fortune ox pg soft OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Fresh off one of its best showings of the season, the Baltimore defense now has another problem to worry about. Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn't officially rule him or anyone else out — they don't play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker's status seems dicey. “Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.” Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn't allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense. Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh. But Smith was injured in that game and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can't go. “We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.” It's hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later. So they still haven't shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it. “I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing," Hamilton said. "We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.” Hamilton's ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That's after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens' previous game. “I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.” NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday's practice. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Noah Trister, The Associated Press

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy recently reviewed the first-round matchups of the College Football Playoff following the release of the official bracket. While McElroy sided with the betting favorite in most of the first-round games, he believes one matchup calls for an upset. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

At the Port of Vancouver’s operations centre, Sean Baxter likes what he sees on a large screen that displays digital mapping of ships along Burrard Inlet. The waters in the inner harbour near downtown Vancouver are calm on this overcast autumn day, with vessels entering and exiting smoothly. “The waterways in the port are becoming busier,” said Mr. Baxter, acting director of marine operations and harbour master at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which oversees Canada’s largest port. “Co-ordination is really required to make sure that we can proactively set a schedule.” Scheduling transpacific commerce is becoming increasingly important, especially during a period of trade uncertainty when U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico entering the United States. Over the past year, the Port of Vancouver has been stepping up efforts to shed its laggard image and become a world-class operation. The goal is to help fulfill the Canadian government’s Indo-Pacific economic dreams and position Canada as the gateway to greater transpacific trade over the long term, even as political tensions with China and India escalate in the short term. While Canada’s largest trade relationship overall is with the U.S. by far, China is the number one trading partner for goods handled at the Port of Vancouver. From the port’s operations centre, which is open 24/7, an active traffic management project that includes digital monitoring of marine activity is gearing up for what the port forecasts will be record-high shipments across the Pacific Ocean in the years ahead. Along Burrard Inlet, the port has 23 major terminals. Cargo imports and exports also move from areas nearby, including terminals in Delta, B.C., located about 30 kilometres south of Vancouver. The port recently expanded its scheduling system for keeping tabs on marine traffic, part of efforts to prevent the sprawling operations from being mired in inefficiency. The stakes are high, with trade at West Coast ports being a crucial part of the economic health of British Columbia and with the ripple effects felt across Canada. Various types of international trade, including at Canadian ports and along the Windsor-Detroit trucking corridor, represent two-thirds of Canada’s gross domestic product. Exports alone support about one in six Canadian jobs, according to Mary Ng, the federal Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development. Mr. Trump said he would slap U.S. tariffs on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico soon after he takes office in January, warning that the levies would stay in place until the two countries crack down on drugs and illegal immigrants. He telegraphed his intentions during the U.S. election campaign, but trade experts originally thought the tariffs would be closer to 10 per cent instead of his announcement that proposes 25 per cent. “The recent election of Donald Trump, the prospect of substantial new tariffs and an ‘America First’ attitude will bring added risk and headwinds to our economy,” Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president Bridgitte Anderson cautioned in a letter, dated Nov. 7, to federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon. The board of trade’s “port shutdown calculator” displays an electronic tally of the value of trade disrupted on the West Coast, rising each second whenever there is a strike or lockout. The calculator showed that $8-billion of cargo had been affected at B.C. ports during a 10-day lockout in November of about 730 unionized dock supervisors, based on an estimated impact of $800-million a day. During last year’s two-week strike at B.C. ports by 7,400 rank-and-file longshore workers, the calculator showed that $10.7-billion of cargo had been disrupted. “Unfortunately, in recent years, we have been challenged in various ways to live up to that beacon of stability,” Ms. Anderson said. Mr. MacKinnon issued a directive to impose binding arbitration to end the lockout at B.C. ports