Article content REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. Recommended Videos This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggested the country could be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. “My expectation is like, something new going to happen, hopefully,” said Hörður Guðjonsson, voting in the capital, Reykjavik. “We always have had these old parties taking care of things. I hope we see the light now to come in with a younger people, new ideas.” Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Fierce weather in the sub-Arctic nation threatened to hamper some voters getting to polling stations on Saturday, with heavy snow blocking roads in many areas. The weather could also delay the delivery of ballot boxes to counting centers after polls close at 10 p.m. (2200GMT). How does the election work? Voters are choosing 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. Why now? A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But Benediktsson decided on Oct. 13 that his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tomasdottir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,” said Vilhjalmur Bjarnason a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Despite the electoral headwinds, Benediktsson expressed confidence that his Independence Party could emerge on top. “It was an uphill battle for my party, initially, but as we moved on into the election campaign, I think things started to turn our way and I feel that this will be a very exciting election day,” he said. Why is Iceland’s politics so fractured? The splintering of Iceland’s political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after the country’s debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,” said Eva H. Önnudottir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” What are the issues? Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighbouring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. What about the volcano? Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudottir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,” she said.How happy are workers? Answering this depends on a multitude of factors. To add to this, there will be national differences. Take the U.S. as an example, one poll finds that employees are more unhappy at work than they have been in years, and currently more than a quarter of U.S. citizens are looking to change roles. This is the highest in a decade. The data suggests that employees were happier and more satisfied at the height of the pandemic than they are today. In contrast to the ‘lockdown years’, over 80 percent of U.S. citizens are dissatisfied with the way things are going at work. To address this, flexible work appears to result in higher employee satisfaction amid increasing return to office mandates For those running a new small business, when hiring a new employee is an especially timely, costly, and pivotal practice, creating a culture of contentment has never been more important. To aid new business owners boost employee satisfaction, the firm Wix.com has provided to Digital Journal advice on how business owners can create a positive work environment, and how to spot when employees might be losing morale. How to create a positive work environment from your company’s inception In terms of strengthening the workplace environment, the data suggests to build a company based on trust, honesty and fairness. Regardless of company size, employees expect a work environment where: • People are held accountable for their actions, • Respect is shown for others’ ideas, values and beliefs, • There is overarching trust and a sense of community between staff and management, • Difficult situations are addressed efficiently and effectively Establish backend processes early on While startups often expect their first employees to wear many hats, failing to have processes in place around job roles and the specifics of what is expected of employees can ultimately create a negative working environment. Similarly, if firms are making fundamental changes within the business, managers need to make sure they have planned out a protocol to communicate this to your staff and keep them in the loop. Additionally, processes around mental health, dealing with difficult situations, and day to day operational procedures should also be in place so that you can deal with issues in a standardized way. Give hiring decisions the attention they deserve Hiring the right people is always important, but especially significant for newer businesses and startups, as they’re often the people that are going to drive your organization forward. Hire people that align with your mission and business values. In a smaller company, these are equally important to employees as it is to senior stakeholders. Hire for attitude as well as skill (it’s vital to have people who are respectful and easy to work with), and ensure applicants are aligned with the company and invested in its mission before signing on the dotted line. An aligned vision keeps employees happy, and as a smaller team, being on the same page and having the same end goal helps to avoid friction. Build a work environment that encourages support and developmen t Employees want roles that are both personally and professionally fulfilling, allowing them to receive fair compensation while working on projects that challenge them and align with their personal values. Creating an environment that supports this development – whether that’s through in-house training, budget allocation, or mentoring amongst colleagues -, – helps employees feel nurtured and respected in their role. Prioritise work-life balance from the beginning Expectations should be clear around working times, but as is often the case in work, employees will be expected to work beyond these times where required. Where there is adequate work-life balance in place, and employees are aligned with their company’s mission, staff often don’t resent working beyond their assigned hours (so long as this doesn’t occur week in, week out). Leaders should show respect for employees’ personal lives and passion projects by monitoring workloads, and if a member of staff is consistently working overtime, conversations should be had around whether there is too much work assigned, or whether there are other reasons why they cannot complete this within their usual working hours. Invest in good leadership While founders are typically excellent at what they do, leadership often doesn’t come naturally. Focus on investing in leadership training, promote those who lead by example, and be prepared to challenge instances where leadership could be improved or acted upon differently. Poor leadership is one of the greatest performance-killers for highly-motivated employees, and once this relationship diminishes, it can be easy for employees to lose morale. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Judge says lawsuit over former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr.'s jail death can proceedCutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports
