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Infinity Nikki is blessing the world with its stunning visuals and fabulous outfits, and it’s available as a free-to-play experience. Many are wondering, however, if there are any Infinity Nikki gacha elements to worry about. Are there Infinity Nikki gacha elements? Infinity Nikki has you collect costumes for special abilities and gorgeous new outfits to wear in the game. While some can be received by simply progressing in the game, other outfits are exclusively gacha . How does the gacha system work? It works very similarly to Genshin Impact. You can get four- and five-star outfits from the Resonance (like Wish) system . With every 10 Revelation or Resonite Crystals, you’ll get a guaranteed 4-star or higher piece of an outfit. You’ll need to gain Stellarites or Diamonds to get these Crystals. Diamonds act similarly to Primogems if you’ve played Genshin Impact. You’ll gain them from completing quests and finishing in-game activities . These diamonds can be used to get the Revelation and Resonite Crystals. You’ll need 120 of them to gain one, so 1,200 Diamonds are required to gain a 10-pull. If you want to skip the Diamond grinding, you can pay for Stellarites, another currency that can be used to gain Crystals. They cost the following in real money: With the first top-up, you’ll get a double bonus. For example, if you spend $0.99 on 60 Stellarites, you’ll get a bonus 60 Stellarites for 120 in total. Certain costumes can be purchased outright. If you head to the bottom tab of the Store, you can access four different outfits, such as the Scalry Dream dress. They each vary in press and might be on sale.

Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general

Britain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. While Berlin and other governments said they were watching the fast-moving developments in the war-ravaged nation, Austria signalled it would soon deport refugees back to Syria. Far-right politicians elsewhere made similar demands, including in Germany -- home to Europe's largest Syrian community -- at a time when immigration has become a hot-button issue across the continent. Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, reacted with disdain to Sunday's mass rallies by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assad's downfall. "Anyone in Germany who celebrates 'free Syria' evidently no longer has any reason to flee," she wrote on X. "They should return to Syria immediately." World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief at the weekend as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, ending Assad's brutal rule while also sparking new uncertainty. A German foreign ministry spokesman pointed out that "the fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful developments" in the future. Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with most arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said many Syrian refugees "now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland" but cautioned that "the situation in Syria is currently very unclear". The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for ongoing asylum procedures "until the situation is clearer". She added that "concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation". Rights group Amnesty International slammed Germany's freeze on asylum decisions, stressing that for now "the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear". The head of the UN refugee agency also cautioned that "patience and vigilance" were needed on the issue of refugee returns. In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry "to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants". Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had "instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria". "The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days," the ministry said, adding it is "currently monitoring and analysing the new situation". The French interior ministry said it too would put asylum requests from Syrians on hold, with authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway announcing similar moves. Britain's interior ministry said it was taking the same measure "whilst we assess the current situation". The Italian government said late Monday after a cabinet meeting that it too was suspending asylum request "in line with other European partners." The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be "reviewed". "Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power" in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X. "I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home." In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assad's fall will eventually allow "the safe return of Syrian refugees" to their country, but without announcing concrete measures. In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections. Achim Brotel, president of a grouping of German communes, called for border controls to stop fleeing Assad loyalists reaching Germany. The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection. "If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country," CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV. CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros ($1,057) to "anyone who wants to return". A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats criticised the debate as "populist and irresponsible". Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said "it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria" and deportation talk was "completely out of place". Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return. "We want to go back to Syria," said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help "rebuild" his country. "But we have to wait a bit now," he told AFP. "We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria." burs-fz/rlp/phz/gv/giv

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PHOTOS: Jacksonville, Havelock clash in fourth round of playoffs

jili golden empire ‘Tis the season for Christmas movies, and one of the most-talked about of the season so far is Hot Frosty . The rom-com, which is available to stream with a Netflix subscription , tells the story of an especially sexy snowman, who comes to life and romances a lonely woman. So far, the film is generating some serious buzz, by the looks of social media. It seems that it's now even managed to garner the attention of Ryan Reynolds and his Aviator Gin brand, which spoofed the movie with an A+ ad. Never one to pass up an opportunity, Ryan Reynolds shared the yuletide advertisement to Instagram. In the video, the A-lister himself is put in the place of the snowman. While it seems to be set up like the situation from the 2024 movie release , this scenario merely sees the young lady simply wanting a decent cocktail. Check it out. A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) A photo posted by on In the film, a well-placed scarf brings a snowman to life. Here, the woman simply uses to swipe the bottle of gin because, seriously, if you saw a full bottle of gin being held by a snowman, is there a reason you wouldn’t take it home? Well, apparently because mutilating a snowman hurts. I may never make a snowman again. Ryan Reynolds owns an ad agency, Maximum Effort, which produces commercials for many different companies, including his own business interests like Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile. Many of the ads Reynolds' company has done have cashed in on cultural moments. For instance, the company previously made a Pelaton ad , when And Just Like That... used the product in a way that generated press. The ads frequently go viral, because they are entertaining; and this snowman-centric bit is no exception. The battle of the celebrity booze is, if nothing else, quite entertaining for the rest of us. At this point, numerous celebrities have their own alcohol brand, or in the case of Tom Holland , non-alcoholic beer. They can be quite profitable for the stars, especially when they sell them and can make literally billions. ( George Clooney pocketed a lot of cash when he did just that.) Until then, they all get to have some fun using their celebrity to help promote the brand. Matthew McConaughey has been dropping equally hilarious ads for his tequila brand, frequently making parodies of his movies, sans pants. I'm interested in seeing what the shelf life of this ad ends up being. Of course, it will greatly depend on the commercial and possibly critical success of Hot Frosty . The beauty of the best Christmas movies is that if they become a hit, they can essentially live forever as fans return to them year after year. Of course, even if they’re initially successful, most holiday flicks don’t have that kind of staying power. CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News If Hot Frosty becomes a movie that people watch every holiday season then this could be an Aviation Gin ad we also see every holiday season. Otherwise, nobody will remember why this is even funny in a couple of years. Still, for this year, the ad is perfection. And it makes me want to pick up a bottle of the gin for a holiday G&T, which I suppose is the point.Victory Turns to Flames: Shivaji Patil's Fiery Celebration Incident

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Cam Miller threw three touchdown passes, ran for another and second-seeded North Dakota State blew past a 14-point deficit to beat 15th-seeded Abilene Christian 51-31 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Bison (11-2), in the FCS playoffs for a 15th straight season and winner of nine FCS titles, will host seventh-seeded Mercer in the quarterfinals. Abilene Christian (9-5) took a 17-3 lead on a 13-yard TD pass from Maverick McIvor to J.J. Henry, a 90-yard run by Sam Hicks and a Ritse Vaes 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Bison then took over, starting with Jackson Williams' 100-yard kickoff return to start a run of 31 consecutive points, 17 coming in the second quarter for a 20-17 halftime lead. The scoring streak ended when Nehemiah Martinez’s 53-yard return helped set up Hicks’ 3-yard score to get the Wildcats within 34-24. But the Bison matched that TD on their ensuing drive on Miller’s 36-yard connection with Bryce Lance to cap their 21-point third quarter. Again, the Wildcats got within 10 early in the fourth quarter on Rovaughn Banks Jr.’s 2-yard TD run. But NDSU’s Marcus Gulley returned an interception 37 yards to the ACU 9 and the Crosa kicked a field goal and Logan Kopp followed with a 31-yard pick-6. Miller was 20 of 29 for 274 yards passing. McIvor threw for 153 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Hicks ran for 153 yards on 16 carries. ACU, champion of the United Athletic Conference, was in its first FCS playoffs since joining the classification in 2013, and beat Northern Arizona in its first-round game. Crosa has made his 262nd career PAT to pass NDSU's Cam Pederson (2015-18) and set an FCS record. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad rule BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.

I’m a Celeb fans blast Dean McCullough as he makes ‘cheeky’ request to Danny Jones

Syria's Assad Regime May Be Falling as Rebels Reach Damascus Suburbs; Trump Calls for No US Involvement Share This article JERUSALEM, Israel – Syrian rebels reached the suburbs of Damascus, Syria's capital, on Saturday as the government of President Bashar al-Assad appeared to be on the verge of collapse. The opposition forces' surprising march through Syria picked up speed as people stocked up on food and many fled to the Lebanese border. The government was forced to deny that Assad had fled the country as several reports indicated his family escaped to Russia after the rebels' initial advances. Israel has fortified its troops in the Golan Heights amid rebel claims that they were advancing on Quneitra near the Israeli border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Security Cabinet Saturday night to assess the situation. President-elect Donald Trump, in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral and for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, released a statement on Truth Social calling for no U.S. involvement in Syria. Trump noted the rebels are "obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking on Assad." He added, "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Biden administration officials told CNN on Saturday that the chances of Assad being pushed out of power are increasing as the rebel offensive gains speed. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news.*** The Associated Press reported, "Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes." CBN News will have further coverage of events in Syria and the surrounding countries. For analysis of the situation, see CBN News Jerusalem Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell's report on YouTube below. Share This article About The Author

Calgary Flames (12-8-4, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-12-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -122, Flames +101; over/under is 6 BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames enter the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins after losing three in a row. Pittsburgh is 9-12-4 overall and 5-6-2 at home. The Penguins have conceded 96 goals while scoring 65 for a -31 scoring differential. Calgary is 12-8-4 overall and 3-5-4 in road games. The Flames have a 4-7-1 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Flames won 4-3 in a shootout in the previous meeting. TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has eight goals and 16 assists for the Penguins. Bryan Rust has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games. Rasmus Andersson has five goals and nine assists for the Flames. Mikael Backlund has scored three goals and added one assist over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-4-2, averaging 2.3 goals, four assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game. Flames: 5-3-2, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Penguins: None listed. Flames: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The Bison (11-2), in the FCS playoffs for a 15th straight season and winner of nine FCS titles, will host seventh-seeded Mercer in the quarterfinals. Abilene Christian (9-5) took a 17-3 lead on a 13-yard TD pass from Maverick McIvor to J.J. Henry, a 90-yard run by Sam Hicks and a Ritse Vaes 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Bison then took over, starting with Jackson Williams' 100-yard kickoff return to start a run of 31 consecutive points, 17 coming in the second quarter for a 20-17 halftime lead. The scoring streak ended when Nehemiah Martinez’s 53-yard return helped set up Hicks’ 3-yard score to get the Wildcats within 34-24. But the Bison matched that TD on their ensuing drive on Miller’s 36-yard connection with Bryce Lance to cap their 21-point third quarter. Again, the Wildcats got within 10 early in the fourth quarter on Rovaughn Banks Jr.’s 2-yard TD run. But NDSU’s Marcus Gulley returned an interception 37 yards to the ACU 9 and the Crosa kicked a field goal and Logan Kopp followed with a 31-yard pick-6. Miller was 20 of 29 for 274 yards passing. McIvor threw for 153 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Hicks ran for 153 yards on 16 carries. ACU, champion of the United Athletic Conference, was in its first FCS playoffs since joining the classification in 2013, and beat Northern Arizona in its first-round game. Crosa has made his 262nd career PAT to pass NDSU's Cam Pederson (2015-18) and set an FCS record. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

With all the evolutions in gaming, interest for next-generation consoles remains strong, such as PlayStation 5, or PS5, Xbox Series X, offering real-time graphics, quick-loading times, and exclusive games that are being consumed around the world. Maybe, one of the most perfect ways to get a good value from these is through console bundles that normally contain several games, controllers, and exclusive offers. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X bundles are carrying loads of value into 2024, making it easier for players to start their journey with everything they need right in one package. Why Console Bundles Are the Best Option This will make for a far better deal than buying the console and its accessories separately. Bundles are often the hottest game titles, more controllers, and sometimes access to subscription services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass. This may save and stream the process for the players who would like to get as much out of their game experience without headaches of buying separate parts. Saving money with the best bundle available can get one the most highly-rated games and more with some of the bonus add-ons. Best PS5 Bundles The second hottest PS5 bundle that is probably going to pop into the market in 2024 is PS5 Console + Spider-Man 2. The package brings with it the standard PlayStation 5, which is famous for blazing-fast load times and immersive 4K gaming. Apart from this, it also brings along Spider-Man 2, which happens to be one of the top PlayStation-exclusive titles and features action-packed gameplay with amazing graphics. It is going to sell like hotcakes around the holiday seasons because there are actually people who follow this series. It is amazing value for anyone who wants something otherworldly in gaming without having to pay for the game itself. For a person who might want to have a multiplayer action game or also wants an extra controller to play, the PS5 Console + DualSense Controller Bundle should be the best choice because it comes with two DualSense controllers for local multiplayer or spares. The DualSense offers the most developed haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, so the players are provided with the most immersive gaming experience ever. The bundle that comes with this includes gamers being equipped and prepared to play either co-op style or battling against their friends. Best Xbox Series X Bundles Among the most exciting bundles for Xbox fans is the Xbox Series X + Starfield Bundle. This is one of the most awaited games from Bethesda for truly epic space exploration in 2024. The buyer of this bundle receives the Xbox Series X, famous for its performance and support for 4K resolution and high frame rates. He has the choice to be in a boundless universe that replete of adventures with rich story telling, by directly choosing that bundle. For sure it is going to be a top-ranked of the bundles for new game experience which any player wanting to try with Xbox This is a very good deal for those gamers who would enjoy playing a vast array of games without having to buy them individually. Game Pass Ultimate offers more than 100 highly rated games, from fresh releases to well-loved titles. Xbox Live Gold is also included for Xbox Live, which makes playing online multiplayer features available to you. For someone who has never owned an Xbox or looking to build a more robust library, this bundle would be a good entry way into the impressive catalog of Xbox games and the various benefits that come with this. It does matter when getting any set of PS5, or even Xbox Series X , by getting it when the scheduled period arrives. Several retailers, at present, begin offering discounts that come with restrictions in how long they are valid to use over a given span of time over sales days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday but still counts when going and checking what there is on various online platforms and figuring out what else people are charging before purchasing an item. Other means of knowing in advance for bundle deals and specials, is to subscribe into a store newsletter or checking one's social media network the accounts of game reseller. Lastly, do place orders for bundles on preorder pre-sale before stock does become depleted, most during holiday seasons when consoles selling gain their peak season period. Conclusion PS5 and Xbox Series X bundles are some of the good deals for 2024. Bundles that come with the top-rated games Spider-Man 2 and Starfield, with more accessories or subscription services, can only be matched by it when it comes to prices and value for players-a holistic package for gaming. Whether it is an upgrade of gaming setup or just a new console, these bundles will comprise everything one needs to get in and start playing the fun with the latest gaming technology. Proper research and sometime will see great deals, from the hot PS5 and Xbox Series X bundles to the gamers.Liverpool facing nervy Arne Slot ban wait as Pep Guardiola avoids nightmare Man City scenario - Liverpool Echo

