top online games Photo credit: WorldCC MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) and Randstad Australia sounds the alarm on the state of procurement and contract management in Australia. The report, ‘Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era: Bridging Skills Gaps and Embracing Future Needs’ , uncovers a profession grappling with a widening skills gap, uncertainty surrounding AI, and a lack of clear career pathways – all of which could hinder Australia’s competitiveness in the global market. The report, based on a comprehensive survey of professionals across Australia, paints a worrying picture: Skills gaps: While 76% feel confident in their analytical abilities, a staggering 90% recognise a critical need for upskilling in risk management. Adding to this, 74% of respondents acknowledge the critical need for improved tools and training, with just 15% considering the current tools available within procurement fit for purpose. Career paths: A mere 6.5% of procurement professionals have a clear understanding of their career progression opportunities. This lack of direction, coupled with the fact that only 46% are satisfied with current career development opportunities, contributes to a sense of career ambiguity and potentially hinders motivation and retention. AI apprehension: Perhaps most surprisingly, the research uncovered a widespread lack of awareness surrounding the impact of AI. Almost 50% of respondents don’t believe AI will significantly impact their roles in the near future. This points to a critical need for education and open communication to dispel myths and anxieties surrounding AI adoption. Adding to the concerns around career progression, Rachel Homer, National Manager - Procurement, Contracts & Supply Chain at Randstad Australia, warns: “The lack of clear career pathways isn’t just a statistic—it’s a barrier to attracting and retaining top commercial and contracting talent in Australia. Ambitious professionals need to see a future within their organisation. People leaders must prioritise building transparent, accessible career trajectories, supported by robust mentorship and development. This isn’t just about retention; it’s about cultivating the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation and elevate Australia’s competitive edge.” This need for a skilled and future-ready workforce is echoed by Tim Cummins, President at WorldCC, who emphasises the importance of proactive measures: “The future of procurement and contract management depends on a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. We need to move beyond simply acknowledging the skills gap and actively invest in upskilling the workforce. This means providing targeted training in crucial areas like risk management and AI, but also creating clear career pathways that empower professionals to grow and thrive.” Finally, the report also highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and driving innovation. It calls on organisations to create a culture of collaboration where diverse perspectives are valued and employees are empowered to contribute their unique talents. “Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era” is an essential resource for anyone involved in procurement and contract management. Download the full report today and discover how you can build a future-ready workforce: https://info.worldcc.com/workforce-dynamics-report-2024 About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 companies across 180 countries worldwide, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined, existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. About Randstad Australia Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialised talent company. As a partner for talent, we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed in a talent-scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills, and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all. Our national team of procurement, contracts & supply chain recruiters is composed of experienced recruitment consultants and full-time candidate managers, responsible for daily candidate generation. Our innovative sourcing techniques and technologies, combined with our extensive local procurement, contract, and supply chain industry connections, ensure we continually build our talent pipeline and provide our partners with access to the best talent. With 31 offices in Australia servicing the local market, and headquarters in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. In 2023, we supported 2 million talents to find work and generated revenue of €25.4 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. Contact Information: Kate Hodgins Head of Marketing & Communications World Commerce & Contracting +44 7793 026783 khodgins@worldcc.com www.worldcc.com Mikaela Johnson Head of Communications ANZ Randstad Australia +61 2 80951747 mikaela.johnson@randstad.com.au www.randstad.com.au A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5167deb2-118d-4f86-8d57-7ceffc2e2ffe

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Preview: NEC vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

Jaylen Brown leads Celtics over Timberwolves with hot start, big shot late: 6 takeawaysA plane burst into flames after veering off a runway at an airport in South Korea on Sunday, killing at least 28 people on board, emergency officials said. The fire engulfed the aircraft carrying 181 people when it skidded off the runway just after landing and struck a barrier. The country's emergency office said its landing gear appeared to have malfunctioned. Footage of the crash aired by YTN television showed the Jeju Air plane skidding across the airstrip, apparently with its landing gear still closed, and colliding head-on with a concrete wall on the outskirts of the facility. The transport ministry said the incident happened at 9:03 a.m. local time. The National Fire Agency said the fire was almost put out but officials were still trying to pull people from the Jeju Air passenger plane at the airport in the southern town of Muan. At least 28 people had died in the fire, the agency said. Emergency workers pulled out two people — one passenger and one crew member. It said it deployed 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to contain the fire. Emergency officials said they were examining the cause of the fire. Local TV stations aired footage showing thick pillows of black smoke billowing from the plane engulfed with flame. The incident came as South Korea is embroiled into a huge political crisis triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning imposition of martial law and ensuing impeachment. Last Friday, South Korean lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo and suspended his duties, making Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok to take over. Choi ordered officials to employ all available resources to rescue the passengers and crew, according to Yonhap news agency. Yoon’s office said his chief secretary, Chung Jin-suk, will preside over an emergency meeting between senior presidential staff later on Sunday to discuss the crash.

