Trump 2.0 has a Cabinet and executive branch of different ideas and eclectic personalities
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won't be bothered if free agent Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain's $360 million , nine-year contract. “It ain’t my money. I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can, I’m happy with whatever,” Judge said Friday, a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second AL MVP award. “That's never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322 as New York reached the World Series for the first time since 2009, only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers . Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees and finished third in MVP voting, also trailing Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt. Jr. A free agent at 26, Soto has met with the Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, and he plans to meet with the Philadelphia Phillies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the meetings have not been publicly announced. Negotiations are not likely to intensify until after Thanksgiving. Judge hasn’t spoken with Soto since the World Series. Judge went through the free-agent experience after hitting an AL record 62 homers in 2022. “The best thing is to really give those guys space," Judge said. "I talked to him all season and he knows how we feel about him and I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family.” Soto met with Yankees officials on Monday at a hotel in southern California, a group that included owner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser for baseball operations Omar Minaya. “We had a good meeting. It was a very honest back-and-forth dialogue, a couple hours long,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday. Asked how confident he was about keeping Soto, Steinbrenner said: “No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.” Soto and Judge filled the Nos. 2 and 3 slots in the Yankees batting order in a franchise-record 153 games, topping the 145 of Joe Dugan and Babe Ruth in 1923, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. “I get to see a lot of pitches," Judge said. "He's going to be a tough at-bat in front of me. He’s going to wear down the pitcher right there in the first inning, within the first 15 pitches or so. Yeah, I think that was a big impact just having having a guy like that in front of you. "If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I would love that.” After the World Series, Judge spent about a week in Tampa, Florida, where the Yankees hold spring training, and met with Steinbrenner. “We kind of just discussed a lot of things from Juan to other guys that are kind of out there that I think could definitely help this team,:" Judge said. "So I kind of just gave my input on a couple things.” Judge said when he agreed to his big deal in late 2022, Steinbrenner wanted to have a deeper relationship. They've been meeting every week or two, and pitcher Gerrit Cole has developed a similar exchange with the owner. “I think just having that relationship to where I can kind of communicate with him about what I’m seeing, what I’m feeling, what I see with the guys, what I see against other guys that we play against,” Judge said. “I think it’s a cool part to where I think just the more communication you have from top to bottom, it just — it makes everybody better.” Judge's contract is baseball's fourth largest behind the deals of the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ($700 million), the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout ($426.5 million) and the Dodgers' Mookie Betts ($365 million). Judge cited the example of teammate Giancarlo Stanton, whose $325 million deal was the highest when he joined the Yankees ahead of the 2018 season but now ranks tied for ninth. “Even though he signed one of those — the first big mega-contracts back in Miami, once he came here he didn’t care about the highest-paid guy. He just wanted good players around him,” Judge said. In joining Mickey Mantle in 1956 as the Yankees' only unanimous MVPs, Judge credited his teammates. “You look at every single one of my teammates in that room and know that each and every single one of them impacted me in a way that put me in that position,” Judge said. “So it’s always going to be a team award in my book.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
As fans continue to support and admire Yang Shize for his talent and charisma, his playful yet meaningful response to relationship rumors serves as a reminder of his quick wit and endearing personality. By choosing to share his single status through the art of hidden poems, Yang Shize not only entertained his audience but also left a lasting impression that showcased his creativity and authenticity.
Canadian investors are navigating investment options for a potentially explosive 2025. As the economy braces for a potential shock as the United States’s president-elect threatens to impose huge tariffs on trade partners, finding stocks that offer growth, reliable , and wealth preservation has become increasingly crucial. Enter ( ), a rare stock investment option that checks most boxes for investors. While high-flying tech stocks grab headlines, Fortis – an electric and gas utility stock serving millions of customers in Canada, the United States and Caribbean territories – has quietly built a 51-year track record of consecutive dividend increases, recently becoming only the second Canadian company to achieve the coveted status (behind ( ) stock). Its fresh 4.2% dividend raise in November brings the current yield to 4.1%, but here’s what makes Fortis stock truly compelling for 2025: For investors seeking the trifecta of steady income, capital preservation, and long-term growth potential, Fortis stock’s story is more than about the 4.1% future dividend yield. It demands more attention. A $26 billion growth plan powers Fortis stock’s future Fortis stock isn’t just about current income – it’s positioned for significant growth. The company’s newly announced 2025–2029 capital expenditure plan of $26 billion represents its most ambitious (and low-risk) expansion yet. This comprehensive revenue and earnings growth plan, which exceeds the previous five-year strategy by $1 billion, aims to grow the company’s rate base from $38.8 billion to approximately $53 billion by 2029, targeting a robust 6.5% annual growth rate. Revenue growth could translate into earnings, cash flow, and respectable dividend growth rates. How Fortis stock could double your money For investors seeking wealth accumulation, Fortis stock presents a compelling case. Using the predictive power of the , doubling your investment over a decade requires roughly 7.2% in annual total returns. Fortis stock’s current 4.1% dividend yield, combined with management’s targeted dividend growth rate of 4-6% through 2029, means investors need only modest share price appreciation to achieve this goal. Historical performance supports this potential – investors who purchased Fortis stock a decade ago and reinvested all dividends saw their position grow by 125%. data by Buy Fortis stock for stability in uncertain times What makes Fortis stock particularly valuable is its remarkable stability. With a one-year Beta of just 0.09 against the , Fortis stock has shown exceptionally low volatility compared to the broader market. As a regulated electric and gas utility serving millions of needy customers, Fortis provides essential services that generally remain in demand regardless of economic conditions. The growing energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancement provide additional tailwinds for Fortis stock’s growth trajectory. Interestingly, Fortis stock could help diversify volatile AI-tilted portfolios. Fortis stock’s attractive valuation and low-risk growth funding Currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 17.8, Fortis stock sits comfortably within its five-year historical PE range. This reasonable valuation, paired with the company’s proven track record of shareholder wealth creation, creates an appealing entry point for long-term investors. The company’s plans to fund its $26 billion capital expenditure primarily through internally generated cash flow, reduces the risk of excessive debt or equity dilution. Fortis’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) provides an additional source of capital for future projects, and allows current investors to participate in its growth projects for even more dividends and capital gains. Fortis stock appears to be a well-positioned core-portfolio investment for 2025 and beyond. Investor takeaway For investors seeking a combination of current income, growth potential, and stability, Fortis stands out as a compelling choice. Its status as a dividend king, coupled with its robust growth plans and an essential business model, makes it a strong candidate for any growth and income-focused portfolios heading into 2025.
