Dad stabbed to death in argument with Kroger coworker, TN cops say. ‘My role model’Boxing Day is expected to deliver a post-Christmas boon for Illawarra retailers, even after a big month of sales for shoppers. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading Scotty Blasdall, the owner of Wollongong kitchenware store What's Cooking, said Boxing Day was usually a big day of trade and he anticipated it would be no different this year. "Normally we have a track record of being busy, so we're expecting that as well ... I'm ready for it," Mr Blasdall said. Wollongong Central, where the store is located, will have extended trading hours of 9am to 9pm because of the holiday falling on a Thursday. "We're expecting quite a large crowd to come through the doors," centre manager Nathan Copsey said, similar to Black Friday and the final weekend before Christmas. While Boxing Day was no longer as big as it once was - Mr Copsey said one factor was that more people seemed to travel for Christmas - there was still a high volume of traffic and sales. On Boxing Day 2023 the centre saw a 14 per cent increase in foot traffic compared to the year prior, and Mr Copsey expected the extended trading hours would attract even more shoppers this year. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan expect Australians will spend $1.3 billion on Boxing Day, with a total of $3.7 billion forecast in the six days after Christmas - up 2.7 per cent on last year. Even the increasing popularity in Australia of Black Friday - the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States - and Cyber Monday is not expected to put a dent in Boxing Day trade. "People love a sale, so people are responding to Boxing Day, Black Friday, any seasonal sale," Mr Blasdall said. He believed it was also a "new crowd" of shoppers who came through after Christmas. It comes after a year in which the cost-of-living crisis has affected spending. Mr Blasdall said he had seen a downward trend since February, to which he responded by being careful with purchasing and staffing. ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said the Boxing Day sales might give some confidence back to retailers. "These post-Christmas figures show there remains a healthy appetite from Australians to make the most of Boxing Day sales," Ms Brown said. "With the cost-of-living crisis, we've seen more shoppers shift their attention to sales events including the Black Friday and Cyber Monday activities." Household goods are expected to attract the greatest proportion of shoppers' spend, followed by food and clothing, accessories and footwear. The anticipated Boxing Day trade comes off the back of a bumper lead-up to Christmas. Data from Roy Morgan released on December 20 showed that Australians were expected to spend $69.8 billion before Christmas - 2.7 per cent more than 2023 - with $21.9 billion of that splashed in NSW. Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. More from Business Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!None
British tennis star Katie Boulter announces engagement with Australian star Alex de MinaurFor years, the Forza Horizon series has been a crown jewel in Microsoft’s gaming lineup, showcasing the power of Xbox consoles and its PC gaming platforms. Traditionally bound to the Xbox, the idea of it appearing on a PlayStation was unthinkable—until recent technological advances in cross-platform gaming communities began to raise questions about previously inviolable platform exclusives. Imagine a world where cross-platform collaboration thrives, allowing software to transcend hardware boundaries. As subscription services like Xbox Game Pass gain popularity, tech companies are seeking innovative ways to reach broader audiences. With competitors like Sony moving towards more inclusive gaming ecosystems, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility for a future where Forza Horizon’s spectacular open worlds could grace a PlayStation console. While there is no official announcement yet, industry speculation suggests possibilities owing to increasing demand for universal accessibility and more cooperative gaming experiences at the backend of technology. Moving forward, strategic alliances and technological harmonization could define new operational dynamics, challenging current industry standards. A Forza Horizon release on PlayStation would not only mark a significant shift in the gaming industry but would also serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of gaming technology. It posits an exciting future where hardware divides are diminished, and players unite under shared experiences, all fueled by next-generation technology and innovative strategic pivots. As this potential story develops, players worldwide remain on the cusp of a possible groundbreaking development in gaming. Forza Horizon on PlayStation? Exploring the Future of Cross-Platform Gaming In the ever-evolving world of gaming, the boundaries separating different platforms are becoming increasingly blurred. The renowned Forza Horizon series, long a staple of Xbox and PC gaming, may soon join this trend. This shift could herald a new era of cross-platform accessibility, challenging the traditional exclusivity of console gaming. Industry Trends and Predictions The gaming industry is witnessing an unprecedented movement towards cross-platform play, driven by the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers enjoy access to a vast library of games on multiple devices, underscoring a growing demand for universal accessibility. As companies like Sony embrace inclusive ecosystems, we may see similar tactics employed by other industry giants to expand their reach and market presence. Technological Innovations Recent technological