lucky block The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK. When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. You're reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources , and more. Learn More . Looking for dividend growth stocks? These FTSE 100 stocks are expected to deliver strong payout growth over the next couple of years at least. BAE Systems Dividend yield: 2.5% for 2024, 2.7% for 2025 The stable nature of arms spending means defence tends to be a rock-solid sector for dividends. This is especially the case today, as fractures in the... Royston Wild

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Power Play: Are the Liberals trying to buy votes?Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacksGettman kicks go-ahead FG as Villanova ends Delaware's FCS-era with a 38-28 win in finale

Bluesky, the X alternative, says it has 'quadrupled' its moderation team

Republicans lash out at Democrats’ claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is ‘compromised’Aston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai Emery

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. Israeli strike in Gaza allegedly kills workers with World Central Kitchen charity DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza has killed five people, according to a senior Palestinian health official. An aid worker says three of the people killed were employees of the charity World Central Kitchen. The charity's aid delivery efforts in Gaza were temporarily suspended earlier this year after an Israeli strike killed seven of its workers. Israel's military says it struck a wanted militant who had been involved in the Hamas attack that sparked the war. In a later statement, it said that the alleged attacker had worked with WCK and it asked “senior officials from the international community and the WCK administration to clarify” how that had come about. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snow of the season has the potential to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario during a hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend. Forecasters says winter storm conditions could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. Forecasters predict 4 to 6 feet of blowing and drifting snow could fall in Watertown and other areas east of Lake Ontario through Monday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency in affected areas.

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November 23 - A pair of teams with minimal rest will face off in Nassau, Bahamas, on Sunday when No. 22 St. John takes on Georgia. St. John's (5-1), which will play its third game in four days, began the stretch in the Bahamas Championship on Thursday, dropping a heartbreaker to No. 13 Baylor. The Red Storm led by 18 in the first half before Baylor forced overtime. From there, St. John's rallied from five down with 1:47 left to send the game to a second overtime, where it saw Baylor knock down a pair of 3-pointers in the final seven seconds -- including Jeremy Roach's buzzer-beater -- to knock off the Red Storm 99-98. In the third-place game on Friday, St. John's breezed past Virginia 80-55. RJ Luis Jr. led the way with 18 points and four steals, followed by Kadary Richmond's 12 points, as the Red Storm took a one-point lead with 15:21 left in the first half and didn't trail again. "I'm really impressed with our guys, coming off a double-overtime, extremely emotional loss," St. John's head coach Rick Pitino said. "To respond that way was extremely impressive, both offensively and defensively." Pitino, in his second year with the Red Storm, was moved by something off the court on Friday, involving captain Zuby Ejiofor, who chipped in eight points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks. Ejiofor was serenaded by St. John's fans during the win, following his two missed free throws at the end of double overtime against Baylor. "When you've only been in a job for a year, you search for things you love about a place," Pitino said. "Tonight I found out what I love about St. John's. Our fans chanted Zuby's name the whole game, which doesn't happen anywhere else in America. I was really impressed with our fans and I thank them for making Zuby feel good, because he gives you all the energy." Luis leads the Red Storm with 17.3 points per game, followed by Ejiofor (10.7), Aaron Scott (10.5), Deivon Smith (10.3) and Richmond (10.2). Georgia enters Sunday's matchup looking to rebound from its first loss after falling to No. 15 Marquette 80-69 on Saturday. Georgia (5-1) battled back from a 15-point, second-half deficit, but was held to just three points over the final 4:57 in Saturday's loss. Blue Cain led the Bulldogs with a season-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers. "It's a process. It's a journey with this team," Bulldogs head coach Mike White said. "It's about continuing to make strides, continuing to protect our culture. ... At the end of the day, wins and losses are going to take care of themselves. We just have to embrace the process and enjoy it." Five-star freshman recruit Asa Newell was held to a season-low nine points but leads the team with 15.5 points per game. Silas Demary Jr. is second with 13.8. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

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PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — CJ Happy had 18 points in Princeton's 99-63 victory over Nazareth on Wednesday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — CJ Happy had 18 points in Princeton's 99-63 victory over Nazareth on Wednesday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — CJ Happy had 18 points in Princeton’s 99-63 victory over Nazareth on Wednesday night. Happy had five rebounds for the Tigers (6-3). Peyton Seals scored 16 points while going 5 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and 3 for 3 from the line and added five rebounds and five assists. Jack Stanton shot 4 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points. Merritt Holly finished with 14 points for the Golden Flyers. Tyler Putney added 11 points for Nazareth. Jaylen Savage finished with 10 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Erik Reynolds II's 22 points helped Saint Joseph's defeat Delaware State 76-58 on Saturday. Reynolds shot 6 of 16 from the field, including 4 for 13 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Hawks (9-4). Rasheer Fleming scored 13 points and added 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Dasear Haskins had 12 points and shot 6 for 12, including 0 for 5 from beyond the arc. Kaseem Watson finished with 23 points and three steals for the Hornets (7-7). Martez Robinson added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals for Delaware State. Muneer Newton also had 10 points and six rebounds. Saint Joseph's took the lead with 15:43 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 33-20 at halftime, with Reynolds racking up eight points. Saint Joseph's outscored Delaware State by five points over the final half, while Reynolds led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .John Mahama Discusses Challenges in Selecting Government Appointees with YegbonwuraPenn State is heading into the new calendar year in impressive fashion, but one final challenge awaits as the Nittany Lions square off against Penn on Sunday afternoon in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions (10-2) have enjoyed a strong season to this point, highlighted by a win over then-No. 8 Purdue earlier this month. Most recently, the team topped Drexel 75-64 last weekend as Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 18 points and Ace Baldwin Jr. chipped in 15 points and six assists. Penn State outrebounded Drexel 40-31 and grabbed 19 offensive boards, including six by Puff Johnson and three by Konan Niederhauser. "Offensive rebounds are extra possessions," Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said. "That gets us to where we want to go to. Number of possessions, it's a better chance to win all the time." Konan Niederhauser has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in every game except one this season and enters Sunday's clash averaging 13.0 points, which is second-best on the squad. Baldwin comes in with 14.2 points to go along with 8.5 assists, which ranks among the top marks in the nation. That duo, in addition to Penn State's bevy of 3-point shooters, should give Penn plenty to handle defensively. The Quakers (4-8) have allowed at least 80 points five times this season, including in Sunday's 85-53 trouncing at the hands of George Mason. Offense was another major issue in that game, as Penn shot just 32.2 percent from the floor and committed 15 turnovers. "We played 3 1/2 games of really good defense over the last three weeks and the defense was poor in the second half (against George Mason)," Penn coach Steve Donahue said. "On the defensive end, making sure late in the clock we don't let our guard down, keep guys in front, and limit them to one shot ... when we do those things -- those simple things -- we're a good basketball team." Penn and Penn State have met six times previously, but not since 2017. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 4-2. --Field Level Media

Cal staves off Sacramento State for third straight winHarris puts up 24, Southern Miss defeats Milwaukee 66-65

happy go lucky One thing is certain, however: the pink and blue color scheme is undeniably striking. The soft pastel hues create a visually appealing contrast that sets the skin apart from its predecessors. The attention to detail in the design, from the intricate patterns to the subtle shading, demonstrates a level of craftsmanship that is sure to impress even the most discerning of players.As one of the most anticipated television events of the year in China, the Spring Festival Gala, also known as Chunwan, is a traditional celebration that takes place on Chinese New Year's Eve. This annual variety show features a diverse range of performances, including music, dance, comedy, and more, and is watched by millions of viewers both within China and around the world.

Are we truly happy? This question lingers in my mind repeatedly. The word ‘happiness’ holds different meanings for different people. For some, it is tied to wealth, for others, to good health or material possessions. Yet, the essence of true happiness remains a mystery in this chaotic world. In today’s fast-paced, hyper connected world, the pursuit of happiness often feels like chasing shadows in a storm. We live in an era defined by unprecedented technological advances, yet paradoxically, we find ourselves grappling with heightened stress, anxiety etc. This paradox begs the question: what is real happiness, and how do we redefine it in an age marked by chaos? The 21st century offers unparalleled conveniences, from instant communication to on-demand services. But alongside these luxuries, we are bombarded with a relentless stream of news cycles, social media updates, and societal pressures to excel. Global crises such as climate change, pandemics, political unrest etc. further amplify a collective sense of instability. These external factors, combined with internal struggles, create a perfect storm that clouds our understanding of what happiness truly entails. For many, happiness has become synonymous with material success and external validation. We equate joy with promotions, luxury cars, and Instagram-worthy vacations. However, these fleeting pleasures often leave us emptier than before. True happiness, as philosophers and psychologists suggest, stems not from external achievements but from internal contentment and meaningful connections yes the meaningful connections which we lost in this social media era. Amidst the chaos, there’s a growing movement advocating for a return to simplicity. Practices such as mindfulness and gratitude are gaining traction as antidotes to modern life’s overwhelming demands. Mindfulness teaches us to live in the moment, savoring small joys-a child’s laughter, a sunset, or a shared meal. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a sense of abundance. By focusing on what truly matters, we free ourselves from the tyranny of excess and discover contentment in less. In an age of individualism, fostering a sense of community and belonging is crucial for happiness. Shared experiences, support systems, and acts of kindness create a ripple effect that uplifts not only individuals but society as a whole. Redefining happiness in the age of chaos is not merely an individual endeavor but a collective mission. Governments and institutions must prioritize policies that promote mental health, work-life balance, and social equity. Simultaneously, individuals must take deliberate steps to disconnect from distractions, align their actions with their values, and nurture their inner well-being. Real happiness is not found in the accumulation of things but in the richness of experiences, relationships, and inner peace. It is a state of being that arises from: Human beings are inherently social creatures, and nurturing relationships with family, friends, and community is crucial for emotional well-being. Sharing joy, supporting each other, and feeling a sense of belonging create a reservoir of happiness that sustains us through life’s challenges. A life guided by purpose-whether through work, passion projects, or service to others-provides a sense of accomplishment and direction. It’s not about what we achieve but why we do what we do that determines our happiness. Practicing gratitude for what we have, rather than lamenting what we lack, shifts our focus to the abundance around us. Contentment stems not from settling for less but from appreciating the simple joys of life-a warm meal, a kind word, or a moment of quiet reflection. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future robs us of the present moment’s joy. Mindfulness and meditation can help anchor us to the here and now, where happiness truly resides. Decluttering both physically and mentally can free up space for what truly matters. Prioritize experiences over possessions and quality over quantity. Embrace Kindness and Generosity: Acts of kindness, no matter how small, create a ripple effect that brings happiness not just to the receiver but also to the giver. Volunteer, help a neighbor, or simply offer a smile-it all counts. Physical well-being is deeply connected to mental happiness. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep form the foundation of a happy life. Invest in Relationships: Make time for loved ones, have meaningful conversations, and be present in your interactions. Building strong emotional bonds is one of the most reliable paths to happiness. Therefore, gaining real happiness is not about reaching a fixed point but embracing the journey itself. It is about recognising that life’s ups and downs are inevitable and finding ways to cultivate joy and resilience through it all. Happiness is not something to be pursued externally; it is discovered within, nurtured by our actions, choices, and mindset. (The author is from Faculty, Department of Commerce, Udhampur Campus, University of Jammu)

In their statement, the Education Bureau emphasized their commitment to promoting environmental awareness and responsible waste management practices within the education sector. They stated that school uniforms are typically purchased in bulk and that schools are encouraged to explore sustainable options for managing old uniforms, such as recycling or donating them to those in need.Car loan fraud is a prevalent issue that continues to deceive unsuspecting individuals into falling victim to financial scams. Recently, a disturbing trend has emerged where individuals are encouraged to take out large loans in order to potentially earn a small profit. This deceptive scheme highlights a troubling black market chain within the car financing industry.

