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• Stabilising global economy supports investment and access to capital • Market conditions favourable, with abundant liquidity and rising valuations • Decarbonisation and digitisation drive long-term structural change The stabilising global economy and some easing of key challenges that defined recent years are creating a more constructive outlook for businesses to pursue strategic investments and access capital. Global equity markets strengthened through 2024 as investors positioned their portfolios towards growth. In Australia, equity issuance increased rapidly in the second half and, after a long drought, initial public offerings strengthened in the final quarter. Borrowers globally are benefiting from an abundance of liquidity with credit spreads approaching three-year lows. Combined with record levels of private capital waiting for deployment, conditions are set for a pivotal year in markets. Behind it all, the major movements of decarbonisation and digitisation are propelling profound structural change and will continue to drive capital deployment and transaction activity for businesses with leaders ready to act decisively and seize the opportunities ahead. ‘’It is always better to focus on the structural rather than the cyclical. In five years’ time, the winners will be those who recognised and acted on these structural opportunities to pursue their strategic agendas, while also managing their important social licence responsibilities.” Tim Joyce, Head of Macquarie Capital, Asia-Pacific The past year has witnessed the digital revolution gather pace, driving surging demand for processing power as businesses accelerate cloud migration, harness AI’s transformative potential, and develop AI-driven strategies to reshape operations and unlock efficiencies. By contrast, the energy transition has faced challenges amid uncertainty about the global decarbonisation path, the achievability of targets, and the pace of transmission infrastructure development. “Two big global thematics – one is burgeoning while the other is a more complex equation, but both are certainties and inextricably linked,” says Joyce. “AI feels like a one-way bet. Most large-scale businesses are developing AI business cases and computing activity is rapidly moving to the cloud. There is a very clear pathway there. “The energy transition is more complicated, but the level of systemic infrastructure required to support the transition is immense.” Still, short-term complexity does not change long-term outcomes. “Timeframes might shift – and it will inevitably take longer than some of the targets that have been set – but the energy transition is happening. It is not a question of if, but when.” As AI reshapes industries and the energy transition evolves, one thing is clear: the world is facing an inexorable rise in demand for power. Michael Milne, Macquarie Capital’s Head of Technology, Media, Entertainment, and Telecommunications in Australia and New Zealand, says the accelerating cloud and AI transition is driving global demand for data centres and the energy infrastructure that powers them. “The fundamental message is that processing demand has strong structural tailwinds. The common thread is clear: AI, cloud computing, and emerging technologies like quantum all need processing, and processing is about power.” In fact, energy is fast becoming the single most constraining factor in the digital transition. “The efficiency of computing is rising exponentially, but the gains are not enough to offset the growth in demand for power at this stage.” Meeting the twin challenges of surging energy demand and decarbonising the global economy depends on securing the critical minerals that underpin industrial growth and electrification. The resources sector is entering 2025 in a strong position, with robust fundamentals now being seen across most commodities, says Macquarie Capital’s Global Head of Critical Minerals and Energy, Russell Keating. Continuing urbanisation and industrialisation, particularly in Asia, is driving sustained demand for raw materials and energy, while the energy transition is continuing to create significant demand for copper in particular, which plays a critical role in electrification and batteries. As a result of limited supply, growing demand, buoyant commodity prices, and an increasingly scarce set of investment options, opportunities are emerging for companies willing to take decisive long-term positions. “It’s a unique inflection point for opportunities in key minerals. We expect commodity prices to support activity, and the brave will be rewarded if they’re prepared to act and invest on a long-term basis,” says Keating. Commodities are only part of the story. Tom Butcher, Macquarie Capital’s Head of Infrastructure, Asia-Pacific, says building the infrastructure required to support electrification demands unprecedented levels of capital investment. This investment spans a vast array of critical projects including expanding and upgrading electricity grids, adding renewable generation capacity, electrifying heavy industry and mining operations, modernising