer candidates with broader skill sets, as employers value those who can bring a cross-functional perspective to problem-solving and understand the interplay between marketing, finance, and operations. Here, a major-minor combination can be a strong asset. The rapid rise of disruptive technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data has further blurred the lines between traditional business functions. Employers now seek professionals who not only specialise in one area but also have the agility to leverage technology across different domains. A graduate with a major in operations and a minor in technology management, for example, is well-positioned to lead digital transformation initiatives. Factors For MBA aspirants, choosing the right specialisation strategy can be daunting. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: Career goals: Students with clear career goals should align their specialisation choices with their desired industry and role. Industry trends: Staying informed about trends within the target industry is crucial. For example, finance professionals are increasingly expected to have a working knowledge of data analytics, while marketing professionals need to be comfortable with digital tools and metrics. Long-term flexibility: Choosing a major-minor combination offers flexibility in terms of career development. While a single major can funnel a student toward a highly specific career path (e.g., investment banking or corporate finance), a major-minor combination opens up multiple avenues. The major-minor conundrum reflects deeper shifts in how businesses operate and the skills they require from future managers and leaders. By carefully aligning their MBA education with industry needs, students can enhance their career prospects and increase their ability to adapt in a fast-changing world. Dr. Suresh Ramanathan is Dean and Yash Merchant is Director, Brand Marketing, at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai. Published - December 21, 2024 08:30 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit education / The Hindu Education Plus / careers / management institutes / students / teaching and learning

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Israeli airstrikes killed a hospital director at his home in northeastern Lebanon and six others, while at least five paramedics were killed by Israeli strikes in the country's south on Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. The United Nations reported heavy clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. Four Italian peacekeepers were lightly wounded when a rocket, likely fired by Hezbollah, hit their base, the U.N. said. A full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in September after nearly a year of lower-intensity conflict. More than 3,640 people have been killed in Lebanon and 15,350 wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation and ground invasion, the Health Ministry said Friday. In Gaza, Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of the territory, wounding six medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, the hospital director said Friday. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here’s the Latest: BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike killed the director of a university hospital and six others at his home in northeastern Lebanon, state media said. The strike targeted Dr. Ali Allam’s house near Dar Al-Amal Hospital, the largest health center in Baalbek-Hermel province, which has provided vital health services amid Israel's campaign of airstrikes, the Health Ministry said. State-run media reported that the strike came without warning. The ministry described his death as a “great loss,” and provincial governor Bachir Khodr said in a post on X that, “Mr. Allam was one of the best citizens of Baalbek.” In two separate episodes on Friday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed five paramedics with Hezbollah's medical arm, the Health Ministry said, describing it as “war crime.” The militant group provides extensive social services, including running schools and health clinics. In a report published Friday, the World Health Organization said nearly half of all attacks on health care in Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023, have resulted in fatalities. “This is a higher percentage than in any active conflict today across the globe,” WHO said. In Lebanon, 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 were injured between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 18, 2024, the report said. The Health Ministry said Friday that 3,645 people have been killed in nearly 14 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, while 15,356 were wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The death count includes 692 women and 231 children. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza, wounding six medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, its director said Friday. Hossam Abu Safiya said the strikes before dawn Friday hit the entrance of the emergency unit as well as in the hospital courtyard. He said two members of the nursing staff suffered critical injuries. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Abu Safiya said the strikes caused damage to the functioning of the generator and disrupted oxygen supplies. The hospital is currently treating 85 wounded, 14 children in the pediatric ward and four newborns in the neonatal unit, he said. During the past month, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit several times, was put under siege and was raided by Israeli troops, who are waging a heavy offensive in the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp and towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military says it detained Hamas fighters hiding in the hospital, a claim its staff denies. UNITED NATIONS – Two rockets hit a headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, injuring four Italian peacekeepers, the United Nations says. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the rockets were likely launched by Hezbollah militants or by affiliated groups Friday, impacting a bunker and a logistics area in the southwest headquarters at Chamaa. One of the structures that was hit caught fire, and the blaze was swiftly put out by U.N. staff, he said. According to Italy’s Defense Ministry, some glass shattered due to the explosion, hitting the four soldiers. Dujarric said the four injured peacekeepers were receiving treatment at the medical facility of the mission, known as UNIFIL. “Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening,” he said. Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the attack on the UNIFIL base “intolerable.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace, and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Dujarric said Friday’s attack was the third on Chamaa in a week and came amid heavy shelling and ground skirmishes in the Chamaa and Naqoura areas in recent days. UNIFIL’s main headquarters is in Naqoura. Friday’s attack follows a rocket attack on a UNIFIL base east of the village of Ramyah on Tuesday that injured four peacekeepers from Ghana. Dujarric said UNIFIL strongly urges Hezbollah and its affiliates and Israel to avoid fighting near its positions, which are supposed to be protected. “We remind all parties that any attack against peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international law” and the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, he said. BEIRUT — Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and the southern port city of Tyre on Friday, after the Israeli army issued several evacuation warnings saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites. The strikes in Beirut came dangerously close to central Beirut and Christian neighborhoods. One strike hit a building housing a gym and medical and beauty clinics, located just meters (yards) from a Lebanese army base. “What is there in the building to target? This attack they carried out on us in this building is a criminal and vile act,” resident Hassan Najdi told The Associated Press. “Because if their intention is targeting Hezbollah, this building has nothing to do with Hezbollah.” Najdi said he purchased an apartment in the building last year but had not yet moved in. He allowed a displaced family to move in and urgently asked them to evacuate after receiving the Israeli warning. The blasts sent plumes of smoke into the air and shattered glass in the vicinity. No casualties have been reported, but the strikes caused damage to nearby infrastructure and a key road connecting central Beirut to its southern suburbs. “We remain steadfast,” said Ali Daher, an employee at a mall facing the targeted building. “Everything that is lost can be replaced, and whatever is destroyed can be rebuilt in (no time).” In Tyre city, the Israeli military conducted multiple airstrikes after a series of warnings, claiming the targets belonged to Hezbollah’s Aziz unit, accusing it of firing projectiles into Israel. The Israeli military carried out other airstrikes across Lebanon, many without warnings, as heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah in villages along the Lebanon-Israel border intensified. ROME — Italy said Friday it plans to discuss the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court over the Israel-Hamas war when it hosts Group of Seven foreign ministers next week. Premier Giorgia Meloni insisted that one point remained clear for Italy: “There can be no equivalence between the responsibilities of the state of Israel and the terrorist organization of Hamas.” Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Meloni’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In a statement Friday, Meloni said Italy would study the reasonings behind the decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy respects the ICC and supports it. “But at the same time we are also convinced that the court must have a judicial role, and should not take up a political role.” Tajani will host G7 foreign ministers Monday and Tuesday outside Rome for the final meeting of the Italian G7 presidency. “As far as decisions are concerned, we will take them together with our allies,” Tajani said. During the G7 meetings, “we will talk about this with my allies there, and we will see what to do next.” Another member of the governing coalition, the outspoken Transport Minister Matteo Salvini was more defiant in supporting Israel. “If Netanyahu comes to Italy he will be welcomed,” Salvini was quoted by Italian media as saying. This item has been updated to correct that Salvini spoke of a potential Netanyahu visit to Italy, not Israel. ROME — Four Italian soldiers were slightly injured after two exploding rockets hit the United Nations' peacekeeping mission base on Friday in Chamaa in southern Lebanon, Italy's defense ministry said. Initial information suggested that two rockets hit a bunker and a room of the mission base, damaging the surrounding infrastructure, the ministry said. Shattered glass hit the four soldiers. The incident was the latest in which UN peacekeeping posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto called Friday's attack “intolerable.” He said he will try to speak to the new Israeli Defense Minister to ask him “to avoid using the UNIFIL bases as a shield.” Crosetto said the conditions of the four Italian soldiers “did not cause concern.” He reiterated that the Italian contingent remains in southern Lebanon “to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to militia attacks.” Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday said she learned about the new attack with “deep indignation and concern.” Meloni reiterated that “such attacks are unacceptable,” renewing her appeal for the parties on the ground “to guarantee, at all times, the safety of UNIFIL soldiers and to collaborate to quickly identify those responsible.” GENEVA — The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world. The U.N. health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more. WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat. Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah militants in the country two months ago. The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday. JERUSALEM — Israel’s new defense minister said Friday that he would stop issuing warrants to arrest West Bank settlers or hold them without charge or trial — a largely symbolic move that rights groups said risks emboldening settler violence in the Israeli-occupied territory. Israel Katz called the arrest warrants “severe” and said issuing them was “inappropriate” as Palestinian militant attacks on settlers in the territory grow more frequent. He said settlers could be “brought to justice” in other ways. The move protects Israeli settlers from being held in “administrative detention,” a shadowy form of incarceration where people are held without charge or trial. Settlers are rarely arrested in the West Bank, where settler violence against Palestinians has spiraled since the outbreak of the war Oct. 7. Katz’s decision was celebrated by far-right coalition allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. National Security Minister and settler firebrand Itamar Ben-Gvir applauded Katz and called the move a “correction of many years of mistreatment” and “justice for those who love the land.” Since Oct. 7, 2023, violence toward Palestinians by Israeli settlers has soared to new heights, displacing at least 19 entire Palestinian communities, according to Israeli rights group Peace Now. In that time, attacks by Palestinian militants on settlers and within Israel have also grown more common. An increasing number of Palestinians have been placed in administrative detention. Israel holds 3,443 administrative detainees in prison, according to data from the Israeli Prison Service, reported by rights group Hamoked. That figure stood around 1,200 just before the start of the war. The vast majority of them are Palestinian, with only a handful at any given time Israeli Jews, said Jessica Montell, the director of Hamoked. “All of these detentions without charge or trial are illegitimate, but to declare that this measure will only be used against Palestinians...is to explicitly entrench another form of ethnic discrimination,” said Montell. BERLIN — A German official has suggested that his country would be reluctant to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant put Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, in an awkward position. The government said in a statement Friday that it is one of the ICC’s biggest supporters, but “at the same time, it is a consequence of German history that unique relations and a great responsibility connect us with Israel.” The government said it takes note of the arrest warrants and that “we will examine conscientiously the domestic steps.” It said that any further steps would only be an issue if a visit by Netanyahu or Gallant were “foreseeable.” Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit was pressed repeatedly at a regular news conference on whether it would be conceivable to arrest an Israeli prime minister. He replied: "It’s hard for me to imagine that we would carry out arrests in Germany on this basis.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday refused to comment on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, saying that the court's rulings are “insignificant” for Russia, which doesn’t recognizes the court’s jurisdiction. The ICC last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and a number of other top Russian officials, accusing them of war crimes in Ukraine. The Kremlin has brushed off the warrants, saying that in Moscow’s eyes they’re “null and void.” Asked if the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and others can help resolve the tensions in the Middle East, Peskov said: “Well, in general, the actions of the ICC are unlikely to help anything. That’s the first thing. And secondly, we don’t see any point in commenting on this in any way, because for us these rulings are insignificant.” DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Large crowds of displaced people crammed themselves in front of a bakery in the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row, desperate to get their share of bread after bakeries closed for five days due to a flour shortage and the lack of aid. “I am a 61-year-old man. This is the third day that I have come to Zadna Bakery and I still cannot get bread ... I have children to feed,” said Majdi Yaghi, a displaced man from Gaza City. The price of a small bag of pita bread increased to $16 by Friday, a stark increase from about 80 cents last month. A bag of pasta now costs $4 and a small bag of sugar costs nearly $14. That has left many Palestinian families surviving on one meal a day and reliant on charitable kitchens to survive. In Khan Younis, women and children lined up at the al-Dalu charitable kitchen for bulgur, the only food available at the makeshift charity. One of the workers there, Anas al-Dalu, told the AP that they cook ten pots every day of either rice, beans, or bulgur. But that hardly fills the need for the thousands of people displaced in the area. “The charity here is in a difficult situation. It is a drop in the ocean, and there is no aid or charities. There is nothing," said Nour Kanani, a displaced man from Khan Younis. “It is a crisis in every sense of the word. There is no flour, no charities, and no food.” BEIRUT — Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers. A spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL told The Associated Press that they are monitoring “heavy clashes” in the coastal town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa to the northeast. UNIFIL’s headquarters are located in Naqoura in Lebanon’s southern edge close to the border with Israel. “We are aware of heavy shelling in the vicinity of our bases,” UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said. Asked if the peacekeepers and staff at the headquarters are safe, Tenenti said: “Yes for the moment.” Several UNIFIL posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded.Middle East latest: Syria's forces withdraw from Homs, a key link between the capital and coastNone777 jili casino 。

Canada’s Farm Show (CFS) in Regina, Sask. is shaking things up in 2025. The event, usually held in June, is now moving to Mar. 18 to 20. The show is built on three pillars: education, innovation, and collaboration with programming emphasizing seminars, hands-on experiences, and cutting-edge technology. Roberta Engel, acting President and CEO of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited said CFS is all about advancing agriculture while celebrating the people who power it. “Moving the show to March aligns with farmers’ seeding cycles, ensuring they get an early look at the tools and technologies they need,” she said. “Our goal is to create an inspiring and valuable experience for attendees and exhibitors alike.” With 80 per cent of spaces sold, returning exhibitors include Bourgault Industries, Brandt Group of Companies, Dutch Industries, Degelman Industries, Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Nick’s Service, Prairie Ram, Ritchie Brothers, Thunderstruck Ag, and Viterra. Several first-time participants are Apache Sprayers, Condie Seed, AG Access, DyMark Industries, FP Genetics, among others. The trade-show floor will include product showcases and launches happening throughout the three days. A CFS Kick-Off Party will feature award winning country artist Jelly Roll on Mar. 16. CFS will be offering a VIP Program for the concert before the week begins. The entertainment continues throughout the show at the Young’s Equipment Farmhouse Lounge, opening daily at 11:00 a.m. Monday will see Farm Management Canada host their Bridging the Gap Farm Transition Workshop and the annual Welcome Reception. On Tuesday, March 18, CFS will celebrate farmers with the Regina Pats’ Thank You Farmers Game where the Pats will take on the Swift Current Broncos. Each day of the show will feature a theme. Opening day on Mar. 18 is Farmer Appreciation Day which starts with breakfast at 9:00 a.m., followed by industry leaders and speaker panels and safety programming. The day concludes with a Thank You Farmers Tailgate Party. Day 2 is Innovation Day on Mar. 19 which spotlights advancements shaping agriculture’s future. The 2025 Innovator Recognition Program will honour four individuals in the categories of emerging, lifetime, farmer, and community Innovators. Cultivator, powered by Conexus, returns with a new session designed to help farmers integrate new technologies and practices into their operations. This year will include back-to-basics learning sessions, providing insights to evaluate and adopt the right innovations for each farming operation. Mar. 20 is Young Farmer Day which supports the next generation of agriculture leaders. CFS is home for the Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers Program the Launch Your Career in Ag and Think AG. Show Passes are available now, with single-day and three-day options. – alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com On X: @farmnewsNOWWASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn't alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung sharply toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for Trump — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democrat Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued," said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Hispanic voters for Republicans this year. “They're looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by focusing on nontraditional platforms like podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference," Struve said of the former president's appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, like town halls and business roundtables Trump attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan's chart-topping podcast, but he took up DeChambeau's “Break 50” challenge for the golfer's more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump's gains among young Latino and Black men were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast — and their feelings toward Trump got warmer, too. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With his bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more macho understanding of culture , Trump framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It's unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there's no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in Black and Hispanic communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a flurry of enthusiasm from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign's embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star Charli XCX's “brat” aesthetic . Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, music stars and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump's campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize impact in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don't deliver on improving Americans' lives, Struve cautioned. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect's authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, for one group, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year, Struve said. “We don’t want this to be a one and done thing,” he said. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.Lahore: In a historic and strategically significant visit, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz recently concluded her official trip to China, aimed at fostering bilateral cooperation and driving transformative development for Pakistan. This visit not only underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with China but also opened new avenues for collaboration across multiple sectors. The visit was marked by a series of high-level meetings with Chinese officials, business leaders, and industry experts. CM Maryam Nawaz spearheaded discussions that culminated in several landmark agreements, focusing on infrastructure development, technology transfer, and economic cooperation. Some of the key outcomes include: 1. Renewed Focus on CPEC: The visit brought renewed vigor to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with both sides agreeing to expedite ongoing projects and initiate new ventures. These projects aim to enhance connectivity, energy capacity, and industrial growth in Punjab and beyond. 2. Infrastructure Investment: An MoU was signed for the development of smart cities and modern transport systems in Punjab. This will include state-of-the-art urban planning and public transportation initiatives, contributing to sustainable urbanization. 3. Technology and Innovation Partnerships: Chinese tech companies expressed interest in collaborating with Punjab’s IT sector, focusing on digital transformation, AI applications, and e-governance solutions. 4. Agricultural Collaboration: Agreements were reached to introduce advanced farming techniques and technology to increase productivity and sustainability in Punjab’s agricultural sector. 5. Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs: The visit also paved the way for increased exchange programs, enabling Pakistani students and professionals to gain access to China’s world-class educational and technical expertise. The Sharif family has long been a cornerstone in fostering Pak-China relations. From the visionary leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, who initiated several foundational projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, to Shehbaz Sharif’s relentless efforts in implementing these projects during his tenure, and now Maryam Nawaz’s proactive role in furthering this partnership, the Sharif family has upheld and strengthened this generational legacy. This enduring commitment reflects their dedication to fostering economic growth and diplomatic ties with China. The outcomes of this visit are poised to deliver substantial benefits for Pakistan. Key impacts include: · Economic Growth: The influx of Chinese investments and technology will catalyze job creation and industrial development, contributing to Pakistan’s GDP growth. · Energy Security: Agreements to enhance renewable energy projects under CPEC will help address Pakistan’s energy challenges and promote sustainable energy use. · Urban Transformation: Smart city initiatives will not only modernize urban centers but also improve the quality of life for citizens in Punjab. · Agricultural Advancement: The adoption of innovative farming methods will boost agricultural yields, ensuring food security and opening up export opportunities. · Youth Empowerment: Enhanced educational and cultural exchanges will empower Pakistan’s youth with knowledge, skills, and global exposure. A hallmark of CM Maryam Nawaz’s visit was her emphasis on fostering people-to-people ties. She participated in cultural events and met with Pakistani students and professionals in China, highlighting the shared values and mutual aspirations of the two nations. CM Punjab’s visit to China reflects a visionary approach to diplomacy and development. By strengthening ties with one of the world’s leading economies, Maryam Nawaz has reinforced Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China, ensuring long-term benefits for the nation. As these initiatives begin to take shape, the people of Pakistan can look forward to a future defined by economic prosperity, technological advancement, and a stronger global standing. This visit stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative efforts and visionary leadership in shaping a brighter tomorrow for Pakistan.

