jili slot fortune gems 3 NEW YORK - Wall Street’s main indexes closed lower on Dec 10 as investors anxiously awaited key inflation reports that could influence the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week. Among the S&P 500‘s 11 major industry sectors, communication services was the biggest boost with help from a rally in shares of Google-parent Alphabet after it unveiled a new chip. The biggest drag was from technology, pressured by a sell-off in Oracle shares after the cloud computing company missed Wall Street estimates for second-quarter results. Also weighing on technology was a sell-off in chips after China announced on Dec 9 an investigation into Nvidia over suspected violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law. The probe was widely seen as retaliation against Washington’s latest curbs on the Chinese chip sector. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 16.53 points, or 0.27 per cent, to end at 6,036.32 points, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 49.45 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 19,687.24. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 143.46 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 44,259.60. A November reading of the Consumer Price Index, due on Dec 11, is among the last major reports ahead of the Fed’s Dec 17-18 meeting. Headline inflation is expected to have risen slightly in November to 2.7 per cent from 2.6 per cent in October. The Producer Price Index report will follow on Dec 12. “There’s a little bit of wait-and-see in the market ahead of the CPI and PPI data this week,” said Ms Mona Mahajan, head of investment strategy at Edward Jones. “Markets want to see a number that won’t be too disruptive to the Fed next week.” If the CPI comes in line with estimates, investors will expect an “all clear” for the Fed to lower rates by 25 basis points next week, she added. Traders see an 86 per cent chance for a cut next week, CME’s FedWatch Tool showed. Bets had jumped after news on Dec 6 of an uptick in unemployment along with a rebound in job growth, which had slowed in October. Noting the S&P 500‘s roughly 27 per cent gain for the year so far, Ms Lindsey Bell, chief strategist at 248 Ventures in Charlotte, North Carolina, said investors are cautious ahead of the economic data and Fed meeting. “We’re in a seasonally strong period of the year and investors are just kind of taking a breather,” said Ms Bell. Market participants will be watching out for signs that the US central bank will pause its easing cycle in January, after a host of Fed officials last week hinted at a slower pace of monetary policy easing on the back of a resilient economy. “It’s less about what the Fed does next week but what they say about the future trajectory of interest rates,” said Ms Bell. Among individual stock movers, software firm MongoDB lost ground despite raising its forecast for annual results. Shares in Walgreens Boots Alliance rallied after reports that it is in talks to sell itself to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Alaska Airlines shares rose as it raised its fourth-quarter profit forecast, while Boeing gained ground after Reuters reported the planemaker restarted production of its 737 Max jets last week. Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers shares fell after its quarterly results beat expectations but its current quarter forecasts disappointed. REUTERSPresident Joe Biden gave son Hunter an early Christmas present Dec. 1. He pardoned his boy for the two felonies he was convicted of earlier in the year. There was outrage among Republicans and some Democratic dissent as well. A somewhat hilarious denunciation came from Dinesh D’Souza, a conservative writer and filmmaker who has spread Trump conspiracy theories in his movies and elsewhere. When the pardon was announced, D’Souza mocked the President on X: “No one is above the law – except my son Hunter!” As Travis McGee once explained, the problem with liars and living with lies is that it requires a solid memory. D’Souza himself was pardoned by Trump in 2018 for campaign finance law violations that he pled guilty to in 2014. “Oops! Pardon me.” Normally, I would oppose the Biden pardon. But, considering that a vengeance-obsessed Donald Trump promises to use the Justice Department to punish enemies, I think the President wise to remove his son from federal jurisdiction. In fact, NBC reported Dec. 2 that, “President Biden is being encouraged to consider pardoning the likely targets of Trump’s wrath to disrupt corrupt prosecutions in advance.” Trump, too, pardoned those close to him before leaving office, including Paul Manafort (bank and tax fraud, etc.), his former campaign manager, and Trump’s friend and political adviser Roger Stone (lying to Congress about Russian interference in the 2016 campaign). Still, President Biden might not be alone in sharing a holiday table with a pardoned felon since another December, 2020, beneficiary of a Trump pardon was Charles Kushner, whom Trump has nominated to serve as French ambassador. He is father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner – he of the $2 billion “loan” from the Saudis. The elder Kushner had pled guilty to tax evasion, illegal campaign contribution and witness tampering along will 15 other charges. Those felonies represent high qualifications for a Trump appointee. According to CBS News, when “Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. “Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said.” That sounds about as sleazy as stalking teen beauty contestants’ dressing rooms. Next stop Paris. During the past campaign, Trump promised blanket pardons for the hooligan army he sicced on the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021, in his failed coup attempt. His transition team has said the pardons will be on a “case by case,” basis – which in Trump-speak might depend upon the size of a “contribution” an insurrectionist can provide. Such pay-for-pardon allegations arose in 2021. And, is their the possibility that Trump might pardon the woman who introduced him to his wife? That woman is Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of sex trafficking minors for her part in Jeffery Epstein’s sex ring. At the turn of the century, Epstein – who “committed suicide” in jail in 2019 – and Trump were seen often in each other’s company. In fact, the relationship was more than casual. In November of 1997, Britain’s Sunday Mirror reported: “Just weeks after ditching his second wife, America’s best-known billionaire Donald Trump has fallen under the spell of a 20-year-old English girl.” The girl the 50-year-old Trump met was London model Anouska De Georgious. The newspaper’s gee-whiz account of their romance continues: “After their meeting, Trump flew Madam (apt word choice?) Maxwell and the model south to the sunshine state, where all three enjoyed a happy weekend together. When they returned to New York, Anouska was installed in one of Donald’s many apartments there.” De Georgious has been one of the most outspoken victims of the Epstein/Maxwell procurement ring, telling a court in 2019: “Jeffrey Epstein manipulated me, coerced me and abused me. He cannot begin to fathom what he did to us.” In 2002, Trump told New York Magazine: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” Well, some might say a 50-year-old romancing a 20-year-old might indicate a preference for younger women, too. Trump is 24 years older than Melania, who was introduced to him by Maxwell at a party he was attending with another Maxwell-arranged date. So, is their matchmaker on Trump’s future pardon list? Gary Edmondson is chair of the Stephens County Democratic Party and former Managing Editor of The Item.

Movie Review: ‘September 5’ goes inside a newsroom during the Munich Olympics hostage crisisPathstone Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. ( NYSE:WSM – Free Report ) by 92.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,130 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 21,200 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $6,837,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Lindenwold Advisors INC grew its position in Williams-Sonoma by 101.9% during the third quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC now owns 4,124 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $639,000 after acquiring an additional 2,081 shares during the period. First Western Trust Bank lifted its stake in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 141.0% in the 3rd quarter. First Western Trust Bank now owns 1,740 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $270,000 after purchasing an additional 1,018 shares in the last quarter. Taurus Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Taurus Asset Management LLC now owns 5,000 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $775,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the period. AMG National Trust Bank grew its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 81.6% during the 3rd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 3,800 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 1,708 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss National Bank increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 111.2% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 381,800 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $59,148,000 after purchasing an additional 201,000 shares in the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have issued reports on WSM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $136.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Loop Capital upped their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Williams-Sonoma from $140.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday. Wedbush boosted their price objective on Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Williams-Sonoma from $162.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $154.41. Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance Shares of Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $171.88 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $21.71 billion, a PE ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.76. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $90.31 and a 1 year high of $181.42. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $143.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $144.74. Williams-Sonoma ( NYSE:WSM – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The specialty retailer reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.13. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 51.57% and a net margin of 14.29%. The company had revenue of $1.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.56 EPS. Williams-Sonoma’s quarterly revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year. Williams-Sonoma Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, October 18th were paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 18th. Williams-Sonoma’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.97%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Williams-Sonoma news, CEO Laura Alber sold 40,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.27, for a total value of $5,810,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,030,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $149,766,978.12. This trade represents a 3.73 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, EVP Karalyn Smith sold 11,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.66, for a total value of $1,494,726.