electricity meters, and deploying battery storage across homes and businesses. Compounding the challenge is a backlog of essential projects created by several years of underinvestment. Post-pandemic, as interest rates rose, many asset owners delayed investment plans, straining infrastructure networks. This backlog began to clear in 2024, setting the stage for accelerated activity in 2025 as more projects move forward. Butcher says debt markets are among the most supportive they have been in years, creating a favourable environment for financing these kinds of large-scale projects. Both public and private equity investors have remained active, but they are seeing increased allocations to the sector as activity continues to rise. “The scale of the opportunity is enormous,” says Butcher. “And it is going to go on for decades to come, with significant opportunities across all key infrastructure sectors.” Macquarie Capital’s Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets, Asia-Pacific, Georgina Johnson, says 2025 is shaping to be the most favourable environment for business since the pandemic. “We came out of COVID with ASX corporates very well capitalised, but quickly moved into an inflationary environment where businesses primarily focused on optimising core operations,” says Johnson. These conditions left many companies unable to pursue expansion or acquisitions until they could fully assess and adapt to cost inflation and the impact of higher interest rates. Now, with cost inflation stabilising and RBA cuts expected in the first half of the year3, boards and management teams are refocusing on growth. “Recent transactions pursuing growth initiatives have seen strong support from investors, with the market willing to pay attractive multiples for high-quality sustainable earnings growth. “The average price-to-earnings multiple for the ASX 200 is around two and a half times higher than the long-term average4 – providing issuers with an attractive cost of capital to fund growth,” says Johnson. Amid growing confidence that momentum and growth are being rewarded, businesses are also increasingly focusing on balancing the needs of shareholders, stakeholders, and the wider community. Macquarie Capital’s Head of Financial Institutions Group in Australia and New Zealand, Laura Golis, says she sees business ready to move forward with confidence after a period of post-COVID adjustment and reflection. Golis describes this shift as an “alchemy” of factors coming together – the easing of 2024’s political uncertainty, a new sense of economic stability, and the return to more sustainable interest rate levels. This renewed purpose is matched by a growing sophistication in stakeholder management as businesses increasingly focus on long-term community needs and seek to address real challenges. “Leaders have to make decisions – not making a decision is as risky as making one,” says Golis. “The microscope on business is much stronger, but people are increasingly factoring that into decision making.” Risks lie ahead, however, especially as markets prepare for the arrival of the incoming new administration in the US. While a sense of market optimism prevails, questions linger about the pace and scale of US tax cuts and their impact on consumer spending and inflation. President-elect Trump’s tariff plans also present uncertainty for Australian businesses, with some likely to benefit and others face challenges. “There will continue to be volatility – but overall, it will be a positive environment,” says Johnson. “Even given the sporadic activity over the course of the past year, when ASX corporates have come to the market to fund growth, debt and equity investors have been very supportive.” Driving that support is a supply-demand imbalance as fund inflows continue for listed equities but issuance remains lower than in previous periods. This imbalance is creating a favourable environment for companies coming to market. “Listed investors have dry powder – equity markets continue to perform well with funds continuing to be allocated to the asset class that they need to put to work.” Adding to the attractiveness of the backdrop is a notable increase in activity from private capital investors and high-net-worth individuals, particularly in AI-related ventures and disruptive technology businesses. Dragi Ristevski, Macquarie Capital’s Head of Private Equity, Asia-Pacific, says private capital is poised to play an increasingly important role in 2025 as the confluence of stabilising macroeconomic conditions, record levels of dry powder, and a growing pipeline of exits combine to drive renewed activity. “Private capital players need two sources of capital for deal-making – equity and debt,” says Ristevski. “They continue to have near-record dry powder in equity, and debt is now increasingly available on attractive terms. This combination should lead to a more constructive context for deal activity.” While inflation and higher interest rates have hampered consumer activity over the past year, stabilising economic conditions are helping buoy confidence. “Private equity firms and private capital firms are ready to deploy. At the same time, businesses that need exits have been waiting for stronger conditions to get those transactions done. “The capital waiting to be deployed needs to find its way to the assets that need to exit. As we enter the year with more positive sentiment and confidence, there should be a better setting for transactions.” Source: Macquarie Group Limited
