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Ravens QB Lamar Jackson reflects on time with former OC Greg RomanRobots That Wow: The Future Is NowNone

NoneWASHINGTON — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter to incoming Republican Leader John Thune on Monday urging him to move nominees through the traditional confirmation process, including committee hearings and floor votes. The letter is likely a response to President-elect Donald Trump urging Senate Republicans to recess the chamber for at least 10 days next year so he can make recess appointments, getting around the Senate’s role confirming nominees. Republicans will be in the majority when the new Congress convenes in January, taking over from Democrats. “As we transition to the 119th Congress, Senate Democrats stand ready and willing to work with Senate Republicans to provide advice and consent as we evaluate all of the incoming president’s nominations,” Schumer wrote in the one-page letter . “In particular, we commit to working in a bipartisan fashion to process each nominee by reviewing standard FBI background-investigation materials, scheduling hearings and markups in the committees of jurisdiction, and considering nominees on the Senate floor.” Thune, who GOP senators elected to replace Mitch McConnell next year as their leader, hasn’t committed to recessing the chamber for the time needed to allow Trump to appoint nominees single-handedly, but has repeatedly encouraged Democrats not to slow down the process. “What we’re going to do is make sure that we are processing his nominees in a way that gets them into those positions, so they can implement his agenda. How that happens remains to be seen,” the South Dakota Republican said in mid-November. “Obviously, we want to make sure our committees have confirmation hearings, like they typically do, and that these nominees are reported out to the floor,” Thune added. “But I’ve said this and I mean it — that we expect a level of cooperation from the Democrats to work with us to get these folks installed. And obviously, we’re going to explore all options to make sure they get moved and they get moved quickly.” Narrow path for nominees Trump’s nominations have received mixed reaction from GOP senators with some, like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio who will likely become secretary of State, receiving widespread praise, while others have received lukewarm receptions. For example, Trump’s first nominee for attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew eight days after Trump said he wanted him to lead the Justice Department amid widespread concerns from Republican senators about allegations of illegal drug use and paying for sex. Republicans will have a 53-seat majority in the Senate once the next session of Congress begins on Jan. 3, meaning any nominee can lose the support of three Republican senators and still secure confirmation on a party-line vote with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance breaking the tie. Democrats may vote for some of Trump’s nominees if they believe they’re qualified, but are unlikely to support the more controversial picks, like TV personality and former U.S. Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz, who Trump says he will tap to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. With such narrow margins, centrist Republicans like Maine’s Susan Collins, Kentucky’s McConnell and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, could have influence over Trump’s Cabinet, unless the chamber allows recess appointments. Checks and balances Schumer wrote in his letter the Senate’s role confirming nominees should be respected regardless of who holds the Oval Office or which political party controls the chamber. “In our system of checks and balances, the Senate plays a vital role in ensuring the President appoints well-qualified public officials that will dutifully serve the American people and honor their oaths to the Constitution,” Schumer wrote. “Regardless of party, the Senate has upheld this sacred duty for generations and we should not and must not waver in our Constitutional duty. We look forward to joining you in these efforts as soon as possible once the Senate and its committees are organized in January.” Last updated 8:32 a.m., Dec. 2, 2024

Imagine a world where food on grocery store shelves is ranked by its healthiness, with simple, research-backed scores. In some countries, that world already exists. Nutrient profiling systems, or NPSs, support clear front-of-package labels that assess food quality based on nutrient content . Nutri-Score in France is a rainbow-colored system grading foods from A to E. Health Star Rating in Australia is a five-star system rating foods in half-star increments. And the Traffic Light System in the U.K. labels nutrient levels as green, yellow or red. In contrast, the U.S. lacks a front-of-package ranking system for food. Food Compass was recently developed out of Tufts University to help address this gap and shortcomings in other systems. But it uses nutritional information not currently available for most foods and consumers. As a gastroenterologist and physician-scientist , I focus on making the latest microbiome and nutrition data more accessible to the public. Drawing on this research, I developed Nutrient Consume Score, or NCS , which rates foods from 1 to 100 using nutritional information available for all foods and incorporates factors important for a healthy microbiome. But how do nutrient profiling systems work? And how do they compare to other nutrition guides for consumers? Nutrient ciphers Each nutrient profiling system uses different scoring algorithms , but most assign positive points to nutrients and foods that are typically underconsumed, such as fiber, fruits and vegetables. Conversely, negative points are given to overconsumed nutrients like sugar, saturated fat and sodium, which are often added to processed foods. These points are combined into a single score: higher scores indicate healthier foods, while lower scores indicate less healthy options. For example, kale—rich in fiber, potassium and unsaturated fats , while low in sugar, sodium and saturated fats—would earn a high score. In contrast, Twinkies, which are high in sugar, sodium and saturated fats, but low in fiber, potassium and unsaturated fats, would receive a low score. A food like black olives, high in fiber but also high in sodium, would fall somewhere in between. Nutrient profiling systems work similarly to the Nutrition Facts labels on the back or sides of food packages in helping consumers make informed choices. These labels provide information about a food's nutrient content, including calories, macronutrients, and key vitamins and