Kosovo arrested several suspects Saturday after an explosion at a key canal feeding two of its main power plants, while neighbouring Serbia rejected accusations of staging the blast. The explosion Friday near the town of Zubin Potok, which sits in an ethnic Serb-dominated area in Kosovo's troubled north, damaged a canal that supplies water to hundreds of thousands of people and cooling systems at two coal-fired power plants that generate most of Kosovo's electricity. As security forces swarmed the area around the canal, whose concrete walls were left with a gaping hole gushing water, Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited the site and announced authorities had arrested several people. Law enforcement "carried out searches" and "collected testimony and evidence, and the criminals and terrorists will have to face justice and the law," he said. The arrests follow a security meeting late Friday, when Kurti pointed the finger at Serbia. "The attack was carried out by professionals. We believe it comes from gangs directed by Serbia," he told a press conference, without providing evidence. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hit back Saturday, denying the "irresponsible" and "baseless accusations". "Such unfounded claims are aimed to tarnish Serbia's reputation, as well as to undermine efforts to promote peace and stability in the region," he said in a statement to AFP. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric had earlier suggested on X that the Kosovar "regime" could itself be behind the blast, calling for an international investigation. The main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, Serb List, also condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms". AFP journalists at the scene saw water leaking heavily from one side of the reinforced canal, which runs from the Serb-majority north of Kosovo to the capital, Pristina. However, electricity supplies to consumers were running smoothly on Saturday morning, with authorities having found an alternative method to cool the plants, said Kosovo's Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli. Repair work was ongoing, authorities said, while Kurti confirmed workers had managed to restore water flows to 25 percent capacity. The United States strongly condemned the "attack on critical infrastructure in Kosovo", the US embassy in Pristina said in a statement on Facebook. "We are monitoring the situation closely... and have offered our full support to the government of Kosovo to ensure that those responsible for this criminal attack are identified and held accountable." Turkey's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, adding: "We call on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid escalation in the region." The NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission for Kosovo joined the calls for restraint. "It is important that facts are established and that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice," it said in a statement. The force is providing security in the surrounding area and has offered logistical, explosives removal and engineering support to the Kosovo authorities, it added. The European Union's ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, joined the international condemnation, saying on X: "The incident needs to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice." Animosity between ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo and Serbia has persisted since the end of the war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move that Serbia has refused to acknowledge. Kurti's government has for months sought to dismantle a parallel system of social services and political offices backed by Belgrade to serve Kosovo's Serbs. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday denounced "the act of sabotage on the critical water supply infrastructure in the Iber-Lepenc Canal" in comments on X, calling it "a serious crime that endangers the lives of Kosovo's citizens and undermines the process of normalizing relations in our region." Friday's attack came after a series of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including the hurling of hand grenades at a municipal building and a police station earlier this week. ih/ach/giv/jhb/sbkArguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer glimpse into unusual American momentCutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports
76ers look for season-best 4th straight win vs. BlazersMumbai: BMC Plans Third Seafood Plaza In Khar Danda Koliwada, Invites Public Feedback Before LaunchSemona scores 15 as Stonehill takes down Lafayette 70-65World News | Big Questions Confronting Biden Administration, Trump's Team After Assad's Collapse in Syria
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP is investigating Paycor HCM, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYCR) to determine whether certain Paycor officers and directors violated securities laws and breached fiduciary duties to shareholders. Paycor HCM, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of human capital management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses primarily in the United States. What Now: If you own shares of Paycor HCM, Inc. and have lost money in your investment, contact us for more information about your rights. All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. Contact us to learn more: Aaron Dumas, Jr. (800) 350-6003 adumas@robbinsllp.com Shareholder Information Form About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Paycor HCM, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.Gautam Adani breaks silence on bribery charges in US: ‘Every attack makes us stronger and...’