Qatar-Iran business council explores new avenues for tradeCHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Trustees of Barings Participation Investors (NYSE: MPV) (the “Trust”) today announced that it has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share payable on January 17, 2025, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2024. The Trust also announced a special distribution of $0.10 per share payable on January 17, 2025, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2024. Based on current projections through the end of 2024, the Trust expects both dividends will be compromised of net investment income. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Trust’s investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Trust’s year end and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-Div. Cliff Noreen, Chairman, stated, “We are pleased to announce a special distribution of $0.10 per share in addition to the Trust’s quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per share. The special distribution, which was made possible by non-recurring dividend income received in the fourth quarter, highlights the benefits of the Trust’s equity co-investments to our shareholders.” The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on February 27, 2025. Barings Participation Investors is a closed-end management investment company advised by Barings LLC. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol (“MPV”). Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this press release may be “forward-looking” statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of the fund's trading intent. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. About Barings Barings is a $431+ billion* global asset management firm that partners with institutional, insurance, and intermediary clients, and supports leading businesses with flexible financing solutions. The firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, seeks to deliver excess returns by leveraging its global scale and capabilities across public and private markets in fixed income, real assets and capital solutions. *Assets under management as of September 30, 2024 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212085549/en/ MediaRelations@barings.com KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Barings Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212085549/enNone

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Directors of Zoetis Inc . (NYSE:ZTS) has declared a dividend of $0.50 per share for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 16% from the quarterly dividend rate paid in 2024. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, to all holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. “Zoetis’ performance has been strong this year, driven by our diverse, science-driven portfolio and our differentiated execution,” said Wetteny Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Zoetis. “I am pleased to announce that we are increasing our dividend in 2025, consistent with our commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders.” About Zoetis As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com . DISCLOSURE NOTICES Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to business plans or prospects, future operating or financial performance, future use of cash and dividend payments, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections thereof captioned “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at www.sec.gov , www.zoetis.com , or on request from Zoetis. ZTS-COR ZTS-IR ZTS-FIN View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212274866/en/ CONTACT: Media Contacts: Jennifer Albano 1-973-945-4333 (o) jennifer.albano@zoetis.com Laura Panza 1-973-975-5176 (o) laura.panza@zoetis.com Investor Contacts: Steve Frank 1-973-822-7141 (o) steve.frank@zoetis.com Nick Soonthornchai 1-973-443-2792 (o) nick.soonthornchai@zoetis.com KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH OTHER HEALTH MANAGED CARE PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY VETERINARY SOURCE: Zoetis Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212274866/en

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The nearly half-century-old, family-owned Pelcher's Shooters Supply at 18149 Henry St. in downtown Lansing is rebranding as Pelcher Outdoors. It's opening its first Indiana location in the former Blythe's Sports Shop, which had been a Region fixture for 72 years, at 138 N. Broad St. in downtown Griffith. "We've been in business since 1975," said co-owner Luke Stanich said. "My partner founded the business in Lansing, Illinois. We wanted to expand to Indiana and the opportunity came up when Blythe's closed in downtown Griffith. It went downhill since the Blythe family sold it and we want to bring back Blythe's to its former glory." Larry Pelcher, who got his first .410 gauge shotgun at the age of 6 and shot for the United States Olympic Trap Team in 1968, opened Pelcher's Shooters Supply just off Ridge Road in Lansing. One of the oldest gun stores in Chicagoland, it stocks many guns, has an indoor shooting range and offers training classes. Pelcher Outdoors will be able to offer a much larger inventory at the new space in Griffith, which spans 9,000 square feet. The store will be able to display about 500 handguns, 300 rifles and 40 safes. "We've got every caliber of ammunition. We've got tons of accessories," Stanich said. "We've got old military collectibles from the Civil War and World War II. We've got collectible uniforms, hats, section patches, even old silverware, bayonets and knives." The Blythe family ran the sport shop in downtown Griffith until it sold that store and its Valparaiso location to new owners from Utah in 2017. Both Blythe's gun stores closed earlier this year, but the Blythe family continues to run the Blythe's Team Sports store that sells athletic apparel in Valparaiso. The Griffith store was cobbled together from neighboring storefronts the Blythe family combined as the business grew. "I was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and wanted to have a location here in my community to serve my community," Stanich said. The store will buy, sell and trade firearms. It will stock guns, ammo, safes, hunting gear and collectibles. "We'll have a large inventory," said Larry Pelcher, the founder and a former law enforcement officer. "We'll have a much larger and deeper inventory than in Illinois, but it will have mirrored products and services. It has four times the square footage." Pelcher Outdoors will mark its 50th anniversary next year. It's shortening the name to Pelcher Outdoors due in part to its growing online business, which also carries archery equipment. "We always wanted to find a second location in Indiana, and this is the perfect location," Pelcher said. "The Blythe family served Northwest Indiana sportsmen for 72 years. It means a lot to take that over. That's a testament to the Blythe family." The store will employ about 15 people. It will give anyone who buys a firearm a complimentary pass to use the gun range in downtown Lansing. The Griffith location does not have an indoor range. "It's very vibrant, modern and clean," Pelcher said. "It's got easy access to the parking lot in the rear of the building and a Broad Street entrance with street parking. It's a well-known location because of the previous owner. A lot of people are familiar with it because Blythe's was a big firearms retailer at that location." It plans a soft opening in downtown Griffith Thursday and then will have a grand opening Dec. 12 through Dec. 14. The store will celebrate with "lots of sales" and potentially giveaways to the first customers through the door on each day, Stanich said. Pelcher Outdoors will be open from 12-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 219-924-4403 or visit pelchersoutcomes.com .

Pep Guardiola denies rumours of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne‘Mass carnage’: 56 dead after football game as horrific footage shocks world

Luke Williams feels Swansea ‘lost grip’ on game despite sealing victory at DerbyA-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning Reaches 150 Five-Star Reviews and Earns Client Praise 12-10-2024 12:36 AM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire Family-Owned Exterior Cleaning Company Celebrates Continued Growth and Community Support. A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning [ https://a1pressurewashingfl.com/ ], a locally owned and operated exterior cleaning company based in North Port, Florida, today announced that it has surpassed 150 five-star reviews on Google. This milestone reflects the company's dedication to providing high-quality, reliable services tailored to the needs of homeowners and businesses throughout Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Founded in 1996 and led by second-generation owner Dan and his wife Danielle, A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning offers a comprehensive range of exterior cleaning services. The team takes pride in delivering results that extend beyond simple aesthetic improvements. Every project, whether a residential driveway pressure washing, a no-pressure roof cleaning, or a soft wash for a delicate pool enclosure, is approached with care and meticulous attention to detail. With the guiding principle, "We don't cut corners, we clean them," the family-run business upholds a standard that has earned the trust and gratitude of its customers. The company's service area includes Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Englewood, Punta Gorda, Rotonda West, Osprey, Nokomis, Sarasota, and Wellen Park. Over the years, this wide coverage has allowed A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning to develop enduring relationships with clients who value professionalism, honesty, and consistent quality. The team's expertise extends to roof cleaning for shingle, tile, and metal surfaces, as well as brick paver cleaning and sealing, concrete sealing, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. Tailoring each service to local weather conditions and surface materials, the company focuses on preserving property value and ensuring lasting results. "We are extremely pleased with how great everything looked. A-1 Pressure Washing did a thorough job. We will definitely be calling again. Highly recommended," commented Jim O, a local client who recently joined the growing number of homeowners awarding the company a five-star rating. Such feedback, along with hundreds of similar comments, underscores the firm's client-focused philosophy. Dan, the second-generation owner, has built upon the family legacy by emphasizing personalized service and ongoing skill development. The company strives to maintain the trust they have earned, knowing that their reputation is shaped by each client interaction. Looking ahead, A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning is committed to remaining at the forefront of industry best practices. The company continuously invests in professional training and modern equipment to ensure that its techniques remain both effective and environmentally responsible. As the business celebrates this recent milestone, it intends to strengthen its community presence and uphold the values that have guided it for decades. From roof to curb, A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning is prepared to serve its clients with the highest level of care. For more information visit https://a1pressurewashingfl.com [ https://a1pressurewashingfl.com/ ]. About A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning is a family-owned and operated exterior cleaning contractor based in North Port, Florida. Established in 1996, the company has earned a reputation for providing top-quality, fully licensed and insured services across Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Specializing in power washing, soft washing, no-pressure roof cleaning, brick paver sealing, window cleaning, and more, A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning strives to ensure that every client's property remains clean, safe, and protected. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/e9d7214c5e2d291214ec01fa56bacca5.jpg Media Contact Company Name: A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning Contact Person: Dan Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=a1-pressure-washing-roof-cleaning-reaches-150-fivestar-reviews-and-earns-client-praise ] Phone: 941-815-8454 Address:8122 San Jacinto Ave City: North Port State: FL 34287 Country: United States Website: https://a1pressurewashingfl.com This release was published on openPR.Qualys chief legal officer Bruce Posey sells $1.32 million in stock

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By Lizette Chapman | Bloomberg Software company Palantir Technologies and Costa Mesa-based weapons maker Anduril Industries plan to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in the US military and are inviting other companies to join the effort. Under an agreement announced Friday, battlefield information created by sensors, vehicles, robots and weapons will be collected by Anduril’s Lattice software and then pulled into a secure Palantir platform that will prepare the data for use in AI training and development. The data gathered would include information classified at the highest levels of secrecy. The move is the latest in a series of partnerships announced by defense tech companies this week seeking to put AI technology to greater use in military applications. On Wednesday, Anduril unveiled plans to work with OpenAI on anti-drone systems, and Palantir on Thursday signed an accord with Shield AI to collaborate on autonomous flight systems. The agreements highlight the growing importance of artificial intelligence to the US military as it seeks to maintain an edge over China and other adversaries, creating an opening for contractors to deliver new technology. Palantir’s partnership with Anduril builds on years of coordination between the two companies backed by billionaire venture investor Peter Thiel and signals an expansion of Silicon Valley’s role in reshaping the US defense industry. Earlier this year, Palantir won the US Army’s Titan contract, making it the first software company to win a prime contract and propelling its government business past analyst estimates. The Denver-based company, co-founded by Thiel in 2003, has seen huge demand for its AI products from both commercial and government customers, sending its shares soaring. At more than $173 billion, its market capitalization now surpasses that of Lockheed Martin Corp. Co-founded by early Palantir employee and Founders Fund General Partner Trae Stephens, Anduril sells its reusable rockets, drones and submarines and related software platform Lattice to the US and allied countries. Investors last valued it at $14 billion on expectations of continued growth in those sectors as it builds a factory to increase production while exploring new growth areas. Last month, it won a contract with the US Space Command. Despite progress by startups like Anduril in winning defense dollars, venture-backed startups are far from replacing legacy defense contractors. Elon Musk’s SpaceX won more than 80% of all government spending awarded to startups tracked by the Silicon Valley Defense Group, according to a report earlier this year that doesn’t include Palantir because it is public. Executives from companies including Palantir and Anduril along with Musk have called for changes in how the Defense Department purchases weapons and other technology to be faster, cheaper and more streamlined. Musk, the world’s richest man, was asked by President-elect Donald Trump to co-chair an advisory panel to make the US government more efficient. In announcing their new AI effort Friday, Palantir and Anduril described it as a consortium they intend to eventually expand to other industry partners. “No single company is capable of delivering on the promise of AI for national security,” they said in their announcement. “It takes a team of companies that are willing and able to ensure that the U.S. government remains the world leader in fielding advanced technologies that keep our citizens safe.” Related Articles Business | Can AI chatbots make your holiday shopping easier? Business | OpenAI Sam Altman ‘not that worried’ about rival Elon Musk’s influence in the Trump administration Business | Apple readies more conversational Siri in bid to catch up in AI Business | Siri gets smarter as Apple adds AI to iPhone Business | How Big Tech won big against regulation in California this yearE-Glass Fiber Market Outlook: World Approaching Demand & Growth Prospect 2024-2030

Walmart offering new service as part of pilot program through the app – but it’s not available everywhere yetBy LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

The Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”