minerals. The values are determined through laboratory analysis and nutrient databases based on standardized serving sizes regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. But NPSs differ in that they combine nutrition information into a single actionable score. This means you don't have to spend time deciphering Nutrition Facts labels, which are often in small print and can be confusing to interpret. Ultraprocessed profiling Nutrient profiling system algorithms are all quite similar in their high ranking of unprocessed foods—beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and whole grains—and low ranking of processed foods like hot dogs, soft drinks, cakes and cookies. They help people rebalance their diets that have been skewed by food processing, or the degree to which the ingredients have been altered. They complement the NOVA classification system developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, which categorizes foods based on their level of processing. This system introduced the term " ultra-processed foods ," which are foods that have undergone significant industrial processing and contain ingredients not typically found in home cooking. While NOVA has linked ultra-processed foods to poor health outcomes like obesity, worse mental health, cancer and early death, it treats all such foods equally, overlooking differences like amount of sugar, sodium and other additives. Nutrient profile systems help provide nuance by identifying healthier options within the ultra-processed category. For example, plant-based milks, such as almond or soy milk, may be classified as ultra-processed under the NOVA system, but they can have relatively higher NPS scores if they contain minimal added sugars and salt. Ratios and bioactives in balance While nutrient profiling systems can be useful for choosing healthier options, current systems have limitations. They don't always align perfectly with other research , often overlook the bioactive chemicals that regulate the microbiome and body processes, and may rely on incomplete data. Current systems also don't account for the caloric and health effects of alcohol. The Nutrient Consume Score I designed aims to address these gaps by incorporating these neglected components of food. For example, it uses food categories as proxies for areas with limited data, including bioactive compounds like polyphenols, omega-3 fats and fermentable fibers . Proxies for bioactive compounds found in unprocessed foods—such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds—are integrated into the score's core algorithm, which uses nutrient ratios to measure the degree of food processing. Nutrient ratios —including carbohydrate-to-fiber, saturated fat-to-unsaturated fat and sodium-to-potassium—reflect the natural balance of nutritional content of the cells in unprocessed foods, which research has shown correlate with cardiometabolic health . For example, the cell walls of plants provide structural strength and are rich in fiber, while their energy vesicles store carbohydrates. Fiber reduces sugar absorption and is fermented into the compound butyrate , which maintains blood sugar and regulates appetite . The fat profiles of unprocessed foods are similar to the fat composition in cell membranes . Saturated fat-to-unsaturated fat ratios capture how different types of fat , affect inflammation and weight. Finally, the potassium-to-sodium ratio reflects the natural function of cell membrane pumps , which concentrate potassium inside cells while transporting sodium out. This affects blood pressure as well as the microbiome and metabolic health. Research currently under peer review shows that the Nutrient Consume Score compares favorably with other systems. Derived from nutrition data from nearly 5,000 Americans, NCS sores are linked to blood pressure, waist circumference and weight. NCS has also been incorporated into a smartphone app intended for public use, currently in beta testing . Empowering smart choices While nutrient profiling systems are a promising tool for healthier food choices, they come with important caveats. Most studies testing how well they work focus on how two factors relate to each other rather than whether one directly causes the other. Correlation doesn't prove causation. Further studies are needed to assess whether these systems influence buying habits, consumption trends, and health outcomes like weight and blood pressure. Additionally, individual dietary needs can vary, and personalized algorithms could help refine these scores for tailored recommendations. Despite these considerations, nutrient profiling systems are promising tools to combat rising rates of metabolic disease. Their use in Europe demonstrates their potential to shift consumer purchasing habits and inspire food companies to create healthier products. Americans may one day see similar front-of-package labels in the U.S. Until then, smartphone technologies can offer a practical way to help consumers make smarter choices today. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Themus Fulks' 26 points helped Milwaukee defeat IU Indianapolis 88-81 on Sunday. Fulks also contributed five rebounds and five assists for the Panthers (10-4, 3-0 Horizon League). Kentrell Pullian scored 20 points while going 5 of 9 from the floor, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and 6 for 8 from the line. Erik Pratt shot 5 for 9, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. Sean Craig led the way for the Jaguars (5-10, 1-3) with 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Paul Zilinskas added 21 points and three steals for IU Indianapolis. Jarvis Walker finished with 12 points and four assists. Milwaukee's next game is Thursday against Oakland on the road. IU Indianapolis hosts Youngstown State on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .After a funky makeover, the national shoe is being worn by the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Prince Harry. In August 2016, Nick Dreyer packed up his failing art dealership in Johannesburg and decided to head back to his native Cape Town. To pass the time on the long drive home, he called his old school buddy Ross Zondagh, who just happened to be going through business struggles of his own. Over the course of the next five hours, the friends chatted about everything from the Springboks’ dismal performances on the rugby field that year ( how times have changed ), to the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics, which had taken place a couple of weeks earlier. “We were both really disappointed by the outfits our athletes were wearing,” Zondagh tells Al Jazeera on a visit to a repurposed fish factory near Cape Town’s port precinct. “The Nigerians felt Nigerian, the