After starting 2-0 in its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, SMU looks to make the month even more special on Sunday, hosting Longwood in Dallas, Texas. The Mustangs seek a seven-game win streak in their final nonconference test before welcoming No. 4 Duke to Dallas on Jan. 4. In recent victories over Alabama State, Virginia, LSU, and Boston College, SMU (10-2) averaged 85.3 points per game, allowed just 66.0 ppg, and climbed to No. 30 in the NET rankings. "We're a different team right now than we were earlier in the season," SMU head coach Andy Enfield said at the beginning of December, his words ringing even truer as the season progresses. "They'd never been under pressure together until recently, so they're starting to learn and figure things out." Longwood (11-3) enters its third consecutive road game, having won five of its last six overall. That includes a major 82-67 win at North Carolina Central on Dec. 20. It was only the sixth nonconference home loss for NCC since 2016, and Longwood head coach Griff Aldrich saw it as a result of his team's growing cohesiveness. "We got great contributions from so many players," Aldrich said. "We have been working to play more and more connected, and this team has really taken positive steps this week." The Mustangs' Matt Cross is among the biggest threats to Longwood's defense, which allows just 66.6 points per game. A 6-foot-7 forward, Cross had 36 points over SMU's last two wins, including a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double against LSU. What Cross does with the ball in his hands is impressive -- he is averaging 13.5 ppg in December -- but it is also what he does off the ball that increases his value. "He's extremely tough," Enfield said after Cross' performance against LSU. "His wall up in transition, where (Corey) Chest came down, was going to dunk the ball, and he stood there and took the contact. ...That's a big-time basketball play." Longwood is paced by Michael Christmas, a veteran forward in his fourth year in the program. A hard-nosed wing who can score at all three levels, Christmas is Longwood's only returner who started at least 30 games on last year's NCAA Tournament team. He is averaging a team-high 11.9 points per game. "(He) loves this university, loves this town and community," Aldrich said of Christmas. "He opted to come back here to really invest in the program." --Field Level Media

NEW DELHI: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim posted a poignant tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh on 'X' Friday, recalling the many kindnesses of "his cherished friend" when he, Anwar, was incarcerated, and describing him as "slightly awkward as a politician but undeniably upright, steadfast and resolute as a statesman", a man "whose legacy would inspire generations to come". Singh was "the midwife of India's emergence as one of the world's economic giants", Anwar wrote on 'X' as he bid goodbye, describing the late former PM as "my mitra, my bhai, Manmohan". He said he had the privilege of "witnessing the early years of these transformative polices first-hand" when they both served as finance ministers of their countries during the 1990s. "We shared a fervent commitment to the war against corruption - even collaborating to unravel a major case," Anwar wrote. Anwar said it was time for people to know why Singh, "as the Bard would have it", was a "man so full of the milk of human kindness". He recalled: "During the years of my incarceration , he extended a kindness that he didn't have to - one that was neither politically expedient nor, as one can imagine, appreciated by the Malaysian govt at that time. Yet, true to his character, he did it anyway. He offered scholarships for my children, particularly my son, Ihsan." He said though he had declined the offer, "such a gesture undoubtedly showed his extraordinary humanity and generosity..." "In those dark days, as I navigated the labyrinth of imprisonment, he stood by me as a true friend. Such acts of quiet magnanimity defined him, and they will remain etched in my heart forever," Anwar, who was imprisoned 1999-2004, wrote. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Announces $100 Million At-The-Market Equity Offering Program

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.Firefighters and passengers hurt after train hits fire truck on crossingArrowMark Financial Corp. Announces Special Distribution of $0.20 and Regular Cash Distribution of $0.45 per Share for the Fourth Quarter 2024