Apple Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors

lucky game apk Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's iconic Rajya Sabha speech on demonetisation nearly didn't happen, if not for Uttar Pradesh politician Pramod Tiwari's persuasion. Tiwari recalled convincing Singh to address Parliament on November 24, 2016, following the abrupt recall of high-value currency notes by the NDA government. Speaking with PTI, Tiwari shared how he negotiated with Arun Jaitley and opposition parties to ensure a respectful hearing for Singh, allowing the respected economist to issue a damning speech against demonetisation, labeling it 'monumental mismanagement' and 'organized loot.' Complementing the political backdrop, personal anecdotes from Uttar Pradesh leaders highlighted Singh's passion for Urdu poetry and understanding of religious sentiments, showing the layered personality behind his public image. (With inputs from agencies.)India for the very first time is flying biological experiments into space using a homegrown rocket. The next launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will see not one, but three biological experiments with living cells being rocketed into space. Keeping living things alive in the hostile near vacuum of space is a hugely challenging task. India will fly living biological material from plants such as spinach, cowpea, and gut bacteria - three different experiments are being planned to be flown onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4). Keeping any organism alive in space is a challenge as all life support systems have to be provided in a small sealed box. The results of the experiments also have to be gathered remotely. This is on the fourth stage of the PSLV which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) makes available to academics to conduct experiments in the real space environment. "In a first such venture, ISRO is flying live biological experiments into space from India. We would have had to start studies on astrobiology sooner than later, and now ISRO will write a whole new poem using the PSLV experimental platform and let Indian biologists explore all aspects of how life can survive in the hostile environment of space," ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath said. The next mission of the PSLV named C-60, scheduled very soon, is actually a hugely experimental mission with the main experiment being the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) where ISRO will show for the first time docking and undocking of two Indian satellites in space. But in an effort to promote testing of new ideas and technologies, ISRO has made the POEM platform available to Indian start-ups and its own in-house scientific teams to try out novel ideas. In the next mission, 24 payloads will be tested on the fourth stage of the PSLV. The biological experiments being flown may seem small and elementary in comparison to the huge biological experiments conducted onboard global space stations, but then at some point ISRO had to initiate studies of how life forms perform in space. It is a small biological step by ISRO that will propel India closer to the Gaganyaan mission where India seeks to fly an Indian into space from Indian soil on an Indian rocket. More detailed experiments could also be planned on the Bhartiya Antariksha Station that will come up by 2035. Scientists from Amity University, Mumbai are testing how cells of common spinach perform in the near zero gravity environment of space. Scientists from the Amity Centre for Excellence in Astrobiology led by Dr AW Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, and his nine-member team are trying to decipher how a mass of cells derived from Spinacea oleracea will perform in space. Rather than flying full spinach plants tissue culture, grown cells will be used as an experimental model. Dr Kumar said his team has designed a biological payload to be set on orbit through ISRO with an objective to study the possibility of food and nutrition during space missions. The experiment aims at real time monitoring of the biological payload in space. Dr Kumar in his earlier avatar as a researcher in the US has flown human cell samples to the International Space Station and so, he has experience of conducting astrobiology experiments. In another live experiment using gut bacteria, undergraduate students from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru are flying RVSAT-1, India's first microbiological payload. In an enclosed capsule, the gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron will be sent into space to better understand them. The team wants to explore the implications of bacterial growth on gut health and gene regulation, providing valuable data for understanding human physiology in space. An in-house team of ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, using the Compact Research Module for orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) will demonstrate how seeds and leaves of cowpea germinate in near zero gravity environment of space. Seedlings lose orientation when grown in microgravity conditions. "Studying plant growth in space is new to ISRO and the 15-member team is very excited to see the results," said T Latha, Deputy Director of VSSC. Dr Somanath said these are the first baby steps that could result in mega biological experiments to be undertaken onboard the Bharatiya Antariksha station. "Supporting startups and researchers outside ISRO greatly helps India's large scientific pool get a feel of the space environment," Dr Somanath said.Emergency Dental Services Now Available At Smyle Dental Bakersfield

Can Trump use Jill Biden's image to sell perfume?Kate Middleton shortlisted for Time's Person of the Year 2024 (Picture credit: AP) Kate Middleton , the Princess of Wales, has made it to the shortlist for Time’s prestigious "Person of the Year" 2024. The 42-year-old royal is in the running alongside high-profile figures such as US President-elect Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Her nomination remarks her pivotal role in sparking a global conversation about privacy and health for public figures , especially following her personal health challenges this year. In January, Middleton underwent abdominal surgery , followed by a cancer diagnosis, which she revealed in March after rumours circulated about her absence. The princess took a break from public duties to focus on her treatment, announcing in September that she had completed chemotherapy . Her openness about her health journey has resonated deeply with the public, elevating the discourse around the struggles faced by public figures when it comes to privacy and medical challenges. According to The Mirror, Middleton’s candidness in sharing her story has been praised for breaking down stigmas and inspiring others. Her journey to recovery and her return to public engagements, including the recent "Together at Christmas" carol service at Westminster Abbey, where she spoke about her difficult year, have further cemented her influence. T The service, which Middleton planned herself, emphasized themes of love and empathy, chosen after her personal health struggles. As per The New York Post, Middleton’s efforts to continue her royal duties amid personal adversity have been lauded as a symbol of resilience . This year’s shortlist also includes other notable figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris, who launched an impressive 107-day presidential campaign, and Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg, praised for handling government scrutiny of his social media empire. The winner of Time’s Person of the Year 2024 will be revealed in the coming days, following in the footsteps of 2023's honoree, Taylor Swift.Elon Musk backs far-right party AfD in German newspaper opinion piece

Mid-inclination orbit provides more SAR-imaging opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe for ICEYE customers. HELSINKI, Finland , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in SAR satellite operations for Earth Observation and persistent monitoring, announced today that it has launched two new satellites to its constellation of SAR satellites. Both satellites expand the availability of ICEYE's latest imaging technology to deliver additional 25 cm imaging capacity. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched as part of the Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA . Both satellites have established communication, and early routine operations are underway. With today's launch, ICEYE has successfully launched 40 satellites into orbit since 2018, with nine satellites launched in 2024 alone. The new SAR satellites were launched into mid-inclination orbits; compared to a polar orbit, these mid-inclination orbits provide more than twice the collection opportunities at middle latitudes of the globe. ICEYE customers have many areas of interest in these middle latitudes (+/- 45 degrees), and these customers will benefit from increased persistence over these regions. Customers with imaging interests outside these middle latitudes will continue to benefit from the frequent revisit enabled by ICEYE's dozens of satellites in polar orbits. ICEYE's unique mix of mid-inclination and polar orbits provides its customers with deep revisit capabilities for targets all around the globe. The new satellites will serve ICEYE's commercial missions as part of the world's largest SAR satellite constellation owned and operated by ICEYE. Rafal Modrzewski , CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: "This launch marks another significant milestone in ICEYE's ability to provide our customers with a rich diversity of collection opportunities. We bolster our industry-leading SAR constellation and expand our customers' collection opportunities in the areas most important to them." Today's launch is another step forward in ICEYE's steady drumbeat of innovative breakthroughs in Earth Observation. This year alone, ICEYE has, for example, introduced Dwell Precise, a new 25 cm imaging mode that offers its customers the highest-fidelity 25cm imaging capability, and adds advanced capability to ICEYE's line of Dwell products; launched an API that allows customers to directly task its SAR satellite constellation; and launched ICEYE Ocean Vision to provide actionable intelligence for maritime domain awareness. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable high-quality data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland , Poland , Spain , the UK, Australia , Japan , UAE, Greece , and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. Media contact: press@iceye.com Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iceye-expands-its-earth-observation-capabilities-with-launch-of-two-sar-satellites-for-mid-inclination-orbit-on-the-bandwagon-2-mission-with-spacex-302337876.html SOURCE ICEYE

Jay-Z and Diddy friendship timeline: From rap collaborations to assault allegationsF or the benefit of the uninitiated, The Traitors is a BBC One game show involving 22 players, classed as either Traitors or Faithfuls. Staged at a Scottish castle (Ardross Castle in the Highlands, north of Inverness), it features a group of selected Traitors who must “murder” the Faithful, while the Faithful identify and banish Traitors. If a Traitor evades detection and makes it to the end, they swipe the entire prize pot, totalling as much as £120k. So, yes, it’s a gameshow, but, as those in thrall to the cloaked global entertainment franchise could tell you, it’s also so much more than that. It’s a dark and terrible dance of back-stabbing and scheming. It’s the pungent base notes of human nature. It’s the cynical celebration of deceit as a life skill. It’s “Let’s turn calculated personal betrayal into a gameshow!”. Indeed, what does the full-hearted embrace of The Traitors say about the modern British psyche, and are we ready to hear it? The Traitors has been a huge critical and commercial success. Last January, with streaming and catch-up taken into account, eight million people watched the final episode of series two, in which (spoiler klaxon) Traitor Harry Clark betrayed Faithfuls – his heartbroken friend Mollie Pearce and sceptical Jaz Singh – to become the victor. Versions of the show exist in countries including Australia, the US, New Zealand and Canada. An Irish Traitors is in the pipeline, to be hosted by Siobhán McSweeney (Sister Michael from Derry Girls) . A UK celebrity version is planned, with names bandied about including Stephen Fry, Bob Mortimer, Danny Dyer and Courtney Cox from Friends . Here, then, is one significant metric of The Traitors ’ immense cultural clout: the famous (even the very famous) are enthused about doing it. Not this time the defeated trudge into the I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! jungle to pay an overdue tax bill, or the grim endurance of the Big Brother mixed-sex dormitory to remind the public they’re alive and available for regional panto. Yes, there’d be exposure for celebrity Traitors and Faithfuls, and money (presumably for charity), but you rather get the feeling it would primarily be for larks. Thus far in the UK version, it’s all about the ordinary contestants – the big characters (wily Wilf; sharp Diane; perfidious Paul). The insights into the human condition (you can tell a lot about someone by how they deal with the stress of banishments at the round table). Who takes themselves too seriously or not seriously enough? The hilarious self-aggrandisement (“I can read people”). The point when an over-confident Traitor pushes the Machiavellian buttons too hard and ends up dispatched in a puff of hubris. The Traitors has also proved to be a tormented crucible for crises of confidence. While Jaz Singh, dubbed “Jazatha Christie”, rightly suspected Clark, he didn’t think he’d get the backing to vote him off. Castle politics and self-preservation play a significant part at banishments;in the early rounds, it’s evident that people vote with the herd to avoid being targeted themselves. Along with the anthropologist people-watching element, there’s the sheer theatre of it all: the swishing hooded robes; the doomy drama of Traitors’ Tower; the messages to the murder victims that they’ve been offed; the portraits on the wall of the breakfast room, with crosses scrawled over the faces of the departed; the lavish breakfasts themselves, where the Traitors must be on their amateur rep A-game: faking surprise and sadness at the non-appearance of the victim, their crocodile tears falling into the croissant baskets. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion While the show feels quintessentially British, it’s actually European: based on the Dutch show De Verraders , itself a spin on the party game, Mafia. Nevertheless, The Traitors seems to entwine with our national identity, and even some feudal, kinkily masochistic impulse (the intimidating castle; the autocratic Claudia). It’s interesting how differently other countries approach the formatting/casting. The US version, hosted by Alan Cumming, going heavy on celebrities; the Australians less formal, and so on. In Britain, The Traitors could be tapping into the “cosy crime” wave. That bit of us that still enjoys an Agatha Christie adaptation and a game of Cluedo. As a TV format, it may even have the advantage of being politician-resistant. After all, it seems unlikely that a political reputation could be rescued by appearing: “Oh look, they’re as conniving as we suspected them to be.” The Winkleman factor shouldn’t be underestimated. Having started out as a quasi-goth late-onset ladette, now she brings myriad atmospheres to British TV (ironic/chummy in Strictly ; charmed/supportive in Channel 4’s The Piano ). In The Traitors, she’s a symphony of tweed in her seemingly inexhaustible collection of upmarket hacking jackets, abandoning her mainstream mash-up presenting persona and channelling a hyper-stern Anne Robinson, with added Morticia Addams and a dash of a minor character from a Nancy Mitford novel. Crucially, Winkleman is not just the presenter, she is also the controller, as evident from the start as she stalks around the table, silently selecting her Traitors, her hand clamping commandingly on to delighted shoulders. Winkleman is both part of the intrinsic ceremony of the format, and (unsmiling, unfriendly, cold) the antithesis of what a presenter usually is. It is to her credit that The Traitors would be quite a different show without her. All that said, The Traitors is far from perfect as a format. Those tedious overlong tasks to build the prize pot are only interesting for the car rides to and from, during which Traitors and Faithfuls plot for the next banishment among the pine air fresheners and boiled car sweets. Still, never mind why we enjoy The Traitors . Should we enjoy it? There’s intense emotion to it that can’t be brushed off as mere entertainment. Clark’s betrayal of Pearce wasn’t just “great telly”, it was real – to her. If this doesn’t bother people, why not? Maybe it’s not such a major surprise: the British public has always had a naughty, even evil, side. It’s also a reminder that The Traitors is, at core, a survivalist show, a test of endurance. It’s not just about the psychology of the game, it’s also about the psychology of those watching – the thing that, for viewers, makes The Traitors more than a sofa-bound murder weekend accessible via a remote control. This is televisual darkness as stress relief. Real life is brutal: perhaps reaching counterintuitively for release in the form of synthetic orchestrated treachery makes a wicked kind of sense.