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Island Health and the Pacific Public Health Foundation (PPHF) are now accepting applications for the Youth Resilience Grants program. Up to $450,000 is available for initiatives aimed at improving mental well-being and building resilience among youth up to age 19 across Vancouver Island. The program, previously known as the Resilience and Safety Grants, is in its third year. It offers grants of up to $50,000 to support new and innovative projects that help youth navigate challenging life events. Existing or ongoing programs are not eligible for funding. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, schools, Indigenous-led organizations, youth-led groups, parent advisory councils, local governments, and community groups. “These grants are filling a real gap in our system,” said Réka Gustafson, vice-president of Population Health and chief medical health officer at Island Health. “Youth often tell us that what got them through challenging times was their connection [with that] one mentor who made them feel seen or that one program that engaged them when they needed it the most.” The grants focus on projects that promote connections to supportive adults, a sense of belonging within family, community, or school, cultural connections, autonomy, competence, and purpose, as well as social and emotional skills. PPHF, which supports public health initiatives in British Columbia, is contributing funding to the program. Applications are open until Dec. 20. For more information and to apply, visit the Youth Resilience Grants' website at .A legal action has been brought against the city of Tahlequah on the claim that employees had altered financial transactions for leasing the Armory Building to River Valley Church and other groups. The city has filed a motion to dismiss the case, based on the grounds that the plaintiff doesn't have standing to sue, and hasn't proved a claim that could translate into damages. The city's motion to dismiss is scheduled to be ruled on by Friday, Dec. 6. During the Dec. 2 meeting of the Tahlequah City Council, an agenda item listed under the executive session was discussed, and after reconvening, City Attorney John Hammons stated, "No action was necessary." The item was "Pursuant to... Case No. CV-2024-00370, Watts vs. City of Tahlequah." The case was brought by David Watts involving the leasing of space at the Armory Building to Andreas Basson of River Valley Church, and other entities, according to filings provided to TDP. The Petition for Injunctive Relief, dated Oct. 24, states the "Plaintiff has become aware of improper practices occurring within the City's department that conducts rental and leasing operations." The suit was filed with the District Court of Cherokee County, State of Oklahoma. "[No. 1] this court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this matter because the plaintiff lacks standing to bring the same, and [No. 2] the plaintiff has failed to assert a claim for which relief can be granted," states the city's motion to dismiss. In more detail, the motion explains the plaintiff lacks standing because Watts does not have a legally protected interest that has been injured, and as such, no redress is available by the court. "The substance of the Plaintiff's first complaint is that the City government might alter records in the City's possession concerning its internal operations," states the motion to dismiss. "As proof, the Plaintiff alleges the City 'possibly manipulates its record and that the alternation of its records is technologically possible.'" An attachment to Watts' petition is an account statement from the city of Tahlequah for Basson's rental fees, with $3,075 listed under balance due, then $0 under "Account Credit" column. Refunds/Credits are listed after transactions, along with one payment of $1,970. The last entry is for a refund of $3,075, making a balance of $0. City Administrator Taylor Tannehill said on Dec. 3 that the city does not extend credit to lessees in the sense that services are not given without payment, whether it be money or other arrangement. Tannehill said a zero balance could indicate an event had been scheduled and then canceled, and an entry of refund/credit would be on the ledger. He stressed this was an example, not a specific incident that has occurred. Watts' assertions are aimed at the use of the facility by churches. "The church was created by a church split with Cornerstone [Fellowship] ... so I asked the city for records related to their reserving the Armory," said Watts in a text message to TDP. "When I got the records, I discovered the city was changing records and extending credit to several people/entities." The city's motion to dismiss states the plaintiff discovered "what appeared to be altered records, specifically changes in transaction dates and other possible manipulations." It further alleges "that alteration of records, including changing of transaction dates, is permitted and currently allowed within the City's reservation management software." In the "Request for Relief," Watts requested that a permanent injunction "restraining Defendant from allowing its employees to alter dates or other material information in the City's records, unless such changes are properly documented and audited to ensure accuracy." The plaintiff is asking that the court issue a permanent injunction to make the city cease any practices that extend credit to private entities, "including but not limited to deferred payment arrangements in leasing city-owned properties." The plaintiff is asking for "fees, costs and further relief as the court deemed proper." The exhibit in Watts' petition for injunctive relief documents that CivicPlus, the software provider for the city – used to manage rental and leasing operations of the various properties of the city – confirmed the city has the ability to alter transaction dates within the software. "Based on this information, I believe the City's ability to alter transaction dates without any tracking or reporting mechanism poses a significant risk to the integrity and accuracy of the City's public records, particularly with respect to leasing and rental transactions," states Watts' petition. In response to an inquiry when the case first came to the attention of TDP, Hammons said the city does not comment on ongoing litigation. The city's motion to dismiss states this is not a judicial question but instead a political one – "that is, one 'reviewable solely by political means.'" The city claims in the motion that the plaintiff has no legal interest nor has he suffered injury; that the plaintiff lacks standing to bring the present claim; and that "the matter should be dismissed with prejudice." Another item discussed in executive session Monday night was the approval of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4099 contract for 2024-2025. No action was required on two other items discussed in the session, which was an undisclosed pending investigation, claim or action, and economic development concerning Project Leaf. City Administrator Taylor Tannehill said TDP would have to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to learn the terms of the contract with the firefighters union. Those steps have been taken. A discussion was held among councilors on the appointment and/or organization of the implementation body for the Homelessness Strategic Plan. Ward 4 City Councilor Josh Allen explained the history behind the plan and said that at the last meeting of Tahlequah Resource Outreach Team, a discussion ensued about creating an entity that will outlive the current administration. "[The council would] put this plan in place and be the governing body moving forward, and we want the city to take the lead in developing that plan with recommendations [from] TROT groups that are already forming to get that process moving quickly," Allen said. Tannehill said the plan outlined an implementation body. He asked if the council wanted to be that body, and if not, what the group would look like. Allen said the study stated it is always good to have an entity outside of the council so it would outlive the "politics of the council and mayor." "We would love for this plan to change this community for the long term, and I think this would be a good step forward," Allen said. Hammons said if the council and city staff take the project on as a priority, then a motion is needed, but if the council wants the city administrator to find a group to represent the entity and bring back a recommendation, no motion is needed. The councilors agreed they wanted the second option. What's next The next Tahlequah City Council meeting is Jan. 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the City Administration Building.

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jili 333 Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, listed as questionable due to a shoulder issue, is expected to play Monday night against the visiting Baltimore Ravens, NFL Network reported. McConkey missed practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday and Saturday. Star linebacker Khalil Mack, who was questionable because of a groin injury and was a limited participant, also is expected to play, according to the report. The Chargers (7-3) made several moves Monday ahead of the game against the Ravens (7-4), placing tight end Hayden Hurst (hip) on injured reserve, activating cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) off IR, signing cornerback Eli Apple from the practice to the active squad, and elevating linebacker Caleb Murphy and safety Tony Jefferson for game day. McConkey, 23, has started nine of 10 games and has 43 receptions on 63 targets for 615 yards and four touchdowns. The Chargers drafted the 6-foot, 185-pound McConkey in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Mack, 33, is a three-time first-team All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He has started the nine games he has played and has 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. For his career, Mack has 617 tackles, 106 sacks, 141 tackles for loss, 178 quarterback hits, three interceptions -- two returned for touchdowns -- 32 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries in 160 games (159 starts). He has played for the Raiders (2014-17), Chicago Bears (2018-21) and Chargers. Hurst, 31, has started two of seven games in his first season with the Chargers. He has seven receptions on 12 targets for 65 yards. A first-round pick (25th overall) by Baltimore in the 2018 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, Hurst has 202 receptions for 1,967 yards and 15 TDs in 86 games (41 starts) for the Ravens (2018-19), Atlanta Falcons (2020-21), Cincinnati Bengals (2022), Carolina Panthers (2023) and Chargers. Apple, 29, has two tackles in three games this season, his first with the Chargers. The 10th overall selection in the 2016 draft, Apple has 383 career tackles and six interceptions in 101 games (82 starts) for the New York Giants (2016-18), New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Panthers (2020), Bengals (2021-22), Miami Dolphins (2023) and Chargers. Leonard, who turned 25 last Tuesday, has four tackles in four games this season. His 21-day practice window on IR opened Wednesday. --Field Level Media

'Emerging' B.C. family cooks up something special in the frozen meals businessReport: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. Ravens

The story begins with a resolute woman’s quest to find her missing husband in China, leading her on a profound journey of truth, love, and perseverance as she faces the oppressive forces that shatter her family. The narrative takes viewers on a challenging journey in pursuit of truth and justice. Set in Toronto, the story transcends time and geography, weaving together multiple perspectives and interlaced timelines. Through its narrative, the film immerses the audience in the characters’ memories and realities, highlighting their struggles against the backdrop of both Canadian and Chinese settings. Delving deep into the lives of ordinary individuals and their families persecuted for their beliefs or speech, the film offers a moving and thought-provoking examination of their hardships. With its powerful social significance and emotional depth, “Where Are You” aims to resonate with audiences and inspire greater awareness and support for those fighting for freedom and human dignity. Yang said that this is more than just a story of searching for loved ones—it is a call for freedom and human dignity. The film seeks to shed light on voices often ignored, highlighting how standing up for truth and humanity is treated as a criminal act. Yang is known for “Claws of the Red Dragon” (2019), “Coming for You” (2019), “Eternal Fifty Minutes” (Coming for You 2) (2020), and “Once We Were Divine” (2023). His “Claws of the Red Dragon” was nominated for Best TV Movie at the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards. That film, also inspired by true events, delves into the arrest of “mega hi-tech Chinese heiress” and CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada, which sparked a political firestorm involving the United States, China, and Canada.

The National Health Insurance Authority said health insurance coverage rose by 40 per cent within the year, growing from 16.7 million to 19.2 million enrollees in Nigeria. The agency said the achievement surpassed the presidential target for health insurance coverage in 2024. Speaking during the end-of-year briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of NHIA, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, noted that the agency plans an additional 20 per cent increase for 2025 while outlining the agency’s successes and roadmap to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Nigeria. “For nearly three decades, Nigeria’s health insurance coverage stagnated at just seven per cent, focusing primarily on formal sector employees while neglecting the vulnerable and informal sectors. “With the passage of the National Health Insurance Act 2022, we are committed to ensuring financial protection for all Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable. “The health insurance coverage rose by 40 per cent within the year, growing from 16.7 million to 19.2 million enrollees,” he stated. This achievement, he said, was made possible through collaborative efforts with private insurers, State Health Insurance Agencies, and Health Maintenance Organisations. Related News FG targets 40% health insurance coverage by 2030 Prospective retirees get December verification deadline PenCom to automate application for pension certificates He acknowledged the challenges posed by Nigeria’s fragmented health insurance landscape, which includes 83 private insurers and 37 state health insurance agencies. He, however, emphasised the need to rebuild public trust, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance awareness to encourage more Nigerians to enrol in health insurance programs. “Trust is key. Nigerians must be confident that they will receive the promised care when they are insured. “The NHIA has increased capitation rates by 60 per cent, and professional fees by 40 per cent to align with rising medical costs, while actuarial studies are being conducted to ensure premiums reflect industry best practices,” he said. He restated that the agency targets a 20 per cent increase in enrollment, leveraging state-of-the-art technology to streamline operations, with expanded access to comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care services in over 100 facilities nationwide, and collaborate with the National Pension Commission to provide health insurance for retirees. “Our vision is to create a system where every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare irrespective of socio-economic status. “We are not just building a scheme; we are building an authority that redefines healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Every reform we implement revolves around the patient’s needs,” he added.T-Mobile/Starlink Direct-to-Cell Service Open for Registration

