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Johnson City Schools recently named three educators to represent the district in the state’s search for the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Towne Acres fifth-grade teacher Karen Bunch, Indian Trail Career Explorations teacher Brandie Wishon-Sanchez and Science Hill history teacher Ben Davenport have been named the district-wide Teachers of the Year. The three will now compete to be named Regional Teachers of the Year, and will have the opportunity to advance to grand division and statewide competitions if they win locally. Before the competition heats up, the three took the time to answer five questions about their careers and the importance of education. Five Questions with Karen Bunch Towne Acres fifth-grade teacher Karen Bunch was named one of the District-Level Teachers of the Year. A Knoxville native, Bunch has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Tennessee. Bunch has been a teacher for 32 years, with 31 of them spent at Towne Acres. Bunch currently resides in Kingsport with her husband, Michael, and their five cats. When outside of school, she spends her time reading, cooking, traveling and watching UT games with her friends and family. What led you to pursue a career in education? I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I loved ‘playing school’ with my stuffed animals and even had my own chalkboard! Several of my teachers inspired me to pursue leadership roles, which sparked the teaching bug! What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of being a teacher is seeing the lightbulb moment firsthand when a student ‘gets it’. That is such a rewarding experience for me! What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach in your classroom? This is my first year teaching fifth grade math, but I love seeing how my students have progressed from basic multiplication facts to more complex skills like multiplying decimals and fractions. It’s been fun learning with them! From my past years in third grade, I loved teaching physical science with exploration and hands-on activities. What is one piece of advice you share with students? Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you recover that matters. What is one common misconception about being a teacher? One common misconception about being a teacher is work hours. Although our work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with weekends, holidays and summers off, most teachers willingly go way beyond the contracted hours to provide for their students. Five Questions with Brandie Wishon-Sanchez Indian Trail Career Explorations teacher Brandie Wishon-Sanchez was named one of the District-Level Teachers of the Year. Originally from San Diego, California, Wishon-Sanchez spent most of her early childhood in Guam until moving to Charleston, South Carolina at the age of seven. Wishon-Sanchez moved to Tennessee when she was 16 after her father retired from the Navy. Wishon-Sanchez has a bachelor’s degree in social work and child psychology and a master’s degree in art and teaching. Wishon-Sanchez has been teaching for 24 years. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys dancing and spending time with family. What led you to pursue a career in education? As a child, I excelled academically but struggled behaviorally in school. I was the kid who talked too much, had too much attitude and was often sent out of class. Growing up at a time when ADHD wasn’t well understood, I never had a teacher who took the time to sit down, listen and truly understand what was going on with me. That experience shaped my decision to become an educator. I chose this profession to be the teacher I never had—the one who holds students accountable, but also provides the support and understanding they need. My goal is to be there for students, especially those who feel unseen, and to be part of the solution rather than giving up on those who need someone in their corner. What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of teaching is the opportunity to connect with students and watch them discover what they want to do in the future. As a career exploration teacher, I love guiding students as they create projects like commercials, video blogs and new business products. I also cherish my role in Hawk's Academy, where I work closely with students who need more behavioral support. Building relationships with these students, who often don’t get the chance to connect deeply with others, is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I chose this profession. What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach in your classroom? One of my favorite lessons to teach is preparing eighth-grade students for the professional world. In this unit, they learn how to fill out applications, create resumes and navigate the do’s and don’ts of interviewing. The highlight is when community partners come in to conduct real interviews with the students, grading them on key skills like handshakes, confident answers and managing nerves. What is one piece of advice you share with students? One piece of advice I always share with each of my students is to never take life for granted. I encourage them to choose joy and gratitude daily, even during tough times. I always stress that every day if they can find the smallest thing to be thankful for it can lead to a more rewarding and fulfilling life. What is one common misconception about being a teacher? A common misconception about teaching is that it’s like babysitting and easy since we have ‘summers off,’ but nothing could be further from the truth. Having had a few careers and jobs in the past, I can say with all my heart that teaching is the most challenging, exhausting and frustrating job—and yet it’s also the most rewarding, endearing, loving and exciting career I have ever had. Every day, we get the privilege to wear so many hats for our kids. We become their parents, therapists, coaches, advocates, and so much more, we pour everything we have into helping students succeed and grow. Five Questions with Ben Davenport Science Hill history teacher Ben Davenport was named