advancements are empowering developers and hardware manufacturers to break through previously impenetrable platform barriers. Cross-play, enhanced cloud gaming capabilities, and sophisticated streaming technologies create fertile ground for a Forza Horizon debut on PlayStation consoles. These innovations are pivotal in reshaping the way players engage with games, offering seamless transitions between different systems. Comparisons and Market Analysis If Forza Horizon becomes available on PlayStation, it could set a precedent, prompting other exclusive titles to bridge the gap between platforms. This openness could lead to increased competition and collaboration between console makers, ultimately benefiting the consumer. Market analysts predict that such moves could stimulate a surge in new gaming subscriptions and sales, as well as fostering a more robust gaming community across all platforms. Challenges and Limitations While the prospect is exciting, challenges remain. Licensing agreements, brand identity concerns, and technical compatibility are potential hurdles to overcome. The logistics of maintaining performance parity across different systems must be addressed to ensure a consistent gaming experience. These challenges will require innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to navigate successfully. Security and Player Experience Cross-platform gaming brings security challenges, as data and accounts traverse multiple ecosystems. Ensuring robust security measures are in place will be critical in safeguarding player information. Furthermore, maintaining a seamless user experience is paramount, requiring significant backend collaboration. Sustainability and Environmental Impact As gaming becomes more accessible, its environmental footprint grows. The industry will need to consider sustainable practices, from energy-efficient servers to digital distribution methods that reduce physical waste, aligning with global sustainability goals. The Future Awaits The potential of Forza Horizon appearing on PlayStation is more than a shift in platform availability; it represents a transformative milestone in gaming. This evolution could redefine player expectations and dismantle long-standing barriers in the gaming world. As we stand on the brink of this groundbreaking development, gamers can anticipate a future marked by endless possibilities and shared experiences. For more insights into the future of cross-platform gaming, visit the Xbox main page.India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024
Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM – Free Report ) by 57.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 71,667 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 26,010 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Unum Group were worth $4,260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 361.5% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 503 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 394 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in Unum Group during the second quarter worth $26,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Unum Group in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of Unum Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unum Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. 86.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Lisa G. Iglesias sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.61, for a total transaction of $363,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 35,840 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,602,342.40. This trade represents a 12.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, EVP Christopher W. Pyne sold 3,250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.02, for a total transaction of $227,565.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 50,762 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,554,355.24. This represents a 6.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 165,709 shares of company stock valued at $10,956,914. 0.93% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Get Our Latest Stock Report on Unum Group Unum Group Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $76.90 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $65.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $57.49. Unum Group has a 12 month low of $42.09 and a 12 month high of $77.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap of $14.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.32, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.76. Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.13 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $3.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.26 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 15.21%. The firm’s revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.94 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Unum Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 25th were given a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 25th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.18%. Unum Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 18.18%. Unum Group Company Profile ( Free Report ) Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block segment. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Unum Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unum Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