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- As news of Donald Trump 's re-election begins to ripple through North Korea 's top echelons, surprise and curiosity are inevitable reactions among its high-ranking officials. How could a former president return to office after being out of power? For those used to the rigid succession of power in North Korea's single-family dynasty , this democratic turn of events would be both puzzling and thought-provoking. In a country where political power is synonymous with the Kim family's rule, the notion that a president could lose an election, regroup, and come back to power seems almost otherworldly.NonePublished 00:50 IST, December 8th 2024 With over a month to assume office, US President-elect Donald Trump has already started to reach out to world leaders, indulging in policy decisions. Washington : Donald Trump has more than a month and a half to go before he's sworn in for a second term. But the Republican president-elect is already moving aggressively not just to fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but to achieve those priorities. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, prompting emergency calls and a visit from Canada's prime minister that resulted in what Trump claimed were commitments from both US allies on new border security measures. The incoming president has warned there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY" if, before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Hamas does not release the hostages being held in Gaza . He has threatened to block the purchase of US Steel by a Japanese company, warning "Buyer Beware!!!” And this weekend, Trump was returning to the global stage, joining a host of other foreign leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by a fire. On Saturday, he met with French President Emmanuel Macron — joined at the last minute by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — and had plans to see Britain's Prince William also in Paris. Absent in Paris: lame duck President Joe Biden, who has largely disappeared from headlines, except when he issued a pardon of his son, Hunter, who was facing sentencing for gun crimes and tax evasion. First lady Jill Biden is attending in his place. “I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you've seen in the last four years. And we're not even there yet,” Trump said in an over-the-top boast at an awards ceremony Thursday night. For all of Trump's bold talk, though, it is unclear how many of his efforts will bear fruit. Breaking precedent The pre-inauguration threats and deal-making are highly unusual, like so much of what Trump does, said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. “Transitions are always a little complicated in this way. Even though we talk about one president at a time," he said, “the reality is one president plus. And that plus can act assertively sometimes." Zelizer said that is particularly true of Trump, who was president previously and already has relationships with many foreign leaders such as Macron, who invited both Trump and Biden to Paris this weekend as part of the Notre Dame celebration. “Right now he's sort of governing even though he's not the president yet. He's having these public meetings with foreign leaders, which aren't simply introductions. He's staking out policy and negotiating things from drug trafficking to tariffs," Zelizer said. Foreign leader meetings Trump already has met with several foreign leaders, in addition to a long list of calls. He hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club in November. After the tariff threat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago for a three-hour dinner meeting. Canadian officials later said the country is ready to make new investments in border security, with plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. Last Sunday, Trump dined with Sara Netanyahu, wife of the Israeli prime minister. Incoming Trump aides have also been meeting with their future foreign counterparts. On Wednesday, several members of Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, met with Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, in Washington, as Ukraine tries to win support for its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russian invasion, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Yermak also met with Trump officials in Florida, he wrote on X. That comes after Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, travelled to Qatar and Israel for high-level talks about a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, according to a US familiar with the efforts, meeting with the prime ministers of both countries. One president, two voices There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise impact current US policy. Trump aides were said to be especially cognizant of potential conflicts given their experience in 2016, when interactions between Trump allies and Russian officials came under scrutiny. That included a phone call in which Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed new sanctions with Russia's ambassador to the United States, suggesting things would improve after Trump became president. Flynn was later charged with lying to the FBI about the conversation. Trump's incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “All transition officials have followed applicable laws in their interactions with foreign nationals.” She added: “World leaders recognise that President Trump is returning to power and will lead with strength to put the best interests of the United States of America first again. That is why many foreign leaders and officials have reached out to correspond with President Trump and his incoming team.” Such efforts can nonetheless cause complications. If, say, Biden is having productive conversations on a thorny foreign policy issue and Trump weighs in, that could make it harder for Biden “because people are hearing two different voices” that may be in conflict, Zelizer said. Leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu may also anticipate a more favourable incoming administration and wait Biden out, hoping for more a better deal. Coordination between incoming and outgoing administrations It also remains unclear how extensively the Biden administration has been kept apprised of Trump transition efforts. Although there is no requirement that an incoming administration coordinate calls and meetings with foreign officials with the State Department or National Security Council, that has long been considered standard practice. That is, in part, because transition teams, particularly in their early days and weeks, do not always have the latest information about the state of relations with foreign nations and may not have the resources, including interpretation and logistical ability, to handle such meetings efficiently. Still, the Biden and Trump teams have been talking, particularly on the Middle East, with the incoming and outgoing administrations having agreed to work together on efforts to free hostages who remain in held in Gaza, according to a US official, who, like others, was not authorised to comment publicly about the sensitive talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. Taking credit already Trump's team, meanwhile, is already claiming credit for everything from gains in the stock and cryptocurrency markets to a decision by Walmart to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies Trump opposes. Updated 00:50 IST, December 8th 2024

Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Arcellx, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ACLX – Free Report ) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 9,579 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $800,000. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Arcellx by 21.7% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,944 shares of the company’s stock valued at $161,000 after buying an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in Arcellx during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in shares of Arcellx by 50.0% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 1,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC grew its position in shares of Arcellx by 6.3% in the third quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 8,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $710,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Arcellx by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 37,352 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,061,000 after purchasing an additional 517 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.03% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on ACLX shares. Bank of America upped their target price on Arcellx from $84.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Arcellx in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. They set a “buy” rating and a $109.00 price objective on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Arcellx in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on shares of Arcellx from $85.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $96.00 price target on shares of Arcellx in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $103.08. Insider Transactions at Arcellx In related news, insider Christopher Heery sold 3,421 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.02, for a total value of $239,538.42. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $649,645.56. This represents a 26.94 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Kavita Patel sold 33,763 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.14, for a total value of $3,516,078.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 97,873 shares of company stock worth $8,621,767 in the last three months. 6.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Arcellx Stock Down 1.1 % Shares of ACLX opened at $88.07 on Friday. Arcellx, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $46.42 and a fifty-two week high of $107.37. The company’s fifty day moving average is $88.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $70.09. The firm has a market cap of $4.76 billion, a PE ratio of -124.04 and a beta of 0.27. Arcellx ( NASDAQ:ACLX – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.48) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.54) by $0.06. Arcellx had a negative return on equity of 8.28% and a negative net margin of 25.94%. The business had revenue of $26.03 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $35.21 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Arcellx, Inc. will post -1.49 earnings per share for the current year. About Arcellx ( Free Report ) Arcellx, Inc, together with its subsidiary, engages in the development of various immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases in the United States. The company’s lead ddCAR product candidate is anitocabtagene autoleucel, which is in phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM). Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Arcellx The 3 Best Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy Now The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing Uptrend Stocks Explained: Learn How to Trade Using Uptrends 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 Find and Profitably Trade Stocks at 52-Week Lows FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACLX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arcellx, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ACLX – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Arcellx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcellx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West

Once the NFL season ends, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is expected to have his pick of potential new employers. After taking a year off from coaching and stepping into several sports media roles, Belichick should be one of, if not the hottest free agent on the coaching market. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.'They Had an Ax to Grind': Matt Gaetz Speaks Out About Rough Process That Led Him to Withdraw from AG ConsiderationDetroit; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Vancouver Canucks visit the Detroit Red Wings after the Canucks took down the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Detroit has gone 5-6-1 at home and 10-11-2 overall. The Red Wings have gone 3-3-2 in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. Vancouver has a 12-7-3 record overall and a 9-2-0 record on the road. The Canucks have a +two scoring differential, with 71 total goals scored and 69 given up. Sunday's game is the first time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Dylan Larkin has 12 goals and six assists for the Red Wings. Lucas Raymond has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games. Quinn Hughes has five goals and 20 assists for the Canucks. Elias Pettersson has scored five goals with eight assists over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.3 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Canucks: 5-5-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.7 penalties and 9.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Red Wings: None listed. Canucks: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Ohio State Alum JD Vance Trolled By Michigan Fans After Wolverines Win Over Buckeyes

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Boyd Gaming Co. ( NYSE:BYD – Free Report ) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 971,921 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 54,128 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 1.10% of Boyd Gaming worth $62,835,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Boyd Gaming by 4.9% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,361 shares of the company’s stock valued at $360,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC grew its stake in Boyd Gaming by 5.7% in the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 11,578 shares of the company’s stock valued at $779,000 after acquiring an additional 627 shares during the period. Comerica Bank increased its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming by 103.1% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 42,898 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,888,000 after acquiring an additional 21,772 shares in the last quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Boyd Gaming by 13.4% during the second quarter. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 20,556 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,133,000 after purchasing an additional 2,435 shares during the period. Finally, Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Boyd Gaming by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 17,144 shares of the company’s stock valued at $945,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.81% of the company’s stock. Boyd Gaming Stock Performance Shares of NYSE BYD opened at $73.86 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.82. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $68.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.53 billion, a PE ratio of 14.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.59 and a beta of 1.55. Boyd Gaming Co. has a 52 week low of $49.34 and a 52 week high of $74.78. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Get Our Latest Analysis on Boyd Gaming Insider Transactions at Boyd Gaming In other news, Director William R. Boyd sold 25,155 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.35, for a total transaction of $1,744,499.25. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,487,970 shares in the company, valued at $103,190,719.50. The trade was a 1.66 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, CFO Josh Hirsberg sold 21,549 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.43, for a total transaction of $1,539,245.07. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 438,615 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $31,330,269.45. This trade represents a 4.68 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 146,704 shares of company stock worth $10,540,944 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 27.94% of the company’s stock. About Boyd Gaming ( Free Report ) Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The company operates through Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, Midwest & South, and Online segments. Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Boyd Gaming How Can Retail Investors Trade the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)? The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing REIT Stocks – Best REIT Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio Today 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 The Role Economic Reports Play in a Successful Investment Strategy FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for Boyd Gaming Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boyd Gaming and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .It is that time of year when we’re in close quarters with our family for an extended period of time. If your family loves to play games , getting a new board game for the holidays is the perfect idea. Or, it is just so sinister of an idea, you might be an evil genius set on starting World War 3 in your household. Whatever your intentions might be, several board and card games are available for last-minute shipping on Amazon. Many of which can be shipped same-day, if you’re looking to spice up Christmas Eve by putting your family in the hot seat . Some games are even 40% off and available with overnight shipping, like the original SEQUENCE board game or 55% off Ticket to Ride with same-day shipping. All of these games would be great to play over the holiday season through New Year’s Eve with your family and loved ones. Or, they’ll cause a huge argument and someone will storm off! Either way, it is fun for the whole family. Related: 40 last-minute Christmas gifts you can print, send, buy on Amazon, or pick-up at Walmart & Target Board and Card Games You Can Buy Last-Minute on Amazon HOT SEAT Party Game + Expansion Set for $25 – Available with 2-day shipping Party Game + After Dark Expansion Set for $25 – Available with 1-day shipping History Channel Trivia Board Game Deluxe Edition with 80s & 90s Expansion Pack for $35, instead of $40 – Available with 2-day shipping Brilliant or BS? - A Trivia Game for Know-it-Alls and Big Fat Liars for $12, instead of $16 – Available with 1-day shipping Monopoly Board Crawl Game for $18, instead of $20 – Available with 1-day shipping You Laugh You’re Out A Party Game with Hilarious Charades for $14, instead of $20 – Available for same-day shipping Blank Slate for $20, instead of $25 – Available for same-day shipping SEQUENCE for $15, instead of $25 – Available with overnight shipping Ticket to Ride Board Game for $25, instead of $55 – Available for same-day shipping Incohearent, The Guess the Gibberish Party Game for $15, instead of $20 – Available with 1-day shipping The Best Gift Guides of 2024 40 last-minute Christmas gifts you can print, send, buy on Amazon, or pick-up at Walmart & Target 20 gifts for dad that he’ll actually love to use this holiday season 30 stocking stuffers everyone will love to open this holiday season 17 Stanley tumbler accessories to buy the biggest Quencher fan for Christmas 15 ‘paw-fect’ dog mom gifts to give for Christmas Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Victoria Rosenthal can be reached at vrosenthal@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

LANSING, Mich. — The criticism, drama and refusals to concede that marked Michigan's last two statewide elections were missing Friday, as the Board of State Canvassers certified Republican Donald Trump's 80,156-vote win over Democrat Kamala Harris in the presidential contest. The canvassers' meeting inside the Michigan Senate's Binsfeld Office Building lasted about 90 minutes and cemented former President-elect Trump's victory of 1.4 percentage points, 49.7%-48.3%, over the incumbent vice president. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Advisors Asset Management Inc. Sells 728 Shares of Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC)60 degrees pharmaceuticals CEO Geoffrey Dow acquires $6,367 in stockBrett Favre Reveals Biggest Challenge So Far In Battle Against Parkinson's Disease

In a significant move, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is all set to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 player auction, marking its first significant venture into cricket . The auction will be held on Sunday, November 24, and Monday, November 25, at Abady Al Johar Arena, also known as Benchmark Arena, in Jeddah . A total of 574 players have been selected from an initial pool of 1,574 names. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, while 208 are overseas, including three from associate nations. The auction will see 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players in contention. Featuring notable players such as Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, veteran England fast bowler James Anderson, and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Saudi Arabia’s holding of the IPL auction signals its intention to elevate cricket alongside football, golf, and boxing in its sports investment portfolio under the Vision 2030 project. This is not the first time the player auction is venturing out of India. In 2023, the player auction was held at the Coca-Cola in Dubai.COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. “In life, all good things come to an end,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. Late in the first half, Indiana punter James Evans fumbled a snap and was buried at his own 7-yardline with the Buckeyes taking over. That turned quickly into a 4-yard TD run by Henderson that gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Early in the second half, Caleb Downs fielded an Evans punt at the Ohio State 21, raced down the right sideline, cut to the middle and outran the coverage for a touchdown that put the Buckeyes up 21-7. It was the first time a Buckeye returned a punt for a touchdown since 2014. Howard finished 22-for-26 passing for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. “Our guys just played with a chip today, and that’s the way you got to play the game of football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Indiana scored on its first possession of the game and its last, both short runs by Ty Son Lawson, who paced the Hoosiers with 79 rushing yards. Rourke was 8-for-18 passing for 68 yards. “We had communication errors, pass (protection), every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened,” Cignetti said. Indiana’s 151 total yards was its lowest of the season. And it was the most points surrendered by the Hoosier’s defense. The Hooseries’ special season was blemished by the Buckeyes, who beat Indiana for the 30th straight time. The Hoosiers were eyeing its first conference crown since sharing one with two other teams in 1967. That won’t happen now. “Ohio State deserved to win,” Cignetti said. “They had those (third quarter scores), and we just couldn’t respond.” Ohio State didn’t waste the opportunities presented by the Hoosiers when they got sloppy. The Buckeyes led 14-7 at the break and took control in the second half. An offensive line patched together because of multiple injuries performed surprisingly well. “We know what was at stake,” Day said. “We don’t win this game, and we have no chance to go to Indianapolis and play in the Big Ten championship. And that’s real. We’ve had that approach for the last few weeks now, more than that.”COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. “In life, all good things come to an end,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. Late in the first half, Indiana punter James Evans fumbled a snap and was buried at his own 7-yardline with the Buckeyes taking over. That turned quickly into a 4-yard TD run by Henderson that gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Early in the second half, Caleb Downs fielded an Evans punt at the Ohio State 21, raced down the right sideline, cut to the middle and outran the coverage for a TD that put the Buckeyes up 21-7. It was the first time a Buckeye returned a punt for a touchdown since 2014. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. “Our guys just played with a chip today, and that’s the way you got to play the game of football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Indiana scored on its first possession of the game and its last, both short runs by Ty Son Lawson, who paced the Hoosiers with 79 rushing yards. Rourke was 8 for 18 for 68 yards. “We had communication errors, pass (protection), every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened," Cignetti said. Indiana's 151 total yards was its lowest of the season. And it was the most points surrendered by the Hoosier's defense. The takeaway Indiana: Its special season was blemished by the Buckeyes, who beat the Hoosiers for the 30th straight time. Indiana was eyeing its first conference crown since sharing one with two other teams in 1967. That won't happen now. “Ohio State deserved to win,” Cignetti said. “They had those (third quarter scores), and we just couldn’t respond.” Ohio State: Didn't waste the opportunities presented by the Hoosiers when they got sloppy. The Buckeyes led 14-7 at the break and took control in the second half. An offensive line patched together because of multiple injuries performed surprisingly well. “We know what was at stake," Day said. “We don't win this game, and we have no chance to go to Indianapolis and play in the Big Ten championship. And that's real. We've had that approach for the last few weeks now, more than that.” Poll implications Some voters were obviously unsure of Indiana because it hadn't played a nationally ranked team before Ohio State. After this one, the Hoosiers will drop. All about Will Howard made history by completing 80% of his passes for the sixth time this season. No other Ohio State quarterback has done that. He completed his first 14 passes in a row and finished with a 85% completion rate. “I think Buckeye nation is now seeing, after 11 games, that this guy is a winner, he's tough, he cares about his teammates, he's a leader,” Day said. Up next Indiana hosts Purdue in the regular-season finale next Saturday. Ohio State hosts rival Michigan on Saturday.