one of the District-Level Teachers of the Year. A Johnson City native, Davenport attended Science Hill High School and graduated in 2001 before going on to receive a bachelor’s degree in history from UT, a master’s degree in teaching from ETSU and an educational specialist degree from Union Commonwealth University. When outside the classroom, Davenport enjoys watching sports, traveling to new places and spending time with family. What led you to pursue a career in education? I visited a high school classroom as a college student and appreciated the interactions and learning that was happening. I have always had a desire to know and learn more. I think that I had positive role models in my life from my family and teachers, and as I got older I realized that those people had a direct effect on my future. I wanted to help others as they helped me, so it was a natural fit. What is your favorite part of your job? Each day is unique, and I love the challenge of teaching. I love the times when the lightbulb goes off in a student's head and they learn something new. I love when they can connect past events to the current day. I love seeing their critical thinking and analytical skills grow. This is the only profession that has an impact on all professions. What is your favorite lesson or unit to teach in your classroom? I love teaching about World War II. My grandfather was a WWII vet and his generation experienced the hardships of the Great Depression and were asked to sacrifice for the greater good to fight totalitarian regimes. Teaching students about the war at home and abroad helps students know about resiliency, sacrifice, empathy and what America can achieve when united for a cause. It shows how great this nation can be when we work together, not against one another. What is one piece of advice you share with students? Teaching history gives me all kinds of avenues to help students learn from the past. The best advice I can give them is to make a positive impact where they are and to have confidence in themselves. What is one common misconception about being a teacher? There are two misconceptions that come to mind immediately. First, students and teenagers are not as respectful or well behaved as they used to be. I find that kids by and large are good people. They want to help others, they are respectful of adults and they will work hard. They are motivated (and distracted) in many different ways, but I see great kids every single day at Science Hill. The second misconception is that teachers, especially experienced ones, can just ‘show up and teach’. Teachers have to constantly adapt and evolve how they teach and even what they teach. You have to be ready for different learning styles, different technology, different content and even different types of classrooms. Answers have been edited for length and AP style. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter TodayIn the ever-evolving landscape of software development, programmers often find themselves juggling multiple windows and applications, leading to a frustrating phenomenon that can only be described as “window-switch whiplash.” Google, recognizing this challenge, has introduced Code Assist, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity for developers. Launched in 2024, Code Assist is built on the foundation of Google’s powerful PaLM 2 language model and is available through Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform. This innovative tool promises to revolutionize the way developers write, review, and optimize code. Code Assist addresses the common pain points experienced by programmers who constantly switch between their code editor, documentation, and various other resources. By integrating seamlessly with popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ, and PyCharm, Code Assist provides contextual assistance, code suggestions, and even generates entire code blocks based on natural language prompts. This means less time spent searching for information and more time focused on actual coding. My Personal Battle with Window-Switch Whiplash As a programmer myself, I’ve experienced the productivity-sapping effects of window-switch whiplash firsthand. Countless hours have been lost navigating between Stack Overflow, documentation pages, and my code editor. It’s a constant cycle of searching, copying, pasting, and trying to remember where I left off. Code Assist has been a game-changer for me. The ability to get instant code suggestions and explanations within my IDE has significantly reduced the need to constantly switch windows. It’s like having a knowledgeable pair programmer always by my side. How Code Assist Works Code Assist leverages the power of large language models (LLMs) to understand code and provide relevant assistance. It has been trained on a massive dataset of code and text, enabling it to: Key Features and Benefits Beyond Code Generation: The Future of Code Assist While code generation is a core feature, Google envisions Code Assist evolving into a comprehensive AI-powered development companion. Future capabilities may include: Addressing Concerns and Challenges The rise of AI-powered coding tools like Code Assist has raised concerns about potential job displacement for programmers. However, it’s important to view these tools as assistants, not replacements. Code Assist is designed to augment human capabilities, freeing up developers to focus on higher-level tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Another challenge is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated code . While Code Assist has been trained on a vast dataset, it’s still crucial for developers to review and validate the code it generates. As with any tool, responsible and ethical use is paramount. Google’s Code Assist represents a significant step forward in the evolution of software development tools. By addressing the common pain point of window-switch whiplash, it empowers developers to be more productive, efficient, and focused. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative features and capabilities from Code Assist, further transforming the way software is built.