Young men swung to the right for Trump after a campaign dominated by masculine appeals
After in Seoul, when critics of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yol came within five votes of the number needed to impeach him, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pledged to persist with its impeachment efforts while the ruling to navigate the ongoing crisis. What comes next, and how will this situation shape the broader domestic and international political landscape? To explore these questions, Asia Times spoke late Saturday with , leader of the Sonamu Party and a former senior lawmaker from the Democratic Party. was also the mayor of Incheon and led the DP from 2021 to 2022. Q: A: First, within the People Power Party, there remains a deep-seated trauma from the impeachment of former conservative President Park Geun-hye. Many lawmakers fear that if President Yoon falls, the entire conservative camp could collapse alongside him. Additionally, they are determined to block any scenario in which liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung could ascend to power following Yoon’s potential ouster. Viewing the current crisis through a partisan and political lens, the PPP perceives the impeachment motion as an existential threat. [The PPP leader] Han Dong-hoon’s opposition to impeachment is perplexing, though, particularly since he was targeted for arrest under Yoon’s martial law. His ambiguous stance underscores his lack of political acumen and gravitas. The so-called Han Dong-hoon faction is not blindly loyal to him, especially as he isn’t even a member of the National Assembly. Instead, they appear to be assessing the broader political landscape. Han’s inability to articulate a clear position or inspire confidence cements his reputation as a politician devoid of leadership. The core issue, I believe, lies in the ongoing parliamentary efforts to seek a special counsel probe against Kim Keon-hee, the first lady. To shield his wife, Yoon issued an emergency martial law declaration, effectively creating a “bulletproof” defense. Beyond this immediate motive, it reflects Yoon’s consistent approach since taking office — branding leftists as anti-state forces and suppressing political dissent. Yoon’s latest gambit, however, does not appear to be a spontaneous decision but rather a premeditated act. Yoon recently appointed his close confidant and high school alumnus, Kim Young-hyun [Kim then resigned on December 4], as minister of defense and established a private network comprising Yoon’s key allies, including Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min [he resigned on December 8] and Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung [he was dismissed on December 6)] This group played a pivotal role in facilitating the declaration of martial law on Tuesday. South Korea’s legislative branch is legally untouchable, even under martial law. While a martial law decree can place the executive and judiciary under its command, the National Assembly retains its autonomy. South Korean law explicitly ensures legislative oversight in such situations. Article 4 of the Martial Law Act mandates that the president notify the National Assembly immediately after declaring martial law. If the Assembly is not in session, the president must seek a parliamentary session to deliberate on the declaration without delay. Under Yoon’s directive, these legal safeguards were blatantly disregarded. Not only did the military barricade the National Assembly to block lawmakers’ entry, but armed soldiers forced their way into the main building, attempting to arrest politicians. The marital law command also breached the building housing the National Election Commission, an autonomous institution. Such actions represent a flagrant violation of constitutional order and amount to a clear act of insurrection. A special investigation headquarters has been established to probe President Yoon’s martial law declaration. The headquarters must swiftly summon key figures and uncover further details about the events of this week. For example, broadcaster MBC recently that the Yoon administration may have attempted to provoke a limited war by striking North Korean targets in retaliation for the regime’s trash-filled balloon attacks. If this is substantiated, it would constitute a serious felony, tantamount to treason, which could pave the way for the president’s removal under Article 84 of the Constitution. In the case of former President Park, an investigation into her many scandals was conducted before the impeachment bill was voted on. Given the ongoing investigations against Yoon, impeachment would become more viable if the evidence supports such a course. [President Yoon has now been in the December 3 insurrection case]. By staffing government agencies, the ruling party and the presidential office with a pro-Yoon prosecutorial clique, Yoon has effectively created a “republic of prosecutors.” This faction, operating under his guidance, has undermined South Korea’s democratic norms by using its power to shield the president and his family from criminal liability, suppress press freedom and silence opposition and dissent. I have long argued that, even if the Yoon administration falls, little will change as long as Han Dong-hoon, with his equally prosecutorial mindset, remains the leader of the ruling party. What is urgently needed along with Yoon’s ouster is a fundamental overhaul of our prosecutorial system. We welcome Washington reaffirming that the foundation of the South Korea-US alliance is democracy, which is crucial. However, as a sovereign nation, South Korea has no obligation to give prior notice, regardless of the legitimacy of the martial