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Drexel secures 83-71 win over Chicago StateBoth Oklahoma and Providence are hoping they'll have key pieces back in place when the two undefeated teams square off in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday in Paradise Island, Bahamas. The Friars (5-0) are expected to have Bryce Hopkins available, according to a report from Field of 68. Hopkins was averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds last season before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament Jan. 3. He returned to full-go practices last week, and Tuesday, Providence coach Kim English said Hopkins would be a "game-time decision" against the Sooners. "It's been a process," English said. "We're not rushing it." But English praised Hopkins' progress since the Friars' last game, Nov. 19, when Hopkins went through pregame warmups. "I thought he looked better than I remembered," English said. "He's been in our system for the past year. His patience, his understanding, his versatility on offense and defense ... it's been great to see him in practice." The Sooners (4-0) are hopeful that they'll get Brycen Goodine back. Goodine played for the Friars for two seasons from 2020-22 before transferring to Fairfield for two seasons and then to Oklahoma this offseason. Goodine suffered an ankle injury in the Sooners' opener Nov. 4 and has not played since. "He's a really tough kid and trying to push through it," Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said. "It will truly be one of those game-time decisions. He hasn't gone a full practice yet, just been pieces of practices." Playing with Goodine and Jadon Jones, expected to be two of the Sooners' top outside shooters, Moser said he's learned plenty about his team's offense. "When you're down those shooters, it's really a great weapon to know that a lot of other guys can knock down the open shot," Moser said. "It's been a huge takeaway." The Sooners have been led by Jalon Moore, who is averaging 18.8 points per game, and freshman Jeremiah Fears, who is averaging 15.5. Providence has been led by senior guard Bensley Joseph, who is averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 assists per game. Oklahoma has not played a game closer than 16 points yet this season, with an average margin of victory of 24 points. Providence has won its five games by an average of nearly 17 points per game. The teams will square off against either Davidson or No. 24 Arizona in the second round Thursday, with the winners playing each other in one semifinal while the losers play in a consolation semifinal. --Field Level Media

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Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas during the war in GazaNagpur: As the sun dipped below the horizon, a crisp December breeze swept through the city, carrying with it the clink of glasses, dazzling live music, and the tantalising aroma of sizzling delicacies marking the inauguration of the 11th Nagpur Wine and Food Festival on Saturday. Organised by the Nagpur Wine Club and Tranquillo in association with The Times of India and Maharashtra Times, the event was also supported by Ushakal and Money Yields, which transformed a quaint corner of the city into a vibrant tapestry of flavours, laughter, and camaraderie. Under twinkling lights, wine enthusiasts swirled ruby reds and golden whites in delicate glasses, while food stalls bustled with activity, serving hot, comforting fare that perfectly complemented the chilly winds. It wasn't just the taste of fine wines or the zing of freshly prepared food that drew the crowd — it was the celebration of life itself, bringing together young groups, couples, and even elderly pairs, their shared joy filling the air like a favourite melody. For many, this festival is a much-anticipated tradition. Air Force Officer Rahul Rai, a three-year attendee, beamed with enthusiasm. "It's really one of its kind. Every year, we wait for the event. The event is just fantastic and should continue its legacy for years purely for the sake of Nagpurkars." Another attendee, Snehal Parekar, said, "I have been coming to this event for the past 10 years along with my husband. It has been an awesome experience so far, and I would not miss it for anything else. There are many activities to engage with the public, such as this grape stomping event, group dancing, and more." With each sip and every bite, the festival promised more than indulgence — it offered an experience, one that spoke of Nagpur's growing love for the finer things and its knack for hosting a warm, unforgettable soirée. What made the event truly special was its diverse audience. Youngsters mingled in groups, couples enjoyed romantic moments, and middle-aged and older patrons relished the experience, some in pairs and others in larger social circles. Vinod Rajput, a regular for over seven years, admired the festival's growth while pointing out a challenge. "The fest is very well managed. It's gaining popularity every year, and I think even this space has started falling short as the public demand keeps on increasing every year," he said. Anu Srita, attending the festival for the first time, shared her excitement, "This was a truly unique experience for me. The atmosphere is delightful, and the variety of wines offered at each stall is impressive. I'm already looking forward to coming here again next year." Adding to the chorus of praise was another loyal visitor, Roshan Sumbhate, a regular attendee for the past 7-8 years, who said, "The location changes over the years have been positive, matching the growing enthusiasm for the event. The atmosphere and overall environment are perfectly tailored to meet the public's expectations." The event featured live music that set the mood, with soulful melodies complementing the vibrant buzz of conversations. As glasses clinked and plates emptied, the festival served as a celebration of not just culinary and oenological delights but also of community spirit. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Worker Reveals Shocking Reason Why Women Should Check The Toilet Paper When in Walmart Washrooms