Join our newsletter to get the latest military space news every Tuesday by veteran defense journalist Sandra Erwin. WASHINGTON — Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s top officer, announced Dec. 17 that the service will establish a new Futures Command in early 2025, a move aimed at giving the military’s newest branch more analytical firepower to justify its programs and spending. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Saltzman said the new command will help provide “the data set that we can then use in the budget fights” — a crucial capability as the Space Force faces growing congressional scrutiny over its acquisition speed and strategic focus. CSIS on Tuesday hosted an event marking the Space Force’s fifth anniversary. Saltzman and other officials at the event highlighted growing concerns about China’s rapidly advancing space capabilities, which include everything from satellite-killing weapons to new communications systems that could give Beijing an edge in future conflicts. The Futures Command will expand on work currently done by the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), adding new organizations focused on threat analysis and capability planning to determine what forces and systems the Space Force needs to counter emerging challenges. The new command also will have a dedicated wargaming team to test potential technologies through tabletop exercises and learning campaigns, and will do requirements validation to ensure new programs have rigorous analytical backing. Speaking last week at the Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida, Kelly Hammett, who leads the Space Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, suggested the Futures Command could help streamline how the service handles requests from regional military commands, creating “a prioritized set of requirements” rather than trying to juggle competing demands. Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans and programs, told reporters at the Spacepower Conference that the plan is to name a two-star commander and begin a basing process to select a headquarters location. The SWAC is currently based in Colorado Springs. Although Saltzman first unveiled plans for the Futures Command in February 2024, the decision to push its establishment to early 2025 appears designed to give the incoming administration a voice in shaping the new organization’s structure and priorities. Even as the Space Force moves to strengthen its planning capabilities, it’s facing heat from Capitol Hill over the pace of its technology development. “We can no longer afford to wait eight or more years to develop requirements, and conduct long drawn-out competition processes,” Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said at the CSIS event. “Nor can we afford these endless cost-plus development contracts.” Rogers, a key oversight figure for military space programs, pushed for the Space Force to develop more acquisition and technology experts rather than focusing primarily on operators. “After all, what are those operators going to operate if acquirers aren’t acquiring?” he noted.BLACK Isle history buffs had lots to look forward to as they took stock on an exciting season over festive refreshments. Following a busy and well-attended trio of meetings in the autumn about Black Isle hospitals pre-NHS, the amazing archaeological discoveries of High Pasture Cave on Skye and Dingwall’s diaspora around the world, Cromarty History Society members enjoyed a fascinating talk from Evanton’s Andrew Newton on the Egyptian, Greek and Roman origins of much of today’s medicine . That was followed by mulled wine, Christmas cake and mince pies. SEE ALSO Under threat Alness hub is ‘treasure trove’ of local history Free Ross-shire news briefing twice a week straight to your inbox Members are now looking forward to 2025 when on January 30th the Society will join with Cromarty’s Fourways Club at 2-4pm for a talk by Scilla Aitchison on The Countess of Sutherland’s Shopping List , and its Black Isle connections. February 18th at 7.30pm sees the Society learning about The Vikings in Northern Scotland when they are to hear UHI Professor Donna Heddle explain the Norse invasion of the North Highlands as far south as the Black Isle’s north coast, the Black Isle’s southern parts being still Pictish. Architect Calum Maclean has worked on many historic sites and on March 18th at 7.30pm will speak on his latest research into the work of Alexander Ross who designed so many buildings across the Black Isle and beyond, the subject of Calum’s latest book. Finally, on April 15 at 7.30pm, Dr Jim Mackay will explain The Marriage Lintels and