and at the Port of Montreal. He used the same method to end work stoppages that lasted several days at Canada’s two largest railways in August. The BC Maritime Employers Association represents DP World Canada and 48 other private-sector companies such as ship owners and terminal operators. Union leaders say they are concerned about the lack of consultation over the implementation of semi-automation at DP World Canada’s Centerm container terminal along Burrard Inlet. Earlier this year, the federal government appointed veteran mediator Vince Ready to head an industrial inquiry commission into conflicts at B.C. ports. Mr. Ready is chairing the two-person commission, with the other member being Vancouver lawyer Amanda Rogers. They will be making recommendations in the spring of 2025 for achieving stability at B.C. ports. The Port of Vancouver’s diversification softened the blow of the economic impact of the November lockout, which shut down sites such as container terminals and potash docks. Exports of coal, heavy oil and bulk grain continued. Bulk grain was still exported overseas, in accordance with the Canada Labour Code. Under the code, grain is deemed essential and must be loaded on ships through stevedoring companies at the docks, although the rule doesn’t apply to workers at grain terminals. About 650 unionized employees at Vancouver grain terminals went on strike for four days in September. A coal export facility, operated by Westshore Terminals Investment Corp. in Delta, kept running during the lockout in November because Westshore has its own collective agreement. Other sites that continued operating included the Westridge Marine Terminal, where tankers depart with heavy oil from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX). The first shipment of diluted bitumen from the TMX pipeline left Westridge on May 22 for its journey to China. In six months since that first shipment, an average of 22 tankers per month departed Westridge with heavy oil from TMX, compared with an average of two per month in recent years, before the completion of the expanded pipeline. Last year, more than 150 million tonnes of exported and imported cargo went through the Port of Vancouver, equivalent to the next five largest ports in Canada. China, South Korea, the U.S., Japan and Taiwan were the top five countries sending products imported by Canada into the Vancouver region, based on tonnage. On the export side, the top five countries receiving Canadian goods originating from the Vancouver region were China, Japan, South Korea, India and the U.S. “Despite ongoing economic and diplomatic challenges, it is worth noting that bilateral trade flows remain near record levels” between Canada and China, according to the University of Alberta’s China Institute think tank. The Port of Vancouver handles nearly 80 per cent of Canada-China trade value. The value of merchandise from China imported into Canada surged to $89.2-billion last year, or nearly eight times higher than in 2000, according to Statistics Canada. On the export side, the value of exports from Canada to China soared to $29.8-billion last year, or nine times higher than in 2000. “The Asia-Pacific market is potentially the biggest growth market for Canada and its world trade,” said Leo Ryan, editor of trade publication Maritime Magazine. Commodities such as potash, coal and grain fill ships destined for export to Asia, while imports such as consumer electronics and household goods arrive at container terminals. “How we prioritize and protect our critical trade infrastructure – that has an impact on the health of our economy, opportunities for our businesses and ultimately Canadians’ quality of life,” said Pascal Chan, senior director of transportation at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The federal government established the National Supply Chain Office in late 2023, with a mandate that involves co-ordinating responses to mitigate the impact of disruptions to the transportation system, whether they be work stoppages or natural disasters. Nationally, over the past two years alone, a series of work stoppages have hit Canada’s supply chain, including last year at the St. Lawrence Seaway and this year at the Port of Montreal and four B.C. ports: Vancouver region, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo and Port Alberni. Last year, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre claimed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has fumbled the port file. “We’ve got to speed up our ports as well, unleash our exports by making our ports easier to deal with – more friendly to the truckers who pick up and drop off our goods, remove the gatekeepers and let’s make Vancouver one of the best ports on planet Earth,” Mr. Poilievre said. With larger vessels calling at terminals, it takes longer to unload imported products and load commodities for export, adding to turnaround times that already have given the Port of Vancouver the dubious distinction of being one of the world’s most inefficient for container shipments. The Container Port Performance Index for 2021 , compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, served as a wake-up call. The administrative index placed Vancouver in 368th spot, or third-last in the rankings, which factor in operating efficiency and turnaround times. Long Beach, Calif., placed second-last and Los Angeles was at the bottom. Vancouver improved in the rankings for 2023, placing 356th out of the expanded list of 405 ports reviewed. In those rankings, Vancouver finished behind Mexico’s Port of Manzanillo’s 331st spot, but ahead of other North American West Coast ports: Seattle, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., Prince Rupert, B.C., and Tacoma, Wash. China’s Port of Yangshan, near Shanghai, topped the container index rankings of the most efficient ports last year, followed by Salalah in Oman and Cartagena in Colombia. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority officials say the index is a narrow measure that is flawed because it fixates on container shipments. They emphasize that the Port of Vancouver is a diversified operation that handles cargo such as auto imports and bulk grain exports, while also serving as a popular destination for cruise ships. The port authority is a federal agency that reports to Transport Minister Anita Anand. Daniel-Robert Gooch, president of the 17-member Association of Canadian Port Authorities, said one area that Ottawa needs to revisit is financing. Port authorities across the country want greater financial flexibility so they can make much-needed investments themselves, as well as count on Ottawa to pitch in. “We do think there is still a federal role for infrastructure funding,” Mr. Gooch said. “You need to give the port authorities the tools to be nimbler.” Union leaders have seen how lucrative that the global shipping industry can be, especially for transporting containers. Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd.’s World Container Index – the freight rate of a 40-foot container – peaked at US$10,377 in September, 2021, during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Freight rates have been volatile since then. With global demand faltering, Drewry’s index fell to less than US$1,500 in December, 2023, but recovered this year to hover around US$3,400 recently. Prices typically floated between US$1,200 and US$2,000 for several years prior to the pandemic. The shipping industry deploys large vessels to carry containers, which are reusable steel boxes measured as 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs. Nearly 1.8 million TEUs of exports and imports went through the Port of Vancouver in the first half of this year, up 14 per cent from the same period in 2023. Leaders at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority acknowledge the obstacles, including labour strife, but they see opportunities through changes big and small. Peter Xotta, who became the port authority’s president in December, 2023, said incremental improvements will help speed up operations. For example, expanding existing rail yards at the Annacis Auto Terminal will boost the capacity for importing Asian-manufactured vehicles. Road and rail infrastructure changes in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby are expected to improve trade flows near Burrard Inlet. Mr. Xotta replaced Robin Silvester, who stepped down from the port’s top job in June, 2023, after more than 14 years at the helm. Victor Pang, who is the port authority’s chief financial officer, filled in on an interim basis for five months as president. For imports at the Port of Vancouver, the overwhelming majority of goods in containers from Asia are transported by truck and train eastward and stay in Canada, including shipments to Toronto and Montreal. “Our role is unique in a Canadian context,” Mr. Xotta said. “Vancouver plays a prominent role for containers coming inbound. They’re going to where the major population centres are in Canada.” One of the tenants in Delta is coal exporter Westshore, whose largest shareholder is B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison, with a 47-per-cent stake. Westshore is constructing new facilities to allow the company to start handling potash exports in 2026 from BHP Group Ltd.’s Jansen mine in Saskatchewan. The big bet being placed by Mr. Xotta is the port’s container expansion strategy, which focuses on the $3.5-billion Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project near Delta. The project, which is subject to 370 legally binding conditions to comply with environmental rules, received approval last year from the federal and B.C. governments. Environmentalists warn that the new container terminal would threaten intertidal biofilm, affecting shorebirds such as western sandpipers, and harming feeding conditions for endangered southern resident killer whales. Ecojustice Canada, the country’s largest environmental law charity, is opposing Terminal 2 in Federal Court. Construction of an artificial island near Delta will be required for Terminal 2. The initial phase is slated for completion by the mid-2030s, followed by incremental expansion as required to take advantage of what the port envisages will be robust trade between Canada and Asia. The port authority has reached mutual benefit agreements with 27 Indigenous groups consenting to the new site. Upon completion, the additional container capacity could mean a jump of more than 30 per cent compared with the current combined capacity in B.C. Under Mr. Xotta’s new leadership, the port authority has taken a conciliatory approach as the landlord to tenants such as Global Container Terminals Inc. GCT already operates two container terminals in the Vancouver region, namely the Vanterm site along Burrard Inlet and the Deltaport facility in Delta. Mr. Xotta has opened up the competition for the right to run the new container terminal so that Vancouver-based GCT and DP World Canada, whose parent is based in Dubai, are welcome to bid. The Port of Vancouver, which handles one-third of Canada’s trade value with countries outside of North America, expects to weather the looming storm of U.S. tariffs and position itself to thrive in the long term. “It’s absolutely an aspiration for us to be a world-class port,” Mr. Xotta said. “We have to get away from disruption, back to stability, because that’s what will help us restore our reputation and continue to grow.”Whether you are heading out to the airport, review this list.