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 15,150 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,040,099. This trade represents a 42.29 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 91,100 shares of company stock valued at $12,525,126 over the last 90 days. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Williams-Sonoma Company Profile ( Free Report ) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Today is the Amavasya date of Paush Krishna Paksha and Monday. Amavasya's date will remain till 3:57 pm today. There will be Vriddhi Yoga till 8:32 pm tonight. Also, Moola Nakshatra will remain till 11:58 pm tonight. Apart from this, today is Somvati Amavasya of Snan-Danaadi. Know from Acharya Indu Prakash how will be the day of December 30, 2024, for you and with which measures you can make this day better. Also, know what will be the lucky number and lucky color for you. Today will be a great day for you. The humorous behavior of family members will keep the atmosphere of the house more pleasant, as well as your personal life will be better. Today your opponents will ask you for your opinion on work. There will be pleasant changes in the jobs of the people of the government department, and good news related to the transfer will be received. Today will be a good day in terms of health. There will be an atmosphere of peace in married life. Lovemates of this zodiac sign will go for a walk today. Overall, today is going to be a good day for you. Today is going to be a mixed day for you. Today you will run around for some work. Students of this zodiac sign who are preparing for a competitive exam will be successful soon. Today your interest in charity work will increase. Friends will be impressed by your words today. Domestic life will be happy. Businessmen will get more profit today. Today your health will remain better. You will be successful in completing the pending work of the office today. People looking for a job will get many opportunities to get a job today. Today will be a good day for you. Today you will get a chance to help needy people, this will give you immense happiness. Today the EMI of some goods will be completed, you will also make up your mind to buy new goods. Today children will take your advice in some of their decisions. Today you will be busy in office work. Today will be a good day from the point of view of health. You will be very practical with others. If you present your point in front of people in a positive way, then you will benefit. Problems going on in business will end today. Today is going to be a good day for people doing private jobs. Today is going to be a happy day for you. Electronics businessmen are getting chances to profit. You will take out some time from your busy routine for your children, you will enjoy a lot with them. You will have dinner outside today. The problems of teachers' transfer will end. Today you will get many opportunities for business success. Today will be a good day in terms of health. Today is a good day to make decisions on family issues. There will be good coordination with everyone at home. Lovemates will give gifts to each other today, this will increase sweetness in the relationship. Today will be a favourable day for you. You can go to a religious place with the family. Today your mind will be engaged in some creative work. Today you will get in touch with people who will prove helpful for you. Hotel businessmen are going to make more profit than usual today. Also, your income will increase. Today, you will go to visit a religious place with family members. Today you need to be careful while driving. Lovemates can go out for a walk after a long time. Today is going to be a great day for the teachers. Today your day has brought new enthusiasm. People who have been confused for a long time will find a solution today. People working in jobs will get opportunities for progress today. People will be impressed by your art of talking. Your chances of progress will increase. You will move forward by understanding each other in the family. Today your health is going to be good. Textile traders of this zodiac will think of expanding their business further. You will get the full benefit of the hard work done today. You will finish the household work on time. Today will be your great day. You will move forward in business with your hard work. You will get to hear good news today. Today you will spend time with children, and understand their thoughts. Avoid oily food as much as possible today. Today you will be able to earn money without anyone's help, you just need to believe in yourself. You can plan to watch a movie with friends today. Elders will see a change in their health, which will make them feel better. Today is the day to correct your mistakes. You may get confused with some tasks. Today is going to be a favorable day for you. People looking for a job will get a job in a good company. Students will focus on studies today. Also, you will participate in a competition. Today you will get back the money given to someone. You will complete your pending work today with full hard work. Happiness and harmony will increase in your married life, as well as you can plan a picnic with children. The boss will be happy with your hard work. Today your health will remain fit. You will get good suggestions from friends to increase business. Today you may have to go to meet someone in a social event. Today your day is going to be full of busyness. Today you will fulfill the responsibilities of your personal life. People of this zodiac sign associated with politics will get support from others. People will praise your work. You will take some time for yourself in your busy day, and in that time you will do your favorite work. Today you will go to the shopping mall with your children, where the children will look very happy. Family relationships will strengthen. There will be