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LOS ANGELES , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadiz, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI / CDZIP) ("Cadiz," the "Company"), a California water solutions company, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared the following cash dividend on the Company's 8.875% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will receive a cash dividend equal to $560.00 per whole share. Holders of depositary shares, each representing a 1/1000 fractional interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock (Nasdaq: CDZIP), will receive a cash dividend equal to $0.56 per depositary share. The dividend will be paid on January 15, 2025 , to applicable holders of record as of the close of business on January 3, 2025 . About Cadiz, Inc. Founded in 1983, Cadiz, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) is a California water solutions company dedicated to providing access to clean, reliable and affordable water for people through a unique combination of water supply, storage, pipeline and treatment solutions. With 45,000 acres of land in California , 2.5 million acre-feet of water supply, 220 miles of pipeline assets and the most cost-effective water treatment filtration technology in the industry, Cadiz offers a full suite of solutions to address the impacts of climate change on clean water access. For more information, please visit https://www.cadizinc.com . Safe Harbor Statement This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "anticipates", "expect", "may", "plan", or "will". Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results and are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the Company's expectations regarding payments of dividends in the future. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These and other risks are identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), including without limitation our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings subsequently made by the Company with the Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadiz-inc-declares-quarterly-dividend-for-q4-2024-on-series-a-cumulative-perpetual-preferred-stock-302339009.html SOURCE Cadiz, Inc.Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has filed to run for a seat on the New York City Council, launching a potential political comeback after his once-promising career was destroyed by sexting scandals and later a criminal conviction for having illicit online contact with a child. Campaign finance records list a campaign committee that was set up on Friday for Weiner called Weiner 25, in addition to listing him as a candidate for a council seat in lower Manhattan. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

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Texas public school districts can soon begin purchasing new reading and math textbooks developed by the Texas Education Agency . During a Nov. 22 meeting, the State Board of Education voted to adopt a set of state-created elementary school reading and language arts; kindergarten through eighth grade math; and algebra 1 materials, known as Bluebonnet Learning . The current situation The board voted 8-7 to approve the Bluebonnet reading materials for classroom use, with three Republicans joining the board’s four Democrats in opposition to the materials. The TEA has been criticized for including frequent biblical references in the reading textbooks. Critics say the Bible stories are inappropriate for public schools and could isolate students with different religious beliefs, while proponents of the curriculum assert it will help close student achievement gaps and reduce teacher workloads. Board members voted 13-2 to approve the state math textbooks. The SBOE was still considering other materials proposed by additional publishers as of 12:30 p.m., Nov. 22. The TEA and 25 other publishers submitted over 140 materials to the SBOE in May. Approved materials will likely be available for districts to purchase in February or March, according to the TEA, and teachers can begin using them during the 2025-26 academic year. Use of the state-sanctioned materials is optional, but districts that do so would receive additional funding—up to $60 per student—to purchase and print them. Districts currently receive about $171 per student to acquire textbooks. “Today’s [SBOE] vote for high-quality curriculum will ensure all students are receiving appropriate grade-level instruction and is an important step to boosting student outcomes statewide,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said on social media shortly after the vote. Zooming in This is the first time Texas has created state-owned instructional materials. The TEA began developing the Bluebonnet materials in 2020. They were published for SBOE approval under House Bill 1605 , a 2023 law that overhauled Texas’ public school curriculum standards. The state textbooks are designed to be printed for classroom use. Families will be able to access free PDFs online, but there are no interactive digital aspects. Other approved materials include printed, digital and hybrid lesson plans. Ahead of a preliminary vote Nov. 19 , SBOE member Kevin Ellis, R-Lufkin, said the Bluebonnet materials would give school districts more options. Ellis voted in favor of the state curriculum. “I want to know, does [the curriculum] teach kids to read? That's the most important thing to me,” Ellis said. “I've also heard a lot about the rigor, about the grade level, and I think those are aspects that are up to a curriculum director who decides if this is right for their district.” Board member Staci Childs, D-Houston, who opposed the state textbooks, said Nov. 22 that Christian references in the textbooks outweigh information about other major religions. Christianity and the Bible are mentioned 3 times in the kindergarten materials, 4 times in the first grade materials, 17 times in the second grade materials, 190 times in the third grade materials, 81 times in the fourth grade materials and 66 times in the fifth grade materials, Childs said. “If a parent or a teacher who didn't feel comfortable teaching this were to bring this up to a court, I believe they would be successful,” Childs said. “In my good conscience... I just do not feel that these materials are yet reflective of the experiences and the nuance of Texas students.” How we got here Dozens of publishers, including the TEA, released thousands of pages of proposed instructional materials in May. Nearly 300 people were trained to conduct an extensive review of the proposals this summer, while hundreds of Texans submitted online and in-person comments. During public testimony Nov. 18, some Texans expressed concerns that Bible stories in the Bluebonnet textbooks verge on proselytizing and interfere with parents’ rights to teach their children about a religion at home. Abby Burnham, a Jewish parent, said she faced “repeated attempts to promote Christian ideologies” as a Texas public school student. “I vividly remember when I expressed discomfort as a student and a teacher told me that I should just get used to it, that that is the world that I live in,” Burnham said Nov. 18. “That moment stayed with me—not because it reflects the fairness or diversity I believe in, but because it made me feel like I don't belong.” TEA leaders have insisted religious references in the curriculum are not meant to promote a certain religion and instead will provide students with cross-curricular knowledge and important context about American history. “I have not seen any Bluebonnet [material] that uses solely Christian religious references,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath told the SBOE Nov. 20. “Any assertion of that is incorrect.” Christie Slape, who chairs the Williamson County chapter of Moms for Liberty , said Sept. 10 the state textbooks would help improve student outcomes and ensure teachers do not have to build their own curriculum. “For parents, printed materials allow them to engage in reviewing, discussing and practicing lessons with their child, fostering a much needed return to parental involvement in their child's education,” Slape said. “For children, most importantly, they provide rigorous, age-appropriate lessons and literature that are on paper and not on a glowing screen.” In the classroom Several Texas school districts, including Temple ISD , have piloted the TEA’s elementary-level materials in classrooms since 2021. TISD teachers and a district administrator traveled to Austin Nov. 18 to testify in support of the Bluebonnet curriculum. “The curriculum is for all diverse learners, flexible for various teacher expertise and inclusive for families,” kindergarten teacher Jomeka Gray told the board. “I am confident that my students will continue to have positive outcomes as they move forward in their academic journey.” Lisa Adams, a deputy superintendent for TISD, said students on campuses that implemented the state textbooks began “outperforming their grade-level peers” within the first few months of the pilot program. Lubbock ISD began piloting the TEA’s elementary-level materials at four schools during the 2021-22 school year. All 28 elementary schools in LISD were using the materials by the 2023-24 school year.The fifth season Smog isn’t merely 'environmental' issue anymore, it is public health emergency, socioeconomic burden Every winter, a thick layer of smog engulfs the Land of Five Rivers transforming our vibrant metropolises into a grey, choking haze. This annual catastrophe reminds us of the true cost of inaction – millions of lives, trillions of rupees, and around 7.0 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP lost to particulate matter. While it is most visible in the winter, its roots run deep, intertwined with longstanding deficiencies in urban planning, industrial regulation, and agricultural practices. Temperature inversions, trap pollutants close to the ground, creating a deadly cocktail of toxins that silently lingers in the air. Smog isn’t merely an ‘environmental’ issue anymore; it is a public health emergency, a socioeconomic burden, and a human security issue. In Punjab, over 11 million children endure life in one of the most polluted regions on earth, exposed to air quality index (AQI) levels as high as 1,900 – nearly 100 times the safe limits. Nasa’s satellites tell a similar story, with the OMPS Aerosol Index hitting as high as 4.5, with the maximum being 5, signaling an existential crisis. Despite being a public good, clean air remains a classic case of the tragedy of the commons – a shared resource exploited without accountability. Smog is Pakistan’s ‘fifth season’ the ultimate equalizer that spares no one and graciously infiltrates lungs rich and poor alike. It levels the playing field, indiscriminating, uniting us all under this thick choking layer of soot and dust. Yet, we have failed to truly measure, assess, and manage the true cost of smog, a public health crisis. The true cost of smog is vast and multifaceted, impacting health, the economy, society, and the environment. Health-wise, smog leads to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, premature deaths, and cognitive impairments, overwhelming the healthcare system and reducing life expectancy. Economically, it damages crops, reduces worker productivity, disrupts tourism, and strains energy systems, costing billions annually. Socially, smog exacerbates inequalities, disrupts education, and stifles human development by limiting mobility and well-being. Environmentally, it accelerates biodiversity loss, pollutes soil and water, and intensifies climate change. These interrelated costs are just a glimpse of what is at stake, with estimates, or rather underestimates, incurring between $22 billion and $48 billion of air pollution-related costs to the Pakistan economy annually. Yet, authorities continue to downplay the crisis, reflecting this cognitive decay, a systemic failure of governance of the highest order. What do we need to survive the smog crisis? A good lung capacity, sheer willpower, and, if one is lucky, a cup of chai to chase down that particulate matter. Rationally, a bankrupt nation under a green lockdown surely cannot afford such stopgap measures like cloud seeding, water sprinkling, smog-free towers, and air purifiers - all of which stand devoid of any long-lasting impact. Achieving clean air demands a transformative, sustained set of actions rather than superficial fixes. These include holding industries accountable through penalties for emissions and incentivising cleaner practices to internalise environmental costs. A cleaner transportation future can be realised through improved public transit, cleaner fuels, and infrastructure for carpooling and biking. Educating 240 million people on the fundamentals of smog, air quality, and climate is imperative. A combination of green tech accelerators that enable youth to develop innovative solutions, air quality research centres that generate critical data and insights, and early warning systems could also play a pivotal role. Scaling up affordable and sustainable alternatives to stubble burning, such as Happy Seeders, along with the widespread adoption of zigzag technology in brick kilns across Pakistan, can enhance productivity while reducing emissions. Urban and industrial reforms – such as promoting urban forestry, transitioning to low-carbon energy, and improving waste management – can also significantly decrease the volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. Regionally, Pakistan should lead efforts for a South Asian Air Quality pact, a charter of clean air quality, while forming synergies to decarbonise our economies at an unprecedented scale. Nationally, strong governance, backed by technocratic leadership and an adequate share for nature in the national budget, is essential to turn these transmission channels into a cleaner, healthier reality for all. It took Pakistan seven decades to register the devastating impacts of toxic air, and we surely cannot afford another seven to manage it. A staggering 98.3 per cent of the population now lives in areas where air quality exceeds the national standard of 15 g/m3. Alas, we now exist in a society where clean air has become a luxury, rather a basic right. It is evident that we have reached a tipping point, and must deliver, as the cost of inaction is too high, time too less, and impacts too grave. The writer is an environmental economist and can be reached at: hashimzaman1@gmail.com

At just 16 years of age, Gout Gout with his record-breaking performance at the Australian National All-Schools Championships. He ran an extraordinary 20.04 seconds for the 200m, breaking a 56-year-old Australian record. Equally impressive was his 10.04 seconds for the 100m – unfortunately it was wind-assisted and ineligible for records, but reinforced his incredible potential. For a moment, let’s reflect on the significance of his performance: So, what comes next for this exciting Queenslander? Looking ahead to the LA and Brisbane Olympics With an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics, it is important to remember that Gout is still classified a junior athlete. Remarkably, he is uniquely positioned to compete concurrently at both the junior and senior World Championships. These competitions alternate every two years, providing invaluable experience in learning to manage international travel, new environments and intense world-class competition. Training approach: what does it take? Elite sprinters typically , so Gout’s progression lead perfectly into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. His training revolves around sprint-specific drills, gym sessions for strength and power, and recovery. Under coach Dianne Sheppard, his training will evolve with his age and maturity. To an outsider, it may not seem so obvious, but what will change is the complexity and specificity of the training sessions. As he grows stronger naturally, his gym work will help refine that strength to explode out of the blocks and hold his sprinting technique. Sprint-specific exercises will become increasingly tailored to enhance his acceleration and top-end speed. Recovery will also become more important as his body adjusts to greater physical demands. This is where the role of his coach is crucial. Not only does Sheppard provide the technical guidance in the gym and on the track, she will also need to navigate the multitude of internal and external factors necessary for Gout to perform on the world stage and harness his ability. Performing under pressure Rising to fame at 16 can bring enormous pressure. How an athlete – as a threat or – can be the difference between success and failure. Athletes with high self-efficacy, a strong sense of control, and an approach-oriented mindset are more likely to experience a challenge state, where they view pressure as an opportunity to perform their best. In the case of Gout, a key consideration is whether he has the cognitive maturity to cope with the pressures of his rapid rise to stardom and truly understand what it takes to be the best in the world. Even Usain Bolt, widely regarded as , acknowledged this understanding didn’t come naturally: You can’t get to the top with talent alone. You need work, you need sacrifice, you have to be dedicated. It took me time, but I learned [...] when I was young, I didn’t understand the concept of “being great”. Like many athletes, Gout will continue to develop his mental resilience and “ ”. Techniques such as , , and the are tools that sports psychologists use to help athletes enter a state of flow during competitions. Managing the expectations placed on him will be essential for his long-term success. Pressure ‘makes diamonds’ With the second fastest 200 metre under-18 time in history, Gout has drawn comparisons to the eight-time . For some, the pressures of such comparisons would be overwhelming, however when asked about his performance, Gout responded confidently: You know what they say – pressure makes diamonds and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now. This statement should not be perceived as cockiness, but confidence and a display of his athletic mindset. To infinity and beyond Gout’s performance at the recent Australian all-schools event was out of this world. With his technical, tactical, physical, and psychological skills on display for the world to see, he possesses all the tools to not only be Australia’s next sprint sensation but the world’s next sprint king. And with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games just seven years away, he has the ideal timeframe to reach his full athletic potential. In the meantime, as a nation we must be patient and allow him to develop as a person and an athlete. To remove this article -

Colts at Patriots prediction: Odds, expert picks, QB matchup, injury update, betting trends and statsTech and growth stocks have dragged Wall Street's main indexes lower at the end of an upbeat holiday-shortened week that was driven by expectations around a traditionally strong period for markets. Yields on some US Treasury notes were higher on the day, with the ones on the benchmark 10-year note hovering near an over seven-month high they hit on Thursday. The yields on the benchmark 10-year note were last at 4.587 per cent. Rate-sensitive growth stocks dropped with Nvidia down three per cent and Tesla off by 3.8 per cent, while Microsoft shed two per cent. Ten of the 11 major S&P sectors, including information technology and consumer discretionary fell the most, down about two per cent and 1.9 per cent, after powering most of the broader market's gains in 2024. "Tech, which has had a tremendous run, is starting to pull back. It is the beginning of a healthy correction that will get focused in on over the next four to eight weeks as we switch administrations," said Jay Woods, Chief Global Strategist at Freedom Capital Markets. In early trading on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 329.50 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 42,996.30, the S&P 500 lost 70.22 points, or 1.16 per cent, to 5,967.60 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 356.63 points, or 1.77 per cent, to 19,665.01. As of Thursday's close, the S&P 500 had recovered most of last week's losses that stemmed from the US Federal Reserve projecting fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 and hurting risk appetite. All three indexes are still set for weekly gains, with the benchmark index now about 2.3 per cent below its all-time high of 6,099.97 points clinched on December 6. With three sessions left to close out the year, markets are in the stock-buying season called the "Santa Claus rally" - the last five sessions of December and the first two of January. Since 1969, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3 per cent on average in the seven-day trading period, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. US equities have broadly extended their gains from a stellar November, when Donald Trump won the US presidential election, as hopes of pro-business policies under the incoming administration stoked optimism. Trading volumes in this holiday-shortened week have been below the average of the last six months and are likely to remain subdued until Jan. 6. The next major focus for markets will be the December employments report due on Jan. 10. Among individual movers, Amedisys gained four per cent after the home health service provider and insurer UnitedHealth extended the deadline to close their $US3.3 billion ($A5.3 billion) merger. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 3.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 3-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted two new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 44 new highs and 35 new lows.Tributes to father killed in his own home on Christmas Day