Hopes for a Santa Claus rally on Wall Street fell Friday as tech stocks slid lower, while a weaker yen lifted Japanese equities. US indices slid lower at the opening bell, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing two percent during morning trading. Shares in Tesla were down over three percent in late morning trading while those in AI chipmaker NVIDIA shed around two percent. Wall Street stocks have historically performed well around the year-end holidays in what is popularly known as a Santa Claus rally. A Christmas Eve jump in equities got the Santa rally off to a flying start and indices barely budged in Thursday trading. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare also pointed to an increase in 10-year US Treasury bond yields to around 4.6 percent, which he noted is an increase of nearly 0.9 percentage points since the US Federal Reserve made its first interest rate cut in September. "The Fed doesn't hold sway over longer-dated maturities like it does over shorter-dated securities, so the bump in rates at the back end of the curve is being watched with an anxious eye as a possible harbinger of a pickup in inflation and/or the budget deficit," O'Hare said. Wall Street stocks took a knock earlier this month when the Fed indicated it would likely cut interest rates less than it had previously expected to. That was in part because of uncertainty tied to the stated intention of incoming president Donald Trump to raise tariffs, which could boost inflation that is already proving sticky. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei index closed up nearly two percent, with the yen's recent weakness proving a boon for major exporters. The yen hit 158.08 per US dollar on Thursday evening -- its lowest in almost six months -- following comments made by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. Recent data has showed Japan's inflation rose for a second month in December, while industrial production declined less than expected in November and retail sales came in higher than estimated last month. Japan's government also on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare for its ageing population and on defence to tackle regional threats. In Seoul, the stock market closed down one percent after the won plunged to a nearly 16-year low of 1,487.03 against the dollar on Friday morning. South Korea is struggling to emerge from political turbulence in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration this month, which prompted his impeachment. Acting President Han Duck-soo was also impeached Friday in a vote that prompted governing party lawmakers to protest with angry chants and raised fists. South Korea's business outlook for January fell in the Bank of Korea's composite sentiment index, the biggest month-on-month slide since April 2020, according to data based on almost 3,300 firms released Friday. In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX index rose after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected date for the early general election, emphasising the need for "political stability" in Europe's largest economy. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.8 percent at 42,987.31 New York - S&P 500: DOWN 1.2 percent at 5,967.31 New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 1.7 percent at 19,676.01 London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 8,149.78 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.0 percent at 7,355.37 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 19,984.32 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 40,281.16 points (close) Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 1.0 percent at 2,404.77 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 20,116.93 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,400.14 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0431 from $1.0424 on Thursday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2589 from $1.2526 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.53 yen from 158.00 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.85 pence from 83.19 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.2 percent at $70.42 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $73.62 per barrel burs-rl/rlpSome tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to from other nations. Related Articles The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist

OMBADC Oversight Authority Justice AK Patnaik Visits MayurbhanjPercentages: FG .449, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 5-10, .500 (Benjamin 2-5, Martinez 1-1, N.Krass 1-1, Harrison 1-2, Miles 0-1). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: 3. Blocked Shots: 2 (Benjamin, Mpaka). Turnovers: 11 (Harrison 4, Benjamin 2, Martinez 2, N.Krass 2, Miles). Steals: 5 (Harrison 3, Miles 2). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .320, FT .750. 3-Point Goals: 9-28, .321 (Aranguren 4-10, Robinson 2-4, Gadsden 1-1, Farmer 1-2, Sanders 1-6, Davis 0-5). Team Rebounds: 0. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 7 (Sunday 3, Aranguren, Davis, Graham, Sanders). Turnovers: 9 (Davis 4, Sunday 2, Aranguren, Farmer, Sanders). Steals: 5 (Aranguren 3, Davis 2). Technical Fouls: None. .You can find parenting advice anywhere but there’s no better resource than TODAY. From parenting experts like Ms. Rachel and Dr. Becky to actor Taraji P. Henson and supermodel Ashley Graham, these parents know their stuff — and they’re happy to share their lessons with everyone else. Enjoy the best parenting advice that was dished on TODAY in 2024. We all believe our children are the best people in the world, right? How we express that matters, according to developmental psychologist Aliza Pressman. “Confidence does not come from praise — it comes from competence and believing in yourself, so trusting yourself,” Pressman, the author of “The Five Principles of Parenting,” said during an April episode of , adding, “Praise is a separate thing.” Pressman said kids need to feel that a caregiver supports and “delights in them,” but this can be done without always raving about their accomplishments or lavishing loose praise like, “You’re brilliant and amazing.” Show “authentic” admiration for who kids are or what’s within their control, said Pressman. So, when your child paints a picture, instead of calling them “Picasso,” say, “Tell me about that. I love what you did with all those blue lines,’” said Pressman. Taraji P. Henson’s son is an adult, so she has seen and done it all in parenting. “My greatest accomplishment is being a mother — it’s not about you anymore, it’s about a whole other being that you have to sculpt and mold and I think I did a good job. He’s a good guy,” the former “Empire” star told in November. Although her son writes his own music, Henson said he’s not interested in being a celebrity. “I made sure that I kept our world very normal,” said Henson. “I wasn’t ‘Taraji the superstar,’ I was Taraji a mom. I was at the basketball games ... that’s all he saw. And I think he felt weird when I would be the celebrity. He’s like, ‘That’s just my mom. Why do you want a picture with her?’ But also, he was very proud.” “I want for my kids to be exactly who they were meant to be,” Hoda said during a Mother’s Day celebration in May, alongside her co-hosts. Hoda added, “It’s like, your kids are perfect seeds — put them in the soil and water them and let them grow. Don’t try to make them grow right or left. They’re here for a reason and I just don’t want to crowd that reason. I want them to go full bloom.” “This should be a national goal: no smartphones until high school,” Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, told in March. “You can say, ‘Oh, the phones are here to say’ but look — cars are here to stay but we don’t let 11 year olds drive them,” added Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.” Social media affects boys and girls differently, said Haidt. Girls are more susceptible to social comparison, bullying, perfectionism and “eating disorder content,” said Haidt, adding that for boys, the lure is often pornography. Haidt suggested flip phones and smartwatches for kids who need to communicate with parents but aren’t ready for a smart phone. Supermodel Ashley Graham wants kids to feel beautiful on the inside. In June, Graham told that she dedicated her book “A Kids Book About Beauty,” to her 9-year-old self, explaining, “that’s really when I remember ... starting to feel insecure about my body and my looks.” She added, “I want every 9 year old to remember that it’s not about an exterior. It’s about an interior.” At home with her sons, twins , who turn 3 in January 2025 and , who turns 5 in January 2025, affirmations are routine. “We are really big about just screaming kind things around the house,” said Graham, adding, “So I am like, ‘I am kind!’ ‘I am brave!’” Do it often, she said, and “It sticks. It seeps in.” Graham explained, “When you talk well of yourself at home, your kids are going to talk well of themselves, too.” As a child, finance expert Mellody Hobson calculated the tip on her family’s restaurant bills. “I knew our light bill, our phone bill, I knew our rent, I knew we paid for water — things that most kids don’t know,” Hobson, who shares 11-year-old daughter Everest with husband George Lucas, told in October. Now, as the Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, Hobson said kids should learn about money “very early.” “I want this to be like learning a language,” said Hobson. When you become fluent in a language, it’s easier the younger you are.” Hobson added, “You could say to a small child, ‘Do you want a cupcake or a Barbie doll?’ and they’re assigning value to those things. And that’s the beginning.” There is always a window to teach — Hobson, the author of “Priceless Facts About Money,” said she explained how taxes work to her daughter, then 10, in the McDonald’s drive-thru line. Former preschool teacher , star of the popular YouTube channel “ ,” said parents of young kids should narrate your day to encourage speech. “The babies need to hear language,” Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, told in September. “Good morning,’ ‘I’m so happy to see you,’ ‘Let’s walk to the kitchen. Walk, walk, walk. I need some coffee ... we’re walking down the street. There’s a tree!” Accurso’s 6-year-old son Thomas inspired “Songs for the Littles.” He