Americans felt American, ... but the South Africans could have been from anywhere.” “We started talking about how we could improve the uniform,” Dreyer says in the duo’s shared office in the vibey headquarters of Veldskoen, the shoe manufacturer that emerged from that conversation between Dreyer and Zondagh. The office features plush armchairs, an orange mountain bike and a pile of timber in the corner. It’s clear that the founders, who are both 47 (“but we feel 67!” Zondagh says) genuinely get along. Zondagh, who wears flip-flops and sports a scraggly beard, does most of the chatting while Dreyer – tall with neatly ironed jeans – chimes in occasionally to add more detail: “Our country’s just this fantastic melting pot of people and cultures and languages, ... but our Olympians were wearing boring old tracksuits.” After discussing how they could improve the athletes’ headwear (a Zulu umqhele, perhaps?) and clothing (you can’t go wrong with a Madiba shirt), they got onto footwear. “The obvious choice was veldskoen,” Zondagh says of a basic leather “field” or walking shoe often worn by men in rural areas. “But it wasn’t remotely cool.” About 1,500 years ago, the Khoi and San people first made shoes from a single piece of leather hide. This design was honed by Dutch settlers with the first reference to “veldschoen” dating back to 1676 and Reverend Johann Gottlieb Leipoldt opening the first commercial factory in Wuppertal in 1834. Veldskoen’s Heritage range is based on Leipoldt’s original design: The shoes employ a sturdy stitch-down construction with the leather upper being stitched directly onto an insole board, which is then glued to the rubber outsole. The upper is designed for durability, and the outsole can be replaced for about $20 a pair. Dreyer had always been interested in design and felt that traditional “vellies”, as they are affectionately known by South Africans, were “ugly”. He suggested mixing things up by adding brightly coloured soles and laces. He asked a friend with Photoshop skills to create a mock-up. Zondagh, meanwhile, got hold of his lawyer dad to ask about the possibility of trademarking the name Veldskoen. (Zondagh senior gave them little chance, but about eight months later, they secured the trademark.) A couple of days later, the friends got to work on an online shop. After their kids had gone to bed each evening, they would connect via Skype and spend a few hours trying to teach themselves how to build a website. “It wasn’t really about the shoe,” Zondagh remembers. “We were just keen to find out whether we could sell something – anything – online.” ‘There’s money in my bank account’ Within about three weeks, they had a “really crappy” website, they say, to show for their efforts. The only item in the shop? The hastily Photoshopped mock-up they had been sent on Day 1. “It was rubbish,” Dreyer laughs. “But we were just playing around. No one was going to actually look at the site.” Next, Dreyer started to tinker with Facebook marketing – a relatively unexplored medium back then. He quickly put together an ad with the tagline “The Legend Is Back” and, without even telling Zondagh, made it live. “There was no way anyone was going to care,” he says. “We didn’t even have a shoe.” Imagine his shock when, about 10 days later, an agitated Zondagh called him. “Nick, there’s money in my account!” he gasped. “Seventy-five grand [$4,300]!” Unbeknownst to them, Dreyer’s Facebook campaign had driven 120 people from all over South Africa to access the online shop and buy their imaginary shoes. Their initial response was panic. They took the website down and tried to find someone to make the shoes for them. “Everyone we spoke to told us to go to China,” Zondagh says. “But we were never going to do that. It’s a South African product. It has to be made in South Africa.” Eventually they found a Cape Town shoemaker who agreed to help them out. “We contacted everyone who’d bought shoes and said, ‘Sorry, we made a mistake. Our site wasn’t meant to be live,’” Dreyer remembers. They warned each customer that they’d have to wait from three to eight months for their shoes, but only 15 percent of them asked for a refund. “That was the moment we knew we had a business,” Zondagh says. “Instant validation.” ‘Local leather, local glues, local rubber’ Once they had sent shoes off to those first customers, Dreyer and Zondagh started looking for a long-term manufacturing solution. As part of this quest, they met Voden Wearne, a 20-year veteran of the leather industry. “Ross was a plumber and Nick was an events coordinator,” Wearne recalls. “They knew nothing about shoes. But I was struck by their energy.” Back then, he explains, the local shoe industry was in the doldrums: The shoes being produced were uninspiring (“just black and brown shoes”) and competition from China and India was forcing many South African factories to close. Excited by their passion, Wearne introduced the entrepreneurs to Mohammed Shaikh of Hopewell Footwear, a family-owned factory based in Durban. Now, six years later, Hopewell manufactures 3,000 to 8,000 pairs of Veldskoen every month (sales fluctuate considerably) and they’ve become an integral part of the business. The price of their Heritage range: $60 a pair. Wearne, who is now employed by Hopewell, works closely with Dreyer and Zondagh on the design of every shoe. (The company now offers a wide range of styles that includes golf shoes, Chelsea boots and sandals.) “We call him our shoe dog,” Zondagh laughs. “It’s a great relationship. They still know nothing about shoes,” Wearne laughs. “But they know a helluva lot about marketing and networking. It’s a team effort, and it’s always felt like that.” Another thing that unites the trio is their shared passion for uplifting the South African economy. “We use local leather, local glues, local rubber,” Wearne says. “... We only import something when we simply cannot get it here.” ‘Veldskoen will never be made overseas’ In just eight years, Veldskoen has grown to become a household name in South Africa and a niche hit abroad. In 2021, the shoes shot to national attention when the South African Olympic and Paralympic teams wore Veldskoen to the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games. “That was a real full-circle moment,” Zondagh says. What’s more, celebrities such as actor Matthew McConaughey, Prince Harry and supermodel Adriana Lima have all been seen wearing them – some repeatedly. Actor Ashton Kutcher was so impressed by them that he teamed up with businessman Mark Cuban (and Veldskoen) in 2018 to open a United States distributor. While the founders are, understandably, thrilled with this free and unsolicited exposure, Zondagh says it’s never been their primary goal: “Our biggest