golden empire jili png ARLINGTON, Texas — Cam Skattebo posted on the stage, arms out, head down, WWE championship belt around his waist, confetti of all colors piling up on his shoulders. He closed his eyes, took it all in. He held the look of a pro wrestler or boxer after a big fight, short, stocky and ferocious at 5 feet 11 and 215 pounds. Still not completely known to much of the sports world entering Saturday, he might’ve been confused for a prizefighter. But given a spotlight, Arizona State ’s running back left no doubt, leading the Sun Devils to a 45-19 win over Iowa State to capture the Big 12 championship and punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff. Advertisement The former Sacramento State back who had one Division I offer out of high school pounded his way to 170 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards, three total touchdowns and one really smart throwaway pass that left his coach with mouth agape, both in frustration and amazement. The team picked 16th out of 16 in the Big 12’s preseason poll, coming off consecutive 3-9 seasons, is now headed to the biggest stage in the sport in the first year of the 12-team Playoff with an 11-2 record and a seed and round yet to be determined. GO DEEPER Unthinkable? A storybook season keeps getting better for surprise Big 12 champ Arizona State “If you look at our resume with Sam Leavitt as our starting quarterback, you can look deep and hard to see where we stand with champions,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. The Sun Devils are red hot. Do you want to play them? The team we saw Saturday looked like one nobody should look past. A team willing to throw deep on fourth-and-1 inside its own territory. At the trophy presentation. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said the Sun Devils should head to Tempe, referencing the Fiesta Bowl and a first-round bye, rather than their trip home. This is what Playoff expansion was all about. To give teams like Arizona State something even bigger to play for. To get a player like Skattebo in front of the larger sports world. Texts and tweets from people around the country rang out asking who exactly this bulldozer running back was. Everyone who watched Saturday’s game knows now, and they’ll know more if he ends up in New York City at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. At the very least, he earned himself a lot of third-place votes as the first player with 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards since Christian McCaffrey in 2015. “I’ve always been the underdog, and nobody respects that I’m the best running back in the country, and I’m going to stand on that,” Skattebo said after the game when asked about his Heisman pose after a touchdown. “If people disrespect that, I’m going to keep proving people wrong.” Advertisement (That quote came just a few minutes after Skattebo gave all credit to his offensive line. You can keep him polished up and on-message for only so long.) The four-team CFP left almost no room for error, especially if you weren’t a big-brand program ranked in the top 10 in the preseason. In years past, the winner of this game Saturday would’ve gone to a New Year’s Six bowl and hoped not too many players opted out. The Sun Devils were picked last in the Big 12 and won the conference, and a loss at Cincinnati without Leavitt, their talented starting quarterback, didn’t end their Playoff hopes. This trip to Arlington was essentially a Playoff game — win and advance or lose and miss the CFP. This was the program’s first outright conference championship since 1996, and it all started with that running back. Skattebo’s first carry went for 28 yards. In the second quarter, he broke off a 47-yard run in which he broke six tackles. It’s what he’s always done. As his play Saturday started to spread on social media, so did his legendary highlights. Like a 66-yard touchdown run in the California high school state championship game where he broke tackles of pretty much the entire opposing team. For those watching Cameron Skattebo for the first time, here is the best run I’ve seen from a high school football player. This was in the California state title game in 2018. pic.twitter.com/dxqC98DGCu — Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) December 7, 2024 “It’s not very fun to see him in practice,” ASU safety Xavion Alford said. Skattebo’s always been hard to tackle. But he slimmed down this year and increased his speed. And he’s always been trusted to make the right play, even when he wasn’t supposed to. He’ll run, throw, catch, kick and do everything. On ASU’s second drive, he took a wildcat snap, ran into trouble, ran backward and threw the ball away, safely incomplete, avoiding an intentional grounding penalty. It saved valuable yards for a drive that finished in the end zone. Advertisement “(My thoughts were) don’t do it,” Dillingham said of his viral reaction to the play. “But that’s what makes Skat Skat. He does incredible things. To his credit, they pan out. I don’t know how. ... He finds ways to be successful.” He entered the stadium wearing a Boredom Kills-branded leather jacket, a fitting descriptor of his style of play. When the game ended, as teammates grabbed shirts, hats and signs, Skattebo grabbed his phone and started talking and mean-mugging the video screen off to the side, the wild side of him on display. On stage, after receiving his game MVP belt from WWE star Jey Uso, Skattebo grabbed a sharpie pen, walked back over to his teammates and started having them sign the belt. “I don’t know how many yards I have this season but they’re the reason for it,” he said. Then the pictures, so many pictures. Teammates, coaches, donors, fans, everyone wanted a photo with the star. He cut wrestling-style promos into phones for Big 12 and ESPN officials. He eventually told his teammates he needed to stop because he just wanted to find his dad, who was trying to get down from the stand and into the suite. “C’mon guys, we’ll have all night,” Skattebo joked to teammates. Eventually, Cam made his way over to Leo Skattebo in the sideline suite and the two embraced in a deep hug. Son gave the belt to the father to look over. Leo has a big Arizona State pitchfork logo and Sacramento State logo tattooed on his right forearm, an imposing character in his own right. Maybe an NFL team logo is the next one. But the ride’s not over here. The Sun Devils are 11-1 when Leavitt plays, and they’ll head into whatever Playoff matchup with as much confidence as anyone else. The expansion of the College Football Playoff has thus far accomplished everything it was designed to do. There can be debates over the last team in the field or the various seeds, but a team like Arizona State would’ve been left out of the limited field in the past. In a season where seemingly nothing on the field has gone according to expectation, here come the streaking Sun Devils. Behind a do-everything truck of a running back. Best of luck to whoever has to slow him down. (Photo: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)Principal Financial Group Inc. reduced its position in shares of Starwood Property Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:STWD – Free Report ) by 26.5% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 734,664 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after selling 264,614 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.22% of Starwood Property Trust worth $14,972,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Starwood Property Trust by 17.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 112,788 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $2,136,000 after buying an additional 17,031 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in Starwood Property Trust by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 63,368 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,200,000 after purchasing an additional 4,244 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Starwood Property Trust by 32.8% in the 2nd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 18,955 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $359,000 after purchasing an additional 4,680 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Starwood Property Trust in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,799,000. Finally, Focused Wealth Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Starwood Property Trust by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 156,009 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $2,955,000 after purchasing an additional 10,788 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.82% of the company’s stock. Starwood Property Trust Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of Starwood Property Trust stock opened at $19.30 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.51 billion, a PE ratio of 16.50 and a beta of 1.69. Starwood Property Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $18.43 and a 52-week high of $21.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.61, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a current ratio of 1.79. Starwood Property Trust Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. Starwood Property Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently 164.10%. Analyst Ratings Changes STWD has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Starwood Property Trust from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, September 20th. JMP Securities dropped their price target on Starwood Property Trust from $24.00 to $23.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Starwood Property Trust from $20.50 to $20.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Starwood Property Trust from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their target price for the company from $20.50 to $22.50 in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Starwood Property Trust from $19.50 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Starwood Property Trust presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $22.25. Read Our Latest Report on Starwood Property Trust Starwood Property Trust Profile ( Free Report ) Starwood Property Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Commercial and Residential Lending, Infrastructure Lending, Property, and Investing and Servicing segments. The Commercial and Residential Lending segment originates, acquires, finances, and manages commercial first mortgages, non-agency residential mortgages, subordinated mortgages, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), and residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as other real estate and real estate-related debt investments, include distressed or non-performing loans. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STWD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Starwood Property Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:STWD – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Starwood Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Starwood Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleStanford knocks off Cal in both teams' ACC openerWith the wedding season loaded with events, fatigue is bound to catch up to guests and hosts alike. The experience has been no different for star couple Zara Noor Abbas and Asad Siddiqui. In a video clip shared by Zara on Instagram Stories, Asad could be seen nuzzling up on his wife's shoulder to take a quick nap while standing. Zara, who seemed unfazed by the gesture, went about her hosting duties without a sound of protest. "Pookie when sleep deprived," she adorably wrote. The couple's playful shenanigans have been taking over hearts as of late. Their banter on social media earlier this month over their disparate photography skills is one that every other couple can relate to. Although they're both adroit at performing in front of the camera, it seems that only Zara is adept at taking photos. Asad, who doesn't shy away from that fact, posted his spouse's clicks on his Instagram handle. "Asked my wife to take pictures of me and she did a good job," he wrote in the caption. While he distracted his followers with chic semi-formal wear and a fetching couple capture, Zara swiftly dodged the romantic show with a candid "Thanks, Asad" comment—her husband's name in all capitals. It seems Asad's damage control—an enthusiastic "Yes, thank you!" reply—didn't suffice, for his better half had more to say on the matter. Taking to her own Instagram handle, Zara posted Asad's captures of the night, and she was hardly in focus in any of them. The 33-year-old actor filed her complaints in the caption. "Okay so, I asked my husband to take my photos and... It looks like he focused on the bag. Not me. The bag," she emphasised. "Four pictures with the same technique?" The two continue to remind us that even they are prone to light-hearted couple squabbles on social media. However, it is clear that there isn't a lack of romance in their lives, and they aren't afraid to flaunt it either. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

(The Center Square) – Out of the 10 worst states to work in based on one analysis, four still continue to see some of the highest numbers of in-migration, data from a recent study and the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau cumulatively show. Taking into account disposable income, average commute time, average hours worked per week, workplace safety, and happiness levels by state, the weighted analysis by Vaziri Law ranks Hawaii, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nevada, Vermont, Indiana, West Virginia, Arizona, and South Carolina as the worst states in which to work. Many of the study’s findings are unsurprising, given the financial hardship reported in most of those states, with the notable exception of Vermont. For example, Louisiana, Kentucky and West Virginia have some of the highest poverty rates in the nation, while Tennessee and Nevada have some of the highest numbers of residents in financial distress, according to a study by personal finance website WalletHub. But the Vaziri Law analysis actually ranks Hawaii, which consistently scores low marks for economic freedom , as the number one worst state to work. The rating is slightly skewed by the state having the lowest average disposable income, $5,929 per working resident. Hawaiian workers do have good workplace safety rates, ranking 13th out of all 50 states, and a relatively high happiness score of 66.31 out of 100, with 100 being the happiest. In the second worst state to work in, Louisiana residents have the longest average working hours on the list at 44.3 per week, and also face poor workplace safety conditions, ranking 40th out of 50. Additionally, workers in the Bayou State are some of the most depressed in the nation, reporting a happiness index of 34.81. But they have roughly triple the disposable income of Hawaiian workers, at $15,364. “This research highlights the significant challenges workers face across the U.S., from financial strain to poor work-life balance," a spokesperson from Vaziri Law told The Center Square. "States like Hawaii, with the lowest disposable income, and Louisiana, with extended work hours and low happiness levels, underscore the need for systemic changes to improve workplace conditions, safety, and overall quality of life for employees.” Tennessee, coming in third, has a good workplace safety ranking of 11 out of 50 but a happiness index of 43.35. The average worker has a disposable income of $18,078 and works just over 40 hours a week with a 26-minute commute. In Kentucky, workers dedicate an average of 40.8 hours to work per week and have around $15,982 in disposable income. The happiness index rating is low, sitting at 38.36. By contrast, Nevada’s happiness index is ten points higher, but the average disposable income is more than $2,000 lower. Both states have decent workplace safety ratings. Despite having the highest workplace safety rate in the country and a 37.8 hour work week on average, Vermont ranks low due to the 48.46 happiness index and $15,263 average disposable income. Indiana does better at $17,293, but workers put in more hours and have slightly lower happiness and safety rankings. West Virginia ranks dead last on the list for both workplace safety – 45 out of 50 – and happiness levels at 33.83; plus, it has the longest average commute time. But a West Virginia resident’s average disposable income of $14,309, nearly is triple that of Hawaii. Arizona, in ninth place on the list, reports that its average worker has a disposable income of $18,764 and works 40.6 hours per week. It has a relatively high workplace safety rank of 9 and a mediocre happiness index of 50.22. Residents of South Carolina have an average of $15,824 in disposable income on hand. They face worse safety conditions, ranking 16, and have a lower happiness index, 49.62, than Arizonans. But South Carolina workers also clock in two hours less on average, around 38.2 hours per week. Even with less-than-ideal work conditions, Arizona and South Carolina, as well as Tennessee and Nevada, continue to be some of the top destinations for domestic migration, according to the IRS and 2024 Census Bureau data. Other factors, like safety, job opportunities, political climate and more play a factor in-migration.

University of Phoenix Supports Arizona Diamondbacks® Annual Winter Classic CelebrationA UK seaside town in an area of the country beloved by staycationers was named as the most depressing in Britain - prompting a furious response from locals. Each year satirical website ILIVEHERE website polls readers on the places Britain most deserving of the title and and tell them why, producing a top 20 of the worst, according to those surveyed. Falmouth, a town on the coast of Cornwall in southwest England known for its beauty and rich art scene was given the dubious honour this year, despite it's "vibrant" atmosphere, the outlet said. Announcing the result back in February, ILIVEHERE said: "The power of social media and word of mouth is what propelled Falmouth to No.1. "Falmouth was a reader entry and rapidly started to challenge the mighty Peterborough, beating the Cambridgeshire synonym for depression by just 27 votes in the last 12hrs of voting." However, locals insisted the area is "gorgeous" despite it beating serial winner landlocked Peterborough to the top spot by 27 votes, as well as seeing off the likes of Luton, Burnley and Blackpool. Falmouth residents replying to the results insisted the town is "always busy" and attracts "countless tourists ". " The locals are friendly , the food is good and there are loads of decent restaurants," one said. "The coastal walks are epic, it's fairly diverse class-wise and even in the summer when it's packed, it's still a pleasant place to be (unlike Looe and St Ives which while they are both beautiful places to visit, parking is a total nightmare)," they added. Another fired back: "Who believes these soul destroyers?" But other commenters agreed poll, claiming Cornwall as a county was "boring all over", accusing the holiday hotspot of being "all fur coat, no knickers". In response to the criticism, ILIVEHERE said: "We have to admit, we know absolutely nothing about Falmouth. We googled it, it looks picturesque but we’re sure it’s a facade it trades on, and who are we to question the wisdom of the crowd?" Suggesting the area had been a victim of gentrification, the website added: "Hell we might even take a trip to this Cornish port and stay in an AirBnB that is now owned by a London landlord that a local family once lived in, to take in what we imagine is a sterile socially cleansed fishing theme park for DFLs," the outlet added. Falmouth clearly divides opinion, having only recently been described by TimeOut as Cornwall’s “cooler town” with the outlet ranking it ninth on its 15 best places to visit in the UK . The presence of campuses from both Exeter and Falmouth universities gives the area a younger feel - but it has regardless retained its beautiful cobbled streets, folky music scene and breathtaking sea views.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines hunger as an uncomfortable or painful physical sensation caused by insufficient consumption of dietary energy. The World Bank says that the hunger rate in Africa are especially acute, with one out of five people going hungry each day. For more than a decade, conflict and economic hardship have remained the key drivers of hunger in Nigeria. Ongoing violence causes disruptions in markets and farming, severely limiting people’s ability to earn income and forcing families to leave their homes. In the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Nigeria ranks 110th out of the 127 countries surveyed. With a score of 28.8% in the 2024 GHI, the country’s level of hunger is severe. Global Hunger Index is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels. GHI scores are based on four components: undernourishment- the share of the population with insufficient caloric intake; child stunting :-the share of children who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic under nutrition; child wasting: the share of children under age five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute under nutrition; child mortality: the share of children who die before their fifth birthday, partly showing a fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments. Based on the values of the four indicators, GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale, reflecting the severity of hunger, where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI scores is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarming. Recently a joint report of the Federal government and the United Nations says Nigeria faces one of its worst hunger crises with more than 33.1 million expected to be food insecure next year, compared with 24.8 million this year. Finance Minister, Wale Edu, says 5 million households in Nigeria have so far received cash handout of 25,000 Naira each as part of the government’s program to help the most vulnerable families. But Chi Lael, the World Food Program spokesperson in Nigeria, reportedly said that ‘’economic decisions felt like a direct attack on people’s wallet, hitting hardest every time they try to buy food.’’ Nigeria’s food insecurity has been worsened by economic sanctions imposed against Russia by Western countries since its military operation in Ukraine. In fact the world food security is currently in danger due to the disruption of international supplies by the United States and its allies through the imposition of various prohibitions. The European Union, EU, import tariff is common to all EU countries but the rates of duty differ from one kind of import to another depending on what they are, and where they come from, depending on the economic sensitivity of the products. Unfair business practices such as illegal contacts and agreements, price fixing and market sharing, though prohibited under EU competition rules, remain rampant. In her mission letter recently to the incoming EU Competition Commissioner-designate, Teresa Ribera, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, begins with ‘’Europe needs a new approach to competition policy – one that is more supportive of companies to scale up their global markets...’’ Observers say In noting that competition policy should help companies scale up, Von der Leyen seems to advocate a significant departure from past practice and favor more state intervention in markets, and support for industrial policy that allows anticompetitive mergers that could threaten food security. For Africa, a new colonial threat stares in the form of European dominance of African policy on genetically modified organisms, GMO, and its imposition of GMO production standards. A coalition of academics and civil society organizations has said GMO foods pose severe risks to human health and the environment with a claim MO crops have created novel and alarming problems, including genetic contamination and uterine fibroids in women of young ages. In Nigeria uterine fibroids reportedly account for 3.2-7.8% of gynecological cases and 68.1% of hysterectomy cases. Across the country farmers have complained that GMOs reduce productivity in the second planting season, meaning farmers can not replant these seeds but must purchase new ones to plant in the next planting season. . Analysts see the EU position on GMOs as jihad against Africa’s food and environmental health, and against its Agricultural sovereignty . In like manner their proliferation of military bases on the continent today may have been based on self-serving and hypocritical motives. But this is not receiving attention in parts of Africa. Global food insecurity has been worsened by Western sanctions against Russia because Nigerians industry reportedly accounts for around 20% of the global fertilizer trade market, thereby ensuring food security for 1.5 billion people in the world. The West’s sanctions policy is resulting in food becoming scarcer and costing more in Africa and other developing nations as Brazil which depend on Russian products to produce soy bean oil. According to projections by the World Bank, the current world food shortages would certainly lead to large political crises, with the proliferation of civil wars and armed conflicts over food resources. Now there are far scarier predictions about this problem. Considering a possible situation of generalized famine in emerging countries on all continents, we can be close to some of the greatest cases of political and military instability in history. That is why that President Tinubu must activate all known social safety nets to enable Nigerians survive the current deepening food insecurity in the land now the World Bank has said that Nigerians would wait for 10 to 15 years to reap the benefits of his economic reform.WASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National Sleep Foundation (NSF) today announced the selection of Susan Redline , MD, MPH, as the next Editor-in-Chief for its award-winning journal Sleep Health. Dr. Redline is Peter C. Farrell Professor of Sleep Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Redline will succeed Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD, Elizabeth Fenton Susman Professor of Biobehavioral Health and Director of the Sleep, Health & Society Collaboratory at Pennsylvania State University . Dr. Redline's contributions to the field of population sleep health are numerous and closely align to NSF's public focus and mission. Dr. Redline's research focuses on the role of genetics, early life developmental factors, and environmental exposures on sleep health. Additionally, Redline studies how social and environmental factors shape sleep health disparities, which, in turn, drive chronic health disparities; and the role of sleep interventions in improving health, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive disorders. "I am honored to be named the next Editor-in-Chief of Sleep Health ," said Redline. "I look forward to continuing the Journal's track record of publishing and promoting multi-disciplinary research to improve the public's sleep health." "NSF is deeply grateful to Dr. Buxton for his commitment and thanks him for his dedication to the Journal and its editorial community these past five years. Under his stewardship, the Journal has published landmark articles that have grown the body of evidence to advance sleep health," said John Lopos , NSF CEO. "NSF welcomes Dr. Redline to the helm of Sleep Health . As a distinguished leader in the sleep health research community with a passion for understanding and eradicating sleep health disparities, Dr. Redline will be an excellent Editor-in-Chief for our Journal," added Lopos. Current and second Editor-in-Chief, Orfeu Buxton added, " Sleep Health has enjoyed steady growth in submissions and quality for a decade. I have every confidence in Dr. Redline's leadership, judgement, and expertise as Sleep Health continues to grow in impact." A recipient of the Best New Journal/SMT Award from the Association of American Publishers, Sleep Health has a 2023 5-Year Impact Factor of 4.4 and is ranked in the 76 th percentile of behavioral neuroscience journals. Sleep Health is published by Elsevier, the leader in medical and scientific scholarly publishing. For more information about Sleep Health , visit sleephealthjournal.org . About the National Sleep Foundation The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy. Founded in 1990, the NSF is committed to advancing excellence in sleep health theory, research and practice. theNSF.org │ SleepHealthJournal.org SOURCE National Sleep Foundation