PARIS: France threw open the doors of the capital’s Notre Dame cathedral after a half-decade closure, in a ceremony attended by dozens of world leaders celebrating the rebirth of the Paris landmark ravaged by a devastating fire. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by President Emmanuel Macron, Notre Dame’s renaissance so soon after a 2019 blaze that destroyed its roof and spire comes at a difficult time for the country. The re-opening officially took place when archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich opened the doors to the cathedral at 1800 GMT, by knocking three times, to herald the start of the almost two-hour ceremony. Macron scored a major coup by attracting US president-elect Donald Trump, on his first foreign trip since his election, for the ceremony along with some 40 other leaders, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and the UK’s heir to the throne, Prince William. It is “a cathedral like we have never seen before,” Philippe Jost, the head of the restoration project, told Franceinfo radio, saying he was proud to “show the whole world” a “great collective success and a source of pride for all of France”. In one last-minute hitch, harsh weather forced officials to move Macron’s planned speech indoors and pre-record a concert planned for after the ceremony, with forecasts for winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. The service will feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral’s choir, followed by the televised concert—pre-recorded Friday night due to the weather—with performances by Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang, South African opera singer Pretty Yende and an orchestra conducted by Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel. US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams is also believed to have taken part. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a beloved symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government and in a budget crisis. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of pride and unity—as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. The scale of the immense security operation also recalls the Olympics—with some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilized. The re-opening “is the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible” Macron said Thursday. During a visit with TV cameras last week. however, he somewhat undermined the suspense behind the re-opening, revealing the cathedral’s freshly scrubbed limestone walls, new furniture and vaulted wooden roof cut from ancient oak trees selected from the finest forests of France. The reconstruction effort has cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within five years despite predictions it could take decades. “This state-of-the-art restoration, the fruit of a worldwide collective effort and the use of many traditional French skills, has enabled this masterpiece to regain all its splendor,” said Audrey Azoulay, the head of the UN cultural agency UNESCO, describing the work as “dazzling”. Trump show? Trump accepted an invitation from Macron to attend earlier this week, saying the French leader had done “a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so.” Travelling on a private plane, he landed at Orly airport in the south of Paris Saturday morning, followed by Zelensky a few hours later. US President Joe Biden will be represented by his wife, Jill. One surprising absentee will be Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, who is instead visiting the French island of Corsica. A message from Francis addressed to the French people will be read out to the congregation. Parisians watched in horror in 2019 as flames ravaged Notre Dame, a landmark famed as the setting for Victor Hugo’s novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and one of the world’s most visited monuments. The apocalyptic images were seen by some as a sign of the demise of Western civilisation, with the 850-year-old wonder saved from complete collapse only by the heroic intervention of firefighters. The exact cause of the blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. - AFPCONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jayden Reid led South Florida with 14 points, including the game-winning jumper as time expired, and the Bulls defeated Wright State 73-72 on Sunday to claim third place at the Myrtle Beach Invitational tournament. Reid finished 6 of 9 from the field for the Bulls (4-3). Jamille Reynolds added 13 points while finishing 6 of 11 from the floor while he also had 14 rebounds and three blocks. Kobe Knox went 4 of 9 from the field (1 for 5 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points. The Raiders (4-4) were led by Jack Doumbia, who posted 18 points and 10 rebounds. Solomon Callaghan added 15 points and seven rebounds for Wright State. Alex Huibregste finished with 12 points. Kasen Jennings scored seven points in the first half and South Florida went into the break trailing 34-32. Reynolds scored 10 second-half points. South Florida outscored Wright State by three points over the final half. NEXT UP South Florida plays Tuesday against Stetson at home, and Wright State hosts Air Force on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Providence, Oklahoma hope key players are back in Bahamas