and Accurso couldn’t find the right resources, so she created her own educational channel. “Do nothing” when kids complain, said Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist and host of the “Good Inside with Dr. Becky” podcast. By doing “nothing,” Kennedy told in December, you’re choosing to not argue or get into a power struggle) with kids. Kennedy discovered this when one of her kids grumbled about their breakfast and the other accused her of not washing his sweatshirt. Instead of saying, “But you love waffles” and “You never asked me to wash it,” Kennedy sighed and said, “You wish the sweatshirt was clean.” “Here’s the thing about doing nothing,” Kennedy told TODAY.com, adding, “When I am doing ‘nothing’ on the outside — meaning, I’m not taking the bait from my kids — I am actually doing a lot on the inside: I’m breathing, talking to myself ... I’m regulating myself on the inside, so I can ‘do nothing’ on the outside.” Kennedy further explained, “In this state, parents have to choose between being effective over being right. If you want to be right, you might say, ‘You’ve had waffles the last 18 days.’ Being right is a solitary existence — if you’re right, someone is wrong ... and you’re adding fuel to their fire.” If it’s good enough for Jennifer Garner, it’s good enough for our kids too! “You don’t try to control everything they do,” Pat Garner, who is Jennifer Garner’s mom, told in June, when asked for her parenting advice. It’s advice that Jennifer took to heart while raising her children Violet, Seraphina and Samuel with ex-husband Ben Affleck. “I don’t know that I have some overarching philosophy,” Jennifer Garner told in November 2023. “I just think they’re such cool people and I want to hear everything, and I want to be around. But I also think it’s OK if they suffer from a little bit of benign neglect.” Jennifer added, “Their lives are their own. I’m not trying to live their life, and I don’t mind that they see that I love mine.” Elise Solé is a writer and editor who lives in Los Angeles and covers parenting for TODAY Parents. She was previously a news editor at Yahoo and has also worked at Marie Claire and Women's Health. Her bylines have appeared in Shondaland, SheKnows, Happify and more.The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the persistent and devastating military airstrikes that have resulted in the deaths of innocent Nigerians, describing them as calamitous and avoidable tragedies. In a Statement on Friday, signed by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko National Coordinator, HURIWA, this association called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of military commanders responsible for these operations, asserting that the lack of accountability is perpetuating a culture of impunity within the Nigerian Armed Forces. HURIWA’s statement follows the latest airstrike in Sokoto State on Christmas Day, which reportedly claimed over ten lives in the villages of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa, Silame Local Government Area. The airstrike, intended to target Lakurawa terrorists operating near the Surame Forest, instead left a trail of civilian casualties and injuries. This tragedy marks the third major erroneous airstrike in 2024 alone, following similar incidents in Zamfara and Kaduna States earlier in the year. The association recalled other tragic airstrikes, including the infamous bombing in Maiduguri during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, which killed over 100 civilians. It also cited the April 2024 attack in Zamfara State, where 40 people, including worshippers observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers, were killed, and the September 2024 incident in Kaduna State, where 23 residents lost their lives in an airstrike that hit a mosque and marketplace. “This is not just incompetence; it is a crime against humanity. The repeated occurrence of such so-called ‘accidental’ bombings is unacceptable. If this were an isolated incident, one might believe it was a genuine mistake. But when it happens repeatedly, we must question whether these are deliberate acts. Someone must be held accountable,” HURIWA stated. The association expressed deep concern over the apparent lack of oversight by Nigeria’s political leadership, accusing them of being either compromised or too intimidated to hold the military accountable. “The military is supposed to be subservient to civilian authority, taking direction from the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. However, it appears that the political class, including the National Assembly, is too scared or compromised to provide proper oversight,” HURIWA observed. HURIWA criticized the silence of key national leaders, including the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, on the issue. It called on the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional duty by investigating these incidents and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice. “The Senate and House of Representatives must wake up to their responsibilities. Their silence in the face of such heinous acts is a betrayal of the Nigerian people. We demand immediate action,” the association declared.