an increase in happiness and harmony in your married life. Today your day will be full of happiness. Recognize your abilities because you lack willpower and not strength. Software engineers will get good chances of promotion. Today, the family atmosphere will be pleasant due to the good result of the daughter's examination. You will get back the money given to a relative. Also, you will get the blessings of elders in completing the incomplete work plans. The negativity of life will go away. Today, any of your posts on social media will get more likes, your followers will increase. Overall, today your day is going to be good. Today your day is going to be great. There are chances of getting good news today, due to which you will be happy throughout the day. Today you will get opportunities for monetary gain, do not let any opportunity go by. Today your efforts will be successful. Today you will make full efforts to fulfill the responsibilities given by your father. Today the situation in business will remain favorable. Students of this zodiac sign will succeed in reaching success. The social work done by you will be appreciated, and respect will increase among the people. Today, due to sudden monetary gain, your financial condition will be strong. Today will be a good day for you. Today your speech will become sweet, due to which people will be impressed by your words. People suffering from stomach problems should avoid oily food. Today you will have pleasant experiences from the children's side. Today you will get sources of income. Today, the pending work will be completed with the advice of elders. You will get the support of friends at every step. Today you will get a chance to participate in a social function. Today you will get good results from the investments made earlier.RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — CNN wants a court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson that attacks its report that he made explicit posts on a pornography website’s message board. The network says Robinson presented no evidence that the network believed its story was false or aired it recklessly. The September report says Robinson, who ran unsuccessfully for governor this month, left statements over a decade ago on the message board in which, in part, he referred to himself as a “black NAZI" and said he enjoyed transgender pornography. The report also says he preferred Adolf Hitler to then-President Barack Obama and slammed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot.” Robinson, who was seeking to become the state's first Black governor, said he didn’t write those posts and sued in October, just before early in-person voting was to begin. While filing a dismissal motion Thursday in Raleigh federal court, attorneys for CNN said Robinson’s arguments suggesting he was the likely victim of a computer hacking operation that created fake messages would require a series of events that is not just “implausible, it is ridiculous.” Generally speaking, a public official claiming defamation must show a defendant knew a statement it made was false or did so with reckless disregard for the truth. “Robinson did not and cannot plausibly allege facts that show that CNN published the Article with actual malice,” attorney Mark Nebrig wrote in a memo backing the dismissal motion, adding that the lawsuit “does not include a single allegation demonstrating that CNN doubted the veracity of its reporting.” For Robinson, who already had a history of inflammatory comments about topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights , the CNN story nearly led to the collapse of his campaign. After the report's airing, most of his top campaign staff quit, advertising from the Republican Governors Association stopped and fellow Republicans distanced themselves from him, including President-elect Donald Trump. Robinson lost to Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein by nearly 15 points and will leave office at year-end. Robinson's lawsuit was initially filed in state court. It says, in part, that CNN chose to run its report based on data from the website NudeAfrica, which had been hacked several years ago and ran on vulnerable, outdated software. His suit claims the network did nothing to verify the posts. He's seeking monetary damages. Thursday's memo highlights the network's story, including a section where the CNN journalists showed how they connected Robinson to a username on the NudeAfrica site. As the CNN story said previously, the memo says the network matched details of the account on the message board to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, an email address and his full name. The details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s length of marriage, where he lived at the time, and that both Robinson and the account holder had mothers who worked at a historically Black university, the memo says. CNN also said it found matches of figures of speech used by both the NudeAfrica account holder and in Robinson’s social media posts. “This is hardly a case where, as Robinson alleges, CNN ‘disregarded or deliberately avoided the truth’ rather than investigate,” Nebrig said, adding later that the network “had no reason to seriously doubt that Robinson was the author” of the posts. Robinson's attorneys didn't immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment. The lawsuit says anyone could have used Robinson's breached data to create accounts on the internet. His state lawsuit also sued Louis Love Money, a former porn shop worker who alleged in a music video and a media interview that for several years starting in the 1990s, Robinson frequented a porn shop where Money was working and that Robinson purchased porn videos from him. Robinson said that was untrue. Money filed his own dismissal motion in the state lawsuit. But since then, CNN moved the lawsuit to federal court, saying that it's the proper venue for a North Carolina resident like Robinson and a Georgia-based company like CNN and that the claims against Money are unrelated. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press