Trump’s latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US?Stoke City couldn’t take advantage of eight late minutes against 10 men as they played out a goalless draw with Preston North End. There was an ominous line in the match day programme that no two clubs in English football have played out more 0-0 draws than these two and this one was probably up there with the most nil-nillest of them. Wouter Burger did slide a shot into the post at close range from a Stoke corner mid-way through the first half and Milutin Osmajic somehow conspired to scuff up a free hit at the back post when he was unmarked and seemed certain just to tap home. The game finally burst into life in injury time when Preston keeper Freddie Woodman was shown a red card for deliberate handball outside his area after being tackled by Tom Cannon. Woodman took his time to leave the pitch so that Dai Cornell could put on his gloves and Stoke ended up being able to play about 25 seconds of eight minutes that were added as visiting players took it in turns to play out time. If the early stages were spent camped in the mid-third, Stoke slowly built up pressure until a series of corners around the 20th minute. Bae Junho and Million Manhoef were tasked with swinging deliveries under keeper Freddie Woodman’s bar and Junho got him flapping with one, with the rebound dropping for Wouter Burger at the back post. Burger slid in but could only clip the ball onto the right post. It was Burger who was lurking at the back post again when Woodman couldn’t get a glove on a Manhoef deliver but this time the midfielder lacked the conviction to smash it home. The biggest chance, however, came at the other end after Sam Greenwood had managed to hang a deep cross over Viktor Johansson towards unmarked Milutin Osmajic, who pretty much just let it him and drop for a stunned Johansson to gratefully pick up. Stoke’s most likely route to success seemed like being from a set piece and Woodman had his heart in his mouth when Jordan Storey headed a Manhoef corner straight into the back of Jack Whatmough’s head and the ball span only narrowly past the post. But Stoke struggled to sustain pressure close enough to the Preston goal and a point apiece looked certain until Woodman’s late rush of blood. Wilmot tried to play in Cannon but Whatmough and Woodman got into a muddle, Cannon nicked the ball and Woodman grabbed it back. Andre Vidigal eventually hit the resultant free-kick into the wall, deflected out for a corner and that was that. Here are the player ratings from the bet365 Stadium Johansson: Flung himself to his right to tip a Whiteman long ranger around the post. Saw a couple of deep crosses float over his head. 6.5 Tchamadeu: Frustratingly raw at times, like a foul throw or choice of pass, but does have the attributes to suddenly make something happen. 6 Stevens: A couple of uncharacteristic moments when he let in crosses from Greenwood and Potts but otherwise gives the defence so much more confidence. 6 Phillips: Willing to take responsibility and improving with how he can shepherd forwards where he wants. 6.5 Gibson: Saw a lot more of the ball than Stoke would like, particularly in home matches. Still, an important clean sheet. 6 Seko: Can pick a pass as well as keep the ball moving but he was missing the players darting ahead of him to really influence the game. Chipped in defensively with blocks and interceptions. 6.5 Burger: Alert as he slid in at the back post to touch a flapped-at corner onto the woodwork but seemed to lack conviction with header from second corner. Silly booking. 6 Moran: Back from illness and not quite at his 100 per cent zip. A couple of moments when he was able to move the ball quickly but couldn’t unlock the defence. 5.5 Manhoef: Able to carry the ball a long way up the pitch on the counter-attack but couldn’t find enough space in places where he could do damage. 6 Junho: Tried to keep moving in the final third and inswinging corners tried to pressure on Woodman. 6 Cannon: Looked to take shots early and try to get behind Preston’s three centre-halves. His darting run forced red card. 6 Substitutes Sidibe (for Burger, 54): Tasked with keeping the ball moving a bit more quickly around central midfield. 6 Wilmot (for Tchamadeu, 54): Tried to give Stoke extra width down the right and his pass led to Woodman red card. 6 Koumas (for Moran, 68): Added a bit of a spark with fresh legs on the left wing but never got a sniff at goal. 6 Bocat (for Stevens, 68): Has to be more switched on to deal with back post crosses and runners behind him. 5.5 Vidigal (for Manhoef, 86): Hit free-kick into the wall as he searched for late breakthrough. 5.5 Not used: Bonham, Rose, Ennis, Tezgel Referee: Matt Donohue (Greater Manchester) 6

Alabama legend Nick Saban gets shoutout in major college football coaching hire’s introductory speech | Sporting News

Aduro Clean Technologies Announces Second Partial Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