marketing comes from South Africans. ... I’d rather have my shoes on your feet than on Prince Harry’s,” he says, pointing at my well-worn size 10s. In total, Veldskoen has sold about 1 million pairs of shoes, about half of them to women — traditionally veldskoen were only worn by men — in urban and rural areas and to all races and language groups. The shoes have poignant and deeply South African names. The yellow-soled Heritage Vilakazi is named after Vilakazi Street in Soweto, the only road in the world to spawn two Nobel Prize winners (Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu). Other names include blue-soled J-Bay (after the world-famous wave on the country’s east coast) and the hot pink Hadeda: “We thought it would be fun to name our loudest shoe after the country’s loudest bird ,” Zondagh laughs. The company directly employs 36 people – its lean corporate structure is one of the reasons for its success – and indirectly a further 900 people rely on it for at least some of their income. As Wearne explains, having Veldskoen as a client has not resulted in Hopewell growing, but it has given the factory a much more stable and sustainable year-round income source. While many companies give the impression of wanting to support the local economy, most will outsource manufacturing if the numbers make sense. Not Dreyer and Zondagh. “That is a nonnegotiable. You can hold us to that. Veldskoen will never be made overseas,” Zondagh insists. “As long as me and Nick are here, that is not changing.” “We could do it cheaper in China,” Dreyer adds. “But we will never do that. To us, it’s almost like champagne. Veldskoen has to be from SA. The people who own Veldskoen are South African.” That’s why, he explains, they will never enforce their trademark on people using the name “veldskoen” to sell shoes made in South Africa. “We didn’t come up with veldskoen. It’s always been here. We added the flag and the coloured soles and laces.” Paying it forward Veldskoen is still a fairly young company, but already Dreyer and Zondagh are looking for ways to uplift other South African businesses. Their attempts to revitalise Leipoldt’s shoe factory in Wuppertal have, they admit, been somewhat frustrating. It all started when Dreyer and his family visited the remote hamlet in March 2022. “We went to see the flowers, and I wanted to visit the spiritual home of veldskoen,” he explains. What Dreyer didn’t realise was that the factory had been forced to close after a fire devastated the community in 2018 . The following Monday, Dreyer and Zondagh reached out to the Moravian Church — the mission, established by Leipoldt almost two centuries ago, is still the lifeblood of the town — and they’ve been working with the community ever since. “We thought we just had to get a factory going and use our networks to sell shoes,” Zondagh says. “But it hasn’t proved as simple as that.” The town’s location beyond cellphone networks and supply chains is a major challenge as is the severe skills shortage: Most of the experienced artisans have left town, many to a thriving shoe factory a couple of hours away. While the pair have scaled down their ambitions – the factory is functional and shoes are being produced, just not in great quantities – they have also committed to the project. “I envisage it being more of a museum experience,” Dreyer says. “It will work eventually. Time and patience are two things we’ve got.” Their work with the national and regional governments, business chambers and individual entrepreneurs has been more instantly rewarding. One such entrepreneur is Ghia Nadel, a veteran manufacturer of corporate gifts who was inspired by the Veldskoen story to launch her own funky bag brand, Sak.Sak. “Sak” is the Afrikaans word for “bag”. Nadel says she would never have started Sak.Sak if she hadn’t watched a YouTube interview with Dreyer. The trio have subsequently met a few times through a mutual acquaintance and struck up a WhatsApp friendship. Nadel says Dreyer often steps in to quell the doubts she has about her brand – some of the Afrikaans product names are rather edgy: “Nick has taught me to be ‘comfortable about being uncomfortable’. He always tells me, ‘Do what you feel is right. It’s a cool brand.’” Sak.Sak launched in February but already it has allowed Nadel to employ four more people and is “carrying my other business” through the quiet months. The future looks even brighter for Nadel: Veldskoen and Sak.Sak are currently working on a product collaboration. What’s next? Dreyer and Zondagh’s main focus at the moment is expanding the brand’s footprint (pun unavoidable) stateside. While they have already made some inroads through the partnership with Kutcher and Cuban, they have now regained full control of their American operation and are focusing their attention on an area they call the “southeastern bucket” of the US. They’ve chosen this area — Georgia in particular — due to its many cultural similarities with South Africa. Dreyer explains that both Georgia and South Africa share a similar approach to hospitality, histories of racial tensions and social change, a passion for sports as a way of uniting diverse communities and an enthusiasm for barbecue (known as braai or chisa nyama in South Africa). The state is also attractive from a sales perspective: “When you compare economies, the state of Georgia is seven times bigger than South Africa. The city of Atlanta alone could be huge for us,” Dreyer adds. While it’s still early days (simply moving their US headquarters from Los Angeles to Atlanta has taken a year of paperwork) they have plans to rapidly expand their US business in 2025. Hookups with NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, and the Atlanta Business Council make them optimistic about their prospects. But “the aim is not to just grow the business,” Zondagh says. “It’s also to tell positive South African stories. We’re trying to facilitate opportunities not just for ourselves but for anyone else who wants to come along.” Their other big plan? They are currently in the talking stages with Team South Africa regarding outfits for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “We’re going to pull out all the stops for that one,” Dreyer says.None

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey will not need surgery on his injured right knee but he will miss the rest of the regular season. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey will be out at least six weeks after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament in a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night . McCaffrey will be placed on injured reserve for the second time this season after previously missing the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis.

