phlove jili Foodies left ‘horrified’ and say Aldi has gone ‘too far’ with new ‘vile’ £1.30 Christmas sauce – but what do you think?

AP News Summary at 1:24 p.m. ESTVicheslav/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis I do not consider Bio-Rad Laboratories ( NYSE: BIO ) to be a good investment opportunity. Between 2017 and 2024 Q3 TTM, the net sales of Bio-Rad only grew by 2.67% annually. In addition, the Clinical Diagnostics segment is the Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Ellie Goulding has expressed her deep admiration for the efforts of homelessness charity Crisis while participating in their Christmas services. The 37 year old singer spent time at a London hotel this Monday, where she welcomed guests alongside the charity, served up warm refreshments, dished out food and engaged in games. With the festive period in full swing, Crisis is braced for twice as many referrals as there are available spaces in their accommodations. At the launch event for Crisis’s Christmas campaign, Goulding shared her sentiments with the PA news agency: "I’m so in awe of Crisis and the volunteers I meet every time I come here. They’ve been doing this for such a long time, and I’ve been supporting for a long time. "I’ve always cared about homelessness since I was really, really young. It was just something that always really affected me. “If I saw people sleeping rough, it just really triggered me and affected me, and so I always said to myself, if I was ever in a position where I could help and support and get involved then I would, which is why I’ve sort of been dedicated to it. "And it’s not like it’s getting any better, homelessness is still on the rise. There’s over 300,000 people homeless without a proper home this Christmas. "So we need more people to get involved with Crisis, and not just at Christmas but throughout the year as well. We need more volunteers, more people to get involved, and just more people to care." Crisis, the national charity for homeless people, has taken a significant step to provide support for those in need by taking over three hotels in London. This initiative will offer over 570 individuals their own room, companionship, and access to numerous Crisis services aimed at helping them establish a stable life after homelessness. Guests at the hotel will benefit from hot meals and health and wellbeing services, including access to GPs, opticians, and hairdressers, as well as professional advice regarding benefits and housing options. The charity highlighted an alarming increase in homelessness, reporting that it had risen by 42% this year. Recent figures reveal a concerning trend with 4,780 individuals observed sleeping rough on the streets of London between July and September—a significant jump of nearly one-fifth (18%) compared to the previous year. Ellie Goulding, the chart-topping artist known for hits like "Love Me Like You Do" and a dedicated supporter of Crisis for over a decade, added: "I’m here to help, I’m here to do whatever is required of me. "I come every year, and I’ve just been serving some tea, coffee, and later on I’ll be doing some other bits and pieces, various things. "Everyone’s working really hard, lots of incredible volunteers here, lots of friendly faces. It’s a very warm and cosy and safe environment, and it’s always a pleasure to be here." Sam Phillips, star of the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, and TV fitness guru Joe Wicks were also among those dedicating their time to volunteer at the hotel alongside Goulding. Reflecting on the country's situation, Phillips told PA: "I just feel very passionately that homelessness is a crisis in this country, and more should be done. "Thankfully, the government is doing more now with social housing, but I think ultimately we’d like to see homelessness eradicated from the country." Joe Wicks has spoken out about the plight of the homeless, expressing his strong belief that nobody should be without a home, especially during the festive season. Volunteering with Crisis for the first time, Wicks said: "In this day and age, we shouldn’t have people sleeping rough on the streets. It’s freezing cold, people need to be looked after. "I think naturally, as an empath, I care about people and we’ve been raising money for Crisis ourselves as a business, The Body Coach, this month. So I was invited along to be a volunteer. "I’m going to be serving some food, and just interacting I think more than anything, just socialising with people and giving them a chance to talk. “This is a great campaign that people are actually getting a chance to sleep here in this hotel for two weeks, and a warm bed, shower, food, and it’s just wonderful to see how much it’s going to have an impact on them.”

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “child care deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the past five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says, “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Political moves Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s crosshairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of 5. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Tuition costs Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate cease-fire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better healthcare for less money.” Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.