The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. ___ It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” ___ Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” ___ NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.By . . Ruud van Nistelrooy said he was “astonished” by the number of offers he received as a result of his spell as Manchester United interim manager as he plots how to keep Leicester in the Premier League. The Dutchman had four games in caretaker charge at Old Trafford – two of them against Leicester – following Erik ten Hag’s sacking at the end of October, but left the club when Ruben Amorim arrived last month. Van Nistelrooy, speaking at his first press conference since replacing the sacked Steve Cooper at the King Power, said offers had poured in. “What happened after the games and the amount of interest, the options that all of a sudden were there for me and the options that came along, I was a little bit astonished,” he said on Monday. “It was four games and I managed a full season at PSV (Eindhoven), was able to win the cup and the charity shield. I have been in coaching, in the (under) 19s and the national team (with the Netherlands) and it never got this reaction from the football world.” He said he had enjoyed his “intense” spell in the Old Trafford hot seat and had helped “steady the ship”. “I really enjoyed it, being responsible, creating a connection with the team, with the supporters and turning the momentum for the club for a little bit,” he added. Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. NEWS UPDATE: Nigerians have been finally approved to earn Dollars from home, acquire premium domains for as low as $1500, profit as much as $22,000 (₦37million+). Click here to start.
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Richard Bammer: Will we ever be ready to elect a woman as president?Cold Chain Logistics: USD 280.25B in 2022 to USD 1033.16B by 2031 11-27-2024 09:42 PM CET | Logistics & Transport Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Cold Chain Logistics Market Scope: Key Insights : Cold Chain Logistics Market size was valued at USD 280.25 Billion in 2022 and is expected to grow from USD 323.97 Billion in 2023 to reach USD 1033.16 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 15.60% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/cold-chain-logistics-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/cold-chain-logistics-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Cold Chain Logistics Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Cold Chain Logistics market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Cold Chain Logistics Market Research Report: AmeriCold Logistics LLC (United States) Lineage Logistics Holdings, LLC (United States) Nichirei Corporation (Japan) Swire Group (China) Burris Logistics (United States) United Parcel Service, Inc. (United States) DHL International GmbH (Germany) FedEx Corporation (United States) AGRO Merchants Group (United States) Kloosterboer (Netherlands) Americold Realty Trust (United States) Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Cold Chain Logistics market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Cold Chain Logistics market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Cold Chain Logistics market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Cold Chain Logistics segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Cold Chain Logistics market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Cold Chain Logistics market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Cold Chain Logistics market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/cold-chain-logistics-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.
Leduc RCMP officer charged with sexual assault after 2022 hotel partyAP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:59 p.m. ESTParty City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy LOS ANGELES (AP) — Party City announced that it's going to “wind down” its retail and wholesale operations as it prepares to shutter nearly 700 stores nationwide. The company said Saturday it has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "to maximize value for the benefit of the company’s stakeholders.” The New Jersey-based retailer said it will keep more than 95% of its 12,000 employees to help with the process of closing down. Customers have flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations for nearly 40 years. It has faced growing competition from Walmart and Target and from occasion-based pop-up stores such as Spirit Halloween. A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The money will be directly deposited into eligible people’s bank accounts or sent in the mail by a paper check. Most people shouldn't get their hopes up about receiving the cash. The IRS says it’s distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns after missing one of the COVID stimulus payments or receiving less than the full amount. The IRS says most taxpayers eligible for the federal stimulus payments received them. Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter and was eventually intended to replace it. While this is still very much a pie in the sky, Bluesky’s growth trajectory could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. With growth, though, comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who’ve been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales. Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Strikes during busy periods like the holidays can help unions exercise leverage during negotiations or garner support from sympathetic consumers. One expert says he thinks workers at both companies are “desperate” to make progress before President-elect Donald Trump can appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at Starbucks, Amazon and some other prominent consumer brands are fighting for their first contracts after several locations voted to unionize. Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia's Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. But he grew disillusioned with the company and told The Associated Press this fall he would “try to testify” in copyright infringement cases against it. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures eased last month WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve barely rose last month in a sign that price pressures cooled after two months of sharp gains. Prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices also ticked up just 0.1%, after two months of outsize 0.3% gains. The milder inflation figures arrived two days after Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, rocked financial markets by revealing that they now expect to cut their key interest rate just two times in 2025, down from four in their previous estimate. Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister says the government will shut down video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teenager following a quarrel that started on TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. ... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.” Rama says the ban will begin sometime next year. Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to domestic researchers. Stock market today: Wall Street rises to turn a dismal week into just a bad one NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to turn what would have been one of the market’s worst weeks of the year into just a pretty bad one. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% Friday to shave its loss for the week down to 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. A report said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than expected. It’s an encouraging signal after the Fed shocked markets Wednesday by saying worries about inflation could keep it from cutting interest rates in 2025 as much as earlier thought.
It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?Brooks Nader is laughing her way through her sisters’ ridicule. The Dancing With the Stars alum, along with sisters Grace Ann Nader , Mary Holland Nader and Sarah Jane Nader , seemingly revealed a surprising secret about her weight loss journey when joining in on a viral TikTok trend where users perform a mock chase of a “suspect” by describing them with shocking truths. In one clip of them partaking in the trend, Brooks ran around the edge of a swimming pool while one of her sisters joked about her recent transformation from behind the camera. “Suspect randomly lost 20 pounds,” her sibling said while following her in the Nov. 29 TikTok . “Says it's from working out, but she got on Ozempic .” Following her sister’s accusation that she used the Type 2 diabetes medication, Brooks laughed through her shock and pleaded with her sister, saying, “Don’t! Don’t!” And that’s not the only wisecrack the supermodel—who shared multiple TikTok videos with her family and ex-boyfriend Gleb Savchenko during the Thanksgiving holiday—had heaped upon her. In the clip, another sister also shouted toward Brooks, “Suspect claims to have a completely full roster, but the same guy comes over every night.” Here it is😂😂😂😂 @Nader sisters @Mae @Ganimal🦁 @Sarah Jane The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model also gave a nod to her Dancing With the Stars season 33 appearance—where she was eliminated during week four—exclaiming, “I’m a dancer!” after her sister quipped she was famous “without having talent.” But Brooks made sure she wasn’t the only Nader sister on the receiving end of the laugh-filled roasts. “Suspect only likes women and men older than her dad that are ugly,” she said while following one of her sisters, before adding about the same sibling, “Suspect claims to be my little sister but is huge.” Read on to see what other stars have said about using Ozempic. Bonnie Chapman Dog the Bounty Hunter's