Maybe you've heard about patterns in the stock market, but found the subject overwhelming. People talk about 50-day moving averages, descending triangles, double tops, and double bottoms, as well as head and shoulders, which aren't to be confused with cup and handles. It all sounds a little too many. Fortunately, there's a far easier stock market pattern out there, and it may be the only one that you ever need to know. Here it is: Over the long term, the S&P 500 rises two out of every three years. In other words, the odds are roughly 66% in favor of gains in any given year. Will the stock market go up in 2025? Betting that it will go up is the most logical bet an investor could make, given the historical pattern . It's a pattern that investors ignore at their own risk, and it has me seriously considering Nvidia ( NVDA -1.81% ) for my own portfolio. Here's why. But first, the reason behind it all To pluck an example out of the air, Tractor Supply ( TSCO -0.00% ) was a stock that I would have gladly bought at the start of 2024, but I wanted a better price. Not buying caused me to miss out on its 33% year-to-date gains, which have outpaced the otherwise stellar 27% returns for the S&P 500. TSCO data by YCharts . Peter Lynch was one of the world's greatest investors. He said, "Far more money has been lost by investors in preparing for corrections, or anticipating corrections, than has been lost in the corrections themselves." I reluctantly admit that this is exactly what happened to me. At the start of 2024, I could list out many reasons why the stock market was headed for a so-called correction this year, and I could have backed up each point with facts and data points. But I was still wrong. For illustrative purposes, I believe I would have bought Tractor Supply stock at the beginning of the year had it been 20% cheaper. But let's imagine that I went ahead with a $10,000 investment, anyway, despite my convictions. If turned out to be right, I'd have witnessed a 20% drop, meaning I'd have been down $2,000. In reality, however, I'd be up $3,300. Like Lynch said, I've lost more money waiting for a stock market correction than I would have lost in the correction itself. Thinking big-picture, Tractor Supply is exactly the sort of high-quality business investors should be looking for. With nearly 2,300 locations, it's big. And with operating margins close to 10%, it's a strong business. Moreover, it's reliable. It has over 37 million members in its loyalty club, and over half of its sales are related to livestock and pets, which are less discretionary purchases. Finally, it has opportunity for growth as it expands more into the pet space . Rather than waiting for a correction, investors are better served by gradually buying more of Tractor Supply stock over time with a system called dollar-cost averaging . It's a great way to build a position when you're betting the market will rise -- and given the historical pattern, you should bet it will rise. Why Nvidia might be a stock for 2025 I've gone on record with my belief that Nvidia stock rose too fast -- investors are pricing quite a bit of long-term growth into the investment today. That said, I've never doubted the quality of this business, and I believe it may have a wider moat than I've given it credit for. To briefly explain, Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) are powering the revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). The company's net -profit margin has soared to over 55% because its customers simply want more GPUs than what it can possibly supply. NVDA Profit Margin data by YCharts . As Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once said, "Your margin is my opportunity." I believed Nvidia's ridiculously high margin would invite competition, especially since its customers are some of the most technologically advanced companies on earth. It seemed that at least some of them would develop their own GPUs to compete. So far, this hasn't materialized, and it's fair to start believing that Nvidia can keep competitors at bay. Consider that the CEO of Amazon's Amazon Web Services recently said to Bloomberg: "The first core innovation is that we built our own chip. It's called Tranium 2." But he followed this up by saying, "We think of it as a supplement to Nvidia GPUs." In other words, Amazon looks like it's making complementary AI products, not competitive ones. So perhaps Nvidia's margins are safer than I gave it credit for. It may seem foolish to consider Nvidia stock now -- after all, it's already up over 2,600% in just five years. But there's another historical trend I'm considering here: Over the last 10 years, the top stock of the S&P 500 (of stocks that were in the index for the entire year) went up 80% of the time the following year . Right now, Nvidia is in first place among these companies, suggesting it will rise again next year. It makes sense: A stock doesn't outperform 499 of the biggest, more profitable U.S. companies unless something extraordinary is happening with the business. Those extraordinary things tend to play out for multiple years. This is why top stocks tend to continue rising. The big-picture trend that investors shouldn't ignore is that it makes sense to bet that the stock market will go up in 2025. For this reason, waiting for a pullback to buy isn't necessarily the best approach. The better approach would be to dollar-cost average into high-quality businesses such as Tractor Supply and Nvidia. Given Nvidia's performance in 2024, it's reasonable to expect it to perform well again in 2025 as the market rises.

