ITV The 1% Club fans issue the same complaint about Lee Mack's 'easy' questionsMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell's stirring locker room tribute to his team last week at Seattle was respectfully interrupted by seven-year veteran right tackle Brian O'Neill, who flipped the script on the game ball awards by tossing one to the boss in honor of his second 13-win season in three years. The Vikings have obliterated even the most optimistic of external predictions for this transitional season, taking a sparkling 13-2 record into their matchup against the Green Bay Packers that has made O'Connell the current favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of isolating the US from foreign conflicts like the Ukraine war, increasing tariffs on foreign trade partners, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing. But in recent days he has suggested a more outwardly aggressive approach for his foreign policy. At first, he joked about Canada being an additional US state. Since, he has threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal . He also reiterated a desire from his first term to own the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, which is not for sale . The US is unlikely to take control of any of these regions. But these statements could indicate that Trump’s “America First” vision includes flexing the superpower’s muscle beyond its borders for US trade and national security interests. On Sunday, Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona that Panama was charging US ships “ridiculous, highly unfair” fees to use its namesake canal. After taking charge of building the canal in the early 20th century, the US turned full control over to Panama in the 1970s via a treaty. But this week, Trump said that if the “rip off” did not stop, he would demand the canal be returned to the US – though he did not specify how. Trump added he did not want the Panama Canal “falling into the wrong hands” and specifically cited China, which has significant interests in the waterway. “There’s a real US national security interest... in controlling its neutrality,” Will Freeman, a fellow on Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s remarks. “Trump’s statement is mostly about that.” China is the second-largest user of the Panama Canal after the US, according to data. It has major economic investments in the country as well. In 2017, Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognised it as part of China, a major win for Beijing. The Panama Canal is not only essential for US trade in the Pacific, Mr Freeman said – in the event of any military conflict with China, it would be needed to move US ships and other assets. He also noted Trump’s frequent comments about trade partners’ unfair treatment of the US, as well as the president-elect’s pledge to sharply increase tariffs on foreign goods, particularly those from China. Trump’s complaints about shipping fees seemed to reflect his views on trade, Mr Freeman said. While the statements might be “coercive”, said Mr Freeman, it remained to be seen “whether canal authorities lower fees on US cargo in response to the threat”. Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino has released a statement saying that the canal and the surrounding area belonged to his country – and would remain so. Advertisement Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the US “feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for reasons of national security and global freedom. The US maintains Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. The territory is rich with natural resources, including rare earth minerals, and occupies a strategic location for trade as global powers seek to expand their reach in the Arctic Circle. Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity. Trump floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, and it never came to fruition. Greenland’s prime minister, Múte B Egede, responded to Trump’s latest comments this week: “We are not for sale and we will not be for sale.” Still, Trump continued emphasising his public statements online. On Truth Social, Trump’s account showed an image of an American flag being planted in the middle of the Panama Canal. His second-eldest son, Eric Trump, posted an image on X that showed the US adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to an Amazon online shopping cart. For Trump, promises to use America’s might to its advantage helped propel his two successful presidential campaigns. It was a tactic he used during his first presidency, threatening tariffs and the deployment of “armed soldiers” to steer Mexico into beefing up enforcement along its US border. Heading into his second term, Trump could plan to use a similar playbook once he takes office on 20 January. While it remains to be seen what will happen, Denmark has expressed a willingness to work with his administration. It also announced a huge boost in defence spending for Greenland , hours after Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory. – bbc.com
Public funds used for Eoghan Murphy’s UK book launch at Irish EmbassyRedbacks and Carlton leg spinner Henry Edwards back in Victorian colours