Arlington's F.J. Red Kane Park Fishing Dock Temporarily Closes for Repairs

Medtronic plc ( NYSE:MDT – Get Free Report ) shares fell 0% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $81.22 and last traded at $81.53. 509,463 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average session volume of 6,238,044 shares. The stock had previously closed at $81.54. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price objective on Medtronic from $96.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Medtronic from $93.00 to $89.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Medtronic from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Medtronic from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $96.00 to $93.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Medtronic currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $95.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MDT Medtronic Stock Down 1.1 % Medtronic ( NYSE:MDT – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 19th. The medical technology company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $8.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.27 billion. Medtronic had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 13.79%. Medtronic’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.25 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Medtronic plc will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current year. Medtronic Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 10th. Investors of record on Friday, December 27th will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 27th. Medtronic’s dividend payout ratio is currently 85.63%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Medtronic Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MDT. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Medtronic during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Medtronic in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Medtronic in the third quarter worth about $27,000. J. Stern & Co. LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Medtronic during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Medtronic during the 3rd quarter valued at about $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.06% of the company’s stock. About Medtronic ( Get Free Report ) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Primerica (NYSE:PRI) Trading Down 0% – Here’s WhyJoshua Bassett: ‘We live in an industry and society where your identity is based on how you look, and very little on who you are’

BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts judge dismissed criminal charges Monday against a backer of Karen Read who admitted placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town in support of Read. Richard Schiffer Jr. had argued in Stoughton District Court that he had a First Amendment right to support the defense theory that Read — accused of ramming into her boyfriend John O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving the Boston police officer to die in a snowstorm — has been framed in the polarizing murder case. Schiffer's attorney Timothy Bradl said Monday that the judge made the right call by quickly tossing the felony witness intimidation and criminal harassment charges against Schiffer. The ruling comes as another judge decided Monday to push back Read's retrial to April after a mistrial was declared in July when jurors couldn’t reach an agreement. Read was facing second-degree murder charges and two other charges. Her attorneys have argued that other law enforcement officers were responsible for O’Keefe’s death. Regarding Schiffer's charges, Bradl said, “There wasn't a leg to stand on.” “Hats off to the judge. He didn’t make everyone wait and ruled from the bench. Everything was completely protected by the First Amendment. This was political speech," Bradl said. The Norfolk District Attorney’s office declined to comment. Schiffer has said he got the ducks idea after thinking about a defense lawyer’s closing argument that Read was framed . Alan Jackson told jurors that “if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck.” Schiffer's actions did not rise to the level of witness intimidation and criminal harassment "nor does his speech, or in this case his written word on fake currency and use of rubber toys, which are afforded the protections of the First Amendment," Judge Brian Walsh wrote. “It is the view of this Court that the defendant's conduct and speech, though a rather sophomoric expression of his opinion, is nonetheless protected speech,” he wrote. Walsh concluded the two-page ruling with quotes from Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, believed to have coined the “walks like a duck” phrase, and Robert McCloskey, author of the children's book “Make Way For Ducklings.” The defense alleged that O’Keefe was actually killed inside the home of his fellow Boston officer Brian Albert and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects. Schiffer has been among the dozens of Read supporters who accuse state and local law enforcement of a widespread cover-up. Their demonstrations have led to confrontations, especially in the town of Canton where the murder happened, between those who support Read and others who believe she is guilty. Schiffer, who owns Canton Fence and has said that he knows practically everyone in town through his contracting work, was accused of placing some of the ducks outside a pizza shop run by Brian Albert’s brother, Canton Selectman Chris Albert. Other ducks appeared in O’Keefe’s neighborhood.

Navigating Marriage and Mental Health Together

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Van Nistelrooy has replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium and saw Jamie Vardy open the scoring after just 98 seconds. Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka added goals after the break to ensure the Dutchman started with three points in style. Starting with a win! 🤩 Delivered by @bcgame #LEIWHU pic.twitter.com/X90nFSbMLm — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 His task is to keep the Foxes in the Premier League this season and after ending a five-game winless run they moved up to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal at the death but it counted for nothing and forthcoming games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. When Van Nistelrooy went to bed last night, even he would not have dreamt of his side starting as well as they did as they went ahead with less than two minutes on the clock. One of the Dutchman’s first conversations following his appointment was to take Vardy to task for breaking his record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games nine years ago. And the veteran striker rolled back to the years as, living on the shoulder of the West Ham defence, he raced clear from El Khannouss’ through-ball and slotted into the corner. The linesman’s flag immediately went up but a lengthy VAR review ruled Vardy had timed his run perfectly and the goal stood. Vardy could have added a second from a similar move but this time Lukasz Fabianski denied him. The Dutchman quickly learned about the frailties of his side as West Ham created a raft of chances in search of an equaliser. Jarrod Bowen forced Mads Hermansen into a stretching save when he cut in from the right before Ings’ header crashed into the post and Max Kilman slipped at the crucial point from the rebound. Bowen, a constant threat, sent a ball across face of goal which evaded everyone before the England international was denied by a reflex save from the busy Hermansen. The Danish goalkeeper needed to be alert to tip over Mohammed Kudus’ deflected effort early in the second half before he was saved by the referee’s whistle after after his attempted punch went into his own goal, Tomas Soucek the man penalised. Leicester remained a threat on the counter-attack and that is how they doubled their lead just after the hour. Kasey McAteer was set clear down the left and his ball inside was perfect for El Khannouss to find the bottom corner from 15 yards. It was almost three as Fabianski produced an acrobatic save from Wilfred Ndidi’s header before Leicester needed a heroic piece of defending to keep their 2-0 lead intact. Crysencio Summerville bundled the ball goalwards and it was heading over the line until Conor Coady adjusted his feet and poked it clear. The Foxes, who also had a goal from substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid chalked off by VAR, wrapped things up in the 90th minute when Daka broke clear and emphatically converted into the roof of the net. West Ham did get on the scoresheet when Fullkrug headed a corner home, but the game was already done.Why SoundHound AI Stock Rocketed Higher Again Today

It was a little before 6 a.m. on Aug 8, 2023, when Tsutomu Arakawa woke up later than usual to find his wife Yasuko missing. Over a year has passed since Yasuko, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts. The type of dementia she suffers is rare, affecting only 1 percent of those stricken with the disease. Tsutomu, 65, wishes he had contacted the police earlier, given that he waited until that afternoon to act. Now, haunted by regret, he still puts up missing person posters of his 60-year-old wife and posts messages on social media in the hope she will be found alive. The shoulder bag and leather shoes Yasuko always wore were gone. She went missing on a Tuesday, when the couple would usually visit their neighborhood supermarket at 8 a.m. for its weekly sale. When Yasuko had wandered before, Tsutomu found her at the store. He thought this time would be the same but she was neither there nor anywhere else nearby. He had the city use its emergency broadcast system, which can be used to track down dementia sufferers, to no avail. But Tsutomu remained positive, believing "there is no way I won't find her," he said. The next day, there was a troubling development in the case. Police came to Tsutomu's residence to show him security camera footage of a person who appeared to be Yasuko walking toward the city of Matsue in neighboring Shimane Prefecture where her parents live. All promising leads about her location ended there. The couple's home city of Yonago, in Tottori Prefecture, is near the border of the two prefectures and about 30 kilometers from Matsue, Shimane's capital. There was a report of a sighting of a woman fitting Yasuko's description entering the yard of a private home in the city of Yasugi, but no video camera footage. Yasuko experiences symptoms of semantic dementia, a rare, progressive type of the brain disease that causes a loss in the ability to understand the meaning of words and other stimuli. According to Katsuya Urakami, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Tottori University, the disease often occurs in people in their 50s and 60s, much younger than dementia usually surfaces. Yasuko was diagnosed in 2021. Her eldest son realized something was wrong when she described a crow she had seen as "the black thing." Unlike wandering, which is often a problem for Alzheimer's sufferers, patients with semantic dementia repeat predetermined behaviors. Professor Urakami described the case of the missing woman as "very rare." Even after her diagnosis, Yasuko retained some independence and would take 20-minute walks alone in the evening along a set path or cook breakfast of bread and eggs. Even so, Tsutomu quit his job last July to dedicate himself to her care. The day before she went missing, Tsutomu had discussed with carers measures to ensure his wife's wellbeing. They had proposed placing a global positioning system tracking device inside her shoe. He is tormented by certain thoughts: If only he had contacted the police immediately; if only he had made her carry her ID card. "I am still full of regrets," Tsutomu said. The National Police Agency reported in July that a record 19,039 people with dementia or suspected dementia were reported missing to the police nationwide in 2023. The number increased by 330 from the previous year, the 11th consecutive year of increase. More than 11,000 were over 80 years old, nearly 7,000 in their 70s, and close to 1,000 in their 60s or younger. Amid Japan's graying population, the number of reported dementia sufferers or suspected sufferers missing has doubled over the past decade. Tsutomu believes it is important that people with dementia "not be forced to do what they don't want to do." Tsutomu regrets doing just that as he had put Yasuko into adult daycare before he quit his job, despite knowing she opposed the arrangement. He printed new missing person posters with photos of Yasuko in the spring, asking attendants to display them at Shimane train stations as well as convenience stores, gasoline stations and other prominent places. Tsutomu posted on X, "There must be clues out there," but so far there have been no leads. At home alone, he still awaits her return. "I just want her to come back to me unharmed," he said.Bishop T.D. Jakes experiences 'health incident' during Sunday service