Innovation and business go hand in hand — and that's constantly on enterprise leaders' minds, regardless of their industry. Executives must understand how technological advancements, systemic barriers, and generational shifts are affecting their growth, then strategize accordingly. Business Insider's annual list of people transforming business highlights these leaders who work in media, finance, technology, transportation, and labor. The WNBA's first female commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, is spearheading a transformation in the sports sector with her focus on fan engagement and equity among players. In finance, Leon Sinclair is leveraging data and analytics to reshape the world of alternative investments at Preqin, where he's an executive vice president. Mike Hopkins, the head of Amazon's Prime Video and MGM Studios, is forging an ad-focused entertainment-business strategy that could redefine how content is made and consumed in the digital age. Below, in alphabetical order by first name, are the 10 business leaders our reporters and editors credit with shaking up and remolding their industries. Anna-Lisa Miller, executive director of the KKR-cofounded nonprofit Ownership Works Employers often say they prefer to hire employees who act like owners. As the executive director of the nonprofit Ownership Works, Miller aims to get employers to act on that ethos. "It's not credible to ask employees to feel, think, and act like owners if you don't give them a financial ownership stake," Miller said. Since its founding in 2021, Ownership Works and its corporate partners have shared $570 million in wealth across six companies and worked with more than 160,000 workers at 113 companies. One way Miller seeks to convince business owners of the merits of employee shareholding is by showing them how it can improve the bottom line. She pointed to a time an employee in an Ownership Works company helped their employer save money by replacing a component costing $100 with a 3D printed part that cost just a few dollars. "They often know where the company is losing money or making a mistake or where things could be better," Miller said. "And they often have ideas for how to fix the problem. It's just nobody ever asked them to." Miller's career in employee ownership grew out of an interest in community development. Early in her career she helped a nonprofit in Hawaii create farming cooperatives, and she worked with another nonprofit to convert small businesses into worker cooperatives. Miller said she wanted to find scale, so she approached Pete Stavros, KKR's cohead of private equity. Stavros first experimented with employee ownership at a garage-door manufacturer in 2015, leading to some of KKR's best results. He was looking to spread that model further. After announcing the creation of Ownership Works with a $10 million donation, Stavros hired Miller as his first employee. Now it's her job to help the company's 25 private-equity partners, including KKR and Apollo, institute plans in their portfolios. She does this in part by partnering with accountants, lawyers, and professional-services firms to make it easier to create these plans, acting as an employee-ownership consultancy. The organization also collects and shares metrics of success, such as hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to employees and decreasing turnover and higher profits at companies with employee ownership. She's helping the nonprofit expand beyond private equity. Ownership Works recently worked with the cold-storage company Lineage to give $100 million in IPO proceeds to its employees and create a stock-ownership plan. Miller believes that expanding employee ownership could significantly narrow the wealth gap and reduce financial insecurity. Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Groupe Sadoun said he mostly received pushback when, in 2017, he told creative agencies that the future of creativity was commerce and AI. "It's funny when you look at what happened now," Sadoun, the chief executive of the French advertising giant Publicis Groupe, told BI. Back then, Sadoun faced a daunting task. He had just taken over as the third-ever leader of the 91-year-old company, home to the storied agencies Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Publicis Conseil, which had created iconic advertising like the Marlboro Man, Tony the Tiger, and "Labour Isn't Working." But Publicis was languishing behind its competitors having lost key clients like McDonald's. Financial growth was anemic. Sadoun embarked on a plan to turn Publicis from a communications partner to a company that could help clients transform their businesses. He sought to break down silos between Publicis' various agencies and help them retool around a bet on "personalization at scale," advanced by the biggest acquisition in its history: the 2019 purchase of the data marketing firm Epsilon for $4.4 billion. "The financial market did not like that," Sadoun said. Neither did many of Publicis' own employees, particularly the Don Draper-esque creatives who were maddened that an outsize focus on data and programmatic ads meant the Parisian company would lose its je ne sais quoi. Publicis' multimillion-dollar investment in creating an AI platform. Sadoun and Publicis are having the last laugh. At about $27 billion, Publicis' market capitalization is the largest of any individual advertising-agency holding company. It's forecast to end the year with the largest annual revenue, too, with the combination of its data and media offerings representing about half of its sales. While 2024 was a cause for celebration, it faces challenges ahead: This month, its rival that would create the largest ad-agency network. Sadoun described as a good outward representation of its modernized offering to marketers. The commercial begins with stars from the French men's national football team flaunting their skills. The reveal — using VFX and deepfake technology — is that , the women's national team. Sadoun credits his leadership team and employees for Publicis' turnaround. He has a more personal hope for his own legacy. In 2022, Sadoun had an operation to remove a tumor in his neck that turned out to be cancerous. Unusually for the CEO of a public company, he disclosed his diagnosis before he underwent treatment: grueling rounds of chemo and radiotherapy that would affect the jet-setting executive's ability to travel. He was flooded with messages revealing that many people were hiding their chronic illnesses from their employers and colleagues. The following year, Sadoun helped launch the Working with Cancer Pledge, which encourages companies to commit to offering more recovery-focused working environments. More than 600 companies have signed up, and the initiative was promoted with a splashy bought and created by Publicis last year. "My one mission in life now, apart from my family, is to erase the stigma of cancer in the workplace," Sadoun said. Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the WNBA 2024 was a transformative year for the WNBA. It said that attendance increased by nearly 50% year over year and that ratings on ESPN were up by 170% from last season, fueled in part by its rookie stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Sponsorship deals have boomed, bringing in like Bumble and Skims. Presiding over its astronomical growth is Engelbert, a former Deloitte CEO who became the league's commissioner in 2019. The league has been planting the seeds of its growth for a while. It gained attention by playing during the pandemic in a bubble. It raised $75 million from investors, allowing it to invest in marketing and fan engagement. And it landed sponsorships on its own, separate from the NBA. External factors like the and social media also helped draw attention to the sport. "The thing that was overlooked is that Rome wasn't built in a day," Engelbert told BI. "We didn't do this overnight." One emphasis was on improving the fan experience by meeting spectators where they were, such as updating the app to look more like TikTok, Engelbert said. The WBNA is a big brand now, and with its growth has come scrutiny. Engelbert took heat when she didn't directly condemn threatening comments on social media toward players but likened the situation to a rivalry between male players in the 1970s. She later apologized, promising to do better. "We've been debriefing around a lot of things that happened this year," Engelbert told BI, adding that the league was looking at beefing up security and mental-health resources. "The vitriol our players, me, we all get, we're going to try to tackle that multidimensionally." Engelbert also wants to talk about the flip side. "There's a huge negative to all the vitriol, but there's also people caring about the league like they haven't before," she said. "Apathy's the death of a brand, and there's no more apathy." The WNBA, which is majority-owned by the NBA, remains unprofitable; several outlets described sources as saying it was on track to or this season. The WNBA declined to comment. Increased sponsorship and media rights will be crucial to keeping up the W's momentum and getting in the black. In a big start, the women's league recently struck an 11-year, $200 million media-rights deal, up from its current deal of $60 million a year. Engelbert also has her sights set on global expansion, starting with the WNBA getting its first Canadian franchise next year. Corporate sponsorships are catching up to the rise of women's sports. Engelbert is ready to capitalize, with stats to appeal to the bottom line. "There's a little scratching and clawing to make sure the old view of the WNBA is not the current view," she said. "Our fans are actually likely to buy from you. So we say this is a good business decision for you." Fei-Fei Li, cofounder and CEO of World Labs Almost 20 years ago, while she taught at Princeton, tested the hypothesis that everything humans could see could be categorized and labeled. This idea built off her graduate research focused on object recognition. Li to pioneer ImageNet, a database of 15 million images that became the foundation of computer-vision and deep-learning research. Li has continued advancing this research. This year, she and the leading AI researchers Justin Johnson, Christoph Lassner, and Ben Mildenhall launched World Labs, a startup that aims to take AI beyond large language models. It's valued at $1 billion. With $230 million in funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, AMD Ventures, and Nvidia's NVentures, World Labs is seeking to explore AI applications in the two-dimensional plane of pixels and in 3D worlds with spatial intelligence. In December, World Labs dropped its first AI project: a tool designed to turn any image into a 3D model. Since her initial research breakthroughs, has testified before Congress about applying responsible ethics to AI and has . "Language is important but, as humans, much of our ability to understand and interact with the world is based on what we see," Li wrote in an in November. She believes spatial intelligence — which can help with developing robots that look after older adults, or extra hands for a surgeon — is what truly human-centered AI will look like. She's now a codirector of Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered AI and serves as the Sequoia Capital professor of computer science at Stanford. has also worked as a and of AI and machine learning at . Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia Huang is becoming the stuff of legend. He has a reputation as a genius, a visionary, and a . Bosses everywhere want to know his every to replicate even a fraction of his success. That's because Nvidia has gone from a niche tech firm to one of the most in the world in a little more than two years. After decades of toiling out of the limelight, providing the video-gaming industry with graphics chips to render complex, ever-changing imagery but not gaining much name recognition beyond it, Nvidia burst into broader consciousness in 2022, after ChatGPT came to the market. Word quickly spread that the company had for years been buying thousands of Nvidia graphics processing units — it turned out that the kind of computing they're best at is similar to the demands of artificial intelligence. Huang actually donated OpenAI's first eight GPUs, delivering them himself. But Huang anticipated the connection between his chips and AI long before then — he just didn't know how it would materialize. Huang, 61, was born in southwestern Taiwan. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Oregon and Stanford. He had a few jobs in the semiconductor industry, including at Nvidia's major competitor AMD, until he founded Nvidia at 30 with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. Despite the recent spotlight on him now, Huang has staying power. He's one the longest-serving tech CEOs, with more than 30 years at the helm. In a recently published memoir, Morris Chang, the founder of Nvidia's most important supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, described . Even now that Nvidia has a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion, Huang sees his work as far from finished. "I watched Jensen make these kinds of bets that are far-reaching, where there's a lot of ambiguity as to when it's going to happen or not," , a vice president of omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, told Business Insider this year. Huang is usually right. The journey to enter 2025 with hundreds of foundation models chasing ChatGPT The next big journey may be , or something else entirely. that when it comes to Nvidia, what goes up must come down. But investors also believe that if anyone can see or make the future, it's Huang. Leon Sinclair, executive vice president of Preqin Sinclair, who grew up in the market town of Rugby in the middle of England, didn't picture a career in finance. "We never really spoke about money around the dinner table or anything like that because there was never any of it," the 42-year-old told Business Insider in an interview. Now Sinclair is helping demystify private markets and powering its growth through data. With civil service in mind, he studied political science at Loughborough University and joined England's Department of Health shortly after graduating in 2004. But Sinclair, a competitive basketball and track athlete, quickly tired of the bureaucracy and craved a faster-paced work culture. After six months, he left for a research-analyst position at Intercontinental Exchange, the operator of major stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and clearinghouses. The finance novice was eager to catch up and learn as much as he could about debt products and subprime markets. He left in 2010 for the data provider Markit, well before the firm merged with IHS and was acquired by S&P Global. Throughout his two-decade career he has maintained a sense of intellectual curiosity, describing himself as one of the most avid readers of industry news among his peers. Drawn to the complexity of private markets, he pivoted away from credit to build IHS Markit's private-equity and debt division. In 2023, he joined the private-markets-data powerhouse Preqin. "You see some of the most innovative companies in the world, and you work with some of the most innovative funds in the world who are deploying capital into just really interesting spaces," he said. Sinclair oversees how Preqin addresses the needs of fund managers, investment banks, and placement agents, representing some 3,000 front-office teams, trying to navigate the opaque industry of private markets. Preqin says the asset class has more than doubled to $16.8 trillion in assets under management over the past five years. Preqin's data can be used, for instance, to target limited partners for fundraising or create customized benchmarks to better convey performance to investors. Private markets are becoming more transparent as providers like Preqin find ways to combine publicly available and proprietary data, Sinclair said. In June, his division launched a data tool to analyze deals across 6,500 funds. This aggregated data can be used to back up valuations in negotiations or identify which financial factors, such as revenue growth or debt pay-down, contributed the most value to a successful deal. The firm's insights are set to become more widely available, as BlackRock is set to acquire Preqin for $3.2 billion. Sinclair said it's easier for individual investors to participate in private markets than ever before, pointing to the growth of data products and favorable regulatory developments. But he added that having options isn't the same as understanding them. "There's a massive amount of education to do. Alternatives have a totally different vocabulary, a different way of thinking about performance, a different way of thinking about risks to the types of products," he said. "I think there's also an obligation of the industry to build the right analytical tools, the right educational tools, datasets to bring the mass affluent along on that journey." Marin Gjaja, CEO of Ford Model e The electric-vehicle market has experienced tremendous upheaval in the past year, and to understand today's EV buyers. At Ford, Gjaja, the chief operating officer of the Model e electric division, is tasked with navigating the money-losing division through huge changes in demand and customer profiles. After years of growth in the EV segment driven by wealthy early adopters, car companies face the challenge of selling these expensive and complex vehicles to more-regular customers. in 2022 in a bid to speed up EV development. The company's EV strategy has changed a few times since then, but Ford still breaks out its financial performance: So far in 2024, the Model e division has lost $3.6 billion. In his operations role, Gjaja is trying to reverse those losses by working with to improve customer experiences and perceptions. Before joining Ford in 2022, Gjaja was a senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, where he worked with clients in retail, technology, and automotive, among other industries. He's putting those years of consulting experience to work as Ford tries to bridge the gap between the wealthy early adopters behind the initial success of vehicles like the and the and the more-practical customers who more often leave the lot with a hybrid. While have turned off some of these new EV shoppers, Gjaja said at an in September that this cohort was considering a lot more than sticker price — including their distance from the nearest charger, the cost of charging, battery life, and resale values. Gjaja argued that simply discounting electric cars wouldn't be enough to convince shoppers and certainly wouldn't solve Ford's profitability problem in its Model e division. Instead of focusing on "functional economics," Gjaja said, he examines the "behavioral economics" of EV adoption. He said the journey from what he called an EV denier to a long-term convert could take up to three years. "My job is to figure out how to sell and market a vehicle that people don't appreciate its value until they own it for three years," Gjaja said. Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon's Prime Video and MGM Studios Amazon is a retail and cloud powerhouse, and thanks to Hopkins, it's become a media powerhouse, too. Under Hopkins, Amazon now offers not just a wide variety of TV and films but some of the biggest sports franchises like the NFL and the NBA, and even news. Amazon spent $18.9 billion on video and music in 2023, up by 14% from 2022. According to the data firm Ampere Analysis, sports is a growing part of Amazon's entertainment outlay, accounting for 14.3% in 2024, up from virtually nothing five years ago. Amazon's entertainment offerings , the free-delivery service that includes Prime Video and other benefits. But it's also becoming a moneymaker in its own right. In January, Amazon shook up the streaming-ads market when it , driving down ad prices for competitors like Netflix while giving Amazon a big shot at the $28.8 billion pie that will be spent on streaming-TV ads this year. Morgan Stanley has estimated the move could bring in $3.3 billion in revenue this year, on top of Amazon's existing ad business, worth $47 billion in 2023. And with NFL and other streaming rights, Amazon is muscling in on traditional TV networks' turf and training viewers that it's the place to go for live sports. It's even dipped a toe in news, the last stronghold of traditional TV, with a . Hopkins' hire in 2020, along with the NBC entertainment vet Jennifer Salke's two years earlier, was a big signal that Amazon was serious about establishing itself as a key player in entertainment. Hopkins is a product of legacy and digital entertainment, having been the chairman of Sony Pictures Television and the CEO of Hulu. At Amazon, he oversaw the $8.5 billion acquisition of the film studio MGM and pushed the company's entertainment studio to expand into broader fare. Prime Video also makes money by fulfilling its promise of being a one-stop shop for viewers by selling subscriptions to other companies' apps like Max, Starz, and, in its most recent flex, Apple TV+. "What we're trying to build is a next-generation entertainment service," . Prime Video captured just 3.7% of TV viewing in November, well behind Netflix (7.7%) and YouTube (10.8%), per Nielsen. Despite some wins, like the popular show "The Boys" and the buzzy film "Saltburn," it has a way to go in becoming a consistent hit factory. Still, since most people don't pay for Prime Video as a stand-alone service, it doesn't have the churn problem that dogs other streamers. As part of Amazon, Prime Video is also insulated from some of the financial pressures affecting other entertainment companies. Hopkins is still bringing financial discipline to bear, however. across Prime Video and MGM Studios teams early in 2024. Hopkins recently told Bloomberg that the advertising ramp-up was a factor in pursuing NBA rights and that he expected Prime Video to be profitable "very soon." Prathibha Varkey, president of Mayo Clinic Health System Since 2021, Varkey has been the president of the Mayo Clinic Health System, a network of 16 community hospitals and 45 multispecialty clinics across more than three dozen communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The facilities serve rural areas where care can otherwise be difficult to access. Varkey, who comes from a family of physicians, said her work focused on reaching patients without ready access to the sprawling campus in Rochester, Minnesota, and its world-renowned medical expertise. Varkey told Business Insider that part of her focus was finding new ways to incorporate technology so that more people can obtain care and administrative burdens can be reduced. That includes using artificial intelligence to help with diagnosing conditions and using technology so that clinicians can manage complex chronic conditions virtually. The efforts also include introducing a mobile clinic that can go where routine and preventive care is needed and even provide wireless internet access so patients can confer with specialists. The clinic, which travels across southern Minnesota, offers virtual or in-person appointments. It has two exam rooms and a laboratory. "So now you have preventive exams, specialist visits that are occurring in very remote areas," she said. Varkey said Mayo Clinic Health System was also trying to bring medical expertise to rural residents through programs that connect small local clinics with specialists from hub sites or from Mayo's Rochester campus. Small clinics, she said, might have only a single nurse practitioner — nothing like the variety of disciplines a larger facility would have. "It's been very exciting to watch, and patients have really appreciated it as well," Varkey said. Another effort to meet patients where they are is the organization's hospital-at-home program. Varkey said remote monitoring technology helped these patients remain with family and be more comfortable than they'd be in a medical facility. "You get the same Mayo care," she said, adding that the approach had been popular with patients. Varkey, who also holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota, returned to Mayo in 2021 after serving as the president and CEO of Yale New Haven Health Northeast Medical Group. From 2001 to 2013, Varkey held leadership positions at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, including associate chair of the Department of Medicine, medical director of Ask Mayo Clinic, and program director of the Preventive Medicine Fellowship. Varkey said the expanding capabilities of AI and discoveries in genomics and molecular medicine were "taking healthcare to the next level — and very fast." While those developments are exciting, Varkey said, they shouldn't distract from the primary goal of patient-centered care. Ranjit Kapila, chief operating officer and copresident of Parametric Kapila likes to stay ahead of the game. During the first 10 years of his career, the computer-science graduate completed four certifications each year while working as a tech consultant for firms like Nasdaq and Sallie Mae. While working at the hedge fund Citadel in the mid-2000s, he took MBA classes at night at Northwestern University. "Everything in this field changes so quickly," he said. "Things change in finance and things change in tech at an ever increasing pace." Now Kapila is a copresident and chief operating officer of Parametric, a pioneer of direct indexing with $570 billion in assets under management. He joined Parametric in 2019 after rising up the ranks at BlackRock, overseeing portfolio construction management for its widely used Aladdin platform. Kapila moved to a much smaller firm to have a bigger impact. "It was an opportunity to kind of look at what Parametric has done well, think about how to build on the success, but then also take advantage of what's happening in the technology space and rethink how Parametric could operate, let's say, five years from that point," he said. His move was well timed. There has been a boom in direct indexing, a tax-savvy investing strategy of buying individual securities modeled off an index like the S&P 500. Two years after Kapila joined Parametric, Morgan Stanley acquired Parametric's parent company, Eaton Vance. Thanks to a wave of similar acquisitions, Parametric faces well-capitalized competitors such as BlackRock's Aperio and Franklin Templeton's Canvas. Industry stalwarts like Fidelity and upstarts like Envestnet also want a piece of the action. Kapila said Parametric, founded in 1987, has experience and scale on its side. "I will say that given the technology trends, sometimes it's easy to come in and have a solution. It's much, much harder to have a scalable solution that will serve clients when the demand spikes," he said. "We're managing over 200,000 accounts for our clients. The level of scale, I think, often is a breaking point for some of the newer entrants." To stay ahead of the competition, Kapila is pushing Parametric to develop more automated products, such as Radius, which launched this year. Radius constructs fixed-income and equity portfolios and runs simulations to identify the best selections for portfolio managers. Kapila described it as a "turning point" for Parametric. "This is the first time we've had a product that's really end-to-end running in that automated platform manner with a person reviewing and approving and intervening as necessary," he said. He plans to launch more cloud-native tools, which are easier to scale and manage, for other asset classes in 2025 and 2026. Parametric is also bringing its tax-savvy strategies to active management, launching Custom Active this summer. Rather than modeling portfolios off indexes, clients can pick equities off strategies from its asset-management partner Lazard or sports-league sponsors. "Those are examples where we can provide a tax overlay and help people get the advantages of direct indexing while managing to an active model," Kapila said. "There's a demand for that, and it's early days," he added, "but I think that's really what's playing out." Read the original article onZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Investor interest in automotive aftermarket M&A will remain high in 2025 as favorable tailwinds, including an increasingly aging car parc, more miles traveled, and the proliferation of new technologies, continue to drive the industry forward, according to an industry report released by the Automotive Aftermarket investment banking team at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL). (PRNewsfoto/Brown Gibbons Lang & Company) Investor interest in automotive aftermarket M&A will remain high in 2025 as favorable tailwinds, including an increasingly aging car parc, more miles traveled, and the proliferation of new technologies, continue to drive the industry forward, according to an industry report released by the Automotive Aftermarket investment banking team at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL). (PRNewsfoto/Brown Gibbons Lang & Company) The BGL Automotive Aftermarket Insider – AAPEX/SEMA Show RecapMaupay also had a dig at Everton when he departed on loan to Marseille in the summer and his latest taunt has further angered the Premier League club’s supporters. The 28-year-old said on X after Sean Dyche’s side had lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday: “Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile.” Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂 — Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024 Former boxer Tony Bellew was among the Toffees’ supporters who responded to Maupay, with the ex-world cruiserweight champion replying on X with: “P****!” Maupay endured a miserable spell at Everton, scoring just one league goal in 29 appearances after being signed by the Merseysiders for an undisclosed fee in 2022. He departed on a season-long loan to his former club Brentford for the 2023-24 season and left Goodison for a second time in August when Marseille signed him on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. After leaving Everton in the summer, Maupay outraged their fans by posting on social media a scene from the film Shawshank Redemption, famous for depicting the main character’s long fight for freedom.jili ph646 。