Labour would lose almost 200 seats in 'highly unstable' parliament if election held today, poll suggests

NoneWill Howard and Ohio State deserve to celebrate after dominating Tennessee

Andhra Pradesh promised on Friday to look into and “act” on charges that the Adani Group and its top executives paid massive bribes in the state for solar power contracts, while the Congress vowed to press for action in Parliament and global banks began reviewing fresh credit to the conglomerate, as fallout intensified from the US indictment of Gautam Adani that has wiped nearly $28 billion off his empire’s value in two days. Stocks of some Adani Group companies rallied — Ambuja Cements rose 3.50%, ACC climbed 3.17%, and the flagship Adani Enterprises advanced 2.16% — while value eroded rapidly from some others, including Adani Green Energy, which tanked 8.20%, Adani Energy Solutions that slumped 6.92%, and Adani Power that dropped 3.23%. “I have all the chargesheet reports filed there (US). It is in the public domain. Will study it (the allegations and indictment). Will act on it and inform you,” Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu told the state assembly, terming it a “very sad development” that had hurt the state’s prestige. The largest alleged bribes — approximately ₹ 1,750 crore — were reportedly offered to officials in Andhra Pradesh when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was the chief minister. The state’s power distribution companies had entered into agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (Seci) on December 1, 2021, for approximately seven gigawatts of solar power. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which governed Odisha where prosecutors say the bribery scheme began, strongly rejected the allegations. “The types of allegations made in the name of Odisha are baseless and not based on facts,” former Odisha energy minister and BJD MLA PK Deb told PTI. He insisted the state government had no role in the agreements, which “remained confined among Gridco, the distribution company and the SECI.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded immediate government action against the tycoon. “As he (Adani) is in India, action should be taken against him, he should be arrested. The government knows everything, so they should quickly take action against him in corruption cases,” Kharge told reporters. He said the Congress will raise the issue in Parliament’s upcoming session and demand an inquiry into the charges. “We will raise the issue in the Parliament and we will demand an inquiry,” Kharge said, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “shielding” Adani. Adding to Adani’s troubles, global banks are considering halting fresh credit to his group while maintaining existing loans, sources told Reuters. Senior executives at two of Adani’s global lenders said they have had multiple internal calls to discuss their exposure and potential impact of the indictment. “We believe domestic, as well as some international banks and bond market investors, look at Adani entities as a group, and could set group limits on their exposure,” ratings agency S&P warned in a statement, noting the group will need regular access to equity and debt markets given its large growth plans. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is making preliminary checks to see if disclosures made by Adani entities were inadequate and if they breached local market regulations, a SEBI official told Reuters. The regulator did not respond to requests for comment. The fallout of the indictment had till Thursday led to Adani Green cancelling a scheduled $600 million US bond sale, while Kenya scrapped both a $2 billion airport control deal and a $736 million power transmission line contract with the group. Research firm CreditSights highlighted refinancing for the conglomerate’s green energy business, which is at the center of the allegations, as its biggest near-term concern. Adani Group dollar bonds dropped sharply for a second day on Friday. The US Department of Justice indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2024, Adani executives collaborated with those from another company, Azure Power, to pay bribes to Indian government officials in five states to obtain solar energy supply contracts projected to generate more than $2 billion in profits over 20 years. The scheme allegedly began in Odisha before expanding to other states including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Jammu & Kashmir. The Adani Group has strongly denied the allegations as “baseless” and vowed to “seek all possible legal recourse.” Adani has not appeared in public or commented on social media since the indictment and his whereabouts remain unclear. The White House too briefly referenced the issue, saying it was confident India and the US can navigate the crisis surrounding the bribery charges. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasising that U.S.-India relations “stand on an extremely strong foundation,” while referring specific questions about the indictment to the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission. The fresh controversy comes almost two years after US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused the group of improper use of offshore tax havens and stock manipulation -- charges that Adani denied but which led to a stock rout wiping more than $100 billion in market value. The conglomerate’s market capitalisation, which stood at $235 billion before last year’s Hindenburg report, has now fallen to $148 billion. (With inputs from Reuters)

Share Tweet Share Share Email The housing market is advancing, and with it, the methods of financing homeownership and property improvement. Traditional mortgages are no longer the sole route for aspiring homeowners or those looking to enhance their current homes. Innovative financing solutions have emerged, offering flexibility, accessibility, and creativity. These methods are reshaping how people approach homeownership and property investment. Rent-to-Own Agreements: Bridging the Gap to Ownership Rent-to-own agreements are gaining traction as a flexible option for those unable to secure a mortgage immediately. This arrangement allows individuals to rent a property with the option to purchase it later. A portion of the rent typically goes toward the down payment, enabling renters to build equity while living in their future home. Benefits of Rent-to-Own Provides a pathway for buyers with limited savings or poor credit. Allows tenants to “test-drive” the property before committing. Helps sellers find committed buyers in competitive markets. This approach is especially beneficial in high-demand areas where housing prices can be prohibitive. By locking in a purchase price upfront, renters can avoid the impact of rapid property value appreciation. Shared Equity Programs: Partnering for Homeownership Shared equity programs involve partnering with an investor