If I had to quantify the amount of time I’ve spent begging for particular games to make a comeback, I’d guess the EA BIG ‘Street’ series has gotten somewhere between 50-55% of my attention. This was a classic mid-2000’s arcade sports series that represented everything right about gaming at the time. Back when developers had the freedom to just try stuff, these games straight up just represented fun. It’s time for another Retro Runback . This time around, NFL and NBA Street . Both NFL and NBA Stree t got sequels, with NBA Street getting 4 mainline games and NFL Street getting 3. NBA STREET Looking back, the first NBA Street feels fairly bare-bones, more of a proof of concept than anything else. But in the moment? It felt like NBA Jam turned up to 11. Clearly inspired by streetball culture and specifically the legendary AND1 Basketball, NBA Street brought a much needed arcade spin to the proceedings as sim games had started to take hold with the advancements in console tech. But it was the next game in the series that would change the way we looked at arcade sports gaming forever. Videos by VICE NBA Street Vol. 2 was THE arcade basketball game. It took everything that made the first game great and mashed it with rap culture. To this day, I will contend that this game has the greatest soundtrack ever. The moment you get the game started up, you’re greeted with the sounds of the legendary track T.R.O.Y by Pete Rock & CL Smooth. And it only got better from there. Commentary in the game was handled by the iconic Bobbito Garcia who has some of the greatest lines in sports game history. This would be followed up by NBA Street Vol. 3 and NBA Street Homecourt . The latter employing a more realistic graphical style separate from the previous games. While both of these games were good, they didn’t reach the heights of the second game. But there were great things done that could be employed in the future if there was to be one. NFL STREET The NFL Street games hold a special place in my heart because of my time with the NFL Blitz games. Now because the NFL is a bit more strict about it’s presentation than the NBA is, the NFL games were a bit more straightforward in their gameplay and presentation. You weren’t going to get the Blitz-style post play leg drops, but there were some pretty cool animations, such as the no look pass. And then I ended up living through an era where two real life Quarterbacks have that pass in their bag. What a time to be alive indeed. NFL Street 2 could have been the big inflection point in arcade football gaming. But the series dropped in quality after that. NFL Street 3 came out and was a bit of a dud. Not a bad game but just annoyingly average. As can be the case with sports gaming sequels, there was more to do, but just not a lot of incentive to do it. I do think that today’s NFL is far more arcade game friendly, especially since knocking someone’s neck loose has been legislated out of the game. Because of that, there’s no expectation of that in your video game, so you don’t have to focus on working around it. Should WE RUN IT BACK? We need a new NBA Street . That is not up for debate. How we can go through the primes of Lebron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and not have an arcade game with them in it is beyond me. You will never get me to believe that watching developers accidentally turn Giannis into an unstoppable video game character on the level of Tecmo Bo, 04 Vick, and 2K1 Randy Moss shouldn’t have happened. We’re missing out on something special. You’re gonna tell me we don’t get an arcade Victor Wembanyama? Terrible. Run it back. NFL Street on the other hand, I could take it or leave it. I’ll always love the games, but as I said, that has more to do with another game entirely. I’d be fine with a new one just to see what can be done with it. But the NFL just doesn’t seem to lend itself well to arcade gaming unless you can rock bottom someone on the 50 yard line. Regardless, Run it back. An arcade Mahomes would be fun.
Peterson 0-2 0-2 0, Pierce 7-13 6-9 20, Harvey 0-3 0-0 0, Mincy 5-11 0-0 12, Stewart 4-9 2-2 11, Scott 4-8 3-4 11, King 4-5 1-2 10, Parrish 1-2 0-0 3, Pettaway 0-1 0-0 0, Wilson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 12-19 67. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Netflix has revealed its content slate for December 2024, with the much-awaited second season of Squid Game topping the list. The show still remains Netflix's most-viewed non-English TV series. Other highlights include Season 6 of Virgin River and a bunch of movies and TV shows arriving on December 1. These include Little , Midway , and Project X . Here are some other titles to look forward to. Netflix's comedy and documentary specials for December Netflix's December lineup includes a number of comedy and documentary specials. On December 3, Fortune Feimster returns with her third Netflix comedy special, Fortune Feimster: Crushing It . The next day, Netflix will drop a fascinating docuseries, Churchill at War , which examines Winston Churchill 's pivotal role in World War II. Another documentary, The Only Girl in the Orchestra , will highlight trailblazing double bassist Orin O'Brien's journey as the first female musician in the New York Philharmonic. Netflix's global content and family shows for December Netflix will release a bunch of international content in December. The Children's Train (December 4) is an Italian film about a mother sending her son to northern Italy for a better life. From Thailand comes Tomorrow and I , a series imagining a dystopian future where technology clashes with traditional customs. For family viewers, That Christmas is an unforgettable tale of how the worst snowstorm in history changes everyone's plans in Wellington-on-Sea, including Santa's! Netflix's anime, series, and film releases in early December Netflix will continue its content rollout with BEASTARS: Final Season: Part 1 on December 5. The anime follows characters Louis and Haru as they navigate university life. The same