Government excels at NOT getting things done. But politicians promise more things anyway. Kamala Harris declared that our government would “build thousands of miles of fiber-optic cable!” This “Broadband Connectivity Agenda” was supported by “every House Republican on Energy and Commerce,” write Republican representatives. Three years later, not a single person has been connected. Why? Because, as Milton Friedman put it, “Few people spend other people’s money as carefully as they spend their own.” Private individuals and businesses constantly adjust to save time and money. But politicians, spending your money, have little interest in that. They routinely add rules that make everything take longer. You have to “hire certain people based on their color, their sex,” complains investor Matt Cole in my new video . “You already have a talent problem, now you’re looking at only being able to recruit from a very small minority of individuals. Then you have to do climate pledges. Then you have to hire from unions.” “But diversity is good,” I push back. “That doesn’t mean that you should hire someone because of their race or skin color ... You have all these companies that could actually (build broadband), but its unimplementable with the restrictions. They just walk away.” Eventually, I assume the government will install at least some broadband. By then, their cables may be unnecessary, because of satellite internet, like Starlink, which doesn’t require digging up streets. “They could do it literally today,” says Cole. “You could have devices in these people’s homes within the next couple of months.” Why don’t government officials do that? At first, Biden bureaucrats said, “Starlink failed to demonstrate that it had the technical and financial ability.” When it became clear that Starlink obviously did, the administration suddenly called it a monopoly. The FCC chair sneered, “Our economy doesn’t benefit from monopolies.” “First, they’re not functional, now it’s a monopoly,” says Cole. “The reality is, they didn’t want that to be the solution.” Didn’t want it to be because Biden Democrats didn’t want to give money to Elon Musk. Now Musk has a friend in government. Maybe things will change. But government giving contracts to friends is not good policy. It’s also not a smart way to get things built. Government pumped billions into “high-speed rail.” Fifteen years later, they’re still talking about the future. Bureaucrats wasted $500 million of your money on the solar company Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. They wasted millions more trying and failing to create “synthetic fuel.” More recently, Biden doled out $7 billion to build 500,000 EV charging stations. Two years later, they’ve built seven. Republicans joined Democrats in funding a CHIPS Act, meant to bring chipmaker jobs to America. It isn’t working. Most chips are still made in Taiwan. “Even if they get what they promise,” I point out to Cole, Congress appropriated “$53 billion for 115,000 promised jobs. Almost half a million dollars per job!” “You expect nothing else from government,” he replies.” With Republicans in charge, some say things will be better. But the problem isn’t just Democrats; it’s government. Trump’s steel tariffs destroyed American jobs by raising the price of steel. Politicians should just stop subsidizing certain businesses. Related Articles Commentary | Progressivism and the murder of a health insurance CEO Commentary | After so many years of failure, time’s up for California Democrats Commentary | Vince Fong: We don’t need Newsom to lecture us. We need him to listen to us. Commentary | Deregulation rather than fossil fuel controls needed to fix California insurance market Commentary | The FBI has been political from the start Maybe Elon Musk will convince Trump to do that. He’s actually tweeted the U.S. should “remove subsidies from all industries,” including his own! Good for him. That would be great. End the $30 billion handed to Big Agriculture, useless subsidies for “clean” energy, government-guaranteed loans politically to connected businesses, etc. Maybe Trump will end that part of the Deep State. But I won’t hold my breath. Once politicians are in power, they always want to do more. With your money. Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom. He is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

Top war-crimes court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others in Israel-Hamas fightingNone

Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo HARBIN (Dec 24): Gliding down an over-500-meter-long ice slide, Zhang Jiajia felt like she was flying, and that her one-minute experience had been worth the hour-plus wait in line. “It’s super exciting. My heart soared with me,” said Zhang, a tourist from east China’s Zhejiang Province, after trying the Super Ice Slide at the iconic Harbin Ice-Snow World, which kicked off its annual run on Saturday. The world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, the 26th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, officially opened at 10 a.m. in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province also known as the “city of ice.” Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo Themed “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” the park was built using 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow, incorporating elements inspired by the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, which will open next February, right after China’s Spring Festival holiday. It is also the first major international ice and snow event hosted by China since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. With an overall planned area of 1 million square meters, up from last year’s 800,000 square meters, the park is the largest in its 26-year history. A tourist poses for photos at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo The park features nine major zones, recreating landmark landscapes of 42 countries and 3 regions that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the form of ice-and-snow structures that can be illuminated at night, including replicas of the Temple of Heaven in China, Osaka Castle in Japan and the Taj Mahal in India. The main tower stands on the main axis of the park, featuring towering ice columns that depict the official emblem of the OCA. “The ice sculptures are incredibly exquisite. It’s hard to imagine that they are made of ice blocks harvested from the Songhua River. Each piece of artwork showcases the superb craftsmanship of the artists,” said Zhong Xueying, another tourist from Zhejiang. An aerial drone photo shows tourists queuing at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo The most popular attraction in the park, the Super Ice Slide, has increased the number of its lanes to 24, with a 300-meter-long windproof warm house mounted at the queuing area, allowing visitors to take a break from freezing weather while overlooking the park’s scenery. Saturday also marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The day not only means another solar term but also marks an important festive day on Chinese lunar calendar. Just one hour after the park opened, the queue for the Super Ice Slide stretched hundreds of meters. An aerial drone photo shows the emblem of the 9th Asian Winter Games made of ice at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo In addition to ice-and-snow landscapes, the park has added fantasy shows, virtual reality projects and an immersive digital art museum to its inventory of winter wonders, offering new and exciting experiences for both global and domestic visitors. The “Snow Disco” event, which attracted thousands of tourists last winter, will also be held at the Dream Stage in the park for this year’s edition. “How lucky! Today is the last day of my trip to Harbin, and I didn’t expect to witness the opening of the Ice-Snow World. I’m so happy that it feels like I’m celebrating the Lunar New Year in advance,” said Dai Xiaoqin, a tourist from Wuhan City in Hubei Province. “We wish to showcase the enthusiasm and confidence of the people in participating in ice-and-snow sports, and integrate a variety of new elements into this edition of the park,” said Guo Hongwei, Party secretary and chairman of Harbin Ice-Snow World Co., Ltd. Staff members greet tourists at the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo An adult park ticket is priced at 328 yuan (about 45.6 U.S. dollars). The park also offers discounted tickets and free admission to certain groups of visitors. As an established ice-and-snow theme park, Harbin Ice-Snow World stands out as one of China’s iconic winter attractions. It surged in popularity on Chinese social media last winter, becoming an internet sensation as passion for winter sports and tourism continues to rise across the country. Last year, China recorded over 385 million winter leisure visits nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 38 percent, with related revenue up 50 percent. Tourists visit the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo In Harbin alone, last snow season saw over 87 million visitors, up 300 percent year on year, and 124.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue, up 500 percent. The 25th edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, in particular, received over 2.7 million tourists. To accelerate growth of winter economy in the country’s northeastern region, the Chinese government has recently unveiled initiatives including establishing dedicated ice-and-snow holidays, increasing flight routes and optimizing visa-free policies, all aimed at attracting more domestic and international visitors. — XinhuaCommunication is key

Legendary drug lord Fabio Ochoa is deported to Colombia and walks free after 20 years in US prisonsMollie Marcoux Samaan is out as LPGA commissioner, meaning one of the biggest women’s professional sports organizations in the world is seeking new leadership at a time of exploding popularity in women’s sports. Marcoux Samaan’s tenure was plagued by high-profile missteps — zero players showing up for an important sponsor event, and transportation issues causing fans to miss the start of the Solheim Cup, for instance — but it was not without its positives. Purses have continued to rise — Jeeno Thitikul earned $4 million for winning the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, which well exceeds the salary cap for an entire WNBA franchise. Fan interest is growing, at the same time. She also faced a difficult situation upon her hiring in 2021, going from Princeton athletic director to succeeding the popular, highly communicative Mike Whan. Advertisement So what will the next commissioner inherit? Here are five distinct challenges the LPGA is facing, from its place on TV to its policy on transgender athletes: Title sponsors are leaving Marcoux Samaan leaves just as the tour is announcing a record-setting prize fund for 2025 , but the tour has simultaneously been riddled with controversy, disappointment and even major sponsor departures from big-name tournaments. The LPGA’s Founder’s Cup lost its long-time title sponsor, Cognizant — a Fortune 500 and NASDAQ company — ahead of the 2025 season. The tournament honors the tour’s 13 founding members and was won in 2024 by world No. 1 Nelly Korda. It’ll replace the Drive On Championship, another event held without a sponsor in 2024. Sponsors have filtered in and out of the tour throughout the years, notably the ANA Inspiration transitioning to the Chevron Championship — a major rebrand (and relocation) of one of the tour’s five majors. The U.S. Women’s Open was formerly the only LPGA major without a sponsor name carried in its title until Ally Financial joined as a multi-year partner in early 2024. Marcoux Samaan has also had a turbulent relationship with its current and ongoing sponsors, namely CME Group, the title sponsor of the tour’s season-ending championship. Terry Duffy, the company’s CEO, blasted leadership in 2022 after players failed to show up for an important sponsor gathering, according to Golfweek. Then, ahead of this year’s CME Group Tour Championship, Duffy expressed public frustration with the tour’s inconsistent TV broadcast windows. The Saturday round of the event was only shown on tape delay. “That’s (expletive), isn’t it?” Duffy said to reporters on site. The tour’s future commissioner will face important conversations with current sponsors approaching contract renewals in the wake of Cognizant’s departure, in addition to maintaining and repairing ongoing relationships. Advertisement TV is a problem The next commissioner will take over a tricky television situation. Right as women’s golf (and women’s sports across the board) are having a major moment, the LPGA is fighting to ensure its events are being seen. It’s become a popular criticism toward the tour and the networks that sometimes big tournaments are aired on tape delay or only watchable live on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service. The problem is it’s not as simple as networks giving proper coverage. 🚨😞👱🏻‍♀️ #PRETTY SAD — Lexi Thompson takes to Instagram with complaints over tomorrow’s split tee start, adding that she would have liked to finish up on 18 as opposed to #9. @LexiLegion pic.twitter.com/CkWRz3md3A — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) November 23, 2024 The LPGA does not have its own TV rights contract. It agreed with the PGA Tour in 2020 to negotiate a joint deal worth $700 million with CBS, NBC and ESPN, and it’s locked into that deal through 2030. The PGA Tour has the greater power in that deal — PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a December 2020 deposition that more than 95 percent of money went to the men at the time. While the exact amount the LPGA receives each year is unknown, it is safe to say the PGA Tour properties still receive the overwhelming majority. A PGA Tour representative told The Athletic there’s no written allocation of rights fees for the LPGA in the agreement, and it’s ultimately based on how much programming is delivered. But who decides that? Well, PGA Tour events draw viewerships in the millions, while most LPGA events are measured in hundreds of thousands. And the PGA Tour also pushes its other properties, the Champions Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, to the rights holders, including Golf Channel. But it’s even more complicated than that. TV windows are often locked in months and even years in advance, and the PGA Tour works to submit its tournament dates as early as possible. The same goes for its other properties. Advertisement The LPGA Tour is often slower to get sponsorship deals and events solidified, according to people familiar with discussions, meaning schedules are proposed later to the networks. Quite often when LPGA events are on tape delay, it’s because certain coverage windows are already taken and the networks can’t unilaterally change it even they wanted to. On top of that, the LPGA sometimes schedules events directly in competition with substantial events like men’s major championships despite broadcast partners suggesting otherwise. Marcoux Samaan has admitted to this scheduling issue, recently telling Sports Business Journal : “When we can sell partnerships earlier and we know what our schedule is earlier, then we can work more closely with Golf Channel, NBC, CBS, ESPN+ to plan out the schedule as best as we can,” she said. “And then continue to stress why it’s important to be on at the right time.” Ultimately, the issue may be more connected to issues locking down long-term sponsorship deals. The entire situation frustrated the players. “The CME is a perfect example. On Sunday, having to do split tees and tee off early in the day as well, it’s just not the way that a Tour Championship should be,” said one player, speaking on the condition of anonymity. But would it be better to negotiate their own deal down the road? That’s up for debate. While it does have its own deal with ESPN+ for live streams through 2025, it joined the men’s broadcast rights deal as the PGA Tour got a 70 percent increase. Monahan testified: “(T)hey would have received several million dollars of additional media rights revenue in 2020 than they did in 2019,” indicating that being paired with the men’s tours adds money for the women. Transgender rights Transgender professional golfer Hailey Davidson recently competed in the LPGA qualifying series and earned partial status on the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s developmental tour. Davidson’s emergence has reignited interest in the LPGA’s stance on the issue, and the lack of updates regarding the shaping of the LPGA’s gender policy has been a source of frustration to some LPGA players. Lauren Miller, Hannah Arnold, Dana Fall and Amy Olson have all publicly backed the Independent Women’s Forum’s efforts to bar Davidson and other future transgender athletes from competing on the LPGA Tour. Advertisement The tour’s gender policy , as stated on the LPGA website, reads: “Individuals who have undergone gender reassignment from male to female after puberty are eligible for membership and/or participation in tournaments, provided they comply with the eligibility requirements set forth below and provide certain documentation to LPGA (the suitability and acceptance of each as determined in LPGA’s sole discretion) in accordance with this policy.” In 2010, LPGA players voted to remove the “female at birth” clause from its policy shortly after a transgender woman sued the tour in federal court. Marcoux Samaan said in August that the LPGA is reviewing its policy and expects to update it by the end of the year. Bring out the stars The commotion created by Caitlin Clark’s appearance at The Annika last month was a win for the tournament and the LPGA — one of the biggest sports stars in the world announced herself as a recreational golfer and LPGA fan. You can pay for a star to show up at your event, but you can’t make it come across as authentic and Clark did that in Bellair, Fla. But there was also a tell in the way that some LPGA stars described Clark — Rose Zhang spoke about how Clark has a “star vibe” and seemed to almost look up to the WNBA Rookie of the Year. It was an oddly uneven dynamic given that Clark, 22, is only a year older than Zhang, and they were looked upon as collegiate phenoms at the same time. The Clark/Nelly Korda pro-am pairing was on much more equal footing, but it also illustrated the popularity gap between the most popular women’s basketball player and the most popular women’s golfer. You cannot make someone into Caitlin Clark — generations of basketball players all strained to push the proverbial boulder up the mountain, only for her to come along and make it look easy to generate record-setting TV ratings and attendance figures. The next LPGA commissioner will, however, have to find a way to make the most out of the gift that is Korda, and develop Zhang and the next generation into marketable, bankable stars. Advertisement The PIF threat A little over a year into her tenure as commissioner, Marcoux Samaan addressed tour membership in a letter. She expressed her desire to communicate with players about discussions of a merger with the Ladies European Tour, according to Golf Digest . The deal would expand upon the current joint venture that the LPGA and LET announced in 2019. Golf Saudi is a central LET partner and hosts the annual Aramco Saudi Ladies International and the multi-tournament Aramco Team Series. It is a component of Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the long-term financial plan to diversify the kingdom’s investments and cleanse its global image. Golf Saudi’s chairman is Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who also serves as the head of the Saudi Public Investment Fund — the backer of LIV Golf. The stars of the women’s game such as Korda and Lexi Thompson have participated and benefitted by winning Golf Saudi-backed Aramco events. But the plans to officially merge the LPGA and LET have been stalled since the initial talks began. Initial LPGA player votes were suspended indefinitely, reportedly due to an inquiry from Golf Saudi, and have continued to be postponed at the last minute. LPGA players were frustrated about the rollout of the proposed merger, as its implementation could reduce available tour cards. On the LET side, votes were planned and then postponed during last season’s LET Q-School and at the 2024 Dutch Ladies Open. At a player meeting at La Sella Golf Resort in Spain in September, LET officials told players that the LPGA had not decided on the status of the merger vote, according to an active LET member who was granted anonymity because she was not authorized to speak about the meeting publicly. Increased transparency regarding the ongoing discussions of an LPGA-LET merger were once a central talking point of Marcoux Samaan’s but has now been delayed to the point of player frustration. The lack of communication on a complicated subject will add another layer to the duties of an incoming commissioner. The topic is particularly timely with the added factor of the PGA Tour-PIF negotiations, which have been unsettled since a framework agreement was announced on June 6, 2023. (Top photo of Mollie Marcoux Samaan: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana.