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

Udhayanidhi leads DMK blitz against actor Vijay over monarchy commentNvidia’s Record-Breaking Year: Key Details Revealed Nvidia, the tech titan known for its powerful AI chips, has made headlines this year with a string of groundbreaking achievements. Renowned for its high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs), Nvidia has experienced an extraordinary surge in demand that has propelled the company to unprecedented heights. This momentum has not only driven record earnings but has also catapulted Nvidia to become, albeit briefly, the largest company by market value, even surpassing Apple. This year has been nothing short of revolutionary for Nvidia, as the company garnered an invitation to the prestigious Dow Jones Industrial Average. It also topped benchmarks as the best-performing stock. Now, Nvidia reaches yet another milestone, capturing nearly $30 billion in net inflows from retail investors — a massive leap from $11 billion last year, showcasing its rising popularity among everyday investors. The GPU Revolution and Continued Growth Initially driving video games, Nvidia’s GPUs have expanded into artificial intelligence due to their ability to handle many simultaneous tasks. This expansion has fueled explosive revenue growth, with Nvidia reporting a staggering $35 billion in revenue last quarter. With a strong profit margin exceeding 70%, the company confidently presses forward with its innovative Blackwell architecture launch, promising even greater advancements. Is Nvidia a Buy for 2025? Despite its soaring valuation, Nvidia’s growth trajectory, amplified by new launches, indicates substantial future potential. CEO Jensen Huang highlights a $1 trillion opportunity as outdated computers worldwide will require Nvidia’s accelerated computing power. This, combined with the strong demand for its Blackwell system, suggests that Nvidia remains well-poised to be a top choice for retail investors moving into 2025. Nvidia’s Meteoric Rise: What Lies Ahead? Unpacking The Trends and Innovations That Define Nvidia’s Future Nvidia has transformed the landscape of technology in recent years, particularly through its highly advanced AI chips and GPUs. Its dedication to innovation has not only sustained but enhanced its market position, enabling Nvidia to eclipse industry giants and capture the attention of investors worldwide. As of this year, the company has demonstrated unprecedented growth, which invites us to delve deeper into various key aspects that might shape its future trajectory. Pros and Cons of Investing in Nvidia Pros: 1. Superlative Market Performance: Nvidia has consistently outpaced its competitors and topped stock performance charts, indicating strong investor confidence. 2. Cutting-edge Innovations: The forthcoming Blackwell architecture exemplifies Nvidia’s commitment to leading AI and computing technologies, suggesting a promising pipeline. 3. Dimensional Market Presence: By expanding GPU applications beyond gaming into AI and other industries, Nvidia has diversified its revenue streams effectively. Cons: 1. High Valuation Concerns: The soaring valuation could make it riskier for new investors to enter the market at current price points. 2. Market Saturation and Competition: While Nvidia is a leader, increased competition and market saturation could present challenges ahead. Nvidia’s Growing Influence: Insightful Comparisons Compared to its peers, such as AMD and Intel, Nvidia has outperformed in capturing market share, particularly in AI. This surge can be partly attributed to its strategic focus on integrating advanced AI functionalities with robust GPU performance, setting Nvidia apart in terms of innovation and consumer appeal. Sustainability Initiatives: Paving the Way for a Greener Future Nvidia is not only leading in technological innovation but also in sustainability efforts. The company has been investing in energy-efficient technologies that aim to reduce environmental impact. Their new data centers and product designs reflect a commitment to a sustainable future, potentially appealing to environmentally conscious investors. Predictions for Nvidia in 2025 Many analysts predict that Nvidia will continue its upward trajectory, mainly due to its strategic positioning and ongoing R&D investments. The company plans to address a $1 trillion market opportunity related to the global demand for better computational power, especially as industries transition to more sophisticated AI systems. Security Aspects: A Robust Infrastructure Nvidia is advancing its security posture with infrastructure investments that protect data integrity and offer robust defense against potential threats. This focus on cybersecurity elevates Nvidia’s trustworthiness in deploying large-scale AI solutions. For more information and updates on Nvidia’s groundbreaking innovations, visit their official website .WASHINGTON — President- elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria amid an opposition offensive that has reached the capital's suburbs, declaring in a social media post, "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” Trump's first extensive comments on the dramatic rebel push came while he was in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral . He argued that Syrian President Bashar Assad did not deserve U.S. support to stay in power. Assad's government has been propped up by the Russian and Iranian military, along with Hezbollah and other Iranian-allied militias, in a now 13-year-old war against opposition groups seeking his overthrow. The war, which began as a mostly peaceful uprising in 2011 against the Assad family's rule, has killed a half-million people, fractured Syria and drawn in a more than a half-dozen foreign militaries and militias. The insurgents are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , which the United States has designated as a terrorist group and says has links to al-Qaida, although the group has since broken ties with al-Qaida.” The insurgents have met little resistance so far from the Syrian army. The Biden administration has suggested that their fast-moving advances toward Damascus demonstrate just how distracted those countries are by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, but said that the U.S. is not backing the offensive and has not suggested the U.S. military will intervene. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, including U.S. forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Gen. Bryan Fenton, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, said he would not want to speculate on how the upheaval in Syria would affect the U.S. military’s footprint in the country. “It’s still too early to tell,” he said. What would not change is the focus on disrupting IS operations in Syria and protecting U.S. troops, Fenton said Saturday during a panel at an annual gathering of national security officials, defense companies and lawmakers at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have nonetheless been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration on how the U.S. would handle the sudden rebel advances against Assad. Robert Wilkie, Trump's defense transition chief and a former secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, said during the same panel that the collapse of the “murderous Assad regime” would be a major blow to Iran's power. The United Nations' special envoy for Syria called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition” in Syria. In his post, Trump said Russia “is so tied up in Ukraine” that it “seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years.” He said rebels could possibly force Assad from power. The president-elect condemned the overall U.S. handling of the war but said the routing of Assad and Russian forces might be for the best. “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” he wrote in Saturday's post. An influential Syrian opposition activist in Washington, Mouaz Moustafa, interrupted a briefing to reporters to read Trump’s post and appeared to choke up. He said Trump’s declaration that the U.S. should stay out of the fight was the best outcome that the the Syrians aligned against Assad could hope for. Rebels have been freeing political detainees of the Assad government from prisons as they advance across Syria, taking cities. Moustafa pledged to reporters Saturday that opposition forces would be alert for any U.S. detainees among them and do their utmost to protect them. Moustafa said that includes Austin Tice , an American journalist missing for more than a decade and suspected to be held by Assad. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham renounced al-Qaida in 2016 and has worked to rebrand itself, including cracking down on some Islamic extremist groups and fighters in its territory and portraying itself as a protector of Christians and other religious minorities. While the U.S. and United Nations still designate it as a terrorist organization, Trump's first administration told lawmakers that the U.S. was no longer targeting the group's leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani. ___ Associated Press writer Tara Copp in Simi Valley, California, contributed to this report.

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DALLAS , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) today announced that its board of directors approved the purchase of up to an additional $500 million of its outstanding shares of common stock under its existing share repurchase program, effective immediately. This repurchase program follows the substantial completion of purchases of common stock under the inaugural $250 million repurchase authorization from August 2023 . With this additional repurchase authorization, the Company anticipates executing a $250 million accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") program that will commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. "We believe our asset-lite, highly-franchised model enables industry-leading shareholder returns," commented Alex Kaleida , Chief Financial Officer. "Since becoming a public company in 2015, we have returned more than $1 billion of capital to shareholders. Our share repurchase program is another example of the long-term value creation enabled by our category of one operating model." Repurchases under the program may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means, including through trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and accelerated share repurchase agreements, with the amount and timing of repurchases to be determined at Wingstop's discretion, depending on market and business conditions, prevailing stock prices, and contractual limitations, among other factors. Open market repurchases will be structured to occur in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. This program does not obligate Wingstop to acquire any particular amount of common stock, or at any specific time or intervals and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at Wingstop's discretion. Wingstop expects to fund repurchases with existing cash and cash equivalents, including the proceeds from its recently completed $500 million financing transaction which closed on December 3, 2024 . About Wingstop Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Dallas, TX , Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) operates and franchises more than 2,450 locations worldwide. The Wing Experts are dedicated to Serving the World Flavor through an unparalleled guest experience and a best-in-class technology platform, all while offering classic and boneless wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches, cooked to order and hand sauced-and-tossed in fans' choice of 12 bold, distinctive flavors. Wingstop's menu also features signature sides including fresh-cut, seasoned fries and freshly-made ranch and bleu cheese dips. In fiscal year 2023, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased 27.1% to approximately $3.5 billion , marking the 20th consecutive year of same store sales growth. With a vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, Wingstop's system is comprised of corporate-owned restaurants and independent franchisees, or brand partners, who account for approximately 98% of Wingstop's total restaurant count of 2,458 as of September 28, 2024 . A key to this business success and consumer fandom stems from The Wingstop Way, which includes a core value system of being Authentic, Entrepreneurial, Service-minded, and Fun. The Wingstop Way extends to the brand's environmental, social and governance platform as Wingstop seeks to provide value to all guests. In 2023, Wingstop earned its "Best Places to Work" certification. The Company landed on Entrepreneur Magazine's "Fastest-Growing Franchises" list and ranked #16 on "Franchise 500." Wingstop was listed on Technomic's "Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report," QSR Magazine's "2023 QSR 50" and Franchise Time's "40 Smartest-Growing Franchises." For more information, visit www.wingstop.com or www.wingstop.com/own-a-wingstop and follow @Wingstop on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Learn more about Wingstop's involvement in its local communities at www.wingstopcharities.org . Unless specifically noted otherwise, references to our website addresses, the website addresses of third parties or other references to online content in this press release do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on such website and should not be considered part of this release. Forward-looking Statements This news release includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to the discussion of our expectations concerning the implementation and execution of our share repurchase program, including the anticipated execution of a $250 million ASR and our strategic growth initiatives. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "outlook," "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "think," "estimate," "seek," "predict," "can," "could," "project," "potential" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such terms. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks, and factors relating to our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be found at the SEC's website www.sec.gov . The discussion of these risks is specifically incorporated by reference into this news release. When considering forward-looking statements in this news release or that we make in other reports or statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this news release and future reports we file with the SEC. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict when they may arise or how they may affect us. Any forward-looking statement in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Media Contact Maddie Lupori Media@wingstop.com Investor Contact Kristen Thomas IR@wingstop.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wingstop-announces-additional-500-million-share-repurchase-authorization-302324306.html SOURCE Wingstop Restaurants Inc.Zhibao Technology Launches New Partnership with PICC & Munich Re to Develop New Medical Insurance Products in China