daughter shared Nov. 1 that she had lost 58 pounds in 10 months thanks to a change in diet and the use of the weight loss medication Tirzepatide, adding, "I am able to look at myself in the mirror and feel so proud of where I've gotten." Jessel Taank The Real Housewives of New York City star shot down speculation about her glow-up between seasons 14 and 15. “I think that when you’re in reality TV, it’s so natural to be like, ‘Oh, she got plastic surgery or she did this or she’s on Ozempic,’” she told Us Weekly in October 2024. “I actually f--king hate Ozempic. I would never put needles in myself.” Lizzo After several fans speculated on social media that Lizzo used Ozempic to lose weight, following a post she shared in which she showcased a slimmer figure, the Grammy winner posted this video, set to a viral TikTok sound bite of Christoph Waltz 's character saying, "It's like a reward" from Django Unchained . Lottie Moss Kate Moss ' little sis revealed why getting on Ozempic was "the worst decision I ever made," during a September 2024 episode of her Dream On podcast. After taking a dosage meant for those roughly 220 pounds or more, the model was struggling to keep any food or water down and landed in the emergency room. “I literally had a seizure from how dehydrated I was, which honestly was the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me in my life,” she admitted. “My friend had to hold my feet down. It was so scary, the whole situation. My face was clenching up, my whole body was tense.” Jon Gosselin The Jon & Kate Plus 8 alum told Page Six in April 2024 that he lost 32 pounds in two months after taking injections of semaglutide, the generic form of Ozempic. "You know what's annoying?" he said. "The regret of not starting it 10 years ago." Ree Drummond The Pioneer Woman star shared on her blog in March 2024 that her 50-pound weight loss in 2022 was not due to taking Ozempic or similar medications. She added, "But you'll never hear a second of judgment from me about people who choose that direction!" Tracy Morgan In August 2023, the 30 Rock alum said on Today With Hoda and Jenna that he lost weight on Ozempic because it supressed his appetite. In March 2024, his health journey appeared to take a surprising turn . "I've learned to out-eat Ozempic," he said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . "I gained 40 pounds." Later that month, he clarified to E! News that he was joking, adding, "Ozempic did great by me and I was glad to use it." Caroline Stanbury The Real Housewives of Dubai star opened up about using Ozempic after going through a "midlife crisis" at 45. "After 40, we all know it's very, very hard to lose weight," she said in the May 22 episode of her podcast Uncut & Uncensored With Caroline Stanbury. "But I met so many 40-year-old women going, 'How have you done it?' And I don't want to lie to you, I used Ozempic, which I think is one of the best tools if you're able to use it." Jennifer Aydin The Real Housewives of New Jersey star declared "I am not on Ozempic" during a July 2024 Watch What Happens Live interview before hilariously adding, "I'm on Mounjaro, okay. I'm sorry! I love being this weight, I love it! I have so much energy if you couldn't tell." Kandi Burruss The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum revealed her failed attempt to lose weight with the injectable medication. "It didn't curb my appetite. I know some people are like, ‘Oh, I can't eat.' Not me! I was eating appetizers, a regular meal and dessert, okay? It didn't stop anything for me," she shared in June 2024. "When you see it worked for other people and it doesn't work for you, it makes you depressed. Realistically, it makes you feel like, ‘What is wrong with me? Why is it not working for me?'" Brooke Burke “I can’t speak medically about it, but I do know that there’s so much information about what’s working and what’s not,” she shared during part of an interview with Fox News Digital . “I think that Ozempic has some great benefits, and I also think it has some dangers.” Tori Spelling The Beverly Hills, 90210 tried the drug to help her slim down after giving birth to her son Beau in 2017. "I tried Ozempic and it didn't work for me," she shared in an April 2024 episode of her misSPELLING podcast, "so I went on Mounjaro, which did do the trick and I did lose weight." "I think it's very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people," the actress told E! News' Francesca Amiker , "and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes." Raven continued, "Do what you gotta do, just make sure you save the medication for the people who actually need it." The Talk U.K. host revealed in September 2023 that she shed 42 pounds after using Ozempic earlier in the year. "Whatever you choose is up to you," she exclusively told E! News . "It's not a dirty little secret when you've taken something to help you lose weight, which is perfectly fine." She added, "We don't have to bulls--t." Kelly Osbourne Sharon's daughter has also weighed in on the Ozempic trend . "I think it's amazing," the Fashion Police alum told E! News in January 2024. "There are a million ways