The Global Sleep Tech Devices Market to Grow at a Significant CAGR of ~17% by 2030, etimates DelveInsightNone

Romania's pro-European Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was leading in the first round of presidential elections Sunday according to exit polls, with the far right not yet assured of a place in the second round, despite a breakthrough in support. With 25 percent of the vote according to two exit polls, Ciolacu appeared to be well ahead of far-right challengers looking to capitalise on this EU member's concerns about inflation and the war in neighbouring Ukraine. The same exit polls gave second place to centre-right former journalist turned small-town mayor Elena Lasconi at 18 percent, with two far-right candidates scoring 15 and 16 percent. In the absence of an outright winner in the first round -- scoring more than 50 percent -- the top two candidates go through to a second-round run-off in the poor NATO member on December 8. Ciolacu, a Social Democrat, is leading a field of 13 contenders in the race to take over from President Klaus Iohannis in the largely ceremonial post. He welcomed the exit polls putting him in the lead, but said all the votes would have to be counted before he knew who he would face in the second round. Lasconi too, was cautious. "The scores are very tight, it's not yet time to celebrate," said the 52-year-old politician. Far-right leader George Simion, 38, who some had forecast might take second place, is for the moment in fourth. Exit polls put him just behind the 62-year-old pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu. But Simion said Sunday evening: "We'll see the results of the ballot boxes at 11:00 pm (2100 GMT)." Ciolacu's party has shaped Romania's politics for more than three decades, and as he voted Sunday he promised stability and a "decent" standard of living. But political analyst Cristian Parvulescu told AFP: "The far right is by far the big winner of this election." Simion saw his popularity surge by tapping into voter anger over record inflation while promising more affordable housing. Looking for a new election breakthrough for European far-right parties, Simion warned of possible "fraud" and "foreign interference" when voting. But he added: "I am happy that we are giving Romanians hope and the prospect of a better future." The stakes are high for Romania, which has a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Ukraine and has become more important since Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022. The Black Sea nation now plays a "vital strategic role" for NATO -- as it is a base for more than 5,000 soldiers -- and the transit of Ukrainian grain, the New Strategy Center think tank said. Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election has further "complicated" Romania's choice, political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP. Known for his fiery speeches, Simion is a Trump fan who sometimes dons a red cap in appreciation of his idol. Simion opposes sending military aid to Ukraine, wants a "more patriotic Romania" and frequently lashes out against what he calls the "greedy corrupt bubble" running the European Union. Having campaigned hard to win over Romania's large diaspora working abroad, he said the country had only "minions and cowards as leaders". Pirvulescu predicted that if Simion reached the second round his AUR party would get a boost in the December parliamentary election. "Romanian democracy is in danger for the first time since the fall of communism in 1989," he said. "I'm really afraid we'll end up with Simion in the second round," 36-year-old IT worker Oana Diaconu told AFP, expressing concern about the far-right leader's unpredictable nature and attacks on the European Union. The campaign was marked by controversy and personal attacks, with Simion facing accusations of meeting with Russian spies -- a claim he has denied. Ciolacu has been criticised for his use of private jets. Some observers had tipped Lasconi, now mayor of the small town of Campulung and head of a centre-right opposition party, as a surprise package. Sunday's exit polls appeared to suggest they were right. During campaigning, she had said she wanted a future "where no one has to pack their suitcases and leave" the country and for "institutions that work". bur/js-jj/None

HALIFAX — A veteran federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their stocking feet. Kevin Hartling and Blaise Sylliboy, both in their 20s, were arrested on March 26 as they fished for baby eels near Shelburne, N.S. They said three fisheries officers confiscated their phones and hip waders before leaving them at a gas station about a 45-minute drive from where they had been fishing. Hartling has said that after the two men were asked to leave the gas station, they walked in the cold without boots along a highway in southern Nova Scotia for hours before they were able to borrow a cellphone to reach a friend, who came and picked them up. After the incident became public in April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it “extremely troubling” and promised a complete investigation. The Canadian Press verified the