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MONTREAL, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B), an industry leader in music and video content distribution, business services, and advertising solutions, today announced the acquisition of Loupe Art, a leading visual art streaming service on Smart TVs and Digital Signage. This strategic acquisition aims to expand Stingray’s presence on Connected TVs and significantly enhance its offering for businesses, particularly in digital signage. Founded in 2016, Loupe Art’s platform includes over 10,000 original artworks from more than 750 artists across 50 countries. It offers expertly curated art collections and themed episodes that combine visual art with music, providing an unparalleled ambient entertainment experience. Loupe Art reaches audiences worldwide through partnerships with major platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon, Google TV, Samsung, LG, Comcast, LocalNow, Freecast, WhaleTV+ and others. The acquisition will enable Stingray to leverage Loupe’s patented technology and extensive content catalog to enhance its FAST channels on Connected TVs. It will also bolster Stingray Business by integrating Loupe’s tailored art displays into its digital signage solutions, offering businesses a flexible and customized visual experience across their locations. “By integrating Loupe Art’s groundbreaking platform with Stingray’s extensive expertly curated music catalog and robust distribution network, we are poised to revolutionize the way art and music are experienced in homes and businesses worldwide,” said Eric Boyko, President, Co-founder, and CEO of Stingray. “This acquisition not only broadens our content offerings but also strengthens our position as a leader in the digital media landscape.” “Joining forces with Stingray opens up exciting new possibilities for Loupe,” said Michele Tobin, CEO of Loupe Art. “We are eager to expand the reach of our artists’ work, bringing their creative expressions to a broader audience through Stingray’s impressive distribution channels. Together, we look forward to transforming how art is experienced in everyday life, enriching public and private spaces alike. “ With this acquisition, Stingray continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and growth in the digital media sector. By combining Loupe Art’s cutting-edge technology and rich artistic content with Stingray’s extensive reach and expertise, the company is well-positioned to deliver enhanced value to its customers and partners globally. Stingray remains dedicated to providing exceptional entertainment experiences that seamlessly integrate art and music, enriching environments across both residential and commercial spaces. Stingray (TSX: RAY.A; RAY.B), a global music, media, and technology company, is an industry leader in TV broadcasting, streaming, radio, business services, and advertising. Stingray provides an array of global music, digital, and advertising services to enterprise brands worldwide, including audio and video channels, over 100 radio stations, subscription video-on-demand content, FAST channels, karaoke products and music apps, and in-car and on-board infotainment content. Stingray Business, a division of Stingray, provides commercial solutions in music, in-store advertising solutions, digital signage, and AI-driven consumer insights and feedback. Stingray Advertising is North America’s largest retail audio advertising network, delivering digital audio messaging to more than 30,000 major retail locations. Stingray has close to 1000 employees worldwide and reaches 540 million consumers in 160 countries. For more information, visit . Loupe Art is an innovative patented streaming art platform that transforms connected TVs and digital signage into customized art galleries. Loupe expertly curates original artworks from a wide range of diverse global artists to deliver unique, immersive art experiences. Loupe for Business offers Public Art solutions ranging from remotely programmable art streams that reflect mood, daypart, season, style, color and brand attributes to bespoke curation services for Real Estate, Workplace, Hospitality and Healthcare customers. Loupe Art is available to consumers in-home on Samsung TV Plus, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, LG, Comcast, LocalNow, Freecast and WhaleTV+. This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information with respect to Stingray’s goals, beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. Forward-looking information is identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “may”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “foresee”, “believe”, and “continue”, or the negative of these terms and similar terminology, including references to assumptions. Please note, however, that not all forward-looking information contains these terms and phrases. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Stingray’s control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified in Stingray’s Annual Information Form for the year ended March 31, 2024, which is available on SEDAR at . Consequently, all of the forward-looking information contained herein is qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements, and there can be no guarantee that the results or developments that Stingray anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or effects on Stingray’s business, financial condition or results of operation. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date hereof, and Stingray does not undertake to update or amend such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

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After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soonGoogle and the US government faced off in a federal court on Monday, as each side delivered closing arguments in a case revolving around the technology giant's alleged unfair domination of online advertising. The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. In a separate trial, a Washington judge ruled that Google's search business is an illegal monopoly, and the US Justice Department is asking that Google sell its Chrome browser business to resolve the case. The latest case, also brought by the Justice Department, focuses on ad technology for the open web -- the complex system determining which online ads people see when they surf the internet. The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs allege. Publishers -- including News Corp and Gannett publishing -- complain that they are locked into Google's advertising technology in order to run ads on their websites. "Google is once, twice, three times a monopolist," DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum told the court in closing arguments. Presiding judge Leonie Brinkema has said that she would deliver her opinion swiftly, as early as next month. Whatever Brinkema's judgment, the outcome will almost certainly be appealed, prolonging a process that could go all the way to the US Supreme Court. The government alleges that Google controls the auction-style system that advertisers use to purchase advertising space online. The US lawyers argue that this approach allows Google to charge higher prices to advertisers while sending less revenue to publishers such as news websites, many of which are struggling to stay in business. The US argues that Google used its financial power to acquire potential rivals and corner the ad tech market, leaving advertisers and publishers with no choice but to use its technology. The government wants Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Google dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the government to pick "winners and losers" in a diverse market. The company argues that the display ads at issue are just a small share of today's ad tech business. Google says the plaintiffs' definition of the market ignores ads that are also placed in search results, apps and social media platforms and where, taken as a whole, Google does not dominate. "The law simply does not support what the plaintiffs are arguing in this case," said Google's lawyer Karen Dunn. She warned that if Google were to lose the case, the winners would be rival tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta or Amazon, whose market share in online advertising is ascendant as Google's share is falling. The DOJ countered that it simply "does not matter" that Google is competing in the broader market for online ads. "That is a different question" than the market for ads on websites that is the target of the case, said Teitelbaum. Google also points to US legal precedent, saying arguments similar to the government's have been refuted in previous antitrust cases. Dunn also warned that forcing Google to work with rivals in its ad products would amount to government central planning that the court should reject. If the judge finds Google to be at fault, a new phase of the trial would decide how the company should comply with that conclusion. And all that could be moot if the incoming Trump administration decides to drop the case. The president-elect has been a critic of Google's, but he warned earlier this month that breaking it up could be "a very dangerous thing." arp/dwUS Stock market today: Wall Street roars, S&P 500 posts best day since Election Day

Social media users rage at insurers after CEO’s shootingGovt appoints Waheed Ahmed as PCSIR council member KARACHI: The federal government has appointed Waheed Ahmed, the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association (PFVA) and director of Iftekhar Ahmed and Co, as a member of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Council. This appointment highlights Ahmed’s vast expertise and experience in the horticulture and value-added agriculture sectors. The PCSIR council, which includes experts, government officials and industry representatives, aims to drive knowledge-based economic growth through scientific research, innovation and industrial development via public-private partnerships. The council’s initiatives will focus on promoting advanced technologies, boosting industrial competitiveness and fostering economic progress.

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.Donald Trump doesn’t appear to measure up to Prince William’s 6-foot-3

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Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did

The Latest: Police in Pennsylvania question a man over the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Police arrested a “strong person of interest” Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after a quick-thinking McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the ambush. The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said. He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Police identified the suspect as Luigi Mangione. Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address is in Honolulu, Hawaii, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news briefing. Here's the latest: Freddie Leatherbury hasn’t spoken to Mangione since they graduated in 2016 from Gilman School in Maryland. He said Mangione was a smart, friendly and athletic student who came from a wealthy family, even by the private school’s standards. Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say NEW YORK (AP) — Police arrested a suspect Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO after a quick-thinking McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. The chance sighting at the restaurant in Altoona led to a dramatic break in a challenging but fast-moving investigation that had captivated the public in the five days since the shooting that shook the health insurance industry. The suspect, identified by police as 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in last Wednesday’s shooting of Brian Thompson, as well as writings suggesting anger with corporate America, police said. Mangione was taken into custody about 9:15 a.m. after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, police said. "He is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeover DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. After fighting wars on multiple fronts for months, Israel is now concerned that unrest in Syria could spill over into its territory. Israel also views the end of the Assad regime as a chance to disrupt Iran's ability to smuggle weapons through Syria to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The Israeli military over the weekend began seizing control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. It said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border. But the incursion sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. Israel still controls the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed — a move not recognized by most of the international community. Here’s a look at recent developments along the Syrian frontier. Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It's been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It's not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it's possible, it's a bad idea. Veteran Daniel Penny is acquitted in NYC subway chokehold case over Jordan Neely's death NEW YORK (AP) — A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an agitated subway rider was acquitted on Monday in a death that became a prism for differing views about public safety, valor and vigilantism. A Manhattan jury cleared Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely ’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week because the jury deadlocked on that count. Penny, who had shown little expression during the trial, briefly smiled as the verdict was read. While celebrating later with his attorneys, he said he felt “great.” Both applause and anger erupted in the courtroom, and Neely's father and two supporters were ushered out after audibly reacting. Another person also left, wailing with tears. “It really, really hurts,” Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, said outside the courthouse. “I had enough of this. The system is rigged." Zelenskyy open to Western troops providing security for end to war in Ukraine KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he's open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the country’s security as part of a broad effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia. The deployment would be a step toward Ukraine joining NATO, Zelenskyy said in a post on his Telegram channel. “But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the European Union and when Ukraine will be in NATO,” Zelenskyy said. His proposals tread a delicate diplomatic path amid international efforts to find a way of ending Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II at a time when Russia has gained an upper hand in the fighting. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to bring about a ceasefire and met with Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday. But Zelenskyy said Monday that he would approach outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden about Ukraine’s possible NATO membership because he's still in office, while Trump doesn't yet have “legal rights” to decide on the matter. Jay-Z says lawsuit accusing him of raping a child at awards after-party is part of an extortion ploy NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z says a rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13, amended the lawsuit Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. The 24-time Grammy award winning rapper, producer and music mogul called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature" in a statement released by Roc Nation, one of his companies. His lawyer also argued Monday that his accuser, who is only identified as Jane Doe, should have to reveal her identity, or have her lawsuit dismissed outright. Attorney Alex Spiro said in a filing in Manhattan federal court that the woman hasn’t provided any specific evidence to justify her anonymity and that her “vague assertions of potential harm fall far short of the stringent requirements” under law. Netanyahu is set to take the witness stand for the first time in his corruption trial in Israel JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to take to the witness stand Tuesday for the first time in his trial on corruption allegations, a pivotal point in the drawn-out proceedings that comes as he wages war in Gaza and faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes charges. Netanyahu is on trial at home on accusations of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate matters. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but his appearance on the witness stand will be a low point in his decades-long political career, standing in contrast to the image of a sophisticated, respected leader he has tried to cultivate. The trial will take up a chunk of Netanyahu's time at a crucial point for Israel. While he makes his case for weeks from the stand, he will still be tasked with managing the war in Gaza, maintaining a fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and keeping tabs on threats from the wider Middle East, including Iran. It will be the first time an Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant. Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to delay the proceedings, citing the war in Gaza and security concerns. The judges ordered the trial to resume Tuesday, moving the proceedings to an underground chamber in a Tel Aviv court as a security precaution. Netanyahu's appearance in the courtroom will also draw attention to other legal issues in the Israeli leader's orbit. Close advisers in his office are embroiled in a separate series of scandals surrounding leaked classified information and doctored documents. While Netanyahu is not suspected of direct involvement in those, they could weaken his public image. 'Emilia Pérez' leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by 'The Brutalist' and 'Conclave' 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. 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NonePhishing Prevention Framework Reduces Incidents by HalfDividend investing is a proven strategy for laid-back investors to create extra income streams. However, long-term investors’ success in building a robust passive income portfolio depends mainly on the choice of investments. The TSX is trending upward in December, and it’s a good time to start a money-making activity. is the only primary sector out of 11 that is in red territory. Nonetheless, an industry giant remains a solid anchor in an investment portfolio. At $37.79 per share (-22.8% year-to-date), ( ) trades at a discount but pays a mouth-watering 10.4% dividend yield. Given the over-the-top dividend offer, you can produce $3,275.93 in passive income yearly ($818.98 quarterly). All you need is $31,560 to set things in motion. The investment amount is equivalent to the maximum (RRSP) contribution limit for the tax year 2024. Most Canadians invest in BCE for its hefty dividend payouts. Published reports say the $34.5 billion telecom giant has been paying dividends since 1949 (75 years). The telco suspended the payouts for only two quarters in 2008 due to a buyout deal that eventually fell apart. The key takeaway for and appeal of BCE as a long-term hold is Canada’s telecom sector’s oligopoly and capital-intensive nature. Combined with and , the three dominate the wireless market. BCE derives revenues from three business segments: Bell Wireless, Bell Wireline, and Bell Media. BCE reported a net loss of nearly $1.2 billion in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023, although free cash flow (FCF) increased 10.3% year-over-year to $832 million. Curtis Millen, CFO of BCE and Bell Canada said, “BCE’s Q3 results demonstrate our continued transformation efforts to drive long-term cost efficiencies and profitable subscriber growth while making strategic M&A transactions to lean into our core strengths.” Its President and CEO, Mirko Bibic, assures BCE remains disciplined in pursuing profitable growth in an intensely competitive environment. “Our focus this quarter, and throughout 2024, has been to attract higher-margin subscribers and reduce costs to help offset short-term revenue impacts from sustained competitive pricing pressures.” In September this year, BCE sold its 37.5% stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) to Rogers Communications for $4.7 billion. The deal should close in mid-2025. BCE announced last month that Bell Canada will acquire Ziply Fiber in the U.S. for $5 billion. Acquiring the leading fibre Internet provider in the Pacific Northwest will extend Bell’s U.S. footprint and garner a significant market share in an underpenetrated fibre market. The Canadian titan expects to complete the milestone in the back half of 2025. Meanwhile, Bell will expand its collaboration with and launch Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile services. The latter provides a consistent user experience besides simplifying business communication and boosting productivity and efficiency. Some market observers expressed concerns about the possible suspension of dividend hikes following the major acquisition in the U.S. But Millen countered, “As we move through the rest of the year and into 2025, we will remain focused on continued cost efficiency and margin-accretive subscriber growth, strengthening our future financial performance.”

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A partnership to grow Rwanda’s green economyShares of Carnival Corp. .css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} .css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} CCL slid 4.58% to $25.39 Monday, on what proved to be an all-around poor trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 0.61% to 6,052.85 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.54% to 44,401.93. Carnival Corp. closed $1.78 below its 52-week high ($27.17), which the company achieved on December 5th.

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REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggested the country could be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. “My expectation is like, something new going to happen, hopefully," said Hörður Guðjónsson, voting in the capital, Reykjavik. “We always have had these old parties taking care of things. I hope we see the light now to come in with a younger people, new ideas.” Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Fierce weather in the sub-Arctic nation threatened to hamper some voters getting to polling stations on Saturday, with heavy snow blocking roads in many areas. The weather could also delay the delivery of ballot boxes to counting centers after polls close at 10 p.m. (2200GMT). Voters are choosing 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But Benediktsson decided on Oct. 13 that his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnason a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Despite the electoral headwinds, Benediktsson expressed confidence that his Independence Party could emerge on top. “It was an uphill battle for my party, initially, but as we moved on into the election campaign, I think things started to turn our way and I feel that this will be a very exciting election day,” he said. The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after the country's debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,'' she said. Danica Kirka reported from London. Jill Lawless contributed to this report from London.Stock market today: Nvidia drags Wall Street from its records as oil and gold rise

The US Navy is to transform three, white elephant, stealth destroyers by fitting them with first-of-their-kind shipborne hypersonic weapons. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.ROANOKE, Va., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RGC Resources, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGCO) will host its quarterly conference call and webcast to review the results of its fiscal fourth quarter and 2024 fiscal year on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. eastern time. Related presentation materials will be available before the call on the Company website on the Investor & Financial Information page at https://www.rgcresources.com/investor-financial-information/ . Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing toll-free 1-877-304-9269 and entering conference identification number 917621. An archive of the webcast will be available for one year on the website at https://ww w.rgcresources.com/investor-financial-information/ . RGC Resources, Inc. provides energy and related products and services to customers in Virginia through its operating subsidiaries Roanoke Gas Company and RGC Midstream, LLC. From time to time, the Company may publish forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, research and development activities and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements. Past performance is not necessarily a predictor of future results.