day, the streaming platform will release Black Doves , a series about a spy seeking truth and vengeance after her lover's murder. Jentry Chau vs the Underworld is also set to premiere; it tells the story of a teenager rediscovering her suppressed fiery powers as she confronts literal demons. Netflix's mid-December content highlights Oscar and Grammy-winner Jamie Foxx returns to the stage with his comedy event Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... on December 10. On top of that, Polo , a sports series executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , gives an exclusive look at the world of polo. The series follows elite players competing in the high-stakes US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida. Beloved Hindi teen romance series Mismatched will arrive on December 13. Netflix's late December content and year-end specials Netflix will end the year with some big releases. On December 26, Squid Game: Season 2 will premiere, bringing back the global hit series. On the last day of the year, Netflix will release Avicii - I'm Tim , a documentary on musical prodigy Tim Bergling, and Avicii - My Last Show , a film capturing his last performance. Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall will debut as comedian Michelle Buteau's second Netflix comedy special.Kayle Neis/Regina Leader-Post Madi Massier, the social co-ordinator and co-director of the Hawk Principle, stands for a portrait at Pepsi Park where the organization holds its Sunday Funday outreach events. Photo taken on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 in Regina. Larissa Kurz Regina Leader-Post Madi Massier “wasn’t surprised” that a recent point-in-time count of individuals living unhoused in Regina had doubled since 2022. As someone who has worked in various frontline positions, including current roles as social co-ordinator and co-director at The Hawk Principle, Regina’s homeless crisis is well known to Massier and anyone else offering boots-on-the-ground support. However, seeing those numbers increase 255 per cent since 2015 has further sparked Massier’s concern that government policy is not working to keep people out of such vulnerable positions. “That should be very alarming to people, the fact that there is that many unhoused people,” Massier said after the preliminary stats were released Wednesday. Regina’s 2024 count included at least 824 individuals, almost double the last count in 2022. Saskatoon recorded nearly 1,500 people, which triples a 2021 survey. Such counts only represent a snapshot of one night in either city, but they’re often used to demonstrate the severity of the situation. Massier said the staggering rise in Saskatchewan’s numbers could have been stymied a decade ago if governments had proactively invested in a housing-first model at that time. “It’s now escalated to a point where it’s so severe it almost feels like there’s nothing we can do,” Massier said. “We’re seeing the effects of what happens when you aren’t listening to housing advocates, and it’s systemic.” Massier pointed to initiatives that have operated successfully, such as the Housing First Program run by Phoenix Residential Society. Its preliminary data in 2017 showed that, of the 36 individuals who were housed in the program’s first year, zero returned to homelessness. Phoenix Residential and YWCA Regina estimated that the program led to nearly $2 million in savings on government-funded services like hospital admissions, emergency calls and detox visits. Peter Gilmer of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry agreed that people need a strong social safety net and housing-first supports to effectively change their situation. He said Saskatchewan is behind in both. “One person unhoused is too many,” Gilmer noted. “To see 800-plus is an outrage.” Clients in Regina and Saskatoon are struggling under insufficient income and housing programs. Gilmer said the issue has been growing in communities outside the largest cities as well. He repeated the same call that advocates have been making since 2019. As a start, he’s asking for changes to the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program to provide sufficient shelter benefits. “The SIS program has wreaked all kinds of havoc,” said Gilmer. “It isn’t just a question of poverty. It’s a question of deep poverty for folks that are on this program.” The Hawk Principle incorporated last fall as a mutual aid co-op that was borne out of frustration with the way Saskatchewan’s system works, said Massier. Founders wanted to bridge a gap between institutions and other services to foster connection and take a more human approach to help people feel comfortable and valued. “We as co-directors had been through the system, been so burdened and hard done by the system, that it was just time for something new,” Massier said. The group delivers outreach, meal programs and open social contact, all with the principles of “healing, wellness and kindness” to help create a path for people to rise above their circumstances. While homelessness grows as a political issue, Massier said the public conversation has begun to leave out so much of the humanity that exists behind numbers like point-in-time counts. Massier urged the public to think about all 824 unhoused individuals in Regina as people, each with their own story to tell. “That’s someone’s family member — their daughter, a parent,” Massier added. “I know it shouldn’t have to be about proximity, but it kind of is. This could be anyone. “At the end of the day, these are people’s lives.” lkurz@postmedia.com -Advertisement-Furious Laura Loomer warns 'Trump will get impeached' due to Elon Musk scandalIsrael PM again warns Iran after top diplomat talks of revising nuclear doctrine