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777 jili slot As school districts struggle to control the spread of cyberbullying, pornographic images and online exploitation among their students, Texas lawmakers could consider banning social media from minors, among other sweeping measures, in the upcoming legislative session. Over the last decade, Texas lawmakers have attempted to slow the spread of social media's harmful effects by criminalizing cyberbullying and preventing online platforms from collecting data on minors, the latter of which has faced court challenges by social media companies. While law enforcement and prosecutors have traditionally been responsible for cracking down on these online dangers, lack of resources in those agencies has meant enforcement has fallen onto educators, who already struggle to meet the demands of instruction, let alone stay knowledgeable on all the ways children use the internet. “Almost every kid comes to school these days, regardless of background, regardless of socioeconomic status, they have some type of smartphone device in their hand. So they will have access to unfettered content most of the time, no matter what we try to do,” said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers. Lawmakers have suggested several initiatives next session to address the online dangers affecting Texas children, including a bill filed by Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, that would prohibit minors from creating accounts on social media sites and require age verification for new users. Other options include adding funds to internet crimes units in law enforcement agencies, banning the use of people’s likeness in artificially created pornographic images, and making people aware of the dangers of the internet. "Social media is the most dangerous thing our kids have legal access to in Texas," Patterson said in a news release. While they welcome any efforts to reduce harm to children, school officials and cybercrime investigators say more needs to be done to hold social media companies accountable for enforcement. “We need these businesses to be responsible business people and throttle some of this tremendously negative content, particularly when it comes to kids,” Capo said. “But, you know, they don’t want to do anything like that.” During a Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing in October, lawmakers listened to a litany of stories about how social media has affected young people in Texas: a middle school girl who developed an eating disorder after watching a TikTok video, a middle school boy addicted to cartoon pornography after his YouTube algorithm took him to a porn site, and a woman who testified to being groomed for sex work in high school as her images were posted on social media applications. Most of these incidents had a starting point at school where children have frequent access to technology and teachers and administrators are too busy to provide oversight. Add in the fact that they know ways to circumvent campus firewalls, students are being groomed via social media on school grounds, said Jacquelyn Alutto, president of Houston-based No Trafficking Zone, during the hearing. “Right now, schools are a hunting ground,” she said. The Texas Tribune requested interviews with several school districts about online dangers in schools, including the Austin, Round Rock, Katy and Eanes school districts, but they did not respond. The Plano school district declined to be interviewed. Last year, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Psychological Association, among other national organizations, called out social media platforms for undermining classroom learning, increasing costs for school systems, and being a “root cause” of the nationwide youth mental health crisis. The admonishment came after a report detailed how school districts across the country are experiencing significant burdens as they respond to tech’s predatory and prevalent influence in the classroom. The same year, in an attempt to hold social media companies more accountable, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law House Bill 18, known as the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act. The SCOPE Act requires covered digital service providers to provide minors with certain data protections, prevent minors from accessing harmful content, and give parents tools to manage their child’s use of the service. It also required school districts to obtain parental consent for most software and social media applications used in the classroom and to look for alternatives to the internet for instruction. However, many of the family-friendly websites and games that children might use for entertainment are also rife with potential sexual predators who pretend to be children. “A little boy can be playing Robloxs in the cafeteria, and during that lunch break, a trafficker can target him, and he can be sexually groomed or exploited within a few weeks or months,” Alutto said. And even harder to control is when students share pornographic images of themselves online, a reason why some child welfare groups want social media platforms restricted or outright banned for minors. “This has also helped human traffickers groom and recruit children,” Alutto said. Studies show 95% of people aged 13 to 17 report using social media, with more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.” Nearly 40% of children ages 8 to 12 use social media, even though most platforms require a minimum age of 13 to sign up, according to a study by the U.S. Surgeon General. This has created a generation of chronically online children, and the medical community is still unsure of their longterm effects. Although the SCOPE Act was passed to restrict kids from seeing harmful online content and give parents more control over what their children do online, social media companies have watered it down. A federal district court judge earlier this year temporarily blocked part of the law that required them to filter out harmful content, saying it was unconstitutional under the First Amendment free speech right. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced in October that he was suing TikTok for allowing its algorithm to affect minors. TikTok denied the state's allegations, pointing to online information about how parents in certain states, including Texas, can contact TikTok to request that their teen's account be deleted. This lawsuit, like dozens of others across the country, is playing out in court, forcing Texas lawmakers to wait and see what more they can do in the upcoming session to hold social media companies accountable. Australia recently banned social media for children under the age of 16. “The state needs to ensure that if technology providers want to do business, they must protect our children, stop the flow of (child pornography and child sexual assault) and report it,” Brent Dupre, director of law enforcement at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, told The Texas Tribune. Dupre’s department is one of three Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces in the state, and his agency alone covers 134 counties. His office receives 2,500 cyber tips per month for investigation from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an overwhelming number of cases for an agency with only 11 officers. The problem is so persistent that Dupre said his office was conducting a live training session with law enforcement officers a few months ago on how to pose in chat rooms as a minor when the trainer noticed a real adult was already trying to solicit their fake minor for sex. “These proactive investigations aren’t done as frequently as we like because of the sheer caseload that we got,” Dupre said, noting how they work with other law enforcement agencies who are suffering with staff shortages. Christina Green, chief advancement and external relations officer for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, said her agency serves more than 60,000 child victims yearly, with a majority of these connected to online incidents that happened in school while using social media applications. She said law enforcement agencies as well as hers need more resources to protect children. “This field is rapidly developing, and the tools needed to continue must also develop,” she said. Echoing school officials, Dupre said social media companies should enforce more restrictions on what minors can do on their platforms. He said companies should be required to track attempts to upload child pornography and other internet harm and be held accountable for allowing sexually explicit content to stay on their websites. Dupre suggested lawmakers require chat and social media companies to use artificial intelligence to scan for child pornography and child sexual assault material and block users from sending this kind of material on their platforms. “To me, children who try to upload self-produced material should automatically have their accounts disabled,” he said. “Many technology providers scan for these photos and videos, which are then quarantined and reported, but not all providers lockout or cancel that user end-to-end encryption.” However, the most essential place to stop cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and other internet-based crimes on minors is at home, Green said. She suggested teaching children in schools as early as the third grade about online risks and repeating training yearly. She also wants the same education extended to parents.“We have been talking to parents about when you drop your kid off at someone’s house, do you know if devices will be used there? It’s like asking if there is a pool in the backyard. These types of questions need to become commonplace,” Green said. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.Millwall 0-1 Coventry: It's lift-off for Frank Lampard as he grabs his first win as boss to extend unbeaten start at the Sky Blues

CHANGSHA, China , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern China's rural revitalization strategy is crafting a remarkable narrative of transformation across the countryside, while progressive opening-up policies encourage foreign visitors to delve deeper into the nation's heartland. On December 26th , VOC.com.cn premiered the second season of its acclaimed series, I Am in Rural China. The show follows Teona Kvartskhava, an international guest, as she explores the villages of Hunan Province , offering viewers a firsthand look at the dynamic implementation of comprehensive rural revitalization. This captivating series invites a global audience to witness the dawn of a new era in China's rural landscapes, showcasing the country's evolving countryside to viewers worldwide. Rice field came as the first surprise. Hunan is the largest rice grower and producer in China . Hunan provides the high-quality and tasty rice. Teona Kvartskhava, a foreigner hardly feeding on rice, was tempted to have plenty of it. In Qunle Village, Lixian County, Changde, she also experienced "Double Rush", which is a time-honored agricultural event in China . An event that used to call for the joint efforts of all family members, has now become much easier thanks to technology. Departing from Lixian County for the moment, Teona Kvartskhava embarked on an exciting trip of tastes in Rucheng, Chenzhou , Southern Hunan . Hunan people are keen and expert on peppery food and spicy taste dominates the Hunan cuisine. Hunan is also rich in varieties of peppers. Jingpo town, a well-known town where spicy food prevails. It is a producer of red cluster pepper, officially one of the hottest peppers in China . From the crowded market, to the red and yellow pepper planting base, and then to the modern processing pepper workshop, the small cluster pepper strung up all corners of the town, so that the original ordinary mountain town has become extraordinarily lively and affluent. Of course, the "star" of the countryside here is not only agriculture, but also culture, which has also blossomed in this ancient land. As the birthplace of papermaking, China has preserved a unique handmade papermaking technique, which is used to make some "special" papers. In Shanghong Village, Liuyang, Teona Kvartskhava was lucky to meet two Chinese masters, who showed her hands-on experiences of "Gushan Tribute Paper" and "Floral Paper". As the process progresses, the paper took shape in her hands, as if history and culture were meeting in front of her eyes, and became the "first paper" in Teona Kvartskhava's life. So,What's rural China like? It's about hospitable peasants, about various agricultural produce, about profound history and culture, about colorful intangible cultural heritage. It's like a book telling numerous absorbing stories. Hopefully Teona Kvartskhava'll be luckier to visit more villages for their unique interest and charm. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/my-date-with-rural-chinavoccomcn-unveils-season-two-of-i-am-in-rural-china-302339884.html SOURCE voc.com.cn

Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons: How to watch live stream, TV channel, NBA start timeConstruction for Multnomah County deflection center will cost nearly double original estimate

RapidEye D-Wave Quantum Inc. ( NYSE: QBTS ) is one of many quantum computing stocks that has provided meteoric returns over the last month, a topic I aim to cover plain terms that those without a tech background can find useful. Taking Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.DETROIT (AP) — Brandon Noel's 26 points helped Wright State defeat Detroit Mercy 80-72 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * DETROIT (AP) — Brandon Noel's 26 points helped Wright State defeat Detroit Mercy 80-72 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? DETROIT (AP) — Brandon Noel’s 26 points helped Wright State defeat Detroit Mercy 80-72 on Saturday. Noel had seven rebounds for the Raiders (6-5, 1-1 Horizon League). Jack Doumbia scored 21 points while shooting 8 of 16 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 13 rebounds and three blocks. Alex Huibregste shot 5 of 10 from the field, including 2 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line to finish with 17 points, while adding six assists. The Titans (5-6, 1-1) were led in scoring by Orlando Lovejoy, who finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Detroit Mercy also got 12 points from Nate Johnson. Grant Gondrezick II also recorded 11 points and two steals. Wright State’s next game is Wednesday against Marshall at home. Detroit Mercy visits Davidson on Saturday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

Punjab, during a pre-budget meeting with Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaisalmer, raised a demand for central assistance to strengthen its police infrastructure and security efforts in border districts, with a grant of ₹ 1,000 crore. Besides this, the state also sought industrial incentives similar to those provided to Jammu & Kashmir and neighbouring hill states to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Revealing this in a press release issued here on Sunday, state finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state has strongly raised the demand to restore NABARD’s Short-Term Seasonal Agricultural Operations (ST-SAO) limit to ₹ 3,041 crore, from the reduced limit of ₹ 1,100 crore for FY 2024-25. “This is vital to prevent farmers from turning to moneylenders, aligning with the ‘Sahakar se Samriddhi’ principle, Cheema said adding that several states raised this issue and it was discussed at length. For road connectivity under PM Gati Shakti in Rajpura, Punjab has requested ₹ 100 crore to construct a 5.6 km, 45m wide approach road connecting NH 44 to the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Rajpura. This funding is essential for the timely completion of road construction and the successful implementation of the industrial cluster. Expressing gratitude for the Vande Bharat train connecting Amritsar with New Delhi, the Punjab government requested another Vande Bharat train to connect Bathinda, an agricultural and commercial hub, with the national capital. Cheema also proposed financial support to address crop residue management in Punjab. He said despite providing 1.45 lakh crop residue management (CRM) machines since 2018, high operational costs remain a challenge. The Punjab government has proposed an incentive of ₹ 2,500 per acre, with ₹ 2,000 per acre from the Centre and ₹ 500 per acre from the state. The total cost of this initiative is estimated at ₹ 2,000 crore, with the Centre footing ₹ 1,600 crore as budgetary support. Furthermore, the Cheema requested a special budget allocation for paddy diversification. “Diversifying paddy cultivation across 10 lakh hectares could result in substantial savings of over ₹ 30,000 crore. The government has proposed allocating a portion of these savings towards a comprehensive diversification package,” he said as per the press release. In addressing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) scheme, Finance Minister Cheema proposed enhancing the grant from ₹ 1.2 lakh to ₹ 2.5 lakh per beneficiary to accommodate rising construction costs. The minister also highlighted the need to release pending funds under the national health mission (NHM), amounting to ₹ 1,119 crore, and requested an increase in the honorarium for cook-cum-helpers under the PM Poshan Abhiyaan from ₹ 600 to ₹ 2,000 per month. Additionally, Punjab sought support for urban transportation e-bus services, requesting ₹ 300 crore for the procurement of 250 new electric buses and the installation of charging points. The state also called for reimbursement of procurement costs by the Union government, modernization of driving license testing with advanced technology, and reimbursement of pending rural development fee (RDF) amounting to ₹ 6,857 crore.Evolv Receives Expected Nasdaq Delinquency Notification