or organization to purchase a property. These programs are often spearheaded by government agencies or private companies. In exchange for contributing a portion of the down payment, the partner shares in the property’s future appreciation or depreciation. Key Features of Shared Equity Lowers the initial financial burden for buyers. Reduces the risk of market fluctuations. Encourages responsible homeownership. This option is ideal for first-time buyers or individuals in high-cost areas. It balances affordability with the benefits of owning property, making it an appealing alternative to traditional mortgages. Crowdfunding Real Estate: Leveraging Community Support Crowdfunding has moved beyond tech startups and into the realm of real estate. Platforms now allow individuals to raise funds for property purchases or improvements by soliciting small contributions from a large number of people. These contributions may come in the form of donations, loans, or equity investments. Advantages of Real Estate Crowdfunding Expands access to capital for buyers and renovators. Engages the community in property projects. Offers investors opportunities to diversify portfolios. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a property flipper, crowdfunding can provide the financial boost needed to achieve your goals. Home Equity Sharing: A Modern Twist on Co-Ownership Home equity sharing involves selling a portion of your home’s equity to an investor in exchange for cash. Unlike traditional home equity loans, this method does not require monthly payments. Instead, the investor earns a share of the home’s appreciation when it’s sold. How Home Equity Sharing Works Homeowners receive funds without incurring additional debt. Investors gain exposure to real estate markets. Eliminates the need for high-interest loans. This approach is particularly useful for homeowners needing funds for renovations or debt consolidation. It provides liquidity without the financial strain of loan repayments. Green Mortgages: Financing Sustainability Green mortgages, also known as energy-efficient mortgages (EEMs), are designed for buyers investing in eco-friendly properties or upgrades. These loans often feature favorable terms to encourage sustainable living. Benefits of Green Mortgages Lower interest rates and extended repayment periods. Incentives for energy-efficient improvements. Reduced long-term utility costs. Green mortgages align financial incentives with environmental responsibility, making them a smart choice for eco-conscious buyers. Blockchain in Real Estate: Streamlining Transactions Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the way property transactions are conducted. By creating transparent, tamper-proof digital records, blockchain reduces the need for intermediaries and simplifies the buying process. Applications of Blockchain Smart contracts for automated transactions. Tokenized real estate investments. Enhanced security and fraud prevention. This innovation is particularly beneficial for international buyers and sellers, who often face complex legal and logistical hurdles. Micro-Mortgages: Unlocking Smaller Opportunities Micro-mortgages cater to buyers interested in affordable homes or tiny houses. These loans are smaller than traditional mortgages, making them accessible to low-income individuals and underserved communities. Advantages of Micro-Mortgages Promotes homeownership in lower-income brackets. Encourages investment in small or alternative housing. Reduces barriers to entry in the housing market. Micro-mortgages are a practical solution for addressing housing affordability challenges while promoting financial inclusion. Community Land Trusts: Preserving Affordability Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that acquire and manage land for long-term affordable housing. Homeowners purchase the structure while leasing the land, significantly lowering costs . How CLTs Work Keeps housing affordable for future generations. Shields properties from market volatility. Fosters community-driven development. CLTs are a proven method for maintaining affordability in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods, ensuring equitable access to housing. Digital Platforms for Mortgage Comparison The rise of digital platforms has transformed the way buyers shop for mortgages. Online tools now allow users to compare interest rates, terms, and lenders with ease. Benefits of Digital Mortgage Platforms Saves time and simplifies decision-making. Offers transparency in loan terms. Provides access to a wider range of lenders. These platforms empower buyers to make informed choices, ensuring they secure the best financing option for their needs. Flexible Mortgage Products: Tailored Solutions Innovative mortgage products, such as interest-only loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), cater to diverse financial situations. These options offer flexibility but require careful consideration. Pros of Flexible Mortgages Lower initial monthly payments. Opportunities to refinance as circumstances change. Suitability for short-term ownership plans. By understanding the risks and benefits, buyers can leverage these products to their advantage. Conclusion The world of home financing is undergoing a profound transformation. New methods, from rent-to-own agreements to blockchain technology, are breaking down barriers to ownership and improvement. These innovations not only make housing more accessible but also encourage creativity and sustainability in property investments. Hence, it’s essential for buyers and homeowners to stay informed about these emerging trends. By exploring these innovative financing options, individuals can find the perfect fit for their needs and take confident steps toward achieving their property goals . Related Items: Home Financing Innovations , Property Investment , real estate crowdfunding Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you What Is Real Estate Crowdfunding? – How Investors Are Changing Property Markets Real Estate Crowdfunding: How Investors Are Changing Property Markets Long-term Investment for Expats: Property Investment Opportunities in Qatar CommentsBlack Friday: Amazon Just Dropped 10 UNREAL Deals This Sunday (3 Are Already Out of Stock) 😱 - Gizmodo