Date Stones Close to You , which we all see as we go about our daily business but don’t always understand. There are many such stones on old buildings across the Highlands. Meetings are followed by refreshments and chat and all are held at the Victoria Hall in Cromarty. Each meeting costs £5 but £15 membership will cover the rest of the meetings until April 2025. The society has members from across the area and visitors are welcome. Further information can be found on the society’s website at www.cromartyhistory.scot . While you’re here... Use the code HECTORMACKENZIE to get unlimited online access to all of our titles (including Inverness Courier and titles across the north, plus the HNM app) for just £10 for 12 months. Subscribe here.NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded “the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety”One of the main viruses responsible for seasonal flu may remain infectious in raw milk days after it has left a warm body, according to new experiments at Stanford University, raising concerns about the potential spread of avian influenza or 'bird flu'. When researchers infected a batch of raw milk with the H1N1 virus – a subtype of the influenza A virus – and kept it at a relatively standard domestic refrigeration temperature of 4 °C (about 39 °F), they found it took the pathogen 2.3 days to reach a 99 percent reduction in infectivity. Alarmingly, a small fraction of the virus particles remained in a transmissable state for up to five days. The recommended shelf life of refrigerated raw milk is between five and seven days, meaning even under ideal circumstances milk containing the virus could transmit the flu to a consumer. Thankfully, pasteurization resolved the threat. When researchers heated infected milk to 63 °C for 30 minutes, they successfully inactivated the infectious influenza A virus. "This work highlights the potential risk of avian influenza transmission through consumption of raw milk and the importance of milk pasteurization," says environmental engineer Alexandria Boehm from Stanford. Boehm and her colleagues say they could find no other study that has investigated how long viruses can remain infective in raw milk. Theirs is the first, and it comes at a critical time. In a world first, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the US has officially made the jump from birds to cows, infecting hundreds of dairy farms across the nation with the H5N1 virus. The H1N1 virus is often used as a surrogate for the H5N1 virus in research, so these results from Stanford confirm the idea that pasteurization protects the public against flu-infected milk. While this particular strain of bird flu has yet to be observed spreading from human to human, it can jump from animal to human, and initial research suggests cow milk is a possible vector for human infection. Just a few weeks ago, public health officials in California detected the H5N1 virus in raw milk that was being sold. All of the products were recalled for fear they would infect consumers. At this point, it seems the H5N1 virus can infiltrate a cow's mammary glands and infect dairy farm workers who handle raw milk or milking machines. Some domesticated cats on dairy farms have even died from drinking raw, infected milk. "The persistence of influenza viruses in raw milk is concerning, as the consumption of raw milk remains high in the United States due to cultural factors and several popular misconceptions," the authors write . "Some of these misconceptions include beliefs that raw milk could cure lactose intolerance or asthma, enhance the immune system, and have greater nutritional value compared to pasteurized milk." None of these arguments are ultimately backed up by evidence, and the risks from drinking raw milk can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. About 4 percent of Americans drink raw milk at least once each year, but even with such a small population directly exposed to the risk, there is a threat to public health. The more time the HPAI virus spends in a human body, the more chances it has to get to know the terrain, possibly mutating to better infect our species down the road. So far, US dairy farm workers that have fallen ill have experienced only mild symptoms , but historically, H5N1 outbreaks among humans have high fatality rates , sitting somewhere around 50 percent. Even without bird flu on the scene, health officials warn that drinking unpasteurized milk can expose consumers to pathogens, s uch as Listeria , Salmonella , Campylobacter , and E. coli. Today, this health advice is more important than ever. The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters .

All is quiet during the changing of the guard outside Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei before the gathered crowd erupts. Login or signup to continue reading Taiwanese flags line Democracy Boulevard as cheering locals and tourists alike encircle the strictly choreographed ceremony. Women in short skirts stand side-by-side with those wearing conservative religious garments. China claims self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) fled to the island in 1949 during the civil war with the Chinese Communist Party. Cultural artefacts including the prized Jade Cabbage, given as a dowry gift to an emperor's consort in the 19th century, is one of the many treasures that were taken across the Taiwan Strait. Officials from Beijing say they are not bothered by the objects being on display in Taiwan, as it is a part of China. Many Taiwanese people speak about their shared ancestry with the mainland but consider themselves culturally distinct. Only a dozen nations recognise Taiwan as a state. Australia is part of the overwhelming majority that does not. Canberra continued to recognise the Republic of China until diplomatic relations were set up with the People's Republic of China - established by the communist party - in 1972. Taipei's representative offices in Australia do not have diplomatic status and dealings take place unofficially. But trade between the two is worth billions and a number of travel and academic exchanges take place. Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019 and Taipei is adorned with pride flags and rainbow road crossings. About 170,000 people took part in the pride parade in October, which has been celebrated annually since 2003. China has meanwhile increasingly conducted military drills around Taiwan, with more than 150 aircraft swarming the island in mid-October. A declaration of independence is a clear red line many Taiwanese officials say they will not cross. A survey completed earlier this year showed more than 80 per cent of Taiwanese respondents wanted to maintain the status-quo with China. The number of those wanting independence has been dropping since 2020. Department of International Information Services Director General Catherine Hsu says Taipei is not fearful of an invasion by China. However I-Chung Lai, president of government-funded think tank Prospect Foundation, insists the majority of Taiwanese are ready to take a stand to protect their freedom and democracy. Asked what he would advise in the face of an invasion, he says: "That's a very easy answer, we'll go to war. We'll fight to the death." Dr Lai says despite concerns about an invasion, officials are also considering a blockade or an "anaconda" strategy, where Taiwan would be strangled into submission. "We need to prepare ourselves (so) we can fight tonight and win, that China cannot prevail in a successful military operation," he says. Taiwanese factcheckers say the island is a target for serious disinformation campaigns, often aimed at undermining democracy as a form of government. According to Taiwan FactCheck Center chief executive Eve Chiu shared-language across the strait means lots of fake news floods Taiwanese feeds. Doctored images showing US Vice-President Kamala Harris in a bikini and embracing disgraced American pedophile Jeffrey Epstein on a beach with a caption "this is real," have been picked up via monitoring of the online space. Ms Chiu says another area malicious groups would target include fuelling US scepticism among the general public. A deepfake appeared online, showing a heavily-edited video of a US politician falsely saying Washington was keen to arm Taiwan for a coming war with Beijing. In fact, the original video showed him being questioned by American reporters about the state of the US economy. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Francois Wu has told journalists it is sometimes "lonely" being Taiwanese, as many countries prioritise good economic relations with Beijing. Despite the uncertainty, he was defiant in the face of questions Taiwan might capitulate. "We have to be careful but that does not mean that we have to be intimidated by China," he said. "They said they (have) wanted to occupy Taiwan since 1949 and look at what has happened. We are still here, standing alive." The AAP reporter travelled to Taipei with the assistance of the Taiwanese government. Australian Associated Press 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 Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. 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 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. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. 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How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriage

​For the past 14 years, Alex Vynokur, the co-founder of Betashares, has quietly built his company into one of the largest local providers of exchange-traded funds and one of the country’s fastest growing asset managers. In 2024, Betashares attracted inflows of $16 billion, lifting its total funds under management to $46 billion. “The focus for the past decade has very much been about building out the core ETF capability,” explains Vynokur. “We are now a steward of significant capital on behalf of more than 1 million Australian investors and over two-thirds of financial advisors.” Betashares now accounts for one-third of every dollar that goes into the Australian ETF industry, according to Vynokur, and is eyeing growth in Asia. Alex Vynokur, the chief executive of Betashares. Credit: Louie Douvis An ETF is a basket of securities that are pooled into one fund, which is traded on a stock exchange. An investor in an ETF doesn’t own the securities, instead owning units in the ETF, while the ETF provider owns the