NoneNoneAston Villa boss Unai Emery has set his sights on automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig. Ross Barkley’s 85th-minute goal gave them victory in Germany after goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran early in each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. That sent them up to third in the new league phase of the competition ahead of Wednesday’s games and with matches against Monaco and Celtic to come, Villa have an excellent chance of finishing in the top eight. Job done... in the end 😅 #RBLAVL #UCL pic.twitter.com/PRD1Hi1Q3A — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 That would mean they would avoid a play-off round to make it through to the last 16 and Emery says that is the target. “Today was key. Juventus at home, we were thinking more to win but in the end we accepted the draw because it was important for a point to be more or less in the top 24,” he told Amazon Prime. “Today was a match we were thinking at the beginning was key to be a contender to be in the top eight with the last two matches to be played. “It is going to be difficult and we have to get some more points but we now have the possibility to achieve this option. “We are going to enjoy and try to get top eight but we have to be happy because we are in the top 24 and maybe even the top 16. “We weren’t contenders in the beginning to get there but now we have to accept it.” Leipzig, who are flying high near the top of the Bundesliga, are out after losing all six matches. They did pose a threat to Villa, who inflicted some of their own problems on themselves, notably a rare gaffe from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for Openda’s equaliser. But Emery was happy with his side’s performance. “I try to enjoy and always we want to improve and sometimes it is hard but today the team were performing well, playing seriously and I was enjoying it,” he added. “We tried to overcome the mistakes we made and we did. More or less we were playing consistently. One mistake and they score but then we played very well. “Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination.”
If you are in the enviable position of having $25,000 available to invest in the share market, then it could be worth considering the exchange-traded funds ( ) in this article. Here's what could make them good options for investors in 2025 and beyond: The first ASX ETF for investors to consider for a $25,000 investment is the . It was recently as one to buy by BetaShares and provides investors with access to a whopping ~8,000 large, mid, and small cap stocks from Australia and globally. The fund manager highlights that the ETF has high growth potential and thinks that it would be suitable for investors with a high tolerance for risk. ( ) Another ASX ETF that could be a top pick for a $25,000 investment in 2025 is . This fund provides investors with access to the growing cybersecurity industry. Betashares, which has tipped it as one to buy, notes that "an estimate of the total addressable market by McKinsey suggests that the cybersecurity market is $1.5-$2.0 trillion globally, and at best only 10% penetrated." In light of this, Betashares points out that the industry has "a very long runway for growth." Among the ETF's holdings are all the leading players in the industry. ( ) A third ASX ETF that could be a good option for a $25,000 investment is the . It allows investors to buy a piece of 500 of the largest listed companies on Wall Street with a single click of the button. This is a diverse group of companies from a range of different industries and sectors. This includes many of the world's largest companies such as ( ) ( ), ( ), and ( ). ( ) A fourth ASX ETF for investors to look at in 2025 is the . This ASX ETF focuses on investing in companies that Warren Buffett would normally buy for his business. These are companies with fair valuations, strong business models, and sustainable competitive advantages. Buffett has smashed the market for decades following this strategy. ( ) Finally, if you are interested in generating income from your $25,000, then the could be the ASX ETF to buy. It uses broker research to identify in the region of 70 ASX shares that are forecast to have larger than average . Among its holdings are giants such as ( ), ( ), and ( ). The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF currently trades with a dividend yield of 5%.This Christmas, consider gifting your loved ones something that could grow in value over time, and a classic example of this is penny stocks. In the Nigerian context, penny stocks describe shares that trade at relatively low prices, typically below N5 per share. The term is borrowed from the American capital markets, where “penny stocks” refers to shares of small-cap or micro-cap companies. Often overlooked, penny stocks can offer unique opportunities for those who can take a risk in pursuit of high rewards. In this story, BusinessDay compiled a list of promising penny stocks listed on the NGX that have the potential to bring financial joy in the coming year. AIICO Insurance AIICO Insurance was trading at a share price of N1.24 as of December 12, representing a 55 percent year-to-date gain. The stock has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 3.65x, with Meristem Research projecting the target price for AIICO at N1.54. Afrinvest, Bancorp Securities, and Lead Capital also placed a ‘BUY’ recommendation on the stock. AIICO’s net profit for the first nine months of 2024 reached ₦12.4 billion, reflecting a 110% year-on-year