penalty imposed on the veteran officer but was unable to confirm what sanctions were imposed on the two more junior fishery officers. The supervisory officer's release of the men without footwear is described in the administrative investigation as a breach of the department's code of values and ethics. It was also considered a failure to "assume responsibility for care and control" of people under arrest, as detailed in the department's standard operating procedures. The discipline imposed considered the officer had no prior disciplinary breaches and "demonstrated remorse." The time without pay began on Wednesday and was to continue until the end of Christmas Day. Hartling, who spoke to The Canadian Press on Wednesday by text message, said he finds the penalty insufficient. "It seems like a pretty light penalty in my personal opinion. He should also have to do a behavioural course, so he isn’t doing this to more people," he wrote. "I would rather have had them take me to jail or at least cut our (hip) waders so we could have had something left on our feet." However, a source who didn't want to be identified due to potential employment repercussions reported that many federal Fisheries Department enforcement officers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick booked off on mental health leave Wednesday to protest the penalties imposed. The source said many officers believe the supervisor followed arrest procedures in taking the men to a location of their choice — a gas station — and dropping them off. It is normal procedure for DFO officers to seize hip waders and cellphones when making arrests in suspected illegal fishing, and the officers do not bring people they arrest to jail in these circumstances, the source said. The source said the officers made some efforts to retrieve Sylliboy's and Hartlings' boots before they departed the scene of the arrest. "The expectation to drive somebody home when they live eight hours away (in Cape Breton) is not a realistic expectation. How do we go and buy or purchase these guys boots late at night? What options do the officers have to try to accommodate them?" asked the source. The Union of Health and Environment Workers, which represents the officers, declined comment Wednesday on the sanctions and on the officers' protest. Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier also declined comment, saying the finding is a human relations matter, and a spokeswoman for the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs said they had no comment on an "internal DFO matter." Lebouthillier announced in July she had ordered an external review into the matter that would look at "procedures to eradicate the potential for systemic biases or racism." A spokesman said on Wednesday that the review hasn't started yet. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press

New cloud migration, cyber security, and managed service solutions for growing organizations to streamline technology integration, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency. MIRAMAR, Fla. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Claro Enterprise Solutions, a single-source technology solutions provider for growing organizations , announced expanded services to support merger and acquisition activity on buy-side and sell-side, as companies seek cost efficiencies and technology modernization. The expanded consulting, implementation and managed service offerings make it more expeditious for investors and acquired companies to merge technology infrastructure while improving cyber and physical security, productivity and performance. "Claro Enterprise Solutions was the optimal decision as our customer sought to stand up managed IT services for a multi-national organization. Claro Enterprise Solutions had all the technology solutions they needed, plus an impressive flexibility and mindset that ensured the integration of the acquired entity was completed successfully. They deployed Cloud Migration Services and a Managed CyberSOC for incident response, while understanding the client's complex infrastructure. The client was pleased with the overall outcome and would use them for further acquisitions, as well as overall solutions and services," said Alex D'Angelo , Vice President at Ten Oaks Group. After announcing a major expansion of its cyber-physical product-specific offerings in early 2024, Claro Enterprise Solutions is now rolling out additional standard and custom service offerings. While these are not limited to Mergers and Acquisitions use cases, as they support any company seeking ways to simplify and unify cyber security , cloud , IoT , and connectivity technology infrastructure , they have already seen an uptake from the investor community. Services include: Cloud Data Security The Solution for Collaboration Security Management for Microsoft 365TM combines powerful tools with expert managed services to safeguard the organization's sensitive information while adhering to industry standard regulations. Through an initial assessment, Claro Enterprise Solutions will create a customized remediation plan to address data exposure and risks, assuring compliance with the strictest