Breakfast scheme for govt school children takes off in KodangalADDISON, Texas, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, “CECO”), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment and industrial equipment, announced today that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR”), applicable to CECO’s tender offer for Profire Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: PFIE) (“PFIE”) expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 15, 2024. The expiration of the HSR waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to consummate the tender offer. Other conditions remain to be satisfied, including, among others, a minimum tender of shares of common stock of PFIE representing a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of PFIE. Unless the tender offer is extended, the offer and withdrawal rights will expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 2024. ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water, and energy transition markets across the globe through its key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Providing innovative technology and application expertise, CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. In regions around the world, CECO works to improve air quality, optimize the energy value chain, and provide custom solutions for applications including power generation, petrochemical processing, general industrial, refining, midstream oil and gas, electric vehicle production, polysilicon fabrication, battery recycling, beverage can, and water/wastewater treatment along with a wide range of other applications. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Addison, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com . SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Certain statements in this communication are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this communication, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of CECO’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in CECO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and include, but are not limited to: the parties’ ability to complete the proposed transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in the anticipated timeframe or at all; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on business relationships, operating results, and business generally; risks that the proposed transactions disrupt current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transactions; risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted related to the proposed transactions; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the proposed transactions; the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the sensitivity of CECO’s business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in CECO’s service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on CECO’s infrastructure, resources and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with CECO’s strategic transactions and its ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; CECO’s ability to repurchase shares of its common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases; CECO’s ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of its restructuring program; economic and political conditions generally; CECO’s ability to optimize its business portfolio by identifying acquisition targets, executing upon any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, integrating acquired businesses and realizing the synergies from strategic transactions; and unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cybersecurity threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any related assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to CECO’s views as of the date the statement is made. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), CECO undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell common stock of PFIE or any other securities. This communication is for informational purposes only. The tender offer transaction commenced by a subsidiary of CECO is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) filed by such affiliates of CECO with the SEC. In addition, PFIE will file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC related to the tender offer. The offer to purchase shares of PFIE’ common stock is only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and related offer materials filed as a part of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, in each case as amended from time to time. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER MATERIALS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING THE TENDER OFFER, PFIE STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CAREFULLY READ THESE DOCUMENTS, AS FILED AND AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. PFIE stockholders will be able to obtain the tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 may be obtained free of charge from D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005, Telephone Number (866) 342-4881. Company Contact: Peter Johansson Chief Financial and Strategy Officer 888-990-6670 Investor Relations Contact: Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young Three Part Advisors 214-872-2710 Investor.Relations@OneCECO.com

By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil has stopped issuing temporary work visas for BYD, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, in the wake of accusations that some workers at a site owned by the Chinese electric vehicle producer had been victims of human trafficking. The announcement came days after labor authorities said they found 163 Chinese workers who had been brought to Brazil irregularly in "slavery-like" conditions at the BYD factory construction site in the northeastern state of Bahia. The workers were employed by contractor Jinjiang Group, which has denied any wrongdoing. Later, the authorities also said the workers were victims of human trafficking. According to the foreign ministry, the workers entered Brazil on temporary work visas. The factory has become a symbol of China's growing influence in the South American nation and an example of a closer relationship between both countries. BYD has invested $620 million to set up the Bahia factory complex alone. Brazil is the biggest overseas market for BYD, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ministry's decision. The Chinese EV maker has said it plans to start production in Brazil early next year with an initial annual output of 150,000 cars. Brazil's Ministry of Justice said in a separate statement on Friday that if irregularities found by prosecutors in the BYD factory are confirmed, it would revoke the residence permits it had issued to the Chinese workers. The Ministry of Justice had already sent a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend BYD temporary visa issuance on Dec. 20, three days before the labor authorities' findings were made public, according to a source with knowledge of the communication. The order was then forwarded to Brazil's embassy in Beijing, the source added. In a social media post on Thursday, which was reposted by a BYD spokesperson, Jinjiang Group rejected the Brazilian authorities' accusations about the work conditions at the Bahia site. The contractor said the portrayal of the workers as "enslaved" was inaccurate and that there had been translation misunderstandings. BYD and Jinjiang Group have agreed to assist and house the 163 workers in hotels until a deal to end their contracts is reached, the Brazilian Labor Prosecutor's Office said in a statement on Thursday, after meeting representatives from both firms. Nearly one in five cars BYD sold outside of China in the first 11 months of 2024 was in Brazil. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; additional reporting by Fabio Teixeira in Rio de Janeior; Editing by Christian Plumb and Matthew Lewis)Strategic Partnership: AMP Payment Systems and Thrive Chiropractic Coaching Unite to Boost Chiropractic SuccessSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

Mr Mohammad Abdillah Mohamad Sam, 30, now a motion graphics artist, returned to Northlight School to teach for three months in 2024. SINGAPORE – In 2008, Mr Mohammad Abdillah Mohamad Sam entered NorthLight School after he failed the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) for the second time. In July 2024, Mr Abdillah, now 30, came full circle when he went back to the school to teach infocomm technology (ICT) for three months. Already a subscriber? Log in Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month $9.90 $9.90/month No contract ST app access on 1 mobile device Subscribe now All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowHow major US stock indexes fared Friday, 12/27/2024

As this writer watches the Left cheer the murder of a health insurance company CEO (on the grounds insurance companies are evil because they deny claims), she reminded her X followers that the violent mentality of the Left won't stop with insurance company CEOs. The fact not one, but two, nutters tried to assassinate Donald Trump over the summer is proof of that, and so is this story from California: Mentally ill Calif. school shooter fired at kids as ‘countermeasure’ for US involvement in ‘genocide of Palestinians’: note https://t.co/CFQMPwKPC7 pic.twitter.com/OLmZLhx7R5 More from The New York Post: The mentally ill gunman who shot and wounded two kindergartners at a small California school Wednesday wrote that he was deploying a “countermeasure involving child executions” in response to “America’s involvement with genocide and oppression of Palestinians” in a twisted note he left behind. The shooter, who turned the gun on himself after opening fire in the playground of the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, was identified Thursday as Glenn Litton, a 56-year-old homeless man who was sprung from jail just two days before the shooting, according to police. Litton, who was pronounced dead at the Oroville school, had a long history of mental health issues, alarming criminal behavior, and past stints in prison, Butte County officials said at a press conference Thursday. There is nothing the Left won't justify if they think it helps their pet political causes. Not gunning down a husband and father on the streets of New York City, and not shooting children to protest the non-existent 'genocide' in Palestine. This is the result of propaganda and lies being told by the media. Imagine a world, where we could tune into any media outlet, and know that what they’re reporting, is actually what happened. Instead of having to go to 500 news outlets just to try to confirm one thing. It absolutely is. Remember when right wing extremism was what worried chris wray the most? Thankfully the kids are alive and pray that they recover. Of course California let this guy back onto the streets, at least now he can’t be let out again. Yeah, the guy was let out of prison days before trying to kill school kids. Now he'll never harm anyone else. Naturally, he has a mile long rap sheet with prior indications of violent, uncontrolled mental illness, but some judge or DA saw fit to drop this ticking time bomb right back into the public, and, I'm sure, flattered themselves all the while for their boundless compassion. Of course they did. 'Justice' or something. Oh, he was protesting? Well, then, that makes it all right! Exactly how the Left thinks. "Mentally ill" is quickly becoming the way we shrug away atrocities committed by people who should have been removed from society previously. Yes, it is. This is the typical logic of the Palestine supporters. They think the only bad thing happening in the world is the Gaza war, and anything & everything is permitted, including shooting innocent children, so long as you're doing it for that cause. They are all evil people... https://t.co/wLcrN7AA2Z Indescribably evil. Nice guy. He has a rap sheet a mile long but they kept letting him out of prison because California believes in rehabilitative justice. So he went to a Christian school and shot two kids for Palestine. https://t.co/GAJGli9IYA Which is why this story is getting very little play. We'll never hear Rachel Maddow talk about dangerous Left-wing rhetoric. Jen Rubin won't pen a column about how the anti-Israel Left should be held accountable. It just gets swept under the rug.The Cannabis Control Commission could soon change where people are allowed to use marijuana in Massachusetts. They're rolling out new draft rules with the goal of allowing you to use cannabis in places like cafes, malls or movie theaters. And some businesses say they are excited by the opportunity. The acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission is calling this a big step forward. At the Summit Lounge in Worcester, members bring their own cannabis and use it on-site. The private club has wanted for years to expand. "An establishment where someone can buy a milkshake that's infused and also sit there with their colleagues and their loved ones and consume flower, right? Smoke some weed. That's what I would like to see," Kyle Moon said. Now, the Cannabis Control Commission is rolling out its draft of social consumption regulations to let people buy and consume cannabis on-site. "I think there's a general excitement. People have been saying they wanted this since the cannabis question passed back in 2016," Bruce Stebbins said. The commission is proposing three license types: They'd be limited to five days long and 24 events per year. Communities can choose to opt in. The commission says public safety is its top priority and plans to put safeguards in place. "We're going to require specific training to help an agent in a consumption lounge recognize if you might be impaired or somebody else might be impaired," Stebbins said. At the Summit Lounge, they say it's progress. "Once I'm able to provide a safe, clean product to my consumer base, everyone is better off for it," Moon said. A timeline for when this could go into effect is still unclear. The acting chair says it will take some time to move through the regulations and work with communities deciding if they want to opt in.

The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upwardReport: Institutional neutrality favored at Carolina, Wake, Dukelucky wallpaper 。

SriLankan Airlines has secured the ‘Emerging Cargo Airline’ award for a second consecutive year at the Arabian Cargo Awards 2024, held on 11 November 2024 in Dubai. This achievement underlines the airline’s ongoing commitment to excellence in the air cargo sector, delivering reliable and efficient solutions globally. The Arabian Cargo Awards celebrates outstanding achievements in air freight, operational efficiency and innovation, with nominees evaluated by a panel of industry experts on criteria such as operational success, service quality and creativity. This recognition highlights SriLankan Airlines’ investment in technology and advanced air cargo solutions. Over the past year, the airline has prioritized optimizing cargo capacity by partnering with digital platforms to enhance accuracy and offer convenience, all while maintaining high service standards. “We are honoured to receive this award, which reflects the dedication and hard work of our team,” said Chaminda Perera, Head of Cargo at SriLankan Airlines, adding, “This achievement strengthens our resolve to keep developing and providing advanced air cargo solutions.”OnePlus Watch 3 Launch Date Confirmed, Could Debut With LTE Connectivity; Check Expected SpecsAlex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg

NoneDem Rep. Thompson: I Would Accept Preemptive Pardon if Biden OffersORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations, it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations, it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations, it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. That Allen took part was no surprise. The newly engaged 28-year-old has maintained the happy-go-lucky approach he brought with him to Buffalo as a raw-talented athlete in 2018, while gradually blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. For McDermott, it was a pleasant surprise to see the usually reserved eight-year coach finally let his hair down — figuratively, because the few jokes he does make are usually about being bald. With his latest do-it-all three-TD outing — one rushing, one receiving and, the coup de grace, being credited with receiving his own pass for a score off a lateral from Amari Cooper — in a 35-10 win over San Francisco on Sunday night, Allen continued making his strongest NFL MVP case. What’s also becoming apparent is how much McDermott deserves consideration for coach of the year honors. Without the two, the Bills (10-2) wouldn’t be in this position in becoming just the eighth NFL team — and first since Indianapolis in 2009 — to clinch a division title with at least five games remaining in their schedule. It’s reflective of how the two have grown together in what, on the outside, could be perceived as an odd couple relationship between an offensive-minded, swashbuckling quarterback and a defensive-minded coach, too often knocked for being too conservative. Perhaps, it’s Allen’s boyish nature that has brought out the risk-taker in McDermott, who has carried over the aggressive approach he takes to defense by placing trust in his quarterback. It’s become apparent in everything the Bills have accomplished so far in having at least 10 wins through 12 games for just the fifth time in team history, and first since 1991, when Buffalo was led by eventual Hall of Famers in coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly. Buffalo has won seven straight since consecutive losses to Baltimore and Houston. And the Bills have scored 30 or more points in six straight outings, matching the team record set in 2004. Allen is doing more with less on an offense that was supposed to be hampered following the offseason departures of receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse. The Bills are more balanced in leaning on their running attack, while Allen has also curtailed his turnover-prone ways. He’s lost two fumbles and thrown just five interceptions after being picked off a career-worst 18 times last season. Meantime, McDermott has taken a different approach to fourth down situations. The Bills have converted 13 of 15 fourth down attempts after going 9 of 16 last season and 7 of 13 in 2022. The most fourth down attempts during McDermott’s tenure came in 2021, when Buffalo converted just 11 of 22. This is but an example of the bond the quarterback and coach have built in a shared objective of overcoming past playoff failures. Clinching a division title is but one step, with the Bills now focused on catching the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), whom they’ve beaten already, for the AFC’s top seed. In calling it the team’s next goal, McDermott went off script from his usual game-at-a-time message by noting the importance of celebrating a division-clinching win, if only for one day. “Being 50 years old and 20-plus years in this league, I’ve learned to try and enjoy the moments,” McDermott said. “And this is a moment, right?” It certainly was. What’s working Turnover differential. Buffalo’s defense forced three fumbles, including one at its goal line, while the offense didn’t commit a giveaway. The Bills upped their league-leading turnover differential entering Monday to plus-17. What needs help Run defense. Though the conditions were snowy and slick, the Bills allowed 119 yards rushing in the first half before the 49ers were forced to start passing the ball once the score became lopsided. Buffalo particularly struggled in stopping Christian McCaffrey, who had 53 yards on seven carries before leaving the game with a potential season-ending knee injury. Stock up LB Matt Milano was in on five tackles while playing 37 of 48 defensive snaps in his first outing in nearly 14 months after being sidelined by a broken right leg and torn left biceps. Stock down CB Kaiir Elam, the 2022 first-round pick was a healthy inactive for a second straight outing, and still having difficulty finding a regular role. Injuries None reported. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 9-0 — The Bills’ home record going back to last season, marking their second-longest run in team history. Next steps Hit the road for two outings, starting with a trip to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Advertisement Advertisement