to lose weight, why not do it through something that isn't as boring as working out?" Kate Winslet The Titanic star, who was once a target for tabloids when it came to her weight, shared what she thought about the weight loss trend. "I actually don't know what Ozempic is," Kate admitted to The New York Times Magazine in an interview published in March 2024. "All I know is that it's some pill that people are taking or something like that." "Oh, my God," Kate remarked after learning about the injectable. "This sounds terrible." Heidi Montag The Hills star revealed in December 2023 that she'd recently lost 22 pounds—without taking Ozempic. "There's no shortcuts in life. And if you're taking that shortcut, I don't know," she told Page Six of other celebrities using the drug. "I don't want to name names or get into it, it's just nothing I would ever do." Heidi noted, "I want something that is sustainable. I want something that does also require hard work." The Trainwreck star did not hold back when she called out celebrities for not being honest about using Ozempic as a weight loss tool during her June 8, 2023 appearance on Watch What Happens Live. "Everyone and their mom is gonna try it. Everyone has been lying saying, 'Oh, smaller portions,'" she told Andy Cohen , who has also publicly weighed in on the Ozempic craze multiple times. "Like, shut the f--k up. You are on Ozempic or one of those things, or you got work done. Just stop." Schumer, who has been open about her past medical procedures, added, "Be real with people. When I got lipo, I said I got lipo." She admitted to becoming "immediately invested" in Ozempic in 2022, but explained that it was not "livable" for her to take the Type 2 diabetes drug as it hindered her ability to spend time with her 5-year-old son Gene . "I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn't play with my son," Schumer recalled. "I was so skinny, and he's throwing a ball at me and [I couldn't]." "People have a mixed feeling about interventions like this," Dr. Drew exclusively told E! News at Fox's Special Forces: World's Toughest Test season two event in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2023. "They're tantalized by it, but on the other hand, they have this weird judgment." He continued, "If we have a medication that can be helpful, by all means, people should be encouraged to think about it." Forget winter, a hot take is coming. The Game of Thrones alum was not shy when it came to sharing her opinion about Ozempic and its advertisements. In an April 5, 2023 Instagram Story, the actress reposted a tweet from writer Sophie Vershbow that read, "The Ozempic ads plastered across the Times Square subway station can f--k all the way off." One ad featured in Vershbow's Twitter photos read, "One shot to lose weight," while another offered similar text, "A weekly shot to lose weight." Turner adding her own commentary, writing, "WTF." Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk previously told E! News that the drug is not FDA-approved for chronic weight management. "While we recognize that some healthcare providers may be prescribing Ozempic for patients whose goal is to lose weight, Novo Nordisk does not promote, suggest, or encourage off-label use of our medicines and is committed to fully complying with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations in the promotion of our products," the Danish pharmaceutical company said in a statement. "We trust that healthcare providers are evaluating a patient's individual needs and determining which medicine is right for that particular patient." Chelsea Handler Ozempic is no laughing matter for the comedian. Handler revealed her "anti-aging doctor" prescribed the medication without her realizing what the drug was. "I didn't even know I was on it," she said during the Jan. 25, 2023 episode of Call Her Daddy . "She said, 'If you ever want to drop five pounds, this is good.'" But while she tried the drug, Handler noted that she didn't like how it made her feel. "I came back from a vacation and I injected myself with it," she recalled. "I went to lunch with a girlfriend a few days later, and she was like, 'I'm not really eating anything. I'm so nauseous, I'm on Ozempic.' And I was like, 'I'm kind of nauseous too.' But I had just come back from Spain and was jet-lagged." Ultimately, Handler stopped using the drug because it wasn't medically necessary for her, adding that she gave away the remaining doses to friends. "I've injected about four or five of my friends with Ozempic, because I realized I didn't want to use it because it was silly," she said. "It's for heavy people. I have people coming over to my house, and I'm like, 'OK, I can see you at 1, I can see you at 2.'" Khloe Kardashian clapped back when commenters on Instagram speculated that she was taking Ozempic. "Let's not discredit my years of working out," Kardashian wrote on a January 2023 post. "I get up 5 days a week at 6am to train. Please stop with your assumptions. I guess new year still means mean people." Dr. Terry Dubrow In addition to embracing the weight-loss drug, Dubrow actually revealed in January 2023 he