law. First, I emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons should never be considered under any circumstances. Second, I expressed that heightened military cooperation with Russia and North Korea should not lead to escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. I also stressed the importance of a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine. First, Yoon’s rationale for supporting Ukraine is rooted in Cold War-era rhetoric: a battle between communism and democracy. However, Russia is no longer a communist state. It’s essentially a democratic republic, the Russian Federation, which former President Yeltsin defended against a communist coup. Putin has inherited that legacy, and Russia’s political landscape has moved beyond the communist ideology. Second, Ukrainians are ethnically closely related to Russians, and historically, Crimea was transferred to Ukraine as a gift by former Soviet leader Krushchev. Furthermore, the port of Sevastopol in Crimea is the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. As such, Ukraine’s situation differs significantly from that of the Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — or the Scandinavian countries. Third, from Russia’s perspective, NATO’s eastward expansion, despite the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and promises from Washington not to expand, is a significant security concern. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership is a redline, but these concerns have been largely ignored, with the US welcoming Ukraine’s entry. If we consider Russia’s position, it mirrors Washington’s obstinate rejection of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Of course, I publicly criticized Russia when the war broke out in 2022, and I even made a small personal donation to Ukraine. But in diplomacy, it’s crucial to listen to all parties involved. South Korea should maintain diplomatic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and focus on bringing an end to the conflict rather than taking sides and advocating for an extended war. As a country that shares a border with Russia, how can South Korea afford to make Russia an enemy? South Korea already struggles to manage the complexities of dealing with North Korea on its own and relies on cooperation with the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. Making Russia an adversary, therefore, is not a prudent course of action and should be avoided in favor of a more balanced and sound foreign policy.I respectfully disagree with Lynn Wright’s contention (letters, Nov. 26) that our 27th Congressional District is not “filled with moderate thinking voters.” While Mr. Wright is correct that our district has become purple, that alone does not explain why Democrat George Whitesides defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. After all, Donald Trump was able to crack the so-called “blue wall” and win the popular vote. Full disclosure: I voted for Whitesides and donated money to his campaign. So, how did Whitesides prevail? There were several factors that contributed to his success, but one key reason is that Whitesides ran as a moderate Democrat who did not fall into the trap of identity politics. While some Republicans in our district may still view him as a “far-left” liberal, his positions on key issues are mainstream and resonated with moderate voters like me. For example, Whitesides campaigned to increase funding for local law enforcement, and not “defund the police.” Voters felt comfortable supporting him, knowing that he would not join the “The Squad” in the House of Representatives. A similar example can be seen with Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who won a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan at the same time President Trump carried the state. Slotkin has been outspoken about the dangers of identity politics, even saying that it should “go the way of the dodo.” Political strategist James Carville has described identity politics as “one of the great self-inflicted wounds of the century,” and he argues that even if Democrats avoid identity politics, it is not enough to stay silent, they must actively oppose it. As Carville points out, “In politics, the other side gets to play. It’s not just you.” The challenge for Whitesides is to stay focused on the issues that matter most to his constituents and avoid the siren song of the far left and identity politics. Like every member of Congress, Whitesides has a two-year contract that is renewable at the discretion of his employers — the voters. Philip Wasserman Stevenson Ranch
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Kinkead Dent threw for 246 yards and ran for another 56 yards and a touchdown as UT Martin rolled to a 41-10 win over New Hampshire in an FCS first-round game on Saturday. The Skyhawks (9-4) advance to face unbeaten and top-seeded Montana State (12-0) in the second round. UT Martin's rushing game amassed 236 yards on 52 carries and five different backs reached the end zone. Meanwhile, the Skyhawks limited New Hampshire to 124 yards of total offense and held the Wildcats' run game to just 53 yards on 16 carries. Rashad Raymond scored from 4-yards out midway through the first quarter to put UT Martin on the board first and All-Big South/OVC first-team running back Patrick Smith added a 3-yard scoring run in the second to take a 17-7 lead. Dent capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive by nosing in from the 2 and Jaren Van Winkle kicked field goals from 30- and 36-yards to make it 24-7 at intermission. Trevonte Rucker scored from the 4 to start the fourth quarter and Glover Cook III punched in from the 1 to complete the scoring. Dent Completed 