INEC Plans To Phase Out Of Voter’s Card

BREAKING NEWS Australia's best ever Olympian Emma McKeon makes huge call on swimming future Is Australia's most decorated Olympian Had a huge Olympics at Paris Games Has made an announcement on her future By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 18:07 EST, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 18:09 EST, 24 November 2024 e-mail View comments Australia's best ever Olympian has officially called time on her swimming career, with Emma Mckeon making the huge announcement on Monday. 'Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming,' McKeon wrote on social media. 'Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics , and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming. 'I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally. Australian Olympics superstar Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from swimming The glamourous swimmer, pictured with partner Cody Simpson, is the most decorated Australian Olympian of all time 'I wanted to see what I was capable of - and I did. Swimming has given me so much. From the dream igniting at 5 years old, right through to my third Olympic Games - I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for. 'Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU. 'Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store.' MORE TO FOLLOW Olympics Paris Share or comment on this article: Australia's best ever Olympian Emma McKeon makes huge call on swimming future e-mail Add commentWhy Mara Holdings Stock Dived by Nearly 7% TodayNearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds

MITCHELL — In the season of giving, the Mitchell Marlins are sending a taste of home overseas. Members of the Marlins boys hockey team have put together military care packages this holiday season to be sent to the 114th Fighter Wing Force Support Squadron of the South Dakota Air National Guard. Items being sent range from food items such as ramen noodles and chocolates to card games to help pass time. ADVERTISEMENT The care packages will hopefully uplift the soldiers in the division, knowing they’re being thought of from back home. “Anytime you get anything from home, it feels good,” said retired Master Sergeant Alan Huls, who served on the squadron. “Just the fact that they’re thousands of miles away and they still have people here sending them stuff, it spreads the cheering spirit.” Looking for ways to give back to the community this season, the Marlins reached out to Huls, who also serves on the Mitchell Skating and Hockey Association board, about putting together an array of items to be sent to his former brigade, with many of the soldiers serving alongside Huls for at least 10 years. Having been in the armed forces for 28 years, Huls recalled being sent homemade cookies during his last deployment around the holiday season a year ago, a welcome sight given the conditions of where he was, where simple necessities are hard to obtain. It’s an initiative that Marlins head coach Nick Lemke hopes it’ll also open the players’ eyes to the situations the military faces each day of deployment for those in remote locations. It has also allowed the kids to build a deeper connection with the group, as several kids on the teams have military family members. Huls’ son Brody is a forward for the Marlins this season. “Doing something like this makes you feel connected to (the military),” Lemke said. “It kind of teaches you some of the realistic stuff that’s going on in the world. It’s more in front of them to be aware of people overseas in other countries where they don’t have these things and how thankful our troops will be to get a package like that.” It’s one of several initiatives the Marlins are participating in over the course of the season. There will be a teddy bear toss during one of the intermissions of the boys’ varsity game against Sioux Falls East on Friday, Dec. 20, at the Mitchell Activities Center, with the bears going to Mitchell’s CASA chapter. The annual Pink the Rink night is on Saturday, Jan. 4, with proceeds benefitting Mitchell Special Olympics and Heart and Sole. ADVERTISEMENT Overall, Huls is grateful for the kids for showing their commitment to helping the community and to spread the love of the holiday season around the world, knowing those who’ll receive the care packages will be equally grateful. “This was solely the boys. ... For the holidays, they decided to do this, and it just spreads the cheer and spirit,” Huls said.By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. The economy steadily grew Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Savings accounts offered high rates and returns Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Credit card debt hit a high Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Small business boomed Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Home buying remained challenging Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. The markets were a boon for investors Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Premiums went up for home and auto insurance Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Lawsuits and uncertainty over student loan relief continued Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Traveling in style was all the rage Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Dynamic pricing expanded its reach Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. The car market came back for buyers Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Buy now, pay later grew in popularity Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Inflation eased, finally Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Rents were still high, but price growth slowed Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Trump won the election, promised tariffs and deportations Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Congress squabbled while consumer-first, antitrust efforts won Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .

Israel sees profit in Thai food nousNearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report findsBOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people( ) shares were out of form on Monday. The logistics solutions company's shares sank deep into the red after the release of an update at its annual general meeting. That update saw WiseTech for FY 2025 due to distractions flowing from the recent media attention over ex-CEO Richard White's behaviour and the organisational changes that have subsequently been implemented. This has led to the delay of the commercial launch of its new Container Transport Optimization. As a result of this delay, revenue and EBITDA are expected to be $1,200 million to $1,300 million and $600 million to $660 million, respectively, in FY 2025. The midpoint of these guidance ranges represents a downgrade of 5.7% and 7.4%, respectively, from its previous guidance. Should you buy WiseTech shares? Analysts at Bell Potter think that the selloff has created a buying opportunity for investors. This morning, the broker has reiterated its buy rating and lifted its price target to $140.00 (from $123.75). Based on its current share price of $121.74, this implies potential upside of 15% for investors over the next 12 months. Commenting on the update, the broker said: We have downgraded our revenue forecasts by 4%, 4% and 3% in FY25, FY26 and FY27. We note the delay in the release of Container Transport Optimisation just pushes back the expected revenue from this products by several months so is not lost, just delayed. We have also downgraded our EBITDA forecasts by 6%, 5% and 4% which is mostly driven by the revenue downgrades but also a modest reduction in our margin estimates. Overall, we do not consider the update bad all things considered and see the upcoming investor day as a potential catalyst for the share price. Goldman Sachs agrees with this view. This morning, the broker has responded to the update by retaining its buy rating and $138.00 price target. It explains: We update estimates to reflect the delayed product launch into late 2H25, but also moderate our product attach assumptions through FY25-26. This still drives a meaningful acceleration in revenue growth into FY26 (i.e. CW revenue growth of +26%/+32% in FY25/26, group revenue +21%/+28%), but lowers our EBITDA -7%/-5%/-5% across FY25-27E. Despite these earnings downgrades, our 12m TP of $138 is unchanged, given re-rating in key SaaS peers driving our applied multiple to 54X FY26 EBITDA (prior 51X). We look for greater details around the revised guidance and product outlook at the Investor Day on Dec 3.