With favourites out MLS playoffs promise more upsets

Proficio Capital Partners LLC Sells 8,730 Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)MARKET REPORT: Investment trust bosses must go, says hedge fund By HUGO DUNCAN Updated: 22:00 GMT, 18 December 2024 e-mail View comments There could be a shake-up in the world of trusts after hedge fund Saba Capital Management called for managers to be axed in seven of the firms in which it invests. In a letter to shareholders, Saba, founded by former Deutsche Bank banker Boaz Weinstein, urged them to vote out bosses after poor returns. The investment trusts called out are: Baillie Gifford US Growth, CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income, Edinburgh Worldwide Investment, European Smaller Companies, Henderson Opportunities, Herald Investment and Keystone Positive Change Investment. Saba is the largest investor in all of them, with stakes of between 19 per cent and 29 per cent, and is requisitioning general meetings for each trust, which it says should be scheduled for early February at the latest. The London benchmarks were higher ahead of interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England The FTSE 100 closed ahead 0.05 per cent, or 3.91 points, at 8199.11, while the FTSE 250 ended up 0.29 per cent, or 59.13 points, at 20,601.99. Melrose was among the blue-chip risers, gaining 2.9 per cent, or 15.6p, to 553.6p, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer restated his pledge to increase defence spending. Shake-up: Saba Capital Management urged shareholders to vote out the current bosses after underwhelming, and in some cases disastrous, returns British Airways and Iberia owner IAG rose again, adding 1.9 per cent, or 5.5p, to 302.8p, after analysts at Jefferies hiked their price target for the airlines group to 350p from 270p. And Kingfisher edged up 0.5 per cent, or 1.2p, to 253.9p as the DIY retailer announced the sale of its Brico Depot business in Romania for £58million. Unilever lost 1 per cent, or 44p, to 4608p after the consumer products giant said it has received a binding offer for its Unox and Zwan meat and soup brands from Zwanenberg Food Group. And National Grid shed 1.1 per cent, or 10.4p, to 926.2p as the energy distributor released a plan detailing investments of up to £35billion over five years from April 2026. Transact platform owner IntegraFin was among the big FTSE 250 fallers, dropping 12.7 per cent, or 49.5p, to 340.5p, as caution about rising administrative costs next year offset full-year results which showed a 17 per cent improvement in funds under direction to £64.1billion. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Hawkish cut for Fed as 'foggy night' lies ahead: America's... UK is 'taxing London stock market out of existence': Rachel... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account On AIM, Active Energy surged 218.2 per cent, or 0.12p, higher to 0.18p as trading resumed following a temporary suspension. Hardide jumped 29 per cent, or 1.38p, to 6.13p as the surface coating technology provider signed a ten-year supply deal for the coating of cargo door components with a major customer. And Windar Photonics gained 10.9 per cent, or 5.5p, at 56p as the technology firm said it has secured a £2million order. Digitalbox held steady at 4.85p as the owner of The Daily Mash website acquired the online assets of Walford News, which writes about TV soap EastEnders. But Zotefoams fell 5.2 per cent, or 17p, to 308p as the packaging specialist said it is halting investment in a new product, after the firm failed to secure a partner for the project. Stock Watch - Artisanal Spirits Investors raised a dram to Artisanal Spirits after the whisky specialist said it was on track to meet its full-year 2024 earnings forecast of £1million, a swing from a loss last year. The AIM-listed firm reported a 5 per cent rise in members to 42,000, with strong UK growth. It expects further profitability in 2025 and 2026, driven by cash flow improvements and efficiency measures and is investing £500,000 to take full control of its US business from January. It rose 2.7 per cent, or 1p, to 38.5p. 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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 28, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the sale of The First of Long Island Corporation (NASDAQ: FLIC) to ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. for 0.5175 shares of ConnectOne common stock for each share of Long Island common stock is fair to Long Island shareholders. Halper Sadeh encourages Long Island shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Long Island and its board of directors violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Long Island shareholders; (2) determine whether ConnectOne is underpaying for Long Island; and (3) disclose all material information necessary for Long Island shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Long Island shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228082025/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/28/2024 01:29 PM/DISC: 12/28/2024 01:29 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228082025/en"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

MINILUXE ANNOUNCES ISSUANCE OF OPTIONS IN LIEU OF CASH COMPENSATION EXTENDING ITS SHAREHOLDER ALIGNED INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR LEADERSHIPThe world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate. Last Updated: Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