17 of 26 passes without an interception. Rucker caught nine passes for 98 yards and DeVonte Tanksley caught four for 81, including a 56-yard reception. Smith carried 15 times for 71 yards. Glover had 12 carries for 56. Seth Morgan was held to 14 of 35 passing with an interception for New Hampshire (8-5). __ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and The Associated PressTrump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's economy has enough difficulties, from tepid growth to trade tensions with the U.S. Dealing with those woes is only getting harder due to the political chaos in the two biggest European countries, France and Germany. Neither has a government backed by a functioning majority, and France could take a while yet to sort things out. But some problems aren't going to wait, such as what to do about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's America First stance on trade and how to fund stronger defense against Putin's Russia. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally “Moana 2” remains at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it pulled in another record haul. According to studio estimates Sunday, the animated Disney film added $52 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. That surpasses the take for the original “Moana” and brings the sequel's global tally to a staggering $600 million. It also puts the film in this year's top five at the box office. “Wicked” came in second place for the weekend with $34.9 million and “Gladiator II” was third with $12.5 million. The 10th anniversary re-release of Christopher Nolan's “Interstellar” also earned an impressive $4.4 million even though it played in only 165 theaters. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states.How they voted in the House - Dec. 6-122025 is just around the corner and everyone is looking for clues about the prospects for the global and domestic economies in the coming year.With Donald Trump set to return to the White House on Jan 20, the US factors seem difficult to predict given the personality of the President-elect billionaire we all learned from his first term.But something the world can expect is growing US protectionism, through the proposed import tax hike Trump has clearly announced; countermeasures from the targeted countries, notably China, would put the global economy on the verge of turmoil.Amid the uncertainties and challenges ahead, the Bangkok Post has identified five megatrends for 2025.Let's hear from experts about their potential development in the year to come so we can at least prepare ourselves for what could be another tough year. Pressure to address needs of the elderly Thailand is experiencing a rapid demographic shift towards an ageing population, leading to widespread impacts such as a shrinking workforce, rising financial demands for elderly care, greater care-giving responsibilities for the working-age population, reduced national consumption capacity, and a need for adequate housing solutions for the elderly. According to data from the National Statistical Office, in 2019 the over-60s accounted for 18% of the total population, surpassing the number of children for the first time, which accounted for only 16%. Thailand became an "aged society" in 2005 when the elderly reached 10% of the total population. In 2024, Thailand transitioned to a "complete aged society", with elderly people making up more than 20% of the population. By 2031, Thailand is projected to become a "super aged society", with the elderly constituting more than 28% of the population. Given these prospects, the private sector has urged the government to speed up the implementation of tax measures to support efforts to address the impacts, particularly on housing projects for the elderly. Gengpong Tanaroonsanti, president of the Senior Health Service and Trade Association, said the ideal for elderly housing is to allow seniors to stay in their own homes within the community they have lived in since their youth for as long as possible. However, as people age, they may need to modify their homes to make them safer and more suitable for them. As seniors age, their lifestyle may shift from being socially active to spending more time at home or in bed. This highlights the growing need for innovative housing models, such as high-quality elderly care centres, Dr Gengpong noted. The Public Health and Commerce ministries are working to regulate and oversee the elderly care centres. Quality centres will help address societal needs, whether for specialised care groups, such as post-surgery, bedridden, or Alzheimer's patients. The number of such centres remains far from sufficient, and if only those that meet quality standards for addressing the complex healthcare needs of the elderly are taken into account, the number will be even lower. There are 2,000 to 3,000 centres in the market, but only about 800 are registered with the Public Health Ministry. Regarding elderly care, according to Dr Gengpong, the ultimate goal is to establish national standards, similar to ISO or HA standards used in hospitals, to build consumer confidence. Additionally, the future may see the inclusion of life insurance or health insurance to cover elderly individuals who need medical care, such as knee surgery, with benefits that can be claimed. Dr Gengpong said that establishing an elderly care centre requires a substantial investment. For a centre with standards, including proper care, environmental management, infection control, and room design, around 30 rooms would require a minimum investment of 20 million baht, which is considered medium-sized. He proposed to the government there should be a "filial piety tax" incentive. If a care