FILE PHOTO: Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent speaks at a campaign event for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. August 14, 2024. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File Photo President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pick prominent investor Scott Bessent to take on the role of U.S. Treasury secretary, sources told Reuters on Friday, putting him at the helm of a cabinet position with vast influence over economic, regulatory and international affairs. One source briefed by the Trump transition team and a donor briefed on the plans told Reuters of Trump's intention to pick Bessent. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Wall Street has been closely watching who Trump will pick, especially given his plans to remake global trade through tariffs. Bessent was picked from a crowded field of candidates for the coveted role. That list included Apollo Global Management Chief Executive Marc Rowan and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh. Investor John Paulson had also been a leading candidate, but dropped out while Wall Street veteran Howard Lutnick, another contender, was appointed as head of the Commerce Department. Bessent has advocated for tax reform and deregulation, particularly to spur more bank lending and energy production, as noted in a recent opinion piece he wrote for The Wall Street Journal. The market's surge after Trump's election victory, he wrote, signaled investor "expectations of higher growth, lower volatility and inflation, and a revitalized economy for all Americans." Bessent follows other financial luminaries who have taken the job, including former Goldman Sachs executives Robert Rubin, Hank Paulson and Steven Mnuchin, Trump's first Treasury chief. Janet Yellen, the current secretary and first woman in the job, previously chaired the Federal Reserve and White House Council of Economic Advisers. ECONOMY'S QUARTERBACK As the 79th Treasury secretary, Bessent would essentially be the highest-ranking U.S. economic official, responsible for maintaining the plumbing of the world's largest economy, from collecting taxes and paying the nation's bills to managing the $28.6-trillion Treasury debt market and overseeing financial regulation, including handling and preventing market crises. The Treasury boss also runs U.S. financial sanctions policy, oversees the U.S.-led International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other international financial institutions, and manages national security screenings of foreign investments in the U.S. Bessent would face challenges, including safely managing federal deficits that are forecast to grow by nearly $8 trillion over a decade due to Trump's plans to extend expiring tax cuts next year and add generous new breaks, including ending taxes on Social Security income. Without offsetting revenues, this new debt would add to an unsustainable fiscal trajectory already forecast to balloon U.S. debt by $22 trillion through 2033. Managing debt increases this large without market indigestion will be a challenge, though Bessent has argued Trump's agenda would unleash stronger economic growth that would grow revenue and shore up market confidence. Bessent would also inherit the role carved out by Yellen to lead the Group of Seven wealthy democracies to provide tens of billions of dollars in economic support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion and tighten sanctions on Moscow. But given Trump's desire to end the war quickly and withdraw U.S. financial support for Ukraine, it is unclear whether he would pursue this. Another area where Bessent will likely differ from Yellen is her focus on climate change, from her mandate that development banks expand lending for clean energy to incorporating climate risks into financial regulations and managing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy tax credits. Trump, a climate-change skeptic, has vowed to increase production of U.S. fossil fuel energy and end the clean-energy subsidies in President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. FED FACING The Treasury secretary is also the administration’s closest point of contact with the Federal Reserve. Both Yellen under Biden and Mnuchin under Trump typically met weekly with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, often over breakfast or lunch. Bessent has floated the idea of creating a “shadow” Fed chair. This would entail nominating as early as possible a presumptive Powell predecessor to the Fed Board who would then deliver their own policy guidance so that, as Bessent told Barron’s last month, "no one is really going to care what Jerome Powell has to say anymore." The next seat to open up at the Fed Board is that of Governor Adriana Kugler, whose term runs to January 2026. Bessent has since said he no longer thinks the idea of a shadow chair worth pursuing, the Wall Street Journal reported. Powell's term as Fed chair expires in May 2026, and presidents rarely wait until the Fed chief's term ends before nominating a successor. FROM FINANCE TO DC Bessent, 62, primarily lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his husband and two children. He grew up in the fishing village of Little River, South Carolina, where Bessent has said his father, a real estate investor, experienced booms and busts. Bessent worked for noted short seller Jim Chanos in the late 1980s and then joined Soros Fund Management, the famed macroeconomic investment firm of billionaire George Soros. He soon helped Soros and top deputy Stanley Druckenmiller on their most famous trade - shorting the British pound in 1992 and earning the firm more than $1 billion. In 2015, Bessent raised $4.5 billion, including $2 billion from Soros, to launch Key Square Group, a hedge fund firm that bets on macroeconomic trends. Key Square's main fund gained about 31% in 2022, according to media reports, but firm assets have declined to approximately $577 million as of December 2023, according to a regulatory filing. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

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By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .DENVER — Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert broke new ground over the weekend when she became the first sitting member of Congress to offer personalized messages for sale — starting at $250 — through the video platform Cameo . The Windsor Republican, who won election to a new congressional seat this month after moving across the state, started the account Saturday. The website allows customers to buy personalized video messages from celebrities. On Monday morning, Boebert advertised her messages starting at $250, though she stopped taking requests by 10:45 a.m. mountain time. “Whether you or someone you know needs an America-first pep talk, if you want to surprise friends or family with a message for a special day, or if you just want to know my thoughts on whatever’s on your mind, Cameo is the place to connect with me,” Boebert says in an introductory video. Brandon Kazimer, a Cameo spokesperson, confirmed that the account belonged to Boebert. Boebert’s office declined to comment Monday. Kazimer said she’s the first sitting member of Congress to sign up for the service as talent. At least two other former members of Congress, George Santos of New York and Matt Gaetz of Florida, have sold videos on the platform. Santos joined Cameo soon after he was expelled from Congress last year over allegations he exploited office for personal financial gain. Gaetz, who is a friend of Boebert’s, joined the service Friday, days after he withdrew his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. attorney general following allegations that he paid a teenage girl for sex. Boebert does not appear to have advertised the service on her other social media accounts on X or Facebook. Congressional rules will limit how much Boebert can earn from the videos. In 2023, members were limited to making $31,815 in outside income beyond their annual $174,000 salaries. She will have to report any earnings from Cameo on her annual disclosures. The law also prohibits people from using their public office to make outside money, said Kedric Payne, a vice president and senior director of ethics for the Campaign Legal Center. Ultimately, the restriction is meant to give voters confidence that elected officials aren’t using public office for personal gain — or putting that gain ahead of their public service. Boebert describes herself on Cameo as “Not your typical Colorado Republican politician. Jesus loving, Constitutionalist, America first, freedom fighter.” An earlier version of her Cameo page listed Boebert as a politician and categorized her as a political commentator, but it was updated to list her under the influencers category. Because she doesn’t use her title or appear to use other facets of her public job for the videos, such as filming in her congressional office, “that should take away any concern she’s trying to use her public job for personal gain,” Payne said. He added that the limit on outside income also anticipates these kinds of problems by limiting the incentive for members to spend more effort on outside business ventures than their public service. But, he noted, people can cross that line quickly if it’s not clear if they’re acting in their public or private capacity. The earned income that’s subject to the annual cap is considered separate from passive income made through things like stock market investments, Payne said, because it is actively made by selling goods and services. “We’ll be watching to see if this becomes a trend,” Payne said of the Cameo side work. “If this is just a one-off where someone does this for a month or so, that’s one thing — but if it becomes a trend, where members of Congress are trying to act as influencers and get paid, that could point to a bigger problem.” ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .

Next-Gen Gaming Revolution! Taiwan’s Semiconductor Giant Unleashes AI Power

golden empire jili tricks Isaac Newton’s third law of motion famously states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction: If you push an object, for example, the object pushes back against you with equal force. It turns out this isn’t just a law of physics. It’s a law of politics. President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks thus far have run the gamut from traditional and well-established (Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, Rep. Mike Waltz for national security adviser, Chris Wright for secretary of energy, Brendan Carr for FCC chairman) to the more audacious and controversial (former Rep. Matt Gaetz and now Pam Bondi for attorney general, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary). They all represent a precise reaction to the excesses and evils of the Obama-Biden bureaucracy that has, for more than a decade and half, plagued American politics. Take, as the most obvious example, Gaetz. Gaetz is charismatic and brilliant; he has been both aggressive and effective on the House Judiciary Committee. He is also, as has been widely reported, thoroughly disliked in the House of Representatives. He has been generally perceived as a destructive force, an egotist focused more on media coverage than on the functioning of the House; his defenestration of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was unpopular among his colleagues, with many believing that he pursued McCarthy vindictively based on his opposition to McCarthy’s House Ethics investigation against him. And that’s precisely why Trump initially picked him before Gaetz decided to withdraw his name from consideration. To Donald Trump, the Department of Justice has been an instrument of vindictiveness from his first days in office. From insiders in the DOJ working with the FBI to gin up the Mueller investigation to the Merrick Garland DOJ targeting him repeatedly under legally shoddy auspices, the DOJ has consistently represented resistance to his presidency. And so Trump initially picked precisely the type of person he believes will clean out the agency from top to bottom. Or take RFK Jr. RFK Jr. represents a slap in the face to the traditional health establishment. He has a long record of controversial statements on everything ranging from 5G to vaccination. But he is a reaction to the overweening arrogance of a conspiratorial elite who crammed down Covid-19 misinformation on an industrial scale, told Americans that boys could become girls, attempted to wield the reins of government against their medical opponents and even tried to mandate vaccination on 80 million Americans. RFK Jr. is the natural reaction to a health policy elite who have made themselves radioactive. Trump himself has always been a form of snapback against the overreach of what came before.NIFT entrance test 2025 registration begins at exams.nta.ac.in, direct link to apply

It is crucial to note that engaging with all Syrian groups does not imply endorsing or supporting any particular faction. Rather, it reflects a commitment to understanding the perspectives and grievances of all parties involved in the conflict. By listening to the voices of diverse Syrian actors, the United States can better assess the root causes of the conflict and identify potential pathways towards a negotiated settlement.Global Classroom Scheduling Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-EMS Software, Skedda, Lantiv, Appointy, Prime Timetable

A: China's economic rise has had a profound impact on global markets, affecting industries such as manufacturing, technology, and finance. The country's massive consumer market and growing middle class have attracted foreign investors and businesses seeking new opportunities. China's participation in international trade and investment has reshaped global supply chains and driven innovation in various sectors.

The absence of these key players raises concerns about the team's depth and ability to cope with potential injuries and suspensions in the future. It also highlights the importance of squad rotation and player fitness in a long and grueling season. Arsenal will need to quickly address the reasons behind the players' absences and ensure that they are back to full fitness and training as soon as possible.

Similarly, ABC Bullion, a renowned gold dealer, has adjusted its selling prices for gold bars and coins to reflect the current market trends. The company has implemented a 3% reduction in prices across its product range, in line with the overall decrease in gold prices.The moment when Yamashita and Chou took the stage together was truly unforgettable. Their chemistry was evident as they sang harmoniously, delivering a powerful rendition of their hit songs. The audience was mesmerized by the seamless blend of their voices and the energy they brought to the stage.

4. Ford Motor Company:Title: Pep Guardiola's Brother: "I Jokingly Suggested My Brother Could Coach Girona If He Ever Gets Bored"

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fighting

In response to President Zelensky's revelations, former President Trump issued a statement expressing his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and reaffirming his support for Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty. However, his previous remarks, which had sought to downplay the severity of the situation, have sparked criticism and controversy both domestically and internationally.In conclusion, the avian flu outbreak in Japan has sparked concerns about the spread of the virus and its implications for the poultry industry. The culling of 240,000 chickens is a necessary but difficult decision to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission. It is essential for authorities, farmers, and the public to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of avian flu outbreaks in the future.In the face of global economic challenges and uncertainties, China's economy remains steadfast and resilient, navigating through turbulent waters with a steady hand at the helm. With a clear commitment to reforms, innovation, and sustainable development, China's economic ship is confidently charting a course towards continued growth and prosperity.

Fatal unattractionConclusion:In conclusion, the gaming landscape is ever-evolving, with heroes rising and falling, legends being forged and new beginnings emerging. While Sun Ce may be facing a quality decline, the arrival of The Guardian and the promise of new skins signal a bright future for the gaming community. Stay tuned for updates as these new developments unfold and prepare to embark on thrilling adventures with Sun Ce, The Guardian, and a host of new allies in the world of gaming.By Leah Douglas and Ed White WASHINGTON/REGINA, Saskatchewan (Reuters) -U.S. prices may rise next year for avocados, strawberries and other fresh produce, and consumers could face shortages, if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on plans to slap tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, agricultural economists and industry executives said. Mexico and Canada are by far the top two suppliers of farm products to the United States, with imports of agricultural goods valued at nearly $86 billion last year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs data. Duties on their food shipments could cause jarring financial and operational ripple effects on U.S. supplies and highlight how reliant the nation has become on its neighbors for feeding its population, economists said. Trump said Monday he would sign an executive order on his first day in office in January that would impose a 25% tariff on all products coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S. U.S. consumers would feel impacts at grocery stores and restaurants, with items being out of stock, Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, said on Tuesday. "We would see fewer items in general in the produce section," Jungmeyer said. "Restaurants would have to reconfigure their menus, maybe putting in less fruits and vegetables or decreasing portions." About two-thirds of all U.S. vegetable imports and half of fruit and nut imports come from Mexico, according to the USDA: nearly 90% of its avocados, as much as 35% of its orange juice, and 20% of its strawberries. Avocado exports to the United States have soared 48% since 2019, according to U.S. trade data, as consumers have increasingly put them in salads and on sandwiches. The U.S. market accounts for about 80% of Mexico's total avocado exports, data by the USDA shows, a trade worth $3 billion last year. "It would generate an inflationary spiral," said Alfredo Ramírez, governor of Michoacan, Mexico's main avocado producing state. "Demand would not fall," he said. "What would increase are costs and prices. This would bring us an increase in inflation and direct repercussions for consumers." Margarita supplies could be hit, too. Imports of beer and tequila together make up nearly a quarter of Mexican imports of agricultural goods into the U.S. last year. U.S. imports of Mexican tequila and mezcal - both used for making cocktails, such as margaritas - totaled $4.66 billion in 2023, up 160% since 2019. The tariffs could also push prices higher for fertilizer imported from Canada at a time when farmers are paying nearly 50% more for fertilizer than in 2020, said Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, a farmer trade group. "Now is not the time to send shock waves through the agricultural economy," Kieffer said. PIGS, CATTLE MIGRATION Trump's plan could also slow the migration of more than 1 million cows exported by Mexico across the border each year, to become part of the U.S. beef supply. U.S. producers have slashed their cattle herds in recent years, pushing up beef prices. They could benefit if tariffs lead to fewer cattle and beef imports, said Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America. Tariffs could also further increase meat prices for U.S. consumers, though Bullard said importers and meat processors may be able to absorb some extra costs. "We look forward to tariffs," he said. "It will help to level the playing field for our domestic producers." To the north, tariffs also could disrupt shipments of beef and dairy cattle and hogs between the U.S. and Canada, and potentially affect producers in both countries. Manitoba alone sends about 3 million piglets each year to producers in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, where feed corn can be sourced more cheaply, according to the Canada Pork Council and Manitoba Pork Council Midwestern farmers then raise and fatten up the animals in their feeder barns, before sending them to slaughter - and the pork flows both to buyers in the U.S. and Canada after processing. TRUMP TRADE WARS 2.0 The latest USDA projections show that the U.S. in 2025 will likely run a deficit in agricultural trade of more than $42 billion, driven in part by consumer interest in off-season produce and imported alcohol from Mexico. The threat of tariffs could be a way of attaining leverage over Mexico and Canada in the lead-up to renegotiation of the USMCA trade deal, set to be reviewed in 2026, said Peter Tabor, an attorney and senior policy advisor at Holland & Knight and a former USDA trade official. But implementation of steep tariffs over time could mean the U.S. may be seen as an unreliable trading partner and that importers of U.S. goods would look elsewhere to fill the void, Tabor said. (Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington, Ed White in Regina, Saskatchewan, Tom Polansek and Karl Plume in Chicago, Emma Rumney in London, and Cassandra Garrison and Adriana Barrera in Mexico City; Writing By P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Donald Trump weighed in Saturday in a bitter debate dividing his traditional supporters and tech barrons like Elon Musk, saying that he backs a special visa program that helps highly skilled workers enter the country. "I've always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favor of the visas, that's why we have them" at Trump-owned facilities, the president-elect told the New York Post in his first public comments on the matter since it flared up this week. An angry back-and-forth, largely between Silicon Valley's Musk and traditional anti-immigration Trump backers, has erupted in fiery fashion, with Musk even vowing to "go to war" over the issue. Trump's insistent calls for sharp curbs on immigration were central to his election victory in November over President Joe Biden. He has vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants and limit legal immigration. But tech entrepreneurs like Tesla's Musk -- as well as Vivek Ramaswamy, who with Musk is to co-chair a government cost-cutting panel under Trump -- say the United States produces too few highly skilled graduates, and they fervently champion the H1-B program. Musk, who himself migrated from South Africa on an H1-B, posted Thursday on his X platform that luring elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Adding acrimony to the debate was a post from Ramaswamy, the son of immigrants from India, who deplored an "American culture" that he said venerates mediocrity, adding that the United States risks having "our asses handed to us by China." That angered several prominent conservatives who were backing Trump long before Musk noisily joined their cause this year, going on to pump more than $250 million into the Republican's campaign. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said Laura Loomer, a far-right MAGA figure known for her conspiracy theories, who often flew with Trump on his campaign plane. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." She and others said Trump should be promoting American workers and further limiting immigration. Musk, who had already infuriated some Republicans after leading an online campaign that helped tank a bipartisan budget deal last week, fired back at his critics. Posting on X, the social media site he owns, he warned of a "MAGA civil war." Musk bluntly swore at one critic, adding that "I will go to war on this issue." That, in turn, drew a volley from Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who wrote on the Gettr platform that the H1-B program brings in migrants who are essentially "indentured servants" working for less than American citizens would. In a striking jab at Trump's close friend Musk, Bannon called the Tesla CEO a "toddler." Some of Trump's original backers say they fear he is falling under the sway of big donors from the tech world like Musk and drifting away from his campaign promises. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks might soothe the intraparty strife, which has exposed just how contentious changing the immigration system might be once he takes office in January. bbk/nroIn the closing minutes of the game, with the score tied at 2-2, the atmosphere in the stadium reached a fever pitch as both teams pushed for the decisive goal. In a moment of brilliance, Sanchez broke through the Steel Hawks' defense and unleashed a thunderous strike that found the back of the net, sending the Hammer Wolves fans into a frenzy of celebration.