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Sir Keir Starmer was facing a diplomatic rift with the US and Israel after ministers refused to say if Binyamin Netanyahu could travel to Britain without being arrested for war crimes. President Biden called the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants against the Israeli prime minister and Yoav Gallant, the former defence minister, “outrageous”. Netanyahu said the charges were the work of “biased judges motivated by antisemitic sentiment against the Jewish state”. But Downing Street suggested that the UK would have to comply with any request by the ICC to arrest Netanyahu if he visited the UK. The prime minister’s official spokesman said the government would not comment on “hypotheticals” but said the UK would follow its “legal obligations”. Under UK legislation, ifThe 16th annual Halifax International Security Forum, with an emphasis on defending democracy through global security, concluded Sunday with a renewed united approach in uncertain political times. Weekend meetings featured an examination of NATO's role in the world, including Canada's contribution. There were also repeated calls for a unified voice and for nations to stand firm in their support of Ukraine. “What we have done here, is basically given everybody a sense of optimism.,” said Peter Van Praag, founding president of the Halifax International Security Forum. “Together we’ve got this. We are going to choose victory, and we are going to work together as a community of democracies, with the brave Ukrainians and push Russia out of Ukraine.” At the three-day event, there was no shortage of anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the second Donald Trump presidency. "Donald Trump is going to do what is best for America,” said Van Praagh. “And in this case, what is best for America is staying in Ukraine and staying in the fight.” Those who attended Halifax International Security Forum appeared unified in their optimism about maintaining the tradition of strategic cooperation among world democracies. CTVNews.ca Top Stories Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday. ‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14. 'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger. Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada. A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls. These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech. Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device. Halifax International Security Forum concludes with ‘sense of optimism’ The 16th annual Halifax International Security Forum, with an emphasis on defending democracy through global security, concluded Sunday with a renewed united approach in uncertain political times. Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup Jannik Sinner clinched Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season by beating Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor. Vancouver Man charged with murder in East Vancouver woman's death A man has been charged with second-degree murder after a woman was found dead in an East Vancouver home this weekend, and police say the suspect and victim were married. B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision. Vancouver Police Board member resigns over social media posts A member of the Vancouver Police Board was asked to resign after social media posts surfaced that made her continued service on the oversight body “untenable,” according to the chair. Toronto Walking pneumonia is on the rise in Canada, but what about Ontario? Doctors and emergency rooms across Canada have said they are seeing an unusual rise in walking pneumonia cases, particularly in children, but what about here in Ontario? 'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre Joshua Orson sits on the edge of a bed in a bright, clean room, thinking about his journey from addict to health-care worker. Routes to avoid during the 120th Santa Claus Parade on Sunday The 120th Santa Claus Parade is back in Toronto on Sunday and will bring along some road closures. Calgary Festival of Lights kicks off 38th year as snow arrives just in time For a while there, Lions Festival of Lights chair Otto Silzer was worried there wouldn’t be any snow to decorate the light show. Snowfall warning lifted as threat of more flurries fades from Sunday forecast The snowfall warning for Calgary has been lifted after a Saturday snowstorm socked the city, and the sun came out while the city dug its way out of some pretty deep drifts. Revival of Pospisil, power play fuels Flames to 4-3 shootout win over Wild A week ago, the Calgary Flames were winning despite Martin Pospisil's slump and the NHL club's weak power play. Ottawa Police lay more charges against pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Ottawa Three people were arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Ottawa this weekend. Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon. Ottawa city councillor concerned over sprung structure debate as protests continue Sunday marked the latest in a series of protests against plans to build tent-like "sprung-structures" to house asylum seekers in Ottawa. Montreal Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday. Montreal votes to end water fluoridation in West Island by 2025 Montreal has voted to stop adding fluoride to tap water in six demerged West Island cities by 2025, a decision that has ignited backlash from local mayors and health experts. CTV News Montreal at Six for Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 CTV News Montreal at Six for Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 with anchor Kelly Greig. Edmonton Electric cars a 'hot commodity' in Alberta despite misconceptions Electric vehicles are off Alberta car lots, despite what experts say are some ongoing misconceptions about the technology. Podkolzin snaps scoring slump in Oilers win over Rangers Vasily Podkolzin vowed there's more to come after his first goal with the Edmonton Oilers. Podkolzin scored the game’s first goal and Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist for the Oilers in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday. Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talks carry on over weekend Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023. Atlantic ‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14. Nova Scotia retirement community asks people to ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ The Berkeley retirement community is asking people to “Be a Santa to a Senior” by making a donation until December 9 at one of their four locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Man arrested in Saint John, N.B., for weapons offences Saint John Police Force in Saint John, N.B., arrested a 30-year-old man for weapons related offenses on Saturday. Winnipeg 'I had no idea that they even existed': Family reunites with 80-year-old letters hidden in Winnipeg home The family of a soldier who fought during the Second World War has been reunited with letters written to him 80 years ago. Winnipeg postal workers still collecting letters to Santa amid ongoing strike Here's how Winnipeg families can still deliver their letters to Santa amid the ongoing Canada Post workers' strike. Have you seen Bostyn? Winnipeg police search for missing teenager Winnipeg police are asking the public to help find a 15-year-old girl who went missing Saturday afternoon. Regina Regina slammed with second snowstorm inside a week Regina is digging itself out yet again – mere days after it was slammed with the first major snowfall of the season. Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan Researchers from McGill University have discovered a first of its kind fossil specimen for Saskatchewan. Regina police searching for answers after man injured by firearm The Regina Police Service (RPS) is searching for information after a man was injured in a firearm- related incident early Saturday morning. Kitchener Kitchener auto repair shop hosts fundraiser for children with disabilities, joined by hockey legend Wendel Clark An auto repair shop based in Kitchener held a special fundraiser Saturday to help children and youth with physical disabilities, with former Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark in attendance. Colleges and universities face job cuts, deficits amid international student cap Groups representing post-secondary institutions say this may just be the tip of the iceberg, as dramatic drops in international student enrolment exacerbate some schools' existing budget shortfalls. Walking pneumonia is on the rise in Canada, but what about Ontario? Doctors and emergency rooms across Canada have said they are seeing an unusual rise in walking pneumonia cases, particularly in children, but what about here in Ontario? Saskatoon Saskatoon schools will be closed Monday following heavy snowfall Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) has announced that all schools will be closed on Monday due to heavy snowfall and hazardous road conditions. Saskatoon digs out from another snowfall Saskatoon residents are digging out from another major snowfall that blanketed the city overnight. 'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption Some local businesses say the federal government’s recent plan to pull back GST on several items is a positive initiative, but it should have been rolled out earlier in the holiday season. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining Taykwa Tagamou Nation, a Cree First Nation located within Treaty 9, has filed a statement of claim against the Province of Ontario and Newmont, a mining company that owns properties in Timmins. Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved. More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday. London World Champion Jennifer Ogg of London, Ont. among inductees in Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame When Jennifer Ogg signed up an Ironman race in Cozumel, Mex., she had no idea that months later, she’d get the call to be inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame. Two displaced in $200,000 house fire The London Fire Department was on scene of a house fire in the city on Sunday. Three people in hospital due to collision Barrie Driver seriously injured after crashing into tree: OPP An overnight crash in Tiny Township is under investigation, where a car allegedly crashed into a tree and both occupants were taken to hospital. First snowfall hits region Simcoe Muskoka saw its first signs of snow of the season Sunday morning, with a mix of flurries and rain leading to worsening road conditions and police reporting multiple collisions. Local high school basketball team wins provincial championship The Maple Ridge Ravens girls’ basketball team won a gold medal at the Girls AAA OFSAA Championships this weekend in Brampton, defeating the Mother Teresa Spartans 46-42 in comeback fashion. Windsor How a senior's efforts to craft hats for students knitted his community together A Windsor, Ont., man knitting hats for kids in need has inspired his neighbours to make sure more than just ears are staying warm. Increased police presence in Tecumseh Tecumseh will see more police around Ryegate Drive and Lemire Street, as per OPP. CPKC Holiday Train coming to Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex If you were hoping to see the CPKC Holiday Train this year, you’re in luck! The train is chugging through Canada and the U.S., stopping in Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex on Monday. Vancouver Island B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision. BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms British Columbia's electric utility says it has restored power to almost all customers who suffered outages during the bomb cyclone earlier this week, but strong wind from a new storm has made repairs difficult in some areas. Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Lethbridge Snow routes declared active for Lethbridge starting at 9 a.m. Monday Snow routes were declared active in Lethbridge, the city posted on its website. Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, parking restrictions will be in effect for streets declared to be snow routes. Hurricanes road misery continues with 6-3 loss to Winterhawks in Portland The Hurricanes dropped their third straight game on Friday night, losing 6-3 to the Winterhawks in Portland. Emergency water main break disrupts traffic on 5 Avenue North in Lethbridge City crews are working to repair an emergency water main break on 5 Avenue North between 28 Street North and 29 Street North Saturday morning. Sault Ste. Marie Hockey rivalry goes to the next level on both sides of the Sault border Practice this week for the Sault College Men’s Hockey Team was taken to another level, as the Cougars face off against cross-border rival Lake Superior State University this weekend. After a year of struggle, centre that helps Sault youth to move to a building with heat Sault-based charity Save Our Young Adults, or SOYA, will soon move to a new home -- for good reason. $3M donation to help repair arena in Elliot Lake The City of Elliot Lake said Thursday it has received a $3-million donation from Edward and Suzanne Rogers for the Centennial Arena restoration. N.L. As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada's green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched A Newfoundland energy company's embrace of data centres is raising doubts about eastern Canadian hopes of harnessing the region's howling winds to supply Germany with power from green hydrogen. Canadian leads group pushing Vatican for zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy An international group led by a Canadian is in Rome this week to push the Catholic Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy. Newfoundland wind-to-hydrogen company eyes data centre as international market lags A company hoping to build a multi-billion-dollar wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland is eyeing other options as Canada's plans to supply Europe with green energy have not yet materialized. Local Spotlight The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet. Video shows octopus 'hanging on for dear life' during bomb cyclone off B.C. coast Humans weren’t the only ones who struggled through the bomb cyclone that formed off the B.C. coast this week, bringing intense winds and choppy seas. B.C. man reunites with Nova Scotia stranger, 56 years after being saved from drowning After driving near the water that winter day, Brian Lavery thought he saw a dog splashing in the waves – then realized it was way too cold for that. 'It's nice to just talk to people': Toronto podcaster prank calling Nova Scotians Toronto radio and podcast host Jax Irwin has recently gone viral for videos of her cute -- and at times confusing -- phone conversations. Lotto Max jackpot hits $80M for second time ever The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history. 'I'm just tickled pink': Childhood friends from New Brunswick named Rhodes Scholars Two young women from New Brunswick have won one of the most prestigious and sought-after academic honours in the world. B.C. man to cycle length of New Zealand to raise funds for Movember Stretching 3,000 kilometres from the tip of New Zealand to its southernmost point, with just a bicycle for transport and a tent to call home, bikepacking event Tour Aotearoa is not for the faint of heart. 'She's a people person': Urban chicken inspires positivity in B.C. neighbourhood When he first moved to his urban neighbourhood, Barry Devonald was surprised to be welcomed by a whole flock of new neighbours. 'A little piece of history': Winnipeg homeowner finds 80-year-old letters hidden in walls When George Arcioni began renovating his kitchen last summer, he didn’t expect to find a stack of letters hidden in the wall behind his oven. Politics Montreal police chief expects additional arrests following anti-NATO protest Montreal's police chief says he expects more arrests stemming from a Friday anti-NATO protest that turned violent, with smashed windows and burned cars in downtown Montreal. Canada 'already past due' on NATO defence spending target: U.S. House intelligence committee chair Mike Turner The chair of the United States House intelligence committee says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in 'desperate' need of investment. Minister calls GST holiday, $250 cheques for 18 million Canadians 'a targeted approach' Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien is calling the federal government's proposed GST holiday and $250 rebate cheques a 'targeted approach' to address affordability concerns. Health Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada. 'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre Joshua Orson sits on the edge of a bed in a bright, clean room, thinking about his journey from addict to health-care worker. More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday. Sci-Tech Canadian neurosurgeons seek six patients for Musk's Neuralink brain study Canadian neurosurgeons in partnership with Elon Musk's Neuralink have regulatory approval to recruit six patients with paralysis willing to have a thousand electrode contacts in their brains. Fast-forming alien planet has astronomers intrigued Astronomers have spotted orbiting around a young star a newborn planet that took only three million years to form, quite swift in cosmic terms. Enslaved on OnlyFans: Women recount torment and sexual servitude OnlyFans says it empowers content creators, particularly women, to monetize sexually explicit images and videos in a safe online environment. But a Reuters investigation found women who said they had been deceived, drugged, terrorized and sexually enslaved to make money from the site. Entertainment ANALYSIS | How Jussie Smollett's overturned conviction is similar to Bill Cosby's The criminal cases of actors Jussie Smollett and Bill Cosby, both found guilty before their convictions were overturned, differ in details but share some parallels. 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theatre debuts With a combined US$270 million in worldwide ticket sales, 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 Chuck Woolery, host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble' who accused the U.S. government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Business Elon Musk has never been richer. He's now worth nearly US$350 billion The richest person in the world got even richer Friday, with Musk’s net worth hitting a record US$347.8 billion, Bloomberg reported. U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry A U.S. court has closed the door on "hostile work environment" and wage discrimination claims made by a former BlackBerry Ltd. executive who accused the company's CEO of sexually harassing her and then retaliating against her when she reported the behaviour. Maple Leaf Foods launches defamation lawsuit against Canada Bread and Grupo Bimbo Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has launched a defamation lawsuit against Canada Bread Co. Ltd. and its parent company Grupo Bimbo. Lifestyle School bullies have moved online. But is banning all under-16s from social media really the answer? The Australian government introduced what it's called 'world-leading' legislation in parliament this week to wipe social media accounts – including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X – from the devices of children under 16. Ants marching into spotlight as hobby of ant-keeping rises in popularity They are tiny insects that are often overlooked or stepped on, but ants are marching not only into people’s backyards, but also their homes, as the popularity of ant-keeping rises in Canada. These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech. Sports Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup Jannik Sinner clinched Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season by beating Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor. Rico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85 Rico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Max Verstappen wins fourth straight World Championship as George Russell takes victory in Las Vegas Max Verstappen claimed the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship at Las Vegas Grand Prix that saw George Russell take victory for Mercedes. Autos Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash. Northvolt says Quebec battery plant will proceed despite bankruptcy filing Northvolt AB has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, but said the move will not jeopardize the manufacturer's planned electric vehicle battery plant in Quebec — though hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars invested in the parent company could be lost. Canadian drivers own their poor road habits: survey Canadian drivers are regularly in a hurry to get to their destination and a majority are willing to take unnecessary risks on the road, according to the results of a new survey. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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What’s Happening is a free service of Columbia Gorge News and may be edited for length. Notices run as space allows. Send to kelsiec@gorgenews.com . Community Events Dec 2 — Lyle Lions Club Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. First and third Monday. Dec. 4 — Wasco Co. Board of Commissioners Regular Session, 9 a.m. at 401 E. Third St., The Dalles, or via Zoom at wascocounty-org.zoom.us/j/2919733815 or call in to 1-253-215-8782; Meeting ID: 2919733815#. Dec. 4 — Criminal Records Expungement Clinic, 3-6 p.m. at 601 Cascade Ave., Hood River. Free legal assistance to apply to set aside Oregon criminal records. Clinics are every first Wednesday. No appointment necessary. For more information, email lynnmarie.crider@gmail.com . Dec. 4 — Veterans Social Group, 6 p.m. to closing at Hood River Elks Lodge No. 1507, 304 Cascade Ave., Hood River. Dinner, drink to all veterans at no charge; active duty, Reservist, National Guard and veterans all welcome. Dec. 5 — Criminal Records Expungement Clinic, 2-5 p.m. at The Dalles Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Free legal assistance to apply to set aside Oregon criminal records. Clinics are every first Thursday. No appointment necessary. For more information, email lynnmarie.crider@gmail.com . Dec. 5 – Hood River Adult Grief Group, 4:30-5:30pm. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, November 2024-February 2025. Registration required. To register or for more information, contact Haley at Providence Hospice of the Gorge at 541-387-6449 Dec. 5 — NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of the Gorge, 6:15-7:45 p.m. at Dalles-Wasco County Library meeting room. For info, call Barbara at 541-980-7264. Dec. 6 — Hood River Holiday Tree Lighting, 5-45-6:15 p.m. at Overlook Memorial Park. Streets closed to vehicles 4-8 p.m. for shopping downtown. Dec. 6 — Free family Movie: A Muppets Christmas Carol, 6 p.m. at the Granada Theatre in The Dalles, 221 E Second St. Event by the Wasco County/The Dalles Public Library. Kids meals, sandwiches, popcorn, snacks, concessions and refreshments will be available for purchase. Dec. 6 — Festival of Trees, 6-9 p.m. at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. Hosted by Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Foundation; annual fundraiser. Tickets at mcmc.net/foundation/events/festival-of-trees . Dec. 6-8 — Dallesport Christmas Bazaar, Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dallesport Community Center. Raffle table, Christmas gift donation box for local schoolkids. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 — A Christmas Story, 7 p.m. at The Bingen Theater. Matinee performances Dec. 8 and 15 at 1:30 p.m. Directed by Joe Garoutte; family friendly. Tickets at www.bigbritches.org . Dec. 6 – 8, Nativities in The Gorge, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday. Located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 650 Northwest Gropper Road in Stevenson. For more info, contact Dan Black at 360-975-2799 or dfblack8@gmail.com . Dec. 7 — Lyle Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, 7-10 a.m. at Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. Adults $10, children 6-12 $5, under 5 free. Eggs and omelets cooked to order and endless pancakes. Dec. 7 – Santa Breakfast 2024, 8 – 11 a.m., West Side Rockford Station, 4250 Barrat Drive in Hood River. Pancakes, Sausage and eggs, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children. Fund benefit the Leo Phillips Scholarship fund. Dec. 7 — Leos Club Can and Bottle Collection, 9 a.m. to noon at Rosauers, Hood River. Supports local nonprofits. Dec. 7 – St. Mark’s Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., 400 11th Street in Hood River. Shop for a wide variety of giftable treasures. Proceeds go to support the church’s outreach ministries in the community. Dec. 7 – Habitat for Humanity Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the UCC Church Basement, 111 East Fifth St., in The Dalles. Free admission. Soup and pie lunch available for purchase. Dec. 7 — Fort Dalles Riders Annual Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Dalles Riders Club, 1023 Irvine St., The Dalles. Variety of vendors and goods. Dec 7 — Fair Trade Pop-up, noon to 5 p.m. at Bethel Church, White Salmon. Fundraiser for Haiti; Haitian music, fair trade crafts, coffee and chocolate. Dec. 7 – Christmas in the Gorge, 1 - 4 p.m., at the Columbia Gorge Museum, 990 SW Rock Creek Drive in Stevenson. For more info, contact (800)989-9178. www.columbiagorgemuseum.org . Dec. 7 — Youth Ornament Making Class, 2–4 p.m. at The Dalles Art Center, 220 E Fourth St., The Dalles. Students grades 2-8 will learn the art of glass fusing. Ornaments will be ready for pick-up by Dec. 14. To register, contact Ellen Potter at 541-296-4759. Dec. 7 – Winter Warmer Holiday Market, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Wintery, 901 East Second St. in The Dalles. Event is free and family friendly. Dec. 7 – Holiday Ribbon Wreath Craft making, 2 p.m., at The Dalles Public Library, 722 Court Street Event is for ages 11 to over 18. Registration required. Dec. 7 – Mid Columbia Community Choir “A Star is Arising” Benefit Concert, 7 p.m. at Hood River Valley Christian Church, 975 Indian Creek Road, in Hood River. A free will donation to support WAGAP and Fish Food Bank will be accepted at the event. Dec. 7, 8 & 12 – Mid-Columbia Community Choir Benefit Concert: Bethlehem Lullaby, 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Hood River Valley Christian Church, 975 Indian Creek Road in Hood River, 4 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 West Jewett Blvd., in White Salmon. Dec. 8 – Mid Columbia Community Choir “A Star is Arising” Benefit Concert, 4 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 W. Jewett Blvd in White Salmon. A free will donation to support WAGAP and Fish Food Bank will be accepted at the event. Dec. 9 — Monthly Grief Group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the White Salmon Pioneer Center, 501 NE Washington St. For anyone grieving a loss. More info at maggie@maggieconverse.com or 503-395-4738. Dec. 10 — Odell Garden Club Meeting, 10 a.m. at the Hood River County Fairgrounds Community Building. For more info, contact President Norma Curtis, 541-806-1019 or nlcurtis@hrecn.net . Meets second Tuesday of the month. Dec. 10 — Mid-Columbia Center for Living Regular Board Meeting, 11 a.m. in room 107, 1060 Webber St., The Dalles, or via Teams meeting, bit.ly/3VaelHa . Second Tuesday of the month. Dec 10 — Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group, 5:30-630 p.m. Meets second Tuesday of the month. Email belinda.ballah@hoodrivercounty.gov for more info. Dec. 11 — Back to Life Biochar Hands-On Workshop, noon to 4 p.m. in the Husum area. Underwood Conservation District’s Winter Workshop Series. In person, registration required at www.ucdwa.org . Preparatory work party Dec. 6, noon to 4 p.m.; sign up on same webpage. Dec. 11 – Sense of Place 15th Anniversary Season presentation, 7p.m., at Columba Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave., Hood River, or via livestream. “The Wolf Next Door: A Community Perspective on the Return of Wolves,” with Lara Volski, PhD Student of Human-Wildlife Interactions. Season 15 ticket information is available online at senseofplacegorge.org and via a monthly newsletter. Dec. 12 — High Prairie Bingo Night, 6-8 p.m. at 701 Struck Road (between Lyle and Centerville). Food and drinks for sale, cash prizes; minors must be accompanied by an adult 18 or over. Dec. 12 – Mid Columbia Community Choir “A Star is Arising” Benefit Concert, 7 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 1280 W. Jewett Blvd in White Salmon. A free will donation to support WAGAP and Fish Food Bank will be accepted at the event. Dec. 13 – CGOA Voic Community Choir Holiday Pops concert, 7 p.m., Hood River Valley Christian Church, 975 Indian Creek Road in Hood River. Dec. 14 — WAAAM Second Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum, 1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River. Different theme each month; see old technology in action. Dec. 14 – Gateway Christmas Fair/Workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gateway Church, 111 Dry Hollow Road in The Dalles. Event is free and for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by and adult. For more info, contact 541-298-8531. www.gatewaypc.org . Dec. 14 – Santa’s Big Day, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., at the White Salmon Masonic Lodge. Digital photos with Santa. Event is free and family friendly. For more info, contact Ivy Carpe at hiddengemeventsnmore@gmail.com or visit hiddengemeventsnmore@gmail.com Dec. 14 – Holiday Gift Workshop, 12 – 2 p.m. at The Dalles Public Library meeting room, 722 Court Street in The Dalles. Holiday gift related crafts. Event is all ages. Dec. 14 – 2024 Handel’s Christmas Messiah Concert, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 10th and Union St. in The Dalles. Concert is put on by The Dalles Cascade Singers. Dec. 15. – CGOA Voci Community Choir Holiday Pops concert, 2 p.m. Old St. Peter’s Landmark, 405 Lincoln Street in The Dalles Dec. 15 — Lyle Lions Club Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. First and third Monday. Dec. 15 – Patrick Lamb’s Charlie Brown Christmas, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at Hood River Middle School auditorium, 1602 May Street in Hood River. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/a-patrick-lamb-charlie-brown-christmas-tickets-1064480322299?aff=oddtdtcreator. Dec 17 — Mid-Columbia Car Club Meeting, 5 p.m. social / 6 p.m. meeting at Spooky’s Pizza, 3320 W. Sixth, The Dalles. Meets third Tuesday of the month. Dec 18 — Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Hood River Extension, 2990 Experiment Station Drive. All are welcome. Visitors may attend in person or via Zoom; info at admin@gorgebeekeepers.org . Dec. 19 – Hood River Adult Grief Group, 4:30-5:30pm. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, November 2024-February 2025. Registration required. To register or for more information, contact Haley at Providence Hospice of the Gorge at 541-387-6449 Dec. 19 — Heritage Council Board Meeting, 5 p.m. at the History Museum of Hood River County, 300 E. Port Marina Way, Hood River. Public welcome to attend. New board members, volunteers needed. Third Thursday of the month. Thru Dec. 22 — Handmade for Holidays at Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave., Hood River. Artists market; small art pieces of many types on display and for sale in the gallery. Jan. 2 — Criminal Records Expungement Clinic, 2-5 p.m. at The Dalles Public Library, 722 Court St., The Dalles. Free legal assistance to apply to set aside Oregon criminal records. Clinics are every first Thursday. No appointment necessary. For more information, email lynnmarie.crider@gmail.com . Jan. 2 – Hood River Adult Grief Group, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, November 2024-February 2025. Registration required. To register or for more information, contact Haley at Providence Hospice of the Gorge at 541-387-6449. Jan. 2 — NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of the Gorge, 6:15-7:45 p.m. at Dalles-Wasco County Library meeting room. For info, call Barbara at 541-980-7264. Jan. 4 — Lyle Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, 7-10 a.m. at Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. Adults $10, children 6-12 $5, under 5 free. Eggs and omelets cooked to order and endless pancakes. Jan. 4 — Leos Club Can and Bottle Collection, 9 a.m. to noon at Rosauers, Hood River. Supports local nonprofits. Jan. 6 – Hood River Adult Grief Group, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays, November 2024-February 2025. Registration required. To register or for more information, contact Haley at Providence Hospice of the Gorge at 541-387-6449. Jan. 6 — Lyle Lions Club Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. First and third Monday. Jan. 9 — High Prairie Bingo Night, 6-8 p.m. at 701 Struck Road (between Lyle and Centerville). Food and drinks for sale, cash prizes; minors must be accompanied by an adult 18 or over. Jan. 13 — Friends of the Library, 11 a.m. in the Jean Marie Gaulke Room, Hood River Library; public welcome. More at hoodriverlibrary.org/friends . Jan. 13 — Monthly Grief Group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the White Salmon Pioneer Center, 501 NE Washington St. For anyone grieving a loss. More info at maggie@maggieconverse.com or 503-395-4738. Jan 14 — Odell Garden Club Meeting, 10 a.m. at the Hood River County Fairgrounds Community Building. For more info, contact President Norma Curtis, 541-806-1019 or nlcurtis@hrecn.net . Meets second Tuesday of the month. Jan. 14 — Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group, 5:30-630 p.m. Meets second Tuesday of the month. Email belinda.ballah@hoodrivercounty.gov for more info. Jan. 15 — Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Hood River Extension, 2990 Experiment Station Drive. All are welcome. Visitors may attend in person or via Zoom; info at admin@gorgebeekeepers.org . Jan. 16 — Heritage Council Board Meeting, 5 p.m. at the History Museum of Hood River County, 300 E. Port Marina Way, Hood River. Public welcome to attend. New board members, volunteers needed. Third Thursday of the month. Jan. 16 — More than Flowers: What your Landscape Needs to Support Pollinators, 6 p.m. at the White Salmon Valley Library. Underwood Conservation District’s Winter Workshop Series; with Matthew Shephard from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Register at www.ucdwa.org/winter-workshop-series . Jan. 20 – Rotary Ski Night at Mt. Hood Meadows, 3 – 9 p.m., at Mt. Hood Meadows, 14040 OR-35, Mt Hood, Oregon. Portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Hood River Rotary Club. Night lift tickets are on sale with dynamic early pricing at www.skihood.com/explore/Events-and-Activities/Rotary-Night Jan. 20 — Lyle Lions Club Meeting, 6 p.m. at the Lyle Lions Community Center, corner of Fifth and Highway 14. First and third Monday. Jan. 21 — Mid-Columbia Car Club Meeting, 5 p.m. social / 6 p.m. meeting at Spooky’s Pizza, 3320 W. Sixth, The Dalles. Meets third Tuesday of the month. Feb. 19 — Soil! What it is and How it Works, 6 p.m. at the Mountain View Grange, 1085 N. Main Ave., White Salmon. Underwood Conservation District’s Winter Workshop Series; with James Cassidy, instructor of soil science, Oregon State University. Register at www.ucdwa.org/winter-workshop-series . Ongoing First Monday — Adult Writers Group, 5:30-7 p.m. at The Dalles-Wasco County Library. Third Monday — Hands On Maker Monday, 3:30 p.m. at The Dalles Public Library. With OSU Extension and 4-H. For kids, teens and adults. Projects like leatherworking, sewing, candle making, cake decorating and more. Mondays – Cascade Singers Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 West 10th Street in The Dalles. Mondays — Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association Voci Community Choir Rehearsals, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hood River Valley High School. All welcome. Questions to info@gorgeorchestra.org . Monday thru Friday — NU-2-U Shop Open, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. Ninth St., The Dalles. Shop is a nonprofit store that supports the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. More information at 541-296-4788. Monday & Wednesday — Senior Meals, noon at The Pioneer Center, White Salmon. Doors open at 8 a.m. Suggested donation for seniors 60 and over is $3.50, all others $6.50. All welcome. Monday, Wednesday and Friday — Strong Women, 10-11 a.m. at the Cascade Locks City Hall. Monday thru Friday — Klickitat Senior Services Telephone Support, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Goldendale, 509-773-3757; White Salmon, 509-493-3068; or Toll Free, 1- 800-447-7858. Staff will direct callers to available resources, assist with online benefit applications and issues with Social Security and Medicare. Seniors can also call for essential grocery delivery, prescription pickup or food bank needs. Tuesday — Senior Meals, noon at the Lyle Lions Community Center. Doors open at 10 a.m. Suggested donation for seniors 60 and over is $3.50, all others $6.50. All welcome. Tuesdays — Senior Meals, 11 a.m. at Mt. Hood Town Hall, 6575 Mount Hood Highway, Mt. Hood-Parkdale. Meals served at noon. In conjunction with Hood River Valley Adult Center; suggested $5 donation. Tuesdays — White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club, noon to 1 p.m. Learn more at www.whitesalmon-bingenrotary.org , www.facebook.com/whitesalmonbingenrotaryclub , or email rotary.club.323@gmail.com . Tuesdays — Overeater’s Anonymous, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ninth and State streets, Hood River. For more info contact Rebecca at 510-861-2212. Tuesdays — Harmony of the Gorge, 6-8 p.m. at Providence Down Manor, Hood River. Please check the website for rehearsal details at www.harmonyofthegorge.com ; info at 541-490-2481. Tuesdays — Al-Anon Meeting, 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 400 11th St., Hood River. Tuesdays — Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association Sinfonietta Rehearsals, 7-9 p.m. at Hood River Valley High School (music room). All welcome. Questions to info@gorgeorchestra.org . Tuesday & Thursday — Senior Meals, noon at the Goldendale Community Center. Doors open at 8 a.m. Suggested donation for seniors 60 and over is $3.50, all others $6.50. All welcome. Tuesdays thru Fridays — Senior Chair Yoga, 9:15 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, fourth floor, The Dalles. Cost is $4 per class. Contact debra.lutje@gmail.com for info. Wednesdays — Fitness Classes: Mat Pilates, 8:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church, Bingen; Barre 5 p.m. at Mt. View Grange, White Salmon. Loyalty, drop in rates available. ACE certified, longtime local fitness instructor. Call Caroline Elliott, 509-637-3162, for info. Wednesdays — Radio Tierra Storytime, 9:30 a.m. on Radio Tierra 95.1 FM; songs, stories and announcements for all kiddos who haven’t begun school. Wednesdays — The Dalles Rotary Club, noon at Spooky’s; visitors welcome. Wednesdays — Writing Group, 3-4 p.m. at the Hood River County Library, Columbia Room. Second Wednesday — Dufur Recreation District Meeting, 7 p.m. at Dufur City Hall. Visit website www.dufurcitypark.org for agenda and virtual attendance information. Thursdays — Hood River Art Club, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the FISH Food Bank Community Room, 1130 Tucker Road, Hood River. For more information contact Kori Walsh at Heronbird@aol.com . Thursdays — Hood River Toastmasters Club, 6:30-8 a.m. via Zoom and in-person at Bette’s Place, downtown Hood River. Drop in or email HRToastmasters@proton.me for link. Improve public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Thursdays — Take Pounds Off Sensible (TOPS) Support Group, 8:30 a.m. weigh-in and 9 a.m. meeting at Zion Church, 10th and Union, The Dalles. First meeting is free. Thursdays — Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m. at the Hood River Library. Free, open to all ages. Thursdays — Recovery Café, 1-6 p.m. at the White Salmon Grange. Dinner served; recovery circle 5-6 p.m. All welcome. Thursdays — The Dalles Kiwanis Club Meetings, noon at Spooky’s; visitors welcome. For more information go to www.thedalleskiwanis.org/ or The-Dalles-Kiwanis-Club on Facebook. Thursdays — Thursday Night Bingo, 5:30 p.m. at Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. Ninth St., The Dalles. Doors open 4 p.m. Must be 18 or over. $10 minimum buy-in. Third Thursday — West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the White Salmon Fire Station at 119 NE Church St. Thursday, Friday and Saturday — Hood River Valley Adult Center Thrift Shop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels. Third Fridays - Community Game Day, 1 p.m. at the Lyle Lions Community Center, Fifth and Highway 14. Play scrabble, cribbage or bring your own favorite. Coffee and cookies will be offered. Fridays — Community Playgroup, 10-11:30 a.m. at Hood River Early Childhood Center (formerly Pine Grove Elementary). Free, follows school calendar. For children 0-5 and their parents. For info call 541-386-4919. Fridays — Storytime in Cascade Locks and Parkdale, 10:30 a.m. at the library branches in those communities. Includes parent playgroups. Fridays — Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, 1 p.m. at the United Methodist church in White Salmon, 341 N. Main Ave. Hosted by Baha’is of White Salmon. Explore spiritual identity and what it means to be human. For more information, contact White Salmon Bahá’ís at 509-637-3311. Fridays — Fun Friday, 3-4:30 p.m. at The Dalles Library. For kids 5-10 in the John and Jean Thomas Children’s Wing. Arts, crafts, games; each week is different and always fun. Saturdays — Makerspace, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hood River Library and Crafty Saturdays at the Cascade Locks and Parkdale library branches (same times). Free, for children. Saturdays — Grief Share, 10 a.m. to noon at Tucker Road Baptist Church, 1455 Tucker Road, Hood River. All welcome. Info at 541-386-1049. Saturdays — Chess Lessons, 1 p.m. at The Dalles Library. Free, for all ages and skill levels, beginners to advanced. Register at wascocountylibrary.com/events . Saturdays – Teen Programs, 2 p.m. at the Hood River Co. Library, 502 State St. Pick one or all that look fun and be creative, volunteer, play games, discuss books and eat snacks. Open to ages 12-18. For more info, contact Teen Librarian Rachel or go to hoodriverlibrary.org . Saturdays — Bingo, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. Ninth, The Dalles. Doors open 4 p.m.; new players should arrive by 5 p.m. Ages 8-18 must be accompanied by legal guardian. Minimum buy-in $6. Cash prizes, dinner concessions. Saturdays — Bingo, 6 p.m. at the Hood River Elks, Third and Cascade. Elks/Knights of Columbus scholarship fundraiser supports scholarships and charities. Progressive blackout prize, dinner available for purchase; 18 and older. Saturdays — Hood River Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fifth and Columbia parking lot, across from Full Sail Brewing. Sundays — Pickup Basketball, 1 p.m. at the Horizon Christian gym, Hood River. Players 18 and older, $3/visit. Sundays — Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association Jazz Collective Rehearsals, 4-6 p.m. at WAAAM. All welcome. Questions to info@gorgeorchestra.org . Sundays — Cascade Singers Rehearsal, 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran, The Dalles (10th and Union streets).