centre provides high-quality services and citizens place their parents there, they should be able to deduct these expenses from their taxes. This would encourage people to care for their parents properly. Furthermore, if the government could make this business VAT-exempt, it would help support this type of industry, similar to how hospitals are VAT-exempt. The association is currently in discussions with the Revenue Department, which agrees with the principle, according to Dr Gengpong. Agentic AI set to surge in 2025 Unlike current AI, which responds to prompts, agentic AI has the autonomy to execute tasks, solve problems over extended periods, and handle complex workflows with little to no human intervention, according to Dell. In 2025, AI will no longer be a separate technology. It will be the thread weaving through every innovation, redefining industries and reshaping humanity's role in the workforce, said John Roese, Dell's global chief technology officer and chief AI officer. He said agentic AI will be the defining advancement in AI technology and a catalyst for significant progress in how to approach AI architecturally. "These new architectures will enable capabilities beyond traditional reactive AI, fostering profound advancements in problem-solving and automation," said Mr Roese. Agentic AI is a top strategic technology trend for 2025 that organisations need to explore, says global IT research firm Gartner Inc. Gartner predicts that by 2028, at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through agentic AI, up from 0% in 2024. Voranuch Dejakaisaya, executive chairman of Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG), the technology arm of Kasikornbank, told the Bangkok Post that the company's vision is centred on leveraging AI to improve efficiencies and maximise returns on its technology investments. A key component of KBTG's strategy is the agentic AI model, coordinating with other AI systems to carry out more complex tasks, said Ms Voranuch. Economy nearing its potential The economy is gradually recovering, nearing its potential. The economy is expected to grow by 3% in 2025, close to Thailand's average economic potential of 3.2%. According to Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), the economy suffered during the pandemic in 2020-21. In 2020, economic growth contracted by 6.1% due to disruptions in economic activities aimed at controlling the pandemic. The economy slowly rebounded in 2021, with a modest growth of 1.5%. The slow recovery caused Thailand to lag many countries in the region. However, signs of accelerated recovery have emerged following the formation of an elected government, which has driven public spending and introduced stimulus measures through the government's digital wallet scheme. As a result, the economy is projected to grow by 2.8% in 2024. Policymakers such as the FPO view Thailand's economic outlook for 2025 as a gradual recovery. This recovery is supported by tourism returning to near pre-Covid levels, a steady improvement in domestic consumption and export growth driven by the recovery of trading partners' economies, alongside public spending normalising. Nevertheless, economic growth still faces challenges from external factors, such as global economic uncertainties, geopolitical conflicts and inflation issues in several countries. Internal factors also pose challenges, particularly high household debt levels and declining income among certain groups. The government has introduced various measures to support the recovery and mitigate the impact on residents and businesses. Tourism in 2025 is forecast to continue its robust recovery, with an estimated 39 million international visitors, up 8.3% from 2024 and close to the figures seen before Covid-19. The recovery is primarily driven by increased arrivals from Asia, particularly China, Malaysia, South Korea and India, generating projected tourism revenue of 1.86 trillion baht. Exports remain a key driver of Thailand's economy, with a projected growth of 3.1% in 2025, particularly in key product categories such as agricultural goods, processed foods, electrical appliances and components, as well as vehicles and parts. This growth is supported by improved economic conditions among trading partners, easing inflation, potential interest rate cuts and China's stimulus measures. Thailand is also working to expand trade opportunities through negotiations with new markets in the Middle East and Africa and accelerating free trade agreements, particularly with the eurozone, to enhance competitiveness and elevate the quality of Thai products. Public spending is expected to return to normal in 2025 following delays in budget approvals in 2024. The 2025 budget, amounting to 3.75 trillion baht, is projected to achieve a total disbursement of 3.5 trillion baht, equivalent to 93.3%. Accelerated disbursements are expected to inject funds into the economy more quickly and efficiently, particularly in the construction sector. According to Mr Pornchai, the economy is projected to grow by an average of 3% in 2025, aligning closer to Thailand's economic potential range of 2.7-3.7%, with a midpoint of 3.2%. He said achieving full growth potential requires the implementation of appropriate fiscal and monetary policies aligned with the economic cycle and consistent policy implementation. Mr Pornchai said it is essential to attract private sector investments in technology industries, which will enhance Thailand's economic potential and competitiveness in the region. The government is committed to supporting these investments and prioritising essential infrastructure development to unlock Thailand's full economic potential and ensure sustainable growth, he said.