regulations. Through managed services, Claro Enterprise Solutions monitors how the information is being shared, reducing the risk of oversharing and exposure of sensitive information. Claro Enterprise Solutions' services cover the entire Microsoft 365TM journey, from migration to backup, policy enforcement, and risk reduction. Solution for Collaboration Security follows the NIST 2.0 standard, ensuring a comprehensive approach to data security needs. Whether during the due diligence period or after the independent entity is established, they identify and govern what cloud-hosted data is shared with whom, flag any compliance-related activities, and enforce policies. In one customer assessment, over 30,000 abandoned links were discovered and promptly remediated, and over 100 hours were saved in manual IT configuration and reporting. Cloud Data Migration Claro Enterprise Solutions' Cloud Migration Services professional and managed services move newly acquired and existing (Microsoft 365)TM end users onto shared cloud infrastructures, safely and securely. Customers also use migrations to deploy multi-Cloud strategies to reduce impact should a single Cloud provider experience an outage, or to meet local data storage compliance requirements. To address key security challenges in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Claro Enterprise Solutions introduces its " Microsoft 365TM Readiness Suite ". This comprehensive solution streamlines Microsoft 365TM integration with three core components: Cloud Migration Services , Cloud Backup , and Collaboration Security Management Data Risk Assessment. Each offering includes implementation support, providing M&A companies with a turnkey solution to identify risks, enhance security, and optimize their Microsoft 365TM investment during organizational transitions. The Microsoft 365TM Readiness Suite empowers businesses to navigate complex IT integrations efficiently, ensuring protected information sharing and safeguarding critical data throughout the M&A process. Cyber Threat Detection & Response As incidents impacting worldwide operations have shown, the complexity of today's technology ecosystem can inadvertently affect companies at any time. As part of Claro Enterprise Solutions' expanded technology services, it offers a robust suite of cyber threat detection and response capabilities designed to enhance security during critical Mergers and Acquisitions integrations. Claro Enterprise Solutions' Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and CyberSOC solutions provide continuous monitoring, advanced threat detection, and rapid incident response, ensuring that any security threats are identified and mitigated promptly. Claro Enterprise Solutions' MDR service leverages sophisticated tools and expert analysts to detect and respond to threats in real-time, minimizing the potential impact of cyber incidents. Claro Enterprise Solutions' CyberSOC , a managed security operations center, adds another layer of protection by offering 24/7 monitoring and incident management, allowing companies to maintain an agile and resilient security posture even during the most complex mergers. Additionally, Claro Enterprise Solutions' Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Management services are crucial for identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in both legacy and newly integrated systems. Penetration testing simulates cyber attacks to expose vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers, while the vulnerability management solutions continuously scan and assess the environment to ensure that any potential security gaps are identified and remediated before they can be exploited. Together, these solutions provide a comprehensive approach to cyber threat detection and response, empowering companies to navigate the complexities of Mergers and Acquisitions with confidence, knowing that their infrastructure is secured against evolving threats. About Claro Enterprise Solutions Claro Enterprise Solutions is a single-source IT solutions provider backed by global Latin American service provider América Móvil (NYSE: AMX). Claro Enterprise Solutions' cyber-physical approach to integrated solutions helps growing organizations strengthen security, increase productivity, and optimize performance. Our experts independently identify, implement, and manage technical solutions leveraging innovations in AI, Cloud, IoT and security. Claro Enterprise Solutions has earned a Great Place To Work® CertificationTM and is headquartered outside Miami in Miramar, Florida . Find us online at usclaro.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/claro-enterprise-solutions-expands-technology-service-offerings-to-accelerate-mergers-and-acquisitions-integrations-302313641.html SOURCE Claro Enterprise Solutions