NoneBMW praises Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology on social media

LOS ANGELES — With both teams fighting for playoff position, the Chargers' Week 16 game against their AFC West rival Denver Broncos was moved into a prime-time TV slot, the NFL announced Friday, shifting a game to "Thursday Night Football" for the first time. The Chargers (7-3) will host the Broncos (6-5) at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 19 at 5:15 p.m. PST, pushing a game between the Cleveland Browns (3-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) to 10 a.m. PST on Dec. 22. It's the first time the NFL has moved a game to Thursday since it was allowed last year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Packers with a sore throwing shoulder

AMGEN ANNOUNCES 2025 FIRST QUARTER DIVIDENDMovie Review: ‘September 5’ goes inside a newsroom during the Munich Olympics hostage crisis

Water Ways Reports Share ConsolidationIPL 2025 Mega Auction: Top 5 Overseas Players To Watch Out ForTAUNSA (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, recounting Saudi Arabia’s unconditional financial and diplomatic support to Pakistan, warned that any venom-spitting against such a brotherly country was an unforgivable crime and called for the national unity to counter such anti-state elements. The prime minister, addressing the inauguration of the Restoration of Kachhi Canal damaged by 2022 floods, said whether it was the Kashmir issue, the United Nations or the UN Security Council, Saudi Arabia always acted as Pakistan’s advocate and benefactor, as the Kingdom also bailed out Pakistan recently to seek IMF program. “Despite this, such venom-spitting is an unforgivable crime. I as the prime minister of Pakistan want to announce that the nation will break any hand trying to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi friendship. This is not a joke. The allegation is beyond understanding. The largest national interest is being “slaughtered” to serve the short-term political interest,” he remarked after inaugurating the project that will irrigate over 715,000 acres of land in Balochistan and revive life in the area turned barren after the floods. The prime minister told the ceremony also attended by federal ministers Attaullah Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal, Awais Leghari and Dr Musaddik Malik, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, that during the last 77 years, Saudi Arabia attached no strings or preconditions to its support to Pakistan and the current leadership had also asked its administration to invest in Pakistan as MoUs worth billions of dollars had already been signed. Commenting on a statement by the spouse of PTI founder regarding Saudi Arabia, he said: “There can be no animosity to Pakistan bigger than this” and explained that such people were naive to the magnitude of the damage through their “venomous” words. Prime Minister Shehbaz recalled the Kingdom’s support to Pakistan after it carried out the nuclear tests in 1998 in the form of a free-of-charge oil facility as well as financial support. He told the gathering that the feasibility study of the Kachhi Canal Project was started in 1998 during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure and was completed in his second tenure after suffering a lot during Pervez Musharraf time. He appreciated the WAPDA and Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and their respective team for accomplishing the repair project and assured the federal government’s all-out support for the second phase. Prime Minister Shehbaz also appreciated the Balochistan chief minister for reviving the merit-based order and launching the solarisation of tube-wells. Similarly, he also spoke highly for the Punjab Chief Minister for launching the project of a cancer hospital, free tractor scheme for farmers to bring about the agricultural revolution and other initiatives in the education and health sectors. Earlier, in her address, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the canal project would bring about prosperity in Balochistan besides enhancing closeness among the provinces. She said the credit for all mega public welfare projects like motorways, scholarships to youth, modern transport facilities including Orange Line, Metro or Speedo buses and student bikes went to the PML-N governments. She said that having removed the risks of defaults, the PML-N government successfully revived the economy as the stock exchange was breaking records, inflation was down to 7% and remittances were on the rise. Coming to the PTI’s call for the march, the Punjab chief minister said the people were not paying heed to their calls which were flopping one after the other. Criticising the statement by PTI founder’s spouse regarding Saudi Arabia, she said it wasn’t mere terrorism disrupting the progress rather the acts of attacking the other province by KP chief minister were also “very dangerous and beyond understanding.” Balochistan CM Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti said Punjab always welcomed not only the people from Balochistan but all ethnicities for employment or education and those carrying out the targeted killings in his province were the terrorists killing Pakistanis. He told the prime minister that the next 100-kilometer second phase of the canal needed no lined canal as it would require huge funds for construction as well as repair. He said the project could be completed within three to four months if the federal government extended support. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that the federal government was prioritising Balochistan’s uplift through an enhanced allocation of funds and share in the development portfolio. However, those who were disrupting peace in the province were not friends but foes of Balochistan and agents of foreign forces desiring to fight a proxy war like Afghanistan. He said the government was pursuing the agenda to employ youth and provide connectivity with Balochistan. He told the gathering that during the previous government, all projects in Gwadar were put to a halt and were revived by the PML-N government including the completion of port dredging to convert it back to the deep sea port costing Rs4 billion. Ahsan Iqbal said the government had formulated a five-year development program to be unveiled by the prime minister on November 28. Minister for Water Resources Musaddik Malik said the prime minister was pursuing a vision to prioritise employment and reducing inflation. He said the Kachhi Canal was not mere a project to irrigate land but an initiative to revive life in the desert and usher in a new era of prosperity. Lt. Gen. (Retd) Sajjad Ghani said as per the prime minister’s directives, the initial phase of the Kachhi canal had been completed in 45 days to irrigate around 715,000 acres of land in Balochistan. PM directs implementation as IT ministry presents action plan on $25b IT exports: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication presented a detailed action plan to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aimed at boosting the country’s IT exports to $25 billion in five years. The prime minister, who had tasked the IT ministry with the said target, chaired a review meeting here and appreciated the action plan, and instructed to ensure its implementation, according to a PM Office press release. The action plan featured measures to bring reforms in different IT-related sectors and address the issues. In his remarks, the prime minister said that there was no dearth of capable manpower and resources. The effective use of resources and skill training of the manpower could take the IT exports even beyond the targeted $25 billion. He asked all the relevant departments for collaborative efforts to address the challenges in the IT sector reforms and informed the participants that he would personally oversee the implementation process. The prime minister instructed the Higher Education Commission to devise an action plan for youth’s education and skill training of international standards. Calling for implementing the proposals to meet the Gulf countries’ demand for IT experts, he asked the IT ministry to define the targets and their timelines to enhance exports. In this regard, he also directed to constitute a committee to ensure the implementation of the reforms and carry out necessary collaboration with different departments. In the briefing, the prime minister was told that his decision to prioritise the IT sector led to a 34% increase in IT exports during the last four months. It was informed that Pakistan’s IT ranking improved from 79 to 40, e-governance ranking by 14 points, and 2500 new IT companies were registered. The participants were informed that for the next five years, a $15 billion target has been set for IT sector exports, $10 billion for digitization, and $1 billion for telecom exports. The meeting was briefed on the Labor Management System aimed at capacity building of the workforce in collaboration with the educational institutions, using the demand data of the industries. As the IT ministry briefed about the proposed project for the facilitation of youth particularly the freelancers in remittances, the prime minister appreciated the measures regarding the international patent gateways and instructed for an immediate implementation. The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the action plan on IT exports and lauded the IT minister and her team. Federal Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

PM boasts timeless ties with S ArabiaBlackbaud Announces Impairment Charge Related to EVERFI AssetsMounties in Richmond say they arrested a man outside city hall on Friday morning after receiving a report that he was uttering threats against police while livestreaming on social media. The call came in shortly before 10:15 a.m., Richmond RCMP said in a news release, adding that officers "quickly flooded the area" and arrested the man "without incident." Police did not name the man or elaborate on the nature of the alleged threats he was making. Nor did they say what streaming platform he was using. "This investigation remains active and ongoing," the release reads. "As it is actively unfolding, no further information will be released at this time." Police thanked the member of the public who reported the incident for "promptly" recognizing the potential risk. "This quick action demonstrates the importance of community vigilance and co-operation in preventing harm," said Insp. Michael Cohee, in the release. "Threats of violence, whether online or in person, are taken very seriously, and we remind everyone that such actions will be met with a swift and co-ordinated response to ensure the safety of all." Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has information related to it to call investigators at 604-278-1212 and quote file number 2024-37022. Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers .

China unveils amphibious assault ship capable of launching fighter jetsWEC Energy Group Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsOTTAWA - Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada’s prime minister an “insufferable tool” on his social media platform today. Musk’s comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris’s defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women’s rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024.