The Last of Us season 2 on HBO Max: When will it premiere? Check latest update

Letter to the Editor | 2025 just has to be betterAdewale 4-5 1-2 9, Klaczek 2-4 0-0 6, Joshua 4-4 2-2 13, Langford 5-9 1-2 11, Marshall 6-9 2-2 17, Reddish 4-7 2-3 12, Taylor 1-2 0-1 2, Neely 3-4 0-0 6, Briggs 1-4 0-0 3, Strand 2-6 0-0 6, Topuz 2-6 0-0 6, Adnan 0-1 0-0 0, Lindsey 0-0 2-2 2, Giralt 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 34-61 10-16 93. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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( MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUWAIT, Dec 22 (KUNA) -- Kuwait and India have agreed on raising their bilateral ties to a "strategic partnership", based on the deep-rooted and cordial relations between the two countries. They affirmed desire to boost cooperation in all fields, and that the partnership enhances mutual interest of the two states, said a joint statement by the two sides on Sunday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kuwait on December 21-22, in his first one, upon His Highness the Amir sheikh Meshal Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's invitation. Modi attended the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup for football, 'Khaleeji Zain', as a guest of honor of His Highness the Amir, on Saturday. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received the Indian premier at Bayan Palace on Sunday. Modi expressed his deepest gratitude to His Highness the Amir for granting him the "Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order". An official meeting was held during which views on multilateral international and regional issues of common concern were discussed. Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held official talks with his Indian peer, within the framework of new strategic partnership. Both sides renewed their commitment to boosting bilateral ties through comprehensive and organized cooperation in political, trade, investment, defense, security, energy, culture, education and technology fields. They recalled the decades-long historic bonds between the two peoples that have common history and rapprochement of cultures, voicing satisfaction about organized interactions on different levels that helped enhancing momentum in bilateral collaboration. The two sides welcomed the establishment of the joint cooperation committee (JCC) between Kuwait and India that will work as a constitutional mechanism to review and follow all aspects of bilateral relations, the statement noted. The committee will be co-chaired by Kuwait and India's Foreign Ministers, and a joint action group will be stablished to cover the domains of trade, investments, education, skills development, sciences, technology, security, agriculture, combating terror, culture, in addition to standing fields in health, manpower and others, it stated. Furthermore, the two sides affirmed the pivotal role of trade as a link between the two countries, and big capabilities for further growth and trade diversification, it said. Due to India's economic growth and Kuwait's investment capacity, the two countries discussed different investment opportunities in India. Kuwait expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in technology, tourism, healthcare, food security, logistic services and others. The Kuwaiti side welcomed steps made by India in creating an appropriate investment environment in several fields like technology, tourism, health and others. They emphasized the need of bolstering communication between Kuwait's investment institutions, and India's funds, companies and corporations. They encouraged investment and participation in infrastructure projects, and directed concerned bodies in the two countries to speed up ending the ongoing talks on bilateral investments. Additionally, they focused on strengthening cooperation and partnership in energy, oil, gas and renewable energy. They welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in defense that will provide the required framework of boosting ties on joint military exercises, maritime defense and others. The two sides categorically condemned terrorism in its forms and crossing-border terror, calling for drying up the sources of terror funding and dismantling its infrastructure, according to the statement. They expressed appreciation to the current bilateral collaboration in security, and agreed on boosting this cooperation in anti-terror operations, information exchange, intelligence, the best technology and building capacity, as well as combating money laundering, drug smuggling and crossing-border crimes. They further discussed means of boosting cooperation in cybersecurity, and preventing e-space from being used for terrorism and extremism. The Indian side lauded the final session of the High-Level International Conference on "Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms - The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process" hosted by Kuwait on November 4-5. Both sides affirmed that cooperation in the health field constitutes a key pillar of bilateral ties, voicing commitment to enhancing this sector. They expressed appreciation to mutual cooperation during the Covid-19, and discussed the possibility of setting up an Indian factory to manufacture medicine in Kuwait. Moreover, they showed their interest in deepening and boosting cooperation in technology, including artificial intelligence, e-methods and emerging technologies. The two sides dealt with enhancing collaboration among companies, and e-governance, and sharing the best practices to facilitate firms action and industry in both countries. The Kuwaiti side expressed its attention to cooperate with India to ensure food security, and discussed varied means of collaboration, including Kuwaiti companies' investments in India. The Indian side welcomed Kuwait's decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which represents an important step towards cooperation towards adopting low-carbon paths and promoting sustainable energy. India expressed its aspiration to work closely with Kuwait to increase solar energy deployment globally within the ISA's framework. The two sides referred to the recent civil aviation authorities' meetings of both countries, with Kuwait expressing its keenness to consider increasing passenger capacity of flights, India expressed its readiness to reach a mutually satisfactory solution. Both Kuwait and India approved of the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) for 2025-2029, which will facilitate the promotion of cultural exchange in art, music, and literature festivals, and affirmed commitment to strengthening cooperation and ties between people of both countries. Kuwait and India signed the Executive Program for Sports Cooperation for 2025-2028, which will enhance mutual exchanges and visits of athletes, organization of workshops, seminars, conferences, and sport publication exchanges. The two sides stressed the importance of education as an important area of cooperation, including strengthening ties and exchanges between higher education institutions, and expressing interest in cooperating in the field of educational technology to modernize educational infrastructure. As part of the MoU between the Kuwaiti Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), the two sides welcomed the proposal to organize a special course for Kuwaiti diplomats and officers at the SSIFS institute in New Delhi. Kuwait and India acknowledged the centuries old people ties that are crucial for the historical relations, with Kuwait expressing its appreciation and high respect of the Indian community and citizens in Kuwait that promote development efforts, and for their peaceful and hardworking nature. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his appreciation to Kuwait's leadership for its interest in the care and welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait. The two sides stressed the importance of historic cooperation in the field of work force mobility and human resources, and agreed to hold regular meetings to address issues related to expatriates, labor mobility, and matters of common interest. Both sides commended the coordination between them at the UN and other multilateral organizations, with India welcoming Kuwait as a dialogue partner at the Shan MENAFN22122024000071011013ID1109021977 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.

Tait-Jones scores 21 as UC San Diego defeats James Madison 73-67Springworks Therapeutics COO sells $839,335 in stock

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. Kohl’s tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Maputo – The ruling FRELIMO party in Mozambique appears to have taken a page out of Zanu PF’s 2013 election playbook, employing a shadowy social media figure, “Unay Cambuma,” to spread disinformation and sow confusion ahead of the controversial elections. The character, reminiscent of Zimbabwe’s infamous Baba Jukwa, has been using Facebook to post a mix of propaganda, conspiracy theories, and attacks against opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane. The posts aim to divert public attention from allegations of a rigged election and discourage mass protests, which have been growing in response to perceived electoral fraud. In the run up to the Zimbabwe’s 2013 elections, Zanu PF deployed the infamous Baba Jukwa, a supposed insider leaking information about the party. The enigmatic figure used social media to captivate the public, simultaneously spreading disinformation and undermining opposition cohesion. The tactic was part of a broader propaganda strategy that helped Zanu PF secure electoral victory despite widespread accusations of irregularities. Zanu PF’s sister party, FRELIMO in Mozambique, seems to be employing a similar strategy and created Unay Cambuma, a digital provocateur, to distract the populace from electoral disputes and direct attention away from the growing calls for democracy and accountability. Cambuma’s posts echo themes of resistance while subtly undermining opposition efforts. The ghost charecter’s latest messages include: The posts mix half-truths with blatant propaganda to fracture opposition movements and bolster FRELIMO’s grip on power. Given the similarities between Unay Cambuma and Baba Jukwa, questions arise about potential collaboration between Zanu PF and FRELIMO. Both parties share a history of leveraging propaganda and suppressing dissent to maintain power, and the exportation of Zanu PF’s disinformation model could be a strategic move to fortify FRELIMO’s regime. Mozambique’s political analysts warn that such tactics could further destabilise the country, undermining democratic processes and entrenching authoritarianism. As Mozambique faces mounting political tension, the influence of digital propaganda campaigns like Unay Cambuma cannot be underestimated. The international community and local activists must remain vigilant, countering disinformation and advocating for electoral transparency to uphold democracy in the region.

The Cornell Big Red versus the Syracuse Orange is one of many strong options on Wednesday in college basketball action — suggested picks against the spread for 10 games are available below. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .None“Wicked” isn’t only playing in multiplexes this holiday season. The long-running musical can also continue to be seen live at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway for the 21st consecutive year. Mary Kate Morrissey (Elphaba) and Alexandra Socha (Glinda) lead the current cast; the pair took over the iconic roles back in April of this year. “She is the person I’m supposed to be doing this with every single day,” Morrissey told Broadway Direct . “We’re both so dedicated to the story and being earnest with the characters and not trying to prove that we have this riff or whatever it is. It’s more important that the friendship shines in the story, and I think that that being important to us shows through our show.” If you want to see Elphaba, Glinda and The Wizard IRL, it isn’t too late to make your way down to Oz Midtown Manhattan. At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for any one show over the next few months was $113 before fees on Vivid Seats. Other shows have seats starting anywhere from $117 to $492 before fees . While that’s a bit more expensive than seeing Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on the big screen (even if you get popcorn and a soda), it’s hard to put a price on hearing “Popular” and ‘Defying Gravity” live. To find the performance for you, our team has everything you need to know about seeing “Wicked” on Broadway below. All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation. “Wicked” 2024-25 schedule Like most Broadway shows, “Wicked,” has a standard eight show a week schedule running from Tuesday through Sunday (although there is a Monday performance Thanksgiving week). However, there is one unconventional aspect to the calendar. Rather than have your typical two shows on Wednesdays, “Wicked” has afternoon and evening shows on Sundays. Matinees take place Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. To find the show that makes the most sense for you, we recommend reviewing the beloved, Tony Award-winning musical’s schedule here . The Broadway show runs 2 hours and 45 minutes. There is a 15-minute intermission. “Wicked” outside New York Elphaba and Glinda aren’t just playing New York City this year. Here’s where else you can see “Wicked” live these next few months: “Wicked” cast Rather than make you wait until you have a playbill in hand, we did the homework for you and found out a bit about each of “Wicked’s” five most notable cast members. Mary Kate Morrissey (Elphaba): The 35-year-old lead is the 25th Elphaba in the musical’s history. Prior to taking the role, she spent a decade touring “Wicked” in 92 cities as the green witch. Elphaba isn’t the only role Morrissey’s played though — she’s also acted in “Mean Girls” and “Hair.” Alexandra Socha (Glinda): This is not Socha’s first Broadway gig. On top of her role as Glinda, she appeared in “Head Over Heels,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Spring Awakening.” You may have also seen her in “Red Oaks,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Evil.” Donna McKechnie (Madame Morrible): In 1976, McKechnie received the Tony Award for her work in “A Chorus Line.” Nearly 50 years late, she’s still going strong on stage. The 82-year-old vet has performed in innumerable Broadway shows and films like “The Little Prince” and “Every Little Step.” Brad Oscar (The Wizard): It’s certainly possible Oscar looks familiar. He’s shown up in TV shows like “Smash” and “The Good Wife” as well as the films “Ghost Town” and “The Producers.” On Broadway, he received a Tony nomination for his work in “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “The Producers.” Jordan Litz (Fiyero): “Wicked” is Litz’s Broadway debut. In addition to national touring and regional roles in shows like “Legally Blonde” and numerous Walt Disney World productions. He also competed as a swimmer in the 2012 US Olympic Trials. Want to match more names to faces? Check out “Wicked’s” full cast list, complete with full bios, here . Huge musicals on Broadway in 2024-25 There’s a truly staggering number of great shows running in midtown Manhattan this year (and next). Here are just five of our favorite musicals you won’t want to miss in the near future. • “Hamilton” • “Book of Mormon” • “Six” • “& Juliet” • “The Outsiders” Want to catch a concert too? Check out our list of all the 2025 Grammy nominees on tour to find the show for you. Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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63 jili slot We needed it – Pep Guardiola relieved to end Man City’s winless runThe most recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) focused on finance, but it fell short in more ways than one. The contentious negotiations -- representatives from several developing countries walked out in protest -- defied the odds to produce a commitment -- the "Baku Climate Unity Pact" -- from developed economies to deliver $300 billion in climate funding annually to their poorer counterparts by 2035. That is triple the target agreed in 2009 (and reached, for the first time, in 2022), but it is nowhere near the estimated $1.3 trillion in annual financing that developing economies will need over this period. Although the agreement represents progress, we must recognise it as merely a starting point. But insufficient financing is only part of the problem. The reality is that as world leaders clashed in Baku amid unprecedented international tensions, the true battle being waged was for the future of climate finance -- and women's role in it. Women and children are 14 times more likely to die in climate-related disasters than men, and women comprise 80% of those displaced by extreme weather. These disparities are not incidental but are rooted in systemic inequalities. Yet the so-called New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance includes just one reference to women and girls: in paragraph 26, it "urges parties and other relevant actors to promote the inclusion and extension of benefits to vulnerable communities and groups in climate finance efforts, including women and girls". Women and girls' greater vulnerability to climate change reflects systemic inequality of access to education, economic opportunities and decision-making power. These differences are also apparent at climate-related forums. While this year's COP was heralded as the most gender-balanced in terms of registrations, women accounted for just 35% of delegates (up from 34% at COP28). Of the 78 world leaders who attended, a mere eight were women, and only four addressed gender-specific issues in their statements. Climate initiatives that explicitly include women have been shown to produce better outcomes for entire communities. Moreover, women are already leading some of the most innovative and effective climate initiatives globally in areas ranging from sustainable agriculture to renewable energy deployment. The conclusion should be obvious: the potential for gender-responsive climate finance to unlock more efficient pathways for decarbonisation, adaptation, and resilience makes it a strategic necessity. And yet for every US$100 (3,378 baht) of climate finance deployed globally, only 20 cents goes towards supporting women, and only 0.01% of climate finance addresses both climate action and women's rights. Even so, COP29 was not a total loss for women and girls. The enhanced Lima work programme on gender was extended for another decade, though without additional funding for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat to support implementation. In addition, the 27 gender-specific provisions in the final "Presidency text on gender and climate change" emphasised the vital role of women's full, meaningful and equal participation in climate action and the critical importance of incorporating gender considerations into all policymaking domains. The "gender action plan" that countries agreed to develop for adoption at COP30 provides a framework for progress. Despite these commitments, COP29 fell short in addressing critical intersectional issues such as the links between gender equality, peacebuilding, and climate action. Similarly, calls to address gender gaps in skills -- such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics training to access green jobs -- and the care economy as part of climate action failed to make it into the final document. While the text encouraged gender-responsive climate finance and simplified access for grassroots women's organisations and indigenous communities, it lacked the structural push necessary to ensure implementation at scale. To transform COP29's promises into reality, we need clear international guidelines for gender integration backed by allocated budgets, measurable targets and participatory approaches to ensure effective, transparent and accountable climate finance. High priority should be given to financing local initiatives, particularly in informal settlements, where women often lead climate-resilience efforts. Robust tracking systems -- which monitor not only how much money is pledged but also where it goes and who it benefits -- are essential. Of course, international action alone cannot close the gender gap in climate action; national policy frameworks are also vital. And here, too, women continue to be sidelined. According to the latest analysis from the UNFCCC, 82% of countries mention gender in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), but fewer than 26% include meaningful gender considerations in their long-term strategies and investments. As countries prepare their updated NDCs -- to be submitted this February and assessed at COP30 in November -- they must take care to incorporate gender-specific programmes and policies. We do not know whether the international environment will be any less tense when countries gather in Brazil for COP30. But we do know that the failure to pursue meaningful climate action would carry astronomical costs, as the proliferation of deadly climate disasters results in lost lives and trillions of dollars in lost output. We also know that if the fight against climate change is to succeed, it must be as inclusive as it is transformative. That is why COP30 offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on our priorities and align gender equality with the Paris climate agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. The climate crisis is not gender-neutral, so our solutions cannot be. Without a consistent focus on gender-responsive climate finance, we risk perpetuating cycles of vulnerability. Thirty years after the UN's Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action established gender equality's place on the global agenda, we must achieve another leap forward for women's rights, this time as a vital part of the fight against climate change. ©2024 Project Syndicate María Fernanda Espinosa, a former president of the UN General Assembly, is Executive Director of GWL Voices and Co-Chair of the Debt Relief for a Green and Inclusive Recovery Project. She was a member of the COP29 International Advisory Committee.