MAYBE NEXT YEAR Deloitte says the Southeast Asian initial public offerings market in general was tepid in 2024, with total capital raised reaching its lowest in nine years. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO Once, in the early months of 2024, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) made a bold move, targeting six initial public offerings (IPOs) for a total equity deal of P40 billion. And for a while there, the bourse seemed to be performing as analysts expected. In September, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) even managed to charge into the bull territory and closed as high as 7,500 after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) started its long-awaited easing cycle. But now, the local stock barometer seems to have gone back to levels seen when the market was at its weakest in 2024. READ: 10 potential IPOs firing up stock market in 2025 From enjoying the view at its peak of 7,500, the PSEi is now settling near the bottom of its uphill climb after falling by around 12 percent in just two months. This downfall has made it less attractive for companies, particularly the big names, to pursue an IPO before the year ends. Global advisory firm Deloitte found in a report that the case was not confined to the Philippines alone. In fact, Deloitte says the Southeast Asian IPO market in general remained tepid in 2024, with the total capital raised reaching its lowest in nine years. The region saw 122 IPOs in the first 10 months of the year worth $3 billion. This is down from 163 IPOs in 2023 worth $5.8 billion. The Philippines did not fare well versus its neighbors: the country only saw three IPOs, while Malaysia accounted for 46 IPOs in the region. Indonesia had 39, and Thailand saw 29 companies go public. Manila’s three IPOs—OceanaGold Philippines Inc. in May, Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. in June, and NexGen Energy Corp. in July—totaled P11.86 billion in proceeds. The giants, such as the SM Group’s real estate investment trust and Ayala-backed e-wallet GCash, opted out of a 2024 IPO. PSE president Ramon Monzon himself admitted that the year was challenging for the bourse, citing high interest rates early in 2024 and the stock market’s resulting volatility as among the deterrents for IPO candidates. But why is it hard to make the market attractive for Philippine corporations? Wendy Estacio-Cruz, research head at Unicapital Securities Inc., notes that “several headwinds” emerged, including the political leadership shift in the United States. “This could affect the inflation trend due to potential tariffs. As a result, the US [Federal Reserve] and the BSP are now anticipating a slower pace of interest rate cuts, which dragged the index,” Cruz says in a message. As it is, the BSP cut rates for overnight borrowing thrice in 2024 for a total of 75 basis points to 5.75 percent. While there is room for three quarter-point rate cuts in 2025, experts say investors are still wary of US President-elect Donald Trump’s protectionist policies. “This year’s market narrative was shaped largely by a tug-of-war between persistent macro uncertainties and selective growth stories,” says Jayniel Carl Manuel, equities trader at Seedbox Securities Inc. Indeed, not all companies benefited from interest rate cuts. In its latest Philippine Market Strategy Report, COL Financial Group Inc. points out that listed companies grew slower in the first nine months of 2024 versus the previous year. During the period, these firms grew by 5 percent against 10.5 percent in the first quarter and 9.6 percent in the first semester. While property firms are usually among those that cheer lower borrowing costs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators offset growth, according to Manuel. “With a shift in policy leading to their reduced footprint, that once-solid source of demand has faded, leaving developers to contend with high vacancy rates and cooling investor interest,” he adds. The COL report likewise notes that consumer firms “delivered the worst performance” among all the sectors due to high inflation. Banks had the opposite fate. As of the January to September period, nearly all banks listed on the PSE saw record-high earnings, with powerhouses BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. all expecting to shatter their full-year record. But despite the sour turn of events in 2024, the PSE and experts alike are seeing a better 2025 ahead. Monzon says the anticipated easing inflation, interest rate cuts and the PSE’s upcoming products may be enough to entice investors back into equities. The President expects Philippine equities to grow next year despite high anxiety over the US elections. According to Monzon, they are targeting a 52-percent surge in capital raised from the market to P120 billion. Meanwhile, Cruz cautions that the PSEi may continue correcting “for some time.” “We recommend investors to keep some cash or assets in reserve, ready to take advantage of opportunities when market conditions improve,” she says. Still, Unicapital is keeping its 8,000 index target, driven by a projected 10-percent growth in corporate earnings. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Manuel adds: “As we step into 2025, a more optimistic tone may emerge. If inflation remains contained, reforms progress smoothly, and consumer sentiment picks up, then the property market’s excess inventories could gradually clear, reducing a key drag on investor sentiment.”

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