NoneUNITED NATIONS, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Britain, France and Germany have told the United Nations Security Council that they are ready - if necessary - to trigger a so-called "snap back" of all international sanctions on Iran to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. They will lose the ability to take such action on Oct. 18 next year when a 2015 U.N. resolution expires. The resolution enshrines Iran's deal with Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia and China that lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. Iran is "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% level that is weapons grade, the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief told Reuters last week. The move comes as Iran has suffered a series of strategic setbacks, including Israel's assault on Tehran's proxy militias Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the ouster of Iranian ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Western states say there is no need to enrich uranium to such a high level under any civilian program and that no other country has done so without producing nuclear bombs. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons. "Iran must deescalate its nuclear program to create the political environment conducive to meaningful progress and a negotiated solution," the U.N. ambassadors of Britain, Germany and France wrote in a Dec. 6 letter to the Security Council. "We reiterate our determination to use all diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, including using snap back if necessary," they said. The communication was in response to letters earlier last week from Russia and Iran, which followed an initial note to the council by Britain, Germany and France on Nov. 27. Russia and Iran also then followed up with further letters this week. The tit-for-tat letters came as European and Iranian diplomats met late last month to discuss whether they can work to defuse regional tensions, including over Tehran's nuclear program, before Donald Trump's return to the White House. During his first term, Trump quit the nuclear deal in 2018. In a letter to the council on Monday, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani urged the Europeans to "abandon their ineffective and failed policy of pressure and confrontation," saying they "should embrace diplomacy and focus on rebuilding the trust essential to resolving the current impasse." The European parties to the Iran nuclear deal have adopted a tougher stance on Iran in recent months, notably since Tehran ramped up its military support to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia - in a Tuesday letter - said Britain, Germany and France had no right to invoke the "snap back" of sanctions and that it was irresponsible of them to suggest the possibility of using the "snap back" mechanism. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres submitted his biannual report to the Security Council on the implementation of the 2015 resolution on Tuesday, warning there was a "critical need for a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue" given the deteriorating situation across the Middle East. The "snap back" of international sanctions on Iran would require Iran to suspend all nuclear enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, and ban imports of anything that could contribute to those activities or developing nuclear arms delivery systems. It would also reimpose a conventional arms embargo, ban Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and revive targeted sanctions on dozens of individuals and entities. Countries also would be urged to inspect shipments to and from Iran and authorized to seize any banned cargo. Sign up here. Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabThousands of UK social media users experiencing ongoing Meta blackout

In today’s fast-paced world, the intersection of finance and technology is crafting unexpected partnerships. One new concern in the gaming industry is the link between Amazon’s stock price (“亚马逊股价”) and the future of cloud gaming. This connection is becoming increasingly significant as Amazon Web Services (AWS) ventures deeper into the gaming sector. Leveraging AWS technology, Amazon is setting the stage for cutting-edge gaming platforms, disrupting traditional paradigms. As more companies integrate AWS into their gaming infrastructure, fluctuations in Amazon’s stock directly impact the growth potential of cloud gaming services. This bold move places Amazon in direct competition with established players like Microsoft and Google in the cloud gaming space. A significant investment in new gaming technologies could drive up Amazon’s stock, encouraging more developers to rely on its cloud services. As streaming becomes the new frontier in gaming, Amazon’s financial performance might influence broader industry standards and practices. This trend poses an intriguing question: Could the future price of Amazon shares stimulate innovations in gaming technology, or is the industry too volatile for any direct correlation? The influence of Amazon’s stock price on the gaming ecosystem is a new narrative in an ever-evolving tale. As companies continue to adapt to cloud-based models, the role that Amazon’s financial health plays in shaping gaming’s future is both a topic of speculation and a voice of innovation. Amazon’s Stock Price: A New Force in Cloud Gaming’s Future? In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the blending of finance and technology is forging new bonds, especially in the gaming sector. A focal point of exploration is the intriguing link between Amazon’s stock price and the future trajectory of cloud gaming, a relationship that gains prominence as Amazon Web Services (AWS) solidifies its footprint in the gaming world. AWS’s influence in the gaming sector cannot be understated. By harnessing AWS’s sophisticated cloud infrastructure, Amazon is on the path to redefining gaming platforms and challenging conventional norms. This strategic approach positions Amazon in direct rivalry with tech behemoths such as Microsoft and Google within the cloud gaming sphere. As more gaming companies adopt AWS technology, variations in Amazon’s stock valuation are increasingly perceived as barometers of growth potential for cloud gaming services. The Implication of Stock Prices in Gaming Innovation The relationship between Amazon’s financial health and its stock price is pivotal, particularly because substantial investment in gaming technologies has the potential to propel Amazon’s valuation upward. With cloud gaming as the new battleground, Amazon’s performance on the stock market could become an influential factor shaping industry benchmarks and practices. FAQs: The Link Between Stock Prices and Cloud Gaming Q: How does Amazon’s stock price affect cloud gaming? A: Changes in Amazon’s stock price can impact investor confidence, potentially influencing funding and innovation within its cloud gaming initiatives facilitated by AWS. Q: Is Amazon a serious contender in the cloud gaming market? A: Yes, Amazon’s efforts to integrate advanced AWS technologies into gaming depict it as a formidable competitor to Microsoft and Google. Q: Could fluctuations in Amazon’s financial performance alter gaming industry standards? A: Yes, Amazon’s financial health could dictate industry trends, especially with cloud gaming poised as the next major leap in interactive entertainment. Comparative Analysis: Amazon vs. Competitors in Cloud Gaming While Amazon leverages AWS for gaming, it’s essential to compare its progress with other market players. Microsoft, through its Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Google’s Stadia are major competitors offering extensive cloud-based gaming solutions. Unlike Amazon, Microsoft benefits from a longstanding presence in console gaming, while Google focuses on integrating gaming with its vast ecosystem of services. Economic Trends and Predictions for Cloud Gaming As cloud gaming gains traction, economic forecasts suggest a surge in market demand for seamless, real-time gaming experiences. Amazon’s continued investment in AWS-driven gaming solutions could propel the company to the forefront of this predicted growth spurt. Challenges and Limitations Despite these promising prospects, the industry faces hurdles such as latency issues, licensing complexities, and high initial investment costs. Amazon’s adaptability to these challenges will determine its long-term success in the cloud gaming arena. For further insights on Amazon’s technological innovations, visit the main Amazon domain.