Hike in sugar price during crushing season raises eyebrows LAHORE:Amid sizeable sugar carryover stocks health crops size, sugar price hike right in the middle of crushing season have raised eyebrows. In the absence of sugarcane indicative price, millers are virtually given free hand in buying produce from growers at their own sweet will. Not only this, powerful sugar manufacturers are free to determine price of commodity as well, said market sources. They confirmed that a rising trend in price of sugar is being seen in the market lately. According to them, Rs10-15 per kg increase in sugar price have no justification. During ongoing crushing season 2024-25, ample stock of sweetener is available in the market and there is no justification of any price rise of sugar. Physical sugar stock as on Nov 30, 2024 was above 766,093 tons and production from Nov 16 to 30 2024 was 183,960 tons. Hence, well over one million ton of sugar is available in the country. So, no need to be panicked, they said and added that with such a healthy stock and huge sugarcane crop, there will be sufficient sugar in the country. They pointed finger toward speculators trying to hike sugar prices. On the other hand, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) claimed that rumours are being spread by speculators having vested interests linked with price hike of sugar. The spokesman said that the ex-mill sugar prices have not exceeded the government’s declared limit of Rs140 per kg set by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting on June 13, 2024 although which was way below cost of production of sugar. Notwithstanding the benchmark of maintaining ex-mill price of Rs140 per kg, as a pre-condition for allowing exports of surplus sugar, was agreed by sugar industry under duress of sugar glut, for liquidating surplus stocks and for minimising losses. Meanwhile, Federal Ministry of Industries echoed similar views regarding sugar sector of the country. Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, assured that there has been no rise across the country. He confirmed that there is no shortage of sugar in the market and that its price remains stable. The minister stated that sugar is currently available at Rs130 per kilogram in retail markets and between Rs124 to Rs125 in wholesale markets. Federal Minister further emphasised that, under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sugar prices are being closely monitored to ensure affordability for the public. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to maintain price stability and prevent any unwarranted fluctuations in the market.

Share Tweet Share Share Email The U.S. Department of Justice sought a second antitrust victory against Google on Monday, presenting its last defence that the firm unlawfully controlled online advertising technology. TakeAway Points: In an attempt to secure a second antitrust victory against Google, the U.S. Department of Justice presented its last defence on Monday, claiming that the firm unlawfully controlled online advertising technology. Google has argued prosecutors are bending U.S. antitrust law to force it to accommodate competitors’ services and that the case is focused on incidents from years past when Google was still building and improving its offerings Zoom had more profit and revenue than analysts had expected in the October quarter, and executives pushed up the company’s full-year forecast. US antitrust lawsuit against Google comes to an end The closing arguments in Alexandria, Virginia, cap a 15-day trial held in September where prosecutors sought to show Google monopolized markets for publisher ad servers and advertiser ad networks, and tried to dominate the market for ad exchanges which sit between buyers and sellers. “Google rigged the rules of the road,” said DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum, who asked the judge to hold Google accountable for anticompetitive conduct. Google has argued prosecutors are bending U.S. antitrust law to force it to accommodate competitors’ services, and that the case is focused on incidents from years past when Google was still building and improving its offerings. Publishers testified at trial that they could not switch away from Google, even when it rolled out features they disliked, since there was no other way to access the huge advertising demand within Google’s ad network. News Corp. in 2017 estimated losing at least $9 million in ad revenue that year if it had switched away, one witness said. If U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema finds that Google broke the law, she would consider prosecutors’ request to make Google at least sell off Google Ad Manager, a platform that includes the company’s publisher ad server and its ad exchange. Google offered to sell the ad exchange this year to end an EU antitrust investigation but European publishers rejected the proposal as insufficient, as reported in September. Analysts view the ad tech case as a smaller financial risk than the case where a judge ruled Google maintains an illegal monopoly in online search and where prosecutors have argued the company must be forced to sell its Chrome browser. Zoom surpasses expectations and calls for another quarter of single-digit growth Zoom shares were down 4% in extended trading on Monday after the video calling software maker announced strong fiscal third-quarter results and gave quarterly guidance that was just slightly above expectations. According to LSEG consensus, Earnings per share : $1.38 adjusted vs. $1.31 expected, while revenue: $1.18 billion vs. $1.16 billion expected Zoom’s revenue grew about 4% year over year in the quarter, which ended on Oct. 31, according to a statement . Zoom has increased revenue in the single digits for two and a half years, a sharp departure from 2020 and 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic led the business to triple in size. Net income, at $207.1 million, or 66 cents per share, was up from $141.2 million, or 45 cents per share, in the same quarter a year earlier. The company reported 192,400 enterprise customers in the quarter, up 800 customers from the previous quarter. With respect to guidance, Zoom called for $1.29 to $1.30 in fiscal fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share on $1.175 billion to $1.180 billion in revenue. Analysts surveyed by LSEG were expecting $1.29 per share and $1.17 billion in revenue. Expectations for next year Zoom bumped up its view for the 2025 fiscal year. It expects $5.41 to $5.43 in adjusted earnings per share, with $4.656 billion to $4.661 billion in revenue. The middle of the revenue range implies about 3% growth. LSEG’s consensus was $5.35 per share on revenue of $4.64 billion. In August, Zoom said it was looking for $5.29 to $5.32 per share and revenue between $4.63 billion and $4.64 billion. During the quarter, Zoom said in the first half of 2025 it will release a premium custom AI companion that could connect to corporate glossaries and services such as ServiceNow and Workday. Zoom also started offering single-use webinar options, with room for up to one million attendees. As of Monday’s close, Zoom stock was up about 24% this year, while the S&P 500 index had gained 25%. The company also said its corporate name is changing from Zoom Video Communications to Zoom Communications Inc. “This change reflects our evolution into an AI-first work platform for human connection and our vision for long-term growth,” Zoom’s founder and CEO Eric Yuan said on a conference call with analysts. Related Items: Antitrust trial , Google , Online Ad , zoom Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Apple And Google May Face Competition Investigation In UK DOJ Demands That Google Discontinue The Chrome Browser DuckDuckGo Calls Google For Additional Investigation Into Tech Rule Compliance Comments