NEW YORK , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global pulp market size is estimated to grow by USD 38.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 3.53% during the forecast period. increased consumption of chemical wood pulp is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising use of fluff pulp due to increased absorbency. However, high costs involved in production of pulp poses a challenge.Key market players include Arctic Paper SA, Billerud AB, Canny Tissue Paper Industry, Gulf Paper Manufacturing Co., Hitachi Ltd., International Paper Co., Koch Industries Inc., Mercer International Inc., Metropolic Paper Industries, Metsa Board Oyj, Nath Industries Ltd., Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd., Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corp., Sappi Ltd., Shanying International Holding Co. Ltd., Sinar Mas , Stora Enso Oyj, UPM Kymmene Corp., and WestRock Co.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Application (Printing and writing paper, Tissue paper, Specialty paper, Packaging paper, and Others), Grade Type (Chemical pulp, Mechanical and semi-chemical pulp, and Non-wood pulp), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Arctic Paper SA, Billerud AB, Canny Tissue Paper Industry, Gulf Paper Manufacturing Co., Hitachi Ltd., International Paper Co., Koch Industries Inc., Mercer International Inc., Metropolic Paper Industries, Metsa Board Oyj, Nath Industries Ltd., Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd., Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corp., Sappi Ltd., Shanying International Holding Co. Ltd., Sinar Mas, Stora Enso Oyj, UPM Kymmene Corp., and WestRock Co. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The pulp market is witnessing significant trends in various industries like food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. Eco-friendliness is a major focus with the demand for green packaging increasing. Leading paper producers like International Paper and Stora Enso are investing in renewable energy operations and producing eco-friendly packaging products. The food and beverage industry is shifting towards paper-based packaging solutions due to consumer inclination and anti-plastic sentiments. Paper packaging materials such as white paper, recycled paper, and specialty papers are in high demand. FMCG companies like Unilever are partnering with the Pulpex Consortium to develop laundry detergent solutions using recycled paper pulp. The personal care industry is also embracing green packaging, with an emphasis on recyclability and sustainability. Toilet papers and antimicrobial tissue products are popular choices. The retail sector is also adopting paper packaging for its lightweight and recyclable properties, reducing plastic use and logistics costs. The paper industry is the largest forest-based industry, using wood, bamboo, rice husk, and wheat straw as raw materials. The production line includes chemical pulping and the conversion of paper into various forms such as wrapping paper, writing paper, printing paper, tissue paper, rolls, and specialty papers. The rapid penetration of the internet, smartphones, and online retailing has led to an increase in paper packaging demand for e-commerce. The paper industry is essential for socio-economic development, providing employment opportunities in developing countries. However, it's crucial to address deforestation concerns and focus on sustainable forest management. The water-consuming industries, including paper and pulp, are under pressure to reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The wrapping paper segment is also gaining popularity, especially during festive seasons. The paper industry is continually innovating to meet the needs of modern consumers while minimizing its environmental impact. The diaper and hygiene sanitary pad market holds significant importance in the global business landscape. This sector's growth is driven by the increasing awareness of safety and health practices. The primary raw material for these products is fluff pulp, derived from softwood, which enhances absorbency and prevents leaks. With rising birth rates in Latin America and Asia , the diaper industry is projected to expand by around 50% by 2023. Additionally, the convenience of disposable diapers caters to the fast-paced lifestyle of modern consumers. Fluff pulp's long fibers effectively absorb liquids and semi-solids, ensuring user comfort and reliability. This market trend is expected to continue as health and hygiene remain top priorities for consumers worldwide. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The pulp market faces significant challenges in various industries like food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. Eco-friendly packaging products are in high demand due to anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards green packaging. Renewable energy operations and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are essential for forest-based mills like International Paper and Stora Enso. The food and beverage industry requires paper-based packaging solutions for their products, while the personal care industry relies on tissue paper for hygiene products. Recycling infrastructure is crucial for the recycling of paper packaging materials, including white paper, printing paper, and specialty papers. FMCG companies like Unilever are collaborating with the Pulpex Consortium to develop laundry detergent solutions using paper-based packaging instead of plastic. The retail sector's rapid penetration by e-commerce and online shoppers necessitates lightweight and recyclable packaging like corrugated boxes and paper bags. The paper industry's largest competitors, including International Paper and Stora Enso, are investing in mills that use renewable energy and produce recycled paper pulp from wood fibers, bamboo, rice husk, wheat straw, and other sustainable sources. Socio-economic development in