growth from ₦5.9 billion in the same period of 2023. The company is poised to increase its dividend payout from the 5 kobo per share distributed for FY 2023. Read also: Penny stocks drive market’s mild gain as week opens Veritas Kapital Assurance After a 230% gain year-to-date, stockbroking analysts are advising to sell Veritas Kapital Assurance. However, with a P/E ratio of 2.98x, one of the lowest in the insurance sector, it remains a strong buy. The company reported a net profit of ₦2.9 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, reflecting a 117% year-on-year increase from ₦1.32 billion in the same period of 2023. With a net interest income of 15 percent and a Return on Equity of 16 percent, the company is on track to provide returns to its shareholders, additional benefits of VERITASKAP stocks. Jaiz Bank With a share price of N2.40, Jaiz Bank is the second cheapest banking stock available on the NGX. Analysts recommend a strong buy on JAIZBANK because it is still off the target price range. For Meristem, the target price is N2.88. Jaiz Bank has emerged as one of the top-performing banking stocks in 2024, boasting a year-to-date return of 23.7%. However, the stock is currently 35% below its year-high price of ₦3.70. To meet its new capital requirements, the bank needs approximately ₦2 billion, a sum that can be raised without recourse to the capital market, hence it is not in a hurry to initiate any capital-raising efforts in the NGX. International Energy Insurance Now owned by Norrenberger, International Energy Insurance is a stock with huge potential in the NGX. Year-to-date, INTENEGINS has appreciated by 5.76 percent, one of the slowest returns by an insurance stock. The stock’s underperformance can be attributed to the company’s recent struggles, which culminated in a change of management. Under the new leadership, IEI Plc is preparing to hold its first Annual General Meeting since 2020 and will soon release its audited financial statements for 2023, while awaiting approval for its 2024 financials. These steps by the new management may help shift investors’ attention and potentially revitalize confidence in the company. Unity Bank Ahead of its merger with Providus Bank, Unity Bank presents a strong long-term investment opportunity. Currently priced at ₦1.51, Unity Bank is the cheapest banking stock on the NGX. While the stock has declined by 6.79% in 2024, the upcoming merger with Providus Bank is expected to offset the bank’s losses, positioning the combined entity for future growth and potential value appreciation. Champion Breweries With a share price of N3.90, Champion Breweries presents a compelling investment opportunity. After ending FY 2023 as the only profitable brewer in Nigeria, the company is on track to maintain profitability in 2024, which signals strong financial resilience in a challenging industry. Although its share price has depreciated by 6.02% in 2024, this decline can be attributed to the bonus share issuance in H1 2024, which temporarily affected the stock price. Given the company’s solid profitability and potential for growth, Champion Breweries’ stock could present significant upside for long-term investors looking for a stable performer in the brewing sector. Other penny stocks that could present promising investment opportunities as 2024 draws to a close include NPF Microfinance Bank, priced at ₦1.50 per share, cable manufacturer Cutix Plc which trades at N2.30, and Livestock Feeds, which is trading at ₦3.15 per share.A judge on Monday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss the election subversion case against Donald Trump because of a Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed to the request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to dismiss the case against the president-elect "without prejudice," meaning it could potentially be revived after Trump leaves the White House four years from now. "Dismissal without prejudice is appropriate here," Chutkan said, adding in the ruling that "the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office." Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and removing large quantities of top secret documents after leaving the White House, but the cases never came to trial. Smith also moved on Monday to drop his appeal of the dismissal of the documents case filed against the former president in Florida. That case was tossed out earlier this year by a Trump-appointed judge on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. The special counsel paused the election interference case and the documents case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. Smith cited the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president in his motions to have the cases dismissed. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the cases were "empty and lawless, and should never have been brought." "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME," he said. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before." Trump was accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump was also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. However, Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. cl/sms
Palantir and Shield AI forge strategic partnership for AI-driven autonomous flightMid-American Conference football goes all in on November weeknights for the TV viewers