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Wade Taylor IV scored 15 points and dished out 10 assists and C.J. Wilcher added 14 points as No. 13 Texas A&M throttled Abilene Christian 92-54 on Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas. The Aggies (11-2) were in charge from the jump, forging a 19-point lead at halftime and never looking back. Texas A&M scored the first points of the second half, was up by 28 with 13:23 to play and cruised to the finish line while winning its seventh straight game. Taylor's output moved him into second place in the Aggies all-time scoring list. His 1,779 points are now behind only Bernard King, who had 1,990 from 1999-2003. Andersson Garcia and Zhuric Phelps added 12 points each for Texas A&M, which appears to be hitting on all cylinders heading into its Southeastern Conference opener at home against rival Texas on Jan. 4. Phelps added 10 rebounds for the Aggies. Quion Williams led the Wildcats (8-6) with 14 points. Abilene Christian missed its final six shots and went the last 5:24 of the game without a point. The Aggies made a statement in the early going by scoring the game's first nine points over the initial 3 1/2 minutes, with seven of those coming from Coleman. Abilene Christian fought back to within 16-12 after Dontrez Williams' layup with 12:12 left in the half. But A&M swung back, producing a 14-0 run capped by Garcia's layup with 8:51 to play in the half to pull away to a 30-12 advantage. The Wildcats again cut into their deficit, pulling to 30-19 when Cade Hornecker hit a layup with 6:26 to play until halftime. A&M boosted the lead back to 17 points after a pair of free throws by Taylor and got two more from the charity stripe to take a 48-29 edge to the break. Wilcher led all scorers in the half with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc while Garcia hit for 10 points for A&M while making all four of his shots from the floor. The Aggies outshot Abilene Christian 61.5 percent to 40.7 percent before halftime. Quion Williams and Leonardo Bettiol paced the Wildcats with seven points each in the first half. --Field Level Media

AN economic blogger recently made a comparative chart of the global economy that was measured using two benchmarks: nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and market capitalization. The key assertation in that blog is what many of us have known all along: while the United States accounts for just a quarter of global productivity (roughly $26 trillion of GDP), it holds such an immense grip on the flow of global private capital, the equivalent of out-of-bounds, over-the-top enthusiasm for US equities on a global scale. Based on a measurement weighted by market capitalization, the US dominates the rest of the world with more than 65 percent of the total stock market. Japan and the United Kingdom trailed far behind with just over 4 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Let that sink in: the US has almost a 70-percent share of global equities with just a quarter of global productivity. China, the world's second-biggest economy with an annual GDP of $16 trillion, is hardly a player when the global economy is weighted based on market capitalization. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.The incident at the bath center in Zhengzhou serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining safety and hygiene standards in public facilities. It highlights the need for thorough inspections and regular monitoring to ensure that such incidents are prevented or swiftly addressed in a timely manner. The safety and well-being of patrons should always be the top priority for any establishment, and strict measures should be in place to guarantee a secure environment for everyone.

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Singapore, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Webuy Global Ltd. (Nasdaq: WBUY) (the "Company”), a Southeast Asian community-oriented e-commerce retailor with a focus on grocery and travel, today announced the closing of its previously announced registered direct offering with certain institutional investors for the sale and purchase of an aggregate of 21,013,239 of the Company's Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.000000385 per share (the "Shares”) (or Class A ordinary share equivalents in lieu thereof) in a registered direct offering at a purchase price of $0.1756 per share. The purchase price for the pre-funded warrants is $0.1755 to the purchase price for Shares, less the exercise price of $0.0001 per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the registered direct offering are estimated to be approximately $3.7 million, before deducting the placement agent's fees and other estimated offering expenses. D. Boral Capital LLC acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP acted as counsel to the Company and Hunter Taubman Fischer & Li LLC acted as counsel to D. Boral Capital LLC. The proposed offering of the securities described above is being offered by the Company pursuant to a "shelf” registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-283356) filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”) and declared effective by the SEC on December 3, 2024, and the accompanying prospectus contained therein. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. The prospectus supplement describing the terms of the public offering was filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or by contacting D. Boral Capital LLC Attention: Syndicate Department, 590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by email at [email protected] , or by telephone at +1 (212) 970-5150. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Webuy Global Ltd Webuy Global Ltd. (Nasdaq: WBUY) is a forward-thinking, technology-driven company aimed at becoming the leading e-commerce and travel platform in Southeast Asia. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, the Company enhances its 'group buy' model by providing personalized recommendations, predictive demand analytics, and seamless community interactions. In addition, Webuy integrates AI-powered travel solutions, such as its proprietary AI Travel Consultant, to deliver personalized itineraries, group travel planning, and real-time support. These innovations streamline the traditional supply chain, foster a community-driven shopping experience, and simplify travel planning for its users. Webuy is committed to improving the lives of millions of families in Southeast Asia with high-quality, affordable products, services, and travel experiences. For more information, visit http://webuy.global Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's current expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties described more fully in the Company's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them, except as required by law. CONTACT: Webuy Global Ltd. Email: [email protected]

Using Z-Joule’s POOL.FM, SEA-LNG has undertaken analysis based on a modelled mid-sized, 14,000 TEU container vessel. This analysis is in the form of both a single vessel and also an eight-vessel fleet operating the Rotterdam – Singapore trade route over the period 2025 to 2040. The full white paper is available for download here. The analysis focuses on the LNG, methanol, and ammonia fuel pathways and compares their compliance costs against the default of using VLSFO (very low sulphur fuel oil). The analysis uses the specifications for main and auxiliary engines published by the main marine engine manufacturers MAN ES, Wärtsilä and WinDG. The study indicates that LNG, methanol, and ammonia dual-fuel engine technologies can reduce compliance costs compared with VLSFO, with LNG dual-fuel vessels providing a significantly lower cost compliance solution. The basis for this is that the LNG pathway offers immediate greenhouse gas reductions now and in the future compared with the other fuel choices. The use of LNG also dramatically reduces SOx, NOx and Particulate Matter (PM), thereby avoiding the use of relatively expensive MGO (marine gas oil) for ECA (Emission Control Area) compliance. In terms of fleet operations, for an eight-vessel fleet with two alternatively fuelled “balancing vessels,” the overall cost of compliance with LNG will be between $5 million and $17 million per annum lower than other alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia. Further, as FuelEU Maritime is implemented from 2025 onwards, fleet operators using ammonia and methanol dual-fuel vessels are likely to need significant quantities of expensive green fuels in an effort to avoid very high penalty charges. SEA-LNG COO Steve Esau Credit: SEA-LNG Commenting on the analysis, Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer at SEA-LNG, said, “It’s our mission to provide objective data and analysis to support owners and operators in decision-making at this critical juncture for shipping. As greenhouse gas emissions become subject to increasingly stringent regulation, the industry needs cost-effective solutions to meet its decarbonisation goals. Today, this study clearly illustrates that the LNG pathway is a cost-effective way to meet regulatory compliance targets now and in the future.” Fernando Alvarez, Founder of Z-Joule, said, “Intuition and simple rules of thumb are no longer sufficient when developing optimal regulatory compliance strategies. Sophisticated decision-support tools are needed to model the complex interaction between recent and forthcoming regulations, vessel operations, and commercial drivers. Z-Joule’s software provides the industry with a robust platform to explore and optimise their decarbonisation journey. ”POOL.FM is a fuel-agnostic model which utilises an advanced optimisation algorithm to determine the optimal fuel mix, pooling strategy, and target speed for each vessel in a fleet (or vessel pool). The regulations currently modelled include CII, ECAs, EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and Onshore Power Supply (OPS) mandates. Functionality to model possible IMO Market Based Measures (MBM)s is already in place and will be refined as more details about the forthcoming regulations emerge.” Source: SEA-LNG

COLUMBUS, Ga. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Incorporated AFL today announced that its Board of Directors has declared the first quarter dividend of $0.58 per share, payable on March 3, 2025 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2025 . This represents a 16.0% increase over the previously declared fourth quarter dividend. Commenting on the announcements, Aflac Incorporated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos said: "I am pleased with the Board's action to increase the first quarter 2025 dividend. We treasure our record of 42 consecutive years of dividend increases, and our dividend track record is supported by the strength of our capital and cash flows. As an insurance company, our primary responsibility is to fulfill the promises we make to our policyholders. At the same time, we are listening to our shareholders and understand the importance of prudent liquidity and capital management. We remain committed to maintaining strong capital ratios on behalf of our policyholders and balance this financial strength with tactical capital deployment." Aflac Incorporated AFL , a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for nearly seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan . In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products. 1 In Japan , Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability." 1 LIMRA 2023 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. The company desires to take advantage of these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target," "outlook" or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. The company cautions readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy, including inflation defaults and credit downgrades of investments global fluctuations in interest rates and exposure to significant interest rate risk concentration of business in Japan limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate differing interpretations applied to investment valuations significant valuation judgments in determination of expected credit losses recorded on the Company's investments decreases in the Company's financial strength or debt ratings decline in creditworthiness of other financial institutions the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates, brokers, employees, and distribution partners deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions ability to continue to develop and implement improvements in information technology systems and on successful execution of revenue growth and expense management initiatives interruption in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the Parent Company inherent limitations to risk management policies and procedures operational risks of third-party vendors tax rates applicable to the Company may change failure to comply with restrictions on policyholder privacy and information security extensive regulation and changes in law or regulation by governmental authorities competitive environment and ability to anticipate and respond to market trends catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, as a result of climate change, epidemics, pandemics (such as COVID-19), tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, war or other military action, terrorism or other acts of violence, and damage incidental to such events ability to protect the Aflac brand and the Company's reputation ability to effectively manage key executive succession changes in accounting standards level and outcome of litigation or regulatory inquiries allegations or determinations of worker misclassification in the United States Analyst and investor contact - David A. Young , 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667 or dyoung@aflac.com Media contact – Ines Gutzmer , 762.207.7601 or igutzmer@aflac.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aflac-incorporated-announces-16-0-increase-in-the-first-quarter-2025-dividend-302320084.html SOURCE Aflac Incorporated © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Fatigued drivers are one of the most common hazards on the road, but sleepy-heads on commercial wheels are to get AI-assisted safety prompts courtesy of biometric-tracking technology. The tech companies are targeting vehicle fleet operators and in particular long-haul trucking firms, reports , since such drivers usually drive the farthest distances and lengthiest times. While automakers have employed camera-based systems to monitor biometrics, such as drivers’ eye movements, posture, breathing and hand placement, for inattentiveness, companies are now using machine learning to detect signs of drowsiness. Driver monitoring tech developed by , , and (all California-based) deliver real-time audio alerts to a drowsy driver, prompting them to take a break to help avoid fatigue-related accidents. Motive’s AI monitors yawning and head movements; Nauto’s tech tracks yawning, blink duration and changes in the driver’s body posture; while Samsara’s system tracks drowsiness symptoms such as excessive eye closure, head nodding, eye-rubbing, slouching, and yawning. In order to develop such a system, Samsara had to train its AI on billions of minutes of video footage to come up with a model aligned with the clinical definition of drowsiness (the Karolinska Sleep Score). All the drowsiness-detection-tech companies have configured their systems so that fleet managers are directly contacted if a driver continues to operate the vehicle after they’ve been alerted of their drowsy condition. While Samsara says it is not seeking mass adoption of its technology in consumer vehicles, auto manufacturers such as Ford, Honda, Toyota and Daimler-Benz have incorporated similar alert signals for drowsy drivers to take a break. But as vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) become more common, drowsiness-detection systems might turn into a feature of semi-autonomous vehicles as drivers could engage in risky behavior. In other biometrics-related auto news, professor and senior researcher in biometrics security and privacy Sébastian Marcel announced a new “iCarB” data set. The in-car biometric data set, which are actually three subsets, contains face videos, fingerprint images and voice samples for driver recognition collected by the Biometrics Security and Privacy Group at . The data set features demographic diversity as there is a fifty-fifty gender split, skin colors across the entire Fitzpatrick-scale spectrum, and ages ranging from 18 to 60-plus among the 200 data subjects. According to Marcel, the iCarB datasets can be used to evaluate and benchmark face, fingerprint and voice recognition systems; create multimodal pseudo-identities and to train and test multimodal fusion algorithms; create Presentation Attacks from the biometric data and to evaluate Presentation Attack Detection algorithms; investigate demographic and environmental biases in biometric systems, using the provided metadata. The paper “in-Car Biometrics (iCarB) Datasets for Driver Recognition: Face, Fingerprint, and Voice” can be found . The links to the subsets for face, fingerprint, and voice, respectively, can be found via Sébastian Marcel’s LinkedIn announcement . | | | | |LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 6, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network’s DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, the weekly series providing a platform for Independent filmmakers to air films on important social, cultural and environmental issues, presents the documentary “ Piano to Zanskar .” DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. Desmond O’Keeffe, a 65-year-old piano tuner facing retirement, accepts the challenge of a lifetime—to personally deliver a 100-year-old upright piano from London, England, to Zanskar, one of the most isolated places in the world, located high in the Himalayas. Directed by Michał Sulima and produced by Jarek Kotomski, the documentary follows Desmond and his team as they enter a world of unforgiving terrain and natural beauty. Their quest is ultimately a connection of cultures through the universal joy of music. Piano to Zanskar is the winner of multiple awards including the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, the First Prize at the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival and Best Film at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. ABOUT MICHAŁ SULIMA Michał Sulima is a Warsaw-born film director and a graduate of photography from University of the Arts London. Piano to Zanskar is his Independent debut, marking an entrance into feature-length and documentary formats. ABOUT JAREK KOTOMSKI Jarek Kotomski is a graduate of photography from University of the Arts London. Piano to Zanskar is his first feature film. As the co-founder of the agency Between Friends, he has nearly 10 years of experience in the production of commercial videos and musical documentaries, including the film Scriabin in the Himalayas . In an interview with Scientology Network for DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, Jarek said: “The variety of Independent documentary films and inspiring stories that are featured on Documentary Showcase is quite amazing, and we’re very pleased that we can show our film to a broader audience. And especially in a multilanguage format, reaching as many people as possible.” ABOUT DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network provides a platform for Independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world. DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning Independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues. For more information, visit Scientology.tv/docs . Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige , Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by Independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network’s innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at Scientology.tv , on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. LEARN MORE: https://www.Scientology.tv https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/inside-scientology/scientology-media-productions.html VIDEO: https://www.scientology.tv/series/documentary-showcase/piano-to-zanskar/ https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/documentary-showcase/piano-to-zanskar/videos/an-inside-look.html https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/documentary-showcase/piano-to-zanskar/videos/teaser.html https://www.scientology.tv/watch/series/documentary-showcase/piano-to-zanskar/videos/trailer.html IMAGE link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/24-1206-s2p-COS-Zanskar-300dpi.jpg Image caption: “Piano to Zanskar” Conducts a Musical Journey Across the Himalayas on Documentary Showcase. TAGS: #DocumentaryShowcase #ScientologyNetwork #PianoToZanskar NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Piano to Zanskar, Musical Journey Across the Himalayas, Documentary Showcase, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122676 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/piano-to-zanskar-conducts-a-musical-journey-across-the-himalayas-on-documentary-showcase/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.

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