shares or assets. ETFs have grown in popularity with investors because they are cost-effective and offer exposure to thousands of diversified assets, such as a group of defence stocks, or the ASX200 index, or a variety of bonds. Globally, ETFs have had a banner year with more than $1 trillion invested into the sector, which is now worth an estimated $14 trillion. Vynokur and his family arrived in Australia from Ukraine more than three decades ago, at the time when ETFs launched. He was a teenager, and his family came with just a few hundred dollars in their pockets. Vynokur became a lawyer, then moved into venture capital, before co-founding Betashares with David Nathanson, also a former lawyer and investment banker, who had worked at Goldman Sachs and Macquarie. We’re definitely, very cautiously, studying opportunities outside of Australia. As with any start-up, Vynokur and Nathanson put in enormous hours to build the company to where it is today, as Australia’s second-largest ETF provider behind market leader Vanguard. Both are now multi-millionaires, though there has been a physical cost, says 46-year-old Vynokur: “I didn’t have any grey hair 14 years ago.” The pay-off for both as come in the past few years. In 2021, private equity group TA Associates became Betashares’ majority shareholder, with at least 53.5 per cent ownership. In the middle of this year, Singapore’s Temasek, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, bought a minority stake. Temasek paid $300 million for that shareholding, the size of which was undisclosed. The deal ascribed a multi-billion-dollar valuation to Betashares. It was Temasek’s first investment in a financial services business in Australia. In a global portfolio valued at $S389 billion ($459 billion), Temasek has just over half invested in private assets. “They have invested with the objective of maybe having more ownership,” says Vynokur. “We’re building this business for the long term, and they are genuinely interested in long-term value creation. We’ve never been about building something up quickly and flogging it. It doesn’t mean I’m opposed to being listed one day, but we’re definitely not in a hurry to go down that path.” The proceeds are expected to help fund Betashares’ growth into new products. In the past year, the company launched retail investment platform Betashares Direct and bought a superannuation business from Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Vynokur also believes that Betashares has more room to expand its main ETF business. “According to the ASX data, there are 8 million Australians who invest outside their superannuation,” he says. “Also, if you think about younger Australians, who are locked out of the property ownership game, you know being smart with money outside of property is absolutely crucial. We have a real role to play in that.” There is also the opportunity for Betashares to expand its ETF business into Asia but, as for a priority, Vynokur won’t nominate a country. “We’re definitely, very cautiously, studying opportunities outside of Australia ... and that’s going to form part of our longer-term growth.” The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning .Police say suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing wasn't a client of the insurer

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Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100Qatar TV: A journey of leadership, development and creativity

Gift a Babbel subscription for 78% off to learn a new languagePM Images Northeast Bank ( NASDAQ: NBN ) is a small bank headquartered in Portland, Maine with a network of seven branches. Whilst it has a community banking business and roots and still serves the local market, its main business model is premised on Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NBN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. 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.

The Australian government’s support for a UN resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza is to blame for a widely condemned arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, the Jewish state’s prime minister says. It is impossible to separate the reprehensible arson attack from the federal government’s “extreme anti-Israeli position,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social media early on Saturday. “Including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel ‘to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible’, and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country,” he wrote on X. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism,” he said. The Adass Israel synagogue at Rippon Lea in Melbourne’s southeast had two of its three buildings gutted after suspected masked intruders allegedly broke into the building and set it alight in the early hours of Friday. Two congregants preparing for morning prayers, were inside. They were evacuated, with one sustaining minor injuries. Police have not ruled out terrorism as a motive, believing the attack was targeted. The suspects had poured accelerant on the floor inside the synagogue and set it on fire before fleeing when they were disturbed by a congregant, police said. Israel President Isaac Herzog said he firmly condemned the horrific arson amid an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities when he spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday night. “I noted to the prime minister that this rise and the increasingly serious antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders,” he said. “I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Political and religious leaders have widely condemned the attack on the synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors. Albanese said he had no tolerance for antisemitism. “This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians and everything we have worked so hard to build as a nation,” he said in a statement. Australian Federal Police will provide all requested resources to Victorian authorities, he said. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said police patrols would be increased, and pledged $100,000 to rebuilding the synagogue.The Best AI Stock to Invest $500 in Right Now