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FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in JanuaryALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible referring to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside. Prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione back to New York to face a murder charge while new details emerged about his life and how he was captured. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family was charged with murder hours after he was arrested in the killing of Brian Thompson , who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey, who is expected to represent Mangione, declined comment before Tuesday's hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of his hand-written notes and social media posts. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, according to police bulletin. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained an arrest warrant, a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania — about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City — after a McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Officers found him sitting at a back table, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald's while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash, $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson's body. The words mimic “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry . From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled fled the city, likely by bus. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back," Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. ___ Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Lea Skene in Baltimore; and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The Jal Shakti Ministry’s revised target to achieve full rural tap water coverage and sanitation by 2025 underscores both the scale of India’s progress and the challenges that remain. The ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin have brought transformative changes to rural India, providing access to clean water and sanitation. Currently, 15.37 crore rural households out of 19.36 crore have been equipped with tap water connections under JJM, leaving around four crore households yet to benefit. While 11 States and Union Territories boast 100% rural tap water coverage, larger and more populous states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Kerala, and West Bengal lag behind, with less than 60% coverage. Bridging this gap requires meticulous coordination, resource allocation, and robust implementation mechanisms. The sanitation story is equally commendable, with 95% of India’s villages now declared Open Defecation Free. This milestone proves the holistic approach of SBM-G, which goes beyond toilet construction to include solid and liquid waste management. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra have set benchmarks in achieving these standards, with Madhya Pradesh’s 49,000 “model” villages offering a roadmap for others. Yet, the remaining 5% of villages require targeted interventions to ensure no one is left behind in this sanitation revolution. Ecological restoration under the Namami Gange Programme adds another layer to the Ministry’s 2025 vision. The wetland conservation and afforestation efforts, signal a commendable commitment to restoring India’s riverine ecosystems. These ecological initiatives have also improved water quality, reinforcing the broader goals of JJM. India’s experience demonstrates that addressing basic needs like water and sanitation can catalyze social and economic transformation. However, the challenge lies in ensuring equitable access and sustainability. The next two years must focus on addressing regional disparities, strengthening grassroots participation, and leveraging technology to monitor progress. The Jal Shakti Ministry’s 2025 goals are not just about numbers; they represent a vision of healthier, empowered rural communities. Achieving these targets will require collective action and unwavering resolve, but the benefits will resonate for the coming generations.On Tuesday, the Southern Caucus in the House of Representatives declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s . Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the leader of the caucus, Hon. Nicholas Mutu said they are, however, open to more dialogue and views from Nigerians. The tax reform bills, which have unsettled the polity in the past few weeks, include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024. According to Hon. Babajimi Benson, the bills would improve Nigeria’s tax system. He said “The constitution gives the responsibility of making laws to the National Assembly. The National Assembly, as you’re aware, has two arms—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and we abide by the rule of law. “The Executive can present bills, and there are processes through which those bills can be treated. Bills go through first and second readings, and they are passed for public hearing. “There will be interests one way or another. But our interest is to sit down with our brothers, and at the end of the day, Nigeria will be better for it.” Another member of the caucus, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, said they were ready to work to ensure that they provide better tax laws for Nigerians. He noted that there was no such thing as a southern and northern divide, stating that the National Assembly’s responsibility is to make laws for the country. “We align with the constituents we represent. We are ready to work to ensure that we provide better tax laws for Nigeria. That’s what we are saying. “There’s nothing about a southern and northern divide. The National Assembly’s responsibility is to make laws for this country,” he said.