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) plans to sell stakes in some businesses, including restaurants, to reduce losses caused by underperforming operations, as well as revisit enterprises with a dim outlook, says chief executive Disathat Panyarachun. Share sales are needed to minimise losses and avoid the impact of a further decrease in share value, he said. The company is preparing to sell shares in Imsub Global Cuisine Co, the owner and operator of food and beverage brands including Kouen Sushi Bar and Café Amazon in China. OR also intends to sell shares in Flash Express, which provides goods delivery services. The company announced earlier it would stop investment in American fast food chain Texas Chicken, leading to the shutdown of all of its branches in Thailand. The decision marked the end of its nine-year stint in Thailand, with total losses of 500 million baht. The fried chicken market in Thailand is estimated at 27 billion baht, with KFC commanding a 90% market share, according to OR. Mr Disathat said OR is also considering adjusting its business plan in Orbit Digital, a joint venture between OR and Bluebik Group, which offers advice on digital transformation. OR made a 40% investment in the company, with the remainder funded by Bluebik Group. Orbit Digital was established to help OR with new technologies and innovations, as well as seek new business opportunities for OR. Plans to reduce losses and revisit businesses are expected to increase OR's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation to 30%, up from 27%, he said. "Some business partnerships were meant to add value to our and our partners' assets, but time has proven we cannot achieve that goal," said Mr Disathat. Some businesses also have limited resources for scaling up, so it is better to seek new partners, he said. "We believe we are making a smart decision. Exiting some businesses prepares us for new investment," said Mr Disathat. OR is in talks with companies in the lifestyle sector on new investment opportunities, but he declined to elaborate. In oil retail, OR is continuing with a plan to expand its petrol stations in Cambodia as the market has growth potential, said Mr Disathat. The company also wants to resume its oil business in Myanmar, which was suspended following internal political conflicts. The suspension cost OR 400 million baht.NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of PepGen Inc. ("PepGen" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PEPG ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether PepGen and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On December 16, 2024 , PepGen issued a press release "announc[ing] that the Company received a clinical hold notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate the CONNECT2-EDO51 clinical trial in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)", stating that "[t]he FDA indicated they will provide an official clinical hold letter to the Company within 30 days." On this news, PepGen's stock price fell $0.17 per share, or 3.63%, to close at $4.51 per share on December 16, 2024 . Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , London , Paris , and Tel Aviv , is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz , known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud , breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
F1 announces 11th team to join grid as field expanded to 22 drivers
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. now has sufficient power to maintain 67 megawatts in reserve, according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. The reserve affords the power company a backup supply which is ready to generate electricity within minutes of a shortage on the power grid. This follows the connection of the 60MW powership to the grid earlier this week, leading to 267 megawatts of power becoming available. The Vice President told reporters on Friday that the current demand for electricity is at 200 megawatts, leaving 67 megawatts of power in reserve to facilitate maintenance of GPL’s generator sets and to help the company meet better performance levels. “This will allow them to take out some of the other sets which had delayed maintenance and do that maintenance now without affecting the availability of power in the system,” he noted. As such, Jagdeo said “we don’t expect to have blackouts the way we had because of the shortage of power...there may be blackouts associated with faults in the transmission system, but it must not be from lack of power.” To eliminate power outages or total shutdown of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), GPL needs to duplicate its transmission lines. According to the Vice President, the power company has tendered for a 230KVA line to transmit electricity from Georgetown to Crabwood Creek, East Berbice, Corentyne. “With us generating 5-600 megawatts here, we need to move that and the 69KVa line can’t move that amount of power all the way to Berbice. We are doing the same to take power to linden,” he said. Another $200M project is underway to upgrade transformers and other components of the grid to increase capacity as part of the government’s Gas to Energy project.
Nations strive for climate funding consensus as COP29 deadline nears'Nicest dinner ever' is comforting twist on pie and mash - perfect for winter