To lure Juan Soto, Mets created a video of his statue outside Citi Field next to Tom Seaver's NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. Ronald Blum, The Associated Press Dec 12, 2024 4:02 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message New York Mets' Juan Soto poses for photographs at Citi Field, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. When the free agent outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen's house in Beverly Hills, California, for a presentation last month, the team unveiled a video that included an image of a future Soto statue outside Citi Field, next to the one erected of franchise great Tom Seaver . “Everything that they showed me, what they have, what they want to do, it was incredible,” Soto said. “But my favorite part was the video.” Soto was introduced at Citi Field on Thursday, a day after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and agent Scott Boras. Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. The slugger walked in led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, black turtle neck shirt and gold chain with his No. 22. Soto picked the Mets over the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. His deal includes a luxury suite and four premium tickets for home games , all for free, and personal team security for the four-time All-Star and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games. “My family is really important for me. Without them, I probably wouldn't have been here,” Soto said. “It's one of the biggest things.” Boras had asked for those sweeteners. “We included it at the beginning," Cohen said. “He made a request and we were happy to provide.” The crosstown Yankees, who reached the World Series for the first time since 2009 in part because of Soto, refused to consider the concept. “Some high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites, they buy them,” general manager Brian Cashman said. Cohen purchased the Mets ahead of the 2021 season and has boosted them to baseball's highest payroll in search of the team's first title since 1986 — when the World Series MVP, like Soto, wore No. 22 — Ray Knight. The owner thanked his son, Josh, for helping create the video and commended his 93-year-old father-in-law Ralph for attending the first get-together with Soto. While other teams met Soto at the Pendry Newport Beach, a hotel just a five-minute drive from Boras Corp.'s office, Cohen asked to host the session at one of his homes. “If we’re going to some restaurant, I didn’t know what the atmosphere would be,” Cohen said. “Food's better at my house.” Cohen and Soto met again Friday at another of the owner's homes in Boca Raton, Florida. Soto wanted to know how many championships Cohen expects over the next decade? “I said I’d like to win two to four,” the owner recalled. The value of Soto's contract eclipsed Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Its length topped Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year agreement with San Diego that runs through 2034. The 26-year-old Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks this year and has a .285 career average with 201 homers, 592 RBIs and 769 walks over seven seasons with Washington, San Diego and the Yankees. Boras wouldn't discuss who finished second in the bidding in Soto's mind. “When you’re at a wedding, you don’t talk about the bridesmaids," he said. Soto made the decision Sunday while at home with his family. Boras referred to the group as the “Soto Supreme Court" defined as “mother, sister, father — he’s got a wide group. I think he may have eight or nine uncles.” “My information requests and such were rather unique,” Boras said, detailing that his team asked for OPS by ballpark. Soto's 1.175 at Citi Field is his highest at any stadium where he's played 15 or more games. Soto cited Cohen's relationship with Mets stars Francisco Lindor and Edwin Díaz as a factor in his mind. “They are kind of like (a tight) family, a family that wants to win but they definitely want to take care of their players and their families,” Soto said. Cohen had his wife Alex and father-in-law attend the initial meeting to emphasize kinship. “My father-in-law is at every game, every home game,” Cohen said. “I wanted him to see how important baseball is to this family. And Alex grew up with one TV in an apartment and that Met game was on every night.” Cohen relishes owning the Mets. He spoke earlier in the day to a town hall at his hedge fund. “Whenever you meet somebody, they want to talk about the Mets before they talk about financial markets,” he said. Soto's success will be determined by World Series titles. The Yankees have 27, the Mets two. “It's such a big city, right? There's plenty of room for both of us,” Cohen said. Soto had a more direct definition. "Championships is going to tell you if it's a Yankees or Mets town at the end of the day," he said. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb Ronald Blum, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Baseball Texas Rangers and RHP Nathan Eovaldi finalize $75 million, 3-year contract Dec 12, 2024 5:21 PM Willy Adames plans to play every day for San Francisco and bring the Giants championships Dec 12, 2024 1:59 PM Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months Dec 12, 2024 9:48 AM

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