developing countries presents opportunities for the paper industry's growth, particularly in the production of paper-based packaging materials for kitchens, toilets, and households. However, challenges like deforestation and the use of chemical pulp remain concerns. The paper industry's sustainability is crucial in addressing plastic packaging waste, particularly in the wrapping paper segment. Leading paper producers are focusing on commercial printing papers, converting papers, digital papers, and office papers to cater to various industries' demands. The paper industry's future lies in its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, reduce water consumption, and address the challenges of plastic use and recyclability in various segments, including tissue paper products, newsprint, and packaging. The pulp market is characterized by significant investments from existing vendors in technological advancements to boost pulp production. This strategy primarily involves acquiring smaller pulp vendors or assets, leading to increased production capacity but high costs. Integration with established vendors facilitates access to raw materials. The pulp industry's engineering is sophisticated and productive. However, the energy consumption in pulp and paper production is substantial. Capital-intensive machinery requires large amounts of energy and water to process forest materials and extract fibers, as well as to remove water during the papermaking process. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This pulp market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Printing and writing paper 1.2 Tissue paper 1.3 Specialty paper 1.4 Packaging paper 1.5 Others Grade Type 2.1 Chemical pulp 2.2 Mechanical and semi-chemical pulp 2.3 Non-wood pulp Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Printing and writing paper- The printing and writing paper market is experiencing growth due to the increased demand for dyes and pigments in developing countries. China , India , and Indonesia are major consumers of printing and writing paper, driven by rising literacy rates and population growth. This segment includes various types of paper used for books, office applications, and personal use. Uncoated freesheet paper is the largest category, accounting for office reprographics, business applications, and envelope paper. Uncoated mechanical paper is an alternative, used for newspaper inserts, paperback books, and directories. Coated freesheet paper, with an added clay or additive coating, is suitable for highly illustrated books, advertising materials, and magazines. Coated mechanical paper, made of mechanical fibers with an added coating, is used for catalogs and coupons. The pulp market will grow as a result of the increased production of these types of printing and writing paper. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis The pulp market encompasses a vast array of industries, including food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. This sector is currently the largest industry globally, with a significant focus on eco-friendly packaging products due to growing anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards sustainability. Forest-based materials like wood and bamboo, as well as agricultural waste such as rice husk and wheat straw, are increasingly used to produce paper packaging materials. These materials offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional chemical pulp and reduce deforestation. The paper packaging industry includes various products like wrapping paper, writing paper, and more. The personal care industry also relies heavily on pulp for products like kitchen and bathroom paper for households and personal hygiene, contributing significantly to the market's growth. Recycling infrastructure plays a crucial role in the circular economy of pulp and paper products. Market Research Overview The pulp market encompasses various industries, including food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. With growing anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards eco-friendly products, the demand for green packaging solutions is surging. Paper packaging materials, such as white paper, recycled paper, and specialty papers, are gaining popularity. Leading paper producers like International Paper and Stora Enso are investing in renewable energy operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Forest-based raw materials, including wood, bamboo, rice husk, and wheat straw, are the primary sources of pulp. The paper industry is the largest consumer of water, making water conservation a critical concern. The rapid penetration of the internet, smartphones, and online retailing has led to an increase in demand for lightweight and recyclable packaging, particularly corrugated boxes and paper bags. The paper packaging market is expected to grow significantly due to its sustainability advantages over plastic packaging waste. FMCG companies are also exploring paper-based packaging solutions for their laundry detergent and toilet paper products. The market for writing and printing papers, newsprint, and converting papers is also expanding. Socio-economic development in developing countries is driving the demand for paper-based packaging solutions. However, concerns over deforestation and the use of chemical pulp remain challenges for the industry. The kitchen and household sectors, including personal hygiene and sanitation, are major consumers of paper products. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Printing And Writing Paper Tissue Paper Specialty Paper Packaging Paper Others Grade Type Chemical Pulp Mechanical And Semi-chemical Pulp Non-wood Pulp Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pulp-market-to-expand-by-usd-38-1-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-rising-chemical-wood-pulp-consumption-ai-impacting-market-trends---technavio-302311617.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.