temporarily used Mounjaro to learn how it affects the body. "I thought it was amazing," the Botched star shared. "I didn't have that much weight to lose. But I wanted to try it because so many of my patients were on it and I wanted to see what it was like when you're not diabetic and you only have 10 to 15 pounds to lose." Although Dr. Dubrow didn't disclose how much weight he lost or how long he took the medication for, he confirmed he's no longer using it. "I thought, 'You know what, I kind of want to get my appetite back,'" he explained the reason for quitting the medication, noting he also experienced "low-grade nausea." The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star got real about claims that she was taking the medication after her followers on social media took notice of her weight loss. Richards wrote back to one user under a Jan. 5, 2023 snap on Instagram of herself and her girlfriends after a workout, "I am NOT on ozempic." In another response, Richards added, "Never have been." That wouldn't be the last time the Bravo star shot down the rumors, reiterating that she is "NOT taking" the medication under a Jan. 16 post on Instagram by Page Six . After fans questioned whether or not she was taking Ozempic, Jessica set the record straight. "Oh Lord," she told Bustle in an interview published July 6, 2023. "I mean, it is not [Ozempic], it's willpower. I'm like, do people want me to be drinking again? Because that's when I was heavier. Or they want me to be having another baby? My body can't do it." Dr. Paul Nassif Nassif echoed his Botched costar in giving the drug two thumbs up . "Just like he's telling everyone, no Ozempic-shaming," Nassif exclusively told E! News in February 2024. "I'm OK with it. I'm OK with Terry and—actually a lot of my friends I saw this last weekend—they all look incredible. Health-wise, they felt better, their blood sugars came down, their blood pressure came down. All of this can hopefully help with longevity, you just have to do it the right way." In fact, the famed plastic surgeon said taking Ozempic potentially has other benefits outside of weight management."We're looking into Ozempic more also as an anti-aging treatment for the future," Nassif explained. "So, there's going to hopefully be some good things the more we learn about all these semaglutides and the different products. This Shah isn't shy about her Ozempic use. Gharachedaghi didn't "see a reason to hide" being on the medication when discussing her health journey , telling Entertainment Tonight in May 2023 that she would prefer to "just talk about it because there's so many people out there who want to do the same thing or they want to learn about what you did." Of her 30-pound weight loss due to her experience with Semaglutide—the generic version of the weight-loss drug—the Shahs of Sunset star explained, "Obviously, I didn't look like this two months ago. So..I would be a liar to say I quit drinking alcohol and you know all of a sudden started working out like some people like to say." Gharachedaghi went on to note that she still has an appetite, saying, "I'm actually a little hungry. Look I'm gonna go smoke a little pot and I'm gonna eat definitely." The influencer said that using Ozempic to treat her type 2 diabetes negatively affected her overall health . "It was brand new, just got FDA approved, no one knew about it and I was so scared," Bader recalled on the Jan. 12, 2023 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast. "They said I need this. And I had a lot of mixed feelings." After she went off the drug, Bader—who has been open about her battle with binge eating —said it caused a cycle of "bad binging." "I saw a doctor, and they were like, 'It's 100 percent because you went on Ozempic,'" she explained. "It was making me think I wasn't hungry for so long. I lost some weight. I didn't want to be obsessed with being on it long term. I was like, 'I bet the second I got off I'm going to get starving again.' I did, and my binging got so much worse. So then I kind of blamed Ozempic." Forget shedding for the wedding because The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member admitted she was taking Ozempic to lose weight prior to filming the season 13 reunion. During the April 4, 2023 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , Catania confirmed she had been taking the antidiabetic medication because she didn't want to be "looking any bigger than anyone else," at the taping, explaining, "I got on the bandwagon." Billie Jean King The tennis legend—who has been open about her struggles with an eating disorder—expressed her reluctance in trying diabetes medication solely for weight loss purposes. "With the new injections, the Ozempics of the world, it's very interesting because my doctor wants me to try it," she shared in an April 2024 episode of Lemonada Media's Wiser Than Me podcast. "I don't want to lose weight fast because I think it looks horrible. I don't think it's healthy." However, she noted that she has "taken a few injections"Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits.
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