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The champions had descended into crisis after a run of seven games without a win – six of which were defeats and the other an embarrassing 3-3 draw after leading 3-0. Four of those losses had come in the Premier League, heavily damaging their chances of claiming a fifth successive title, but they appeared to turn the corner by sweeping Forest aside at the Etihad Stadium. “We needed it,” said City manager Guardiola. “The club, the players, everyone needed to win. “But it is just one game and in three days we are at Selhurst Park, where it has always been difficult. “We played good. We still conceded some transitions and missed some easy things and lost some passes that you have to avoid, but in general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and we won it.” Kevin De Bruyne, making his first start since September after overcoming a pelvic injury, made a huge difference to a side that appeared rejuvenated. His powerful header was turned in by Bernardo Silva for the opening goal and the Belgian followed up with a powerful strike to make it 2-0. The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but it was a strong riposte to recent suggestions of a rift with Guardiola. “I’m so happy for him,” said Guardiola of De Bruyne’s telling contribution. “Last season he was many months injured and this season as well. “I’m so happy he’s back. He fought a lot, he’s worked and he’s back with his physicality. The minutes he played in Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes.” Jeremy Doku wrapped up a pleasing win when he finished a rapid counter-attack just before the hour but there was still a downside for City with injuries to defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji. Guardiola said: “For Nathan it doesn’t look good and Manu has struggled a lot over the last two months. We will see. “Phil (Foden) has bronchitis but when he doesn’t have fever he will be ready.” Despite City’s dominance, Forest did have some bright moments and manager Nuno Espirito Santo was not downbeat. He said: “When you lose 3-0 and you say it was a good performance maybe people don’t understand, but I will not say that was a bad performance. “There are positive things for us in the game. Of course there are a lot of bad things, mistakes, but we had chances. “We didn’t achieve but I think we come out proud of ourselves because we tried. For sure, this game will allow us to grow.”Nat and Drew. Jess and Shawn. Daryn and Deepa. Erin and Peter. Googling morning radio show hosts online brings up a large variety of names, stations and sparkling personalities, but with one commonality that becomes glaringly apparent the longer one looks: Almost always, a male host is part of the program. Not so with Virgin Radio Vancouver's (94.5) Holly Conway and Nira Arora, who are among the only — if not the only — female-led morning show across Canada and potentially, far further than just our country's borders. In an age where there's an endless variety of what people choose to listen too, including satellite radio and podcasts, many still gravitate to shows like Holly and Nira for their local, quality content, and also, how they stand out from the rest. "I think technically, we are the first female-led Canadian women duo for a Top 40 radio station in Canada," Arora, who lives in South Surrey with her husband and three children, said Wednesday (Dec. 11), shortly after wrapping their 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. weekday show. She and Conway agreed the milestone also means a lot of pressure. "I think it's super cool! it's very cool ... it's very uncharted territory and it's also, a very male-dominated industry, so it feels pretty awesome! But (there's) a lot of pressure," said Conway, who lives in North Vancouver with her husband and two children. The duo keeps their listeners entertained and informed for several hours a day, five days a week, with constant contests to enter, vacation and cash giveaways, as well traffic, news, pop culture tidbits and Arora's Biz each morning. Sometimes, if the pair disagree on a topic, they'll send it to their listeners with a Five Calls Says It All segment, and listeners decide who's right, among other program features. "I think there used to be typical roles in radio for women, like the morning show guy and the sidekick," Conway noted. "Two dudes in the morning and the woman! — a lot of stereotypical roles — she does traffic, she does weather, she's the 'ha ha girl,' and I think for us, it's been really cool to do something that has never been done ... to be two women that actually big up each other and support each other and have built this crazy trust — it is such a trusting environment because there is no button. Everyone always asks, 'Is there a button that you hit? If it's not going well? Is there a delay? There's no delay — it's live." The duo became a female-led show in early 2021, when their former morning show colleague, Jonny Staub, switched careers and became a firefighter. "At the end of the day, we thought about adding someone else ... we didn't want to force it," Arora recalled. She and Conway are about much more than fun and frivolity in the mornings, however, as longtime listeners (this author included) can confirm. They focus on serious issues such as mental health, hosting therapists on their show for things like Therapy Thursdays as well as Bell Media's Let's Talk initiative, an annual event that encourages people to join the conversation on mental health. Arora and Conway also stand out by keeping it real. They share extremely personal information about their own lives on a daily basis, bringing a warmth and authenticity to the program, drawing their own experiences into their early-morning, on-air discussions. "We constantly mine our lives for information for stories, for bits we can turn into great content on the air. ... I think we bring really original content that no one else does, but you also have to be so open to talking about things," Conway said. "People say to us, 'We feel like we know you!' and I'm like, 'Well you do! I don't know you, but you definitely know us. We're very open — you have to be very open and honest, and that can be a challenge sometimes." Sharing such personal information about their lives can be tough at times, she shared. "My youngest son is on the spectrum, and that's been a new challenge for me. It's been difficult for me to talk about, but I do feel like we have an amazing platform to use for good." Arora agreed, and added having a passion for what they do — especially when it means waking up at 3:30 a.m., five days a week — also helps keep the show real and fresh. "I think the freshness also comes with me still having a passion for what I do, so that is what lights the fire inside for me ... is loving what I do and having a passion for it, and that's what keeps things fresh and not going stale." Working as closely as they have, as long as they have (since 2012), the pair have become friends in real life, they shared, with some listeners even thinking they live together (they don't). They both made a choice — of their own volition — during the COVID-19 pandemic that they have stuck to, to this day. "We've decided — every single day we take one of our breaks — every time we go on the air, it's called one of our breaks ... Every single day we take one break and we've decided to dedicate it towards social justice, some form of social justice, whether it's diversity, multiculturalism — any type of fundraising or campaigns to support those who need a voice, who don't really have a voice in the community," Arora said. "I think we're the only show — maybe ... I don't know anywhere that has made that type of commitment." As busy morning show hosts as well as mothers and wives with young children and jam-packed family life schedules, the duo admit the constant sleep deprivation, as their hours are akin to shift work, can take a toll. But they try to balance as much as they're able, often working in the local community throughout the Lower Mainland. "We love connecting with the community — we try to be out there as much as we can, because it means a lot to us," Arora said. Each pair hopes listeners take away something different from each show. "I hope they’re entertained — that we add to their day, and that they sort of feel like they’re hanging with friends in the morning," Conway said. "It’s crazy right now for everybody, and it’s a very stressful time to be doing anything, so hopefully we take away from the stress." Arora — "Learn! She wants to say learn!" Conway interjected with a grin — said she hopes listeners feel. "I hope that they — I would love to say learn — but what I really want is that every listener feels something, whether they’re happy or they get sad, whether they get angry ... I hope every person feels a feeling."

NoneBOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Cl B stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors

Madhushree Ghosh launched a supper club to help build community by sharing food — and ideas.NEW YORK, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (NASDAQ: KSPI) resulting from allegations that Kaspi.kz may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Kaspi.kz securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29172 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On September 19, 2024, Culper Research issued a report entitled “Kaspi.kz (KSPI): The NASDAQ-Listed Fintech Moving Money for Criminals and Kleptocrats.” In this report, Culper announced it was “short Kaspi, the operator of the largest payment network and second largest bank in Kazakhstan. We believe Kaspi has systematically misled U.S. investors and regulators in its repeated claims – especially ahead of the Company’s January 2024 [NASDAQ] listing – that the Company has zero exposure to Russia.” Further, Culper announced its “research exposes this grave deception: we believe that not only do Kaspi’s relationships with Russian partners permeate every segment of its business, but that in the wake of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and into 2024, Russia has contributed materially to Kaspi’s reported growth. Our research further unmasks Kaspi’s history of shadowy dealmaking, which raises not only related party and self-dealing concerns, but also exposes the Company’s vast, longstanding ties to bad actors including sanctioned oligarchs and Russian mobsters. We believe that Kaspi’s premium valuation and US listing are at risk, and shares are headed lower.” On this news, Kaspi.kz American Depositary Shares’ (“ADS”) fell 16.1% on September 19, 2024, and a further 2.7% on September 20, 2024. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com

BOULDER, Colo. — Travis Hunter is a throwback-type player — an elite receiver one moment, a lockdown cornerback the next — who rarely leaves the field and has a knack for making big plays all over it. The Colorado Buffaloes' two-way standout (see: unicorn) even celebrates at an elite level, unveiling imaginative dance moves following touchdowns and interceptions, some of which include the Heisman Trophy pose. It's one of the many awards he's in line to win. Hunter is the The Associated Press college football player of the year, receiving 26 of 43 votes Thursday from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. "Couldn't do what I do without my team," Hunter said in an email on a trip to Las Vegas for an awards ceremony. "So I view being up for these awards as team awards." A player with his particular set of skills doesn't come around that often. He's a flashback to the days of Charles Woodson at Michigan or Champ Bailey at Georgia. Or even his coach, Deion Sanders, a two-way star in the NFL. The prospect of significant playing time on both sides of the ball is what led Hunter to join Sanders at Jackson State and why he followed Sanders to Boulder. "Coach Prime was the only coach who would consider allowing me to do what I'm doing," said Hunter, who's expected to be a top-five pick next spring in the NFL draft, possibly even the No. 1 overall selection. "He did it and knows what it takes — how much you have to be ready on both sides of the ball." Want to fuel Hunter? Simply tell him he can't. "I'm motivated when people tell me I can't do something," Hunter said. "That I can't dominate on both sides of the ball. I want to be an example for others that anything is possible. Keep pursuing your dreams." Hunter helped the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record this season and a berth in the Alamo Bowl against No. 17 BYU (10-2) on Dec. 28. He played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the lone Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Hunter has already won a second straight Paul Hornung award as the game's most versatile player. He's up for the Walter Camp (player of the year), Maxwell (most outstanding player), the Biletnikoff (best receiver) and Bednarik (top defensive player) awards. And, of course, the Heisman, where he's the odds-on favorite to win over Jeanty this weekend. Hunter can join the late Rashaan Salaam as the only Colorado players to capture the Heisman. Salaam won it in 1994 after rushing for 2,055 yards. Hunter wasn't a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation's top defensive back. That drew the wrath of Sanders, who earned the award with Florida State in 1988 and vowed to give his trophy to Hunter. Hunter's high school coach, Lenny Gregory, knew he had a special player the summer of Hunter's freshman year. Gregory, then the coach at Collins Hill in Georgia, had a conditioning test for his players — run six 200-yard dashes with a minute rest in between. Defensive backs had to complete each in under 32 seconds. Hunter never even got winded. He played safety/cornerback and receiver as a freshman and helped Collins Hill to a state title his senior season. "I remember just talking to colleges the spring of his ninth-grade year and telling coaches that this kid's going to be the No. 1 player in the country," recounted Gregory, who's now the coach at Gordon Central High in Calhoun, Georgia. "They'd look at him and laugh at me, 'What are you talking about? This scrawny kid? He's not big enough.' I was like, 'Just watch. Just watch.'" Hunter finished the regular season with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. On defense, he had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced one crucial fumble, which secured an OT win over Baylor. Overall, Hunter had 92 receptions and allowed 22. He hauled in 14 receiving TDs and allowed just one. He was responsible for 53 first downs and gave up just six. He was targeted 119 times by Shedeur Sanders & Co. but only 39 times by opposing QBs. Hunter's likely final game in Boulder, a rout of Oklahoma State, was a three-touchdown, one-interception performance. "I'm used to seeing him do all this spectacular stuff," Shedeur Sanders said. "I'm used to all this stuff — you all are just now seeing it on national stage." Get local news delivered to your inbox!There's one final way Biden can fund Ukraine's fight against Russia, researchers sayFPGA-Accelerated LLMs: The Future of AI Inferencing is Here

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jili 337 UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New YorkAnd in that moment, as he stood there catching his breath, he knew that his journey was just beginning. The road ahead was long and uncertain, filled with challenges and obstacles he couldn't even begin to imagine. But as he turned his face to the cool evening breeze, he smiled – a smile of defiance, of determination, of hope.West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui believes his side “deserved to win” as they sealed a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park. Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin needs hip surgery and will be out four to six months, jeopardizing the season for the 32-year-old now dealing with the second major hip injury of his career. Seguin will have a procedure to repair an impingement and the labrum in his left hip, the team said Wednesday. The surgery is planned for Thursday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekChina Economic Observations in 2024: Multiple Drivers Propelling High-Quality Development

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The sudden loss of a life in such circumstances is always deeply distressing, not only for those directly involved but for all individuals witnessing the event. The crew members onboard showed admirable composure and professionalism in managing the situation, ensuring that the passenger received the best possible care under the circumstances. Despite their best efforts, however, fate had already been sealed.

In conclusion, the announcement of the sampling and testing of KOMOSEE's LPDDR5 6400Mbps memory modules, based on SK Hynix's wafer-level packaging technology, represents a significant milestone in the semiconductor industry. These cutting-edge memory chips are poised to set a new standard for performance, reliability, and efficiency, catering to the increasing demands of modern computing and communication technologies. Stay tuned for more updates on the commercial availability of KOMOSEE's groundbreaking LPDDR5 memory solutions.CHENNAI : In an effort to explore how religion shapes the city and the city shapes religion, the University of Madras in association with the Center for the Study of Religion Culture and Society, Elon University, US, will be hosting an international conference "Religion and Cities" in March. The conference, which will be held on March 11 and 12, will also examine the contours and dynamics of urban religious formations as well as their relation to peri-urban and rural formations. Sources from the university here said that the two-day conference will examine the convergences between religion and the city and will look at the complex and organic relationship between the two. Many scholars from across the globe will participate in the gathering and examine the contours and dynamics of urban religious formations as well as their relation to peri-urban and rural formations. The university sources further said that the conference will explore both the public expressions and private practices of religions in Indian cities, including the celebratory and the spectacular dimensions as well as the quieter side of urban religion. The experts will also provide a platform for the interdisciplinary study of urban religion that includes voices from fields such as sociology, anthropology, religious studies, and history. Accordingly, a total of ten themes will be taken during the conference, which includes urban innovations, urban space and sacred places including studies of temple cities, migrant urban religions, urban processional and festival practices, urban identities, urban religion and social justice.

The first of the three clubs vying for the Dutch defender is Manchester City, a perennial contender in the English Premier League and a force to be reckoned with in European competitions. With a track record of success and a star-studded squad, Manchester City presents an attractive proposition for the defender as he considers his next career move.

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As Arsenal looks to navigate the challenges of the season and overcome the setbacks of the transfer window, Arteta and the club's leadership must learn from their mistakes, adapt their transfer strategy, and make proactive decisions to strengthen the squad and address key weaknesses. The road ahead will be tough, but with the right approach and a willingness to learn from past failures, Arsenal can bounce back and regain the confidence of their fans and the footballing world.Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada has not only strained relations between the two neighboring countries but has also raised concerns about the potential impact on the Canadian economy. In response, Trudeau has issued a stern rebuke, emphasizing that Canada will not be bullied into accepting unfair trade practices and that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its industries and workers.