The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a petition seeking directions to the Centre and states to immediately clear the blockage of National and state highways, imposed during farmers’ protests as it poses a threat to national security given that the entire Army movement towards the northern borders of the country passes through Punjab. The plea seeks removal of all restrictions, particularly at the Shambhu border, and urges both state and central governments to ensure the smooth movement of people and goods. The petition, filed by a Punjab-based social activist, calls for the immediate lifting of restrictions while also requesting measures to prevent future blockages of highways and railway tracks by agitating farmers. Advertisement It highlights that farmers and their unions have blocked highways across Punjab since October 24, 2024, with the Shambhu border being obstructed for over a year. According to the plea, these blockages pose a threat to national security, as critical military movements towards northern borders pass through the region. As per the Supreme Court’s cause list for December 9, the matter will be heard by a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant. “People of Punjab and neighbouring states are facing great difficulty as they are unable to reach hospitals on time in case of medical emergency, as even ambulances are being stopped from running on national and state highways in the entire state of Punjab,” the plea said. It said free movement on highways comes under the fundamental right of the citizen, which is being violated by the farmers by blocking them in the entire state of Punjab. Meanwhile, the farmers’ agitation continues to intensify. On Sunday, protesting farmers from Punjab temporarily suspended their march towards Delhi after a confrontation with Haryana Police at the interstate border. Security personnel used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the second group of 101 farmers attempting to resume the “Delhi Chalo” march. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reported that at least eight farmers were injured during the clash, with one requiring urgent medical attention at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Pandher confirmed that the group of farmers, or “jatha,” had been called back, and future strategies would be discussed by forums like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing is expected to influence the next steps in the ongoing standoff. Advertisement