Strinova - Official Release Date Trailer Strinova will be available on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and the game's website) on November 21, 2024. Watch the latest Strinova trailer for this dimensionI-shifting 5v5 competitive anime shooter game.DOVER, Del. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) ("Chesapeake Utilities" or the "Company") today announced that it has established an at-the-market equity offering program (the "ATM Program") under which it may, from time to time, sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $100,000,000 (the "Shares"). Chesapeake Utilities has entered into an equity distribution agreement with each of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, M&T Securities, Inc., Maxim Group LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, and Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC (collectively, the "Sales Agents"), as sales agents. Pursuant to the equity distribution agreement, sales of the Shares may be made in transactions deemed to be "at-the-market offerings," as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including by sales made directly on or through the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities intends to use the proceeds from the sales, if any, of the Shares for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, financing of capital expenditures, repayment of short-term debt, financing acquisitions, investing in subsidiaries, and general working capital purposes. The Shares will be offered under the Company's existing shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR (File No.: 333-274284) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The offering is being made by means of a prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the registration statement. Before making an investment in the Shares, potential investors should read the prospectus and the prospectus supplement for more complete information about Chesapeake Utilities and the offering. Potential investors may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Company or the Sales Agents will arrange, upon request, to send the prospectus. Please direct requests to: RBC Capital Markets, LLC by mail at 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281-8098, attention: Equity Syndicate, by email at equityprospectus@rbccm.com or by telephone at 877-822-4089. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Statements Matters included in this release may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements in the Company's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2024 for further information on the risks and uncertainties related to the Company's forward-looking statements. About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses. Contacts: Investors Beth W. Cooper Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary 302.734.6022 Michael D. Galtman Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer 302.217.7036 Noah T. Russell Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer 302.387.9147 Media Alexander Nye Director, Strategic Communications 727.754.0136 ANye@chpk.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chesapeake-utilities-corporation-announces-100-million-at-the-market-equity-offering-program-302314606.html SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation

Donald Trump managed to alarm his supporters twice in a single post to his Truth Social website The incoming president suggested Bill Gates is the next billionaire making the pilgrimage to his Mar-a-Lago estate, which caused a stir among the MAGA fanbase. However, as Tesla CEO Elon Musk is wrapped up in a social media brawl with anti-immigrant Trump supporters, the felon-elect managed to spread the news to his sugar daddy by means of a creepy message seemingly directed at the billionaire. “Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago. Bill Gates asked to come, tonight. We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!! DJT,” Trump wrote in the post . Musk’s son X Æ A-Xii goes by the nickname “X.” Naturally, Trump’s voters took to Musk’s social platform X to denounce the idea of a left-leaning, vaccine-supporting tech elite chatting it up with their dear leader. “Please don't let Bill Gates anywhere near you,” one user begged , while another wrote , “I hope he doesn't consider working with this guy.” Should Gates make his way to Florida, he wouldn’t be the first tech mogul to rub shoulders with Trump before he takes office. Billionaires who have previously butted heads with Trump, like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, are now feeding out of the palm of Trump’s orange hands. As Daily Kos previously reported, both Bezos and Zuckerberg have pledged $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. Other wealthy elites such as Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Apple’s Tim Cook, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Open AI’s Sam Altman have also bent the knee to the incoming president. Daily Kos reached out to Gates’ media team for comment but did not immediately hear back. And for a former reality TV star who is well aware of timing and media presence, Trump’s choice to show Musk some love right now sure does raise some eyebrows. Musk, who Trump has tasked with improving “government efficiency,” has been keeping his keyboard warm defending himself against Trump’s base of anti-immigrant supporters. The South African-born multibillionaire has been drilling home his pro-immigrant perspective via X while Trump supporters seem to finally realize that Musk’s real interest is in cheap labor, not jobs for Americans. On Friday, Musk reposted his tweet from 2023, stating that the U.S. should "greatly increase legal immigration of anyone who is hard-working, honest and loves America." Hours later, he reposted a video of Trump arguing that immigrants who graduate from U.S. colleges or universities should receive a green card. But Musk’s followers seemed a little more skeptical of the idea. One X user, who claims to be a “MAGA mom” in her bio, writes , “We want Americans to win, too. Why can't we have both? Why can't we train our children who are in tech who can't find jobs? Why can't we increase internships and opportunities for our kids to enter the field and learn? We can train them. We don't have to import them.” Another self-proclaimed “Conservative law-abiding American citizen” responded , “Qualified Americans are first in-line for jobs in America, as well education & training, period!” The ongoing immigration debate seems to highlight growing turmoil within the incoming administration as Trump’s beloved “islamaphobe” supporter Laura Loomer sounds off in direct opposition . With rumored cheating scandals , allegations of sex with minors , and more scandals brewing in Trumpworld, the U.S. is in for an interesting next four years. If you value having free and reliable access to the information and resources we provide, we’re asking for your help today. Will you make a donation of $5, $25, or whatever you can afford to help us reach our year-end goal?

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