NoneFinally, there’s some good news about super and retirementFormer President Rodrigo Duterte and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III MANILA, Philippines — A faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) distanced itself on Monday from a rival group of the once-ruling political party, which had called on the public to go to Edsa Shrine to support those calling for the resignation of President Marcos. “We urge the public to discern truth from manipulation and to avoid being swayed by those who exploit our nation’s political landscape for their gain,” the faction led by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao said in a statement. “The actions of this rogue faction are neither representative of PDP-Laban’s ideals nor the aspirations of its founding members and loyal supporters,” it added. The statement was signed by Pimentel as chair and Pacquiao as president. READ: Comelec recognizes Cusi wing as ‘true, official’ PDP-Laban The statement was issued after the rival PDP-Laban faction led by former President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to join Vice President Sara Duterte’s supporters who had been gathering at the historic Edsa Shrine since Tuesday last week. The Pimentel-led faction denounced what it described as “reckless actions and inflammatory statements of the self-serving faction falsely claiming to represent our political party.” “Their call for public disturbance and their misuse of the party name for selfish political motives is a betrayal of the principles upon which the PDP-Laban was founded—principles centered on justice, peace and the rule of law,” it said. “We emphasize that the PDP-Laban stands firmly behind the Constitution, the rule of law and the democratically elected government. The Philippines [is facing] enough challenges and the last thing our nation needs is division and destabilization at the hands of those who prioritize personal agendas over the welfare of the Filipino people,” it added. Pimentel’s group reiterated its commitment to “genuine public service, nation-building and advancing the interests of every Filipino not to sow discord, but to foster unity and progress.” “Let us move forward in solidarity, respecting our institutions and focusing on solutions that uplift our people,” it said. On Sunday, the PDP-Laban faction of Duterte and his close allies called on Filipinos to express their opinion regarding the supposed political oppression under the Marcos administration. “Go out! Let’s go to Edsa Shrine!” the group said in a Facebook post. “Let’s awaken those whose eyes are closed and those who pretend to be deaf ... We are not Filipinos for nothing! Let’s show the strength and courage of ordinary people,” it added. Established in 1983, the party was a coalition between PDP, founded by Pimentel’s father and namesake, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and the Laban party of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. The elder Pimentel and Aquino were both opposition leaders during the martial law regime of the President’s late father, dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. In the run-up to the 2016 presidential elections, the PDP-Laban fielded Duterte, then Davao City mayor, as its standard-bearer and party chair. It became the ruling party in the country after Duterte won the presidency. But the party was divided into two groups after the Pimentel-led faction chose Pacquiao as its standard-bearer for the 2022 presidential elections while Duterte’s group supported the candidacy of then former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Commission on Elections resolved the leadership issue when it recognized Duterte’s faction as the “true and official” members of PDP-Laban in a decision it issued in May 2022. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Pimentel’s faction then elevated the dispute to the Supreme Court, which has yet to rule on the matter.

On Jan. 20, 1981, after suffering a landslide defeat, former President Jimmy Carter returned home to rural Plains to what he called “an altogether new, unwanted, and potentially empty life.” By 1982, he had such a low profile that Time magazine called him “virtually a non-person, a president who never was.” But Carter would rewrite his legacy by turning to his implacable faith. It was, to him, an enduring source of comfort and inspiration, continuously helping guide him even through the most stunning setbacks — from losing elections to marital woes, an interminable hostage crisis in Iran and health crises in later life. His hometown of Plains wasn’t just Carter’s childhood home — it was his spiritual center. Upon his return after his presidential defeat, Carter, a third-generation Baptist, maintained his lifetime habit — teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church. He made a cross that stood for years above the altar in his wood shop. As an active member, he took his turn cutting the church’s grass. And he applied his love-your-neighbor ethic to his work at the Carter Center. “He is not some pie-in-the-sky Christian. He is a down-to-earth Christian who sees the everyday challenges and applies his faith to practical problems,” said civil rights hero the Rev. Joseph Lowery in an October 2010 interview. “There is no question his commitment to peace is based on faith. His commitment to help the poor, his commitment to housing, you can attribute that to his faith. It was Christ’s challenge to serve the poor and he’s done that. I admire him for that.” In his 1996 book “Living Faith,” Carter wrote openly about problems in his marriage. Getting involved in the church in Plains helped him and his wife work though communication woes. “We found we could communicate through discussions of our religious faith better than we could without it,” he said. When they had problems in their marriage, they would kneel together, pray to God and both would tell their sides of the story. It was as if they used God as the ultimate marriage counselor, according to E. Stanly Godbold, a Carter historian and author of the book, “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: The Georgia Years, 1924 to 1974.” Faith played a role in 1978 when Carter held peace meetings between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Carter believed the common thread of religion helped bring the two sides together. “At Camp David, for instance, this is one of the main themes of Anwar Sadat, we had so much in common worshipping the same God that we could form a common foundation for peace,” Carter told the AJC in a 1996 interview. READ AN EXCERPT OF PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER’S BOOK, “ FAITH: A JOURNEY FOR ALL,” WHICH WAS PRINTED IN THE AJC IN 2018. Break with Southern Baptists When Carter was running for president, he was an appealing candidate to Southern Baptists and other evangelicals — a small town guy in the Bible belt, still married to the same woman and the first U.S. presidential candidate who self-identified as a born-again Christian. That terminology was new for swaths of America and resulted in news articles across the nation examining and explaining, often poorly, conservative Christian beliefs. It was also an early sign of the development of the political-religious organizations such as the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority that followed. The evangelical Christian vote helped elect Carter. But in just four years, the most famous face of the Baptist religion was at odds with the increasingly conservative-leaning Southern Baptist Convention. The nation’s largest Protestant denomination