Snowflake, Elastic Poised For AI Revolution Gains, Analyst Upgrades The StocksAfter sexual assault allegations came out against Pete Hegseth, a private email exchange from 2018 between him and his mother revealed she believes he has a pattern of mistreating women. Hegseth, a decorated veteran and Fox News host, has been under intense scrutiny since President-elect Donald Trump nominated him as defense secretary in shock to his coworkers and the defense establishment alike. Shortly after Trump's announcement, police reports resurfaced about a woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a California hotel room in 2017. Fox News expert makes an emotional confession while arguing about Pete Hegseth Pete Hegseth labels hater accusations over tattoos as 'Anti-Christian bigotry' Criminal charges were not filed against him after the two parties entered a settlement agreement. He has repeatedly denied the allegations and described the encounter as consensual. “This police report confirms what I’ve said all along, that the incident was fully investigated, and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed,” Timothy Parlatore, Hegseth’s attorney, said last week after the charges resurfaced. However, shortly after the previous allegations were rehashed, an email exchange from 2018 between Hegseth and his mother, Penelope, was made public. In a several-paragraph long e-letter to her son, she said she felt she had to "speak out" after "trying to keep quiet about your character and behavior" because of the way he treated his now ex-wife Samantha amid divorce proceedings. "You are an abuser of women — that is the ugly truth and I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego," she wrote. She said felt "pained, embarrassed and sad" as his mother while also acknowledging she is "not a saint" either. "Your abuse over the years to women (dishonesty, sleeping around, betrayal, debasing, belittling) needs to be called out," she wrote. DON'T MISS... Trump defense secretary's religious 'crusader' tattoo meanings decoded Fox News’ Jesse Watters brags he will ask ‘special favors' of Trump's admin Fox & Friends can't believe Pete Hegseth's defense secretary nomination either She defended Samantha as "a good mother and good person" and slammed him for attempting to "label her as 'unstable' for [his] own advantage," which she thought was "despicable and abusive." "We still love you, but we are broken by your behavior and lack of character," his mother added. I don’t want to write emails like this and never thought I would. ... I don’t want an answer to this... I don’t want to debate with you. You twist and abuse everything I say anyway. But... On behalf of all the women (and I know it’s many) you have abused in some way, I say... get some help and take an honest look at yourself..." She later said the private email exchange was sent "in anger, with emotion" as he and his wife were navigating a messy divorce and was "disgusted" by The New York Times' decision to publish it. She also told The Times that Hegseth is a "good father and husband."The Election Gave Me A Reason To Be Grateful My Dad's Not Here For The Holidays

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Levi Colwill insists that he would be 'SCARED' to play Chelsea if he was part of another Premier League roster ahead of their clash with fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa Chelsea welcome fellow Champions League hopefuls Villa to Stamford Bridge Levi Colwill, 21, has been ever-present in the Blues defence so far this season This Man City team is DONE and Pep Guardiola has been sleeping on the job - LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday By KIERAN GILL Published: 22:30, 30 November 2024 | Updated: 22:30, 30 November 2024 e-mail View comments Levi Colwill says he would be ‘scared’ to play Chelsea if he was a member of an opposing team because of the way they have been ‘battering’ teams with their Premier League performances. Ahead of Sunday's visit of Aston Villa , Colwill has also credited Enzo Maresca for turning the club into immediate top-four contenders. Having only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool this term, the Blues centre back went as far as saying Maresca has removed the ‘question mark’ which was previously hanging over Chelsea. Colwill has been ever-present in Chelsea’s defence this campaign and when discussing their attack led by Nicolas Jackson , he said: ‘I would be scared to play against us. The way we break teams down and create so many chances on goal is amazing. It’s no shock. ‘When you are playing really good football, teams are going to change to try and hurt you. We just have to keep adapting to it, keep playing our football and keep winning games. Villa is the perfect opportunity for us to go out there and put on a show for the fans and win the game. ‘It’s due to the manager. He’s come in and given us that confidence. He’s set us up amazingly. We’re going into games and, it’s fair to say, we’re battering most teams. We’re playing really good football. People are not looking at us with a question mark anymore. They know we’re going to play good football and try to win games. That is what we have been doing.’ Levi Colwill says he would be ‘scared’ to play Chelsea if he was a member of an opposing team The Blues climbed up to third in the Premier League after beating Leicester 2-1 at the King Power Colwill has been ever-present in Enzo Maresca's A team that has contested matches in the Premier League Colwill was speaking to reporters after Chelsea's Conference League win in Heidenheim on Thursday. On Maresca giving him the opportunity in central defence in his A team, the 21-year-old Englishman continued: ‘There is nothing more I could ask for. The gaffer has given me that trust, for me to play my best football on the pitch, and I have got no excuses.’ Asked if he is happier at centre back than left back, where he has previously been used, he added: ‘Definitely. I will happily play anywhere for the team, but I like to be put in the position where I can play my football, show my skills and be able to show everyone what I can do. 'That is what I have been doing this season because of the manager. I’m hoping it carries on.’ Colwill is currently living at home with his parents – and his XL bully Stormz – as he said: ’It’s worth it. I could not complain one bit about living at home. I get treated like a king by my mum and dad and little brother. It’s the best thing I’ve done.’ Share or comment on this article: Levi Colwill insists that he would be 'SCARED' to play Chelsea if he was part of another Premier League roster ahead of their clash with fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa e-mail Add comment