also was undergoing its own cultural changes. Through the 1980s, theologically and politically conservative leaders rallied voting members of the convention to sweep out moderates from leadership roles in churches, seminaries and colleges over their theological “liberalism.” Carter’s views on hot-button issues such as supporting women as leaders in the church made him increasingly unpopular among many Southern Baptists and other evangelicals. He later showed support for civil unions, and by 2018 for marriage of same sex couples. But in 1979, many of the conservatives who voted for him the first time deserted him for Ronald Reagan. In 2000, Carter severed ties to the Southern Baptist Convention, saying parts of its “increasingly rigid” doctrines violated the “basic premises of my Christian faith.” Carter went on to play a role in helping start an alternate association for progressive evangelical Black and white churches whose memberships and leaders were more moderate in their thinking and actions, such as installing women into pulpits and key church roles, and focusing on goals such as fighting poverty, and advocating for the environment and social causes. Carter used his weight to get the New Baptist Covenant and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship off the ground. In 2008, he helped bring together 20,000 Baptists representing more than 20 million church members for an Atlanta event designed to bury differences and work together. The tension was deep. The Southern Baptist Convention’s news service, Baptist Press, did not carry a news article about Carter winning the Nobel Peace Prize. “Carter didn’t change,” said Nancy T. Ammerman, a sociologist of religion at Boston University and author of “Baptist Battles.” “The definition of what it meant to be Southern and Baptist changed.” “One of the characteristics of being Baptist is this that you have to make decisions about how your life is going to go,” said Ammerman. “No priest can do it for you. There’s this deep-seated notion of individual freedom and individual accountability, and [that] gave him this fierce ability to be independent that has shaped his personality and career and has given him a strong commitment to democracy, various human rights issues and religious liberty.” An abiding faith Carter’s faith can be traced back to his childhood, a time when Sunday was devoted to church and biblical teachings. In his hometown of Plains, no stores were open on Sunday. Going to a movie theater or even playing cards on Sunday was out of the question. That devotion never faded. Well into his 90s, he was behind the pulpit teaching multiple Sundays every year to classes filled with people from around the nation and world who would drop in to hear the former president. One Sunday, Carter counted 28 nations represented in the pews. He would talk about God and loving your enemies, and then sprinkle stories of traveling around the globe, building houses and eradicating disease. He and Rosalynn would pose for pictures with visitors at the little church, a quintessential Jimmy Carter experience. Even as he contemplated his demise, he looked to his faith for guidance. In “Living Faith,” he wrote: “We can face death with fear, anguish, self-torment and unnecessary distress among those around us. Or, through faith and the promises of God, we can confront the inevitable with courage, equanimity, good humor and peace. Our last few days or months can be spent in a challenging and exhilarating way, seeking to repair relationships and to leave a good or even noble legacy, in an atmosphere of harmony and love.”Prosecutors Urge Court Not to Dismiss Hunter Biden Case After PardonThe Summit County Sheriff’s Office says it is employing a new technology to modernize communications with individuals who are incarcerated in the Summit County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office recently partnered with the New York-based company LIAM Safe to install a new system at the jail that allows family to send high-quality photos, letters and greeting cards to people in the jail through an online portal, according to a news release. The messages are printed within the Summit County Jail, eliminating the potential of contraband being introduced into the jail, the release states. “Maintaining connections with loved ones is key to an inmate’s well-being while in our custody and their success upon release,” Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said in a statement. “This system makes those connections safer, more efficient and more affordable.”

SOMERVILLE, N.J. , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Specified Technologies Inc. has announced their latest Firestop Clash Management (FCM) and Firestop Locator (FSL) releases. FCM automates the process of locating and assigning firestop solutions to conditions within Autodesk ® Revit ® , enabling firestop novices to find firestop solutions like a firestop expert. In this latest release, STI has further expanded the capabilities of FCM by integrating it with their firestop documentation and compliance tool, Firestop Locator (FSL). FSL enables contractors and facilities' teams to document the status, location, and products used for any and all fire life safety services across a building. In the latest update for FSL, teams can now create custom items to track any service on their project beyond the base six (Penetration, Joint, Extinguisher, Door, Damper, and Barrier). Teams can also modify the base six items to include project specific inspection and maintenance requirements and any other details that they would like to be tracked. With this new integration, decisions made during the design phase of a building using FCM are seamlessly passed into FSL during the construction phase, giving implementation teams a jump start on work to be done. This integration also improves data integrity and eliminates the guesswork in the field of determining what firestop systems and products are to be used where. "We're proud of the latest releases of FCM and FSL and look forward to continuing to support the fire life safety community," says Justin Pine, Sr. Manager of Software & Services. Specified Technologies Inc. promotes life and building safety by developing innovative fire protection systems and accompanying digital tools that help stop the spread of fire, smoke, and hot gases. Our SpecSeal® and EZ Path® product lines are engineered for easy installation and deliver powerful performance, often resulting in lower installed costs. Since firestopping is our only business, we concentrate all our resources on providing the highest quality, fully tested, innovative firestopping solutions. Contact: Jess Bern ; jbern@stifirestop.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/specified-technologies-inc-unveils-firestop-clash-management-and-locator-updates-302314629.html SOURCE Specified Technologies, Inc.

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