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NoneA devastating road accident near Bengaluru that claimed the lives of six members of a family on Saturday has sparked a debate on whether cars made to be safe are effective on unsafe roads. The family was traveling in a Volvo SUV when a container truck overturned and crushed their vehicle, killing everyone inside. The accident occurred on National Highway 48 near Nelamangala, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. How did the accident occur? A preliminary investigation by the police has revealed the sequence of events leading to the tragic accident that claimed six lives . An Eicher truck, carrying aluminum pillars weighing several tonnes, was en route to Bengaluru when the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid a collision with another vehicle ahead. Traveling at high speed, the truck veered off course, crossed the median, and overturned onto a Volvo car heading towards Tumakuru. The impact was catastrophic, leaving the car severely damaged. The truck also collided with a tempo before coming to a halt, though the damage to the tempo was minimal. The shocking moment when the truck crushed the Volvo was captured on a nearby CCTV camera. Police are currently analyzing the footage as part of their ongoing investigation into the accident. The deceased have been identified as Chandrayagappa Gaul (48), his wife Gaurabai (42), and their relatives Vijayalakshmi (36), John (16), Deeksha (12), and Arya (6). The family was on their way to Vijayapura when the tragedy struck. Who is Chandram Yegapagol? Chandram Yegapagol , the CEO and managing director of IAST software solutions, was a prominent figure in Bengaluru's tech industry. A resident of HSR Layout, Yegapagol hailed from Morbagi village in Maharashtra's Sangli district. Yegapagol's educational background boasts impressive credentials. He held a diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from GPT Gulbarga and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in the same discipline from the esteemed National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal, as per his LinkedIn profile. According to eyewitnesses, the truck driver, Arif, lost control of the vehicle while trying to save a car that suddenly stopped in front of him. The truck jumped the divider and crashed into the Volvo SUV. The family was on the way to Vijayapura when the accident occurred. As the truck fell on it, the car was badly mangled and the bodies were dismembered, a police officer said. Raging debate on social media The accident has sparked a conversation on social media about road safety , with many users pointing out that even the safest cars cannot save lives if others on the road are driving recklessly. DriveSmart, a social media handle dedicated to promoting road safety, shared disturbing images from the accident site where a Volvo SUV was crushed by a container truck, claiming six lives. The X handle issued a stark warning, stating, "This pic is a reminder that being safer on the road is not achieved by a safer car alone. Safe Roads + Safe Driver + Safe Car --> All three are essential for safety (sic)." Some users, responding to the post, said that while Volvo is renowned for manufacturing safe vehicles, no car can withstand the crushing weight of a container loaded with aluminum. Others took to tagging Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari , urging the government to implement stricter rules and regulations to ensure road safety, highlighting the need for more robust measures to prevent such devastating accidents in the future. Recently during a debate on road safety in the Parliament, Union Minister stated that the number of accidents has gone up significantly. "Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has been increased. This is one area where our department has not achieved success," Gadkari said during the Winter session of the Parliament. He also expressed discontent over the fact that despite so many people dying in road accidents, there is still no fear of law. "Some do not wear helmets, some jump red signal," he said during the Question Hour, while describing the "strange" situation. The union minister noted that parking of trucks on road is a major cause for accidents and many of the trucks don't follow lane discipline. According to government data, over 1.78 lakh people died in road accidents in India last year. This is about 470 deaths every day and a majority of victims are in the 18-34 years age group.

Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com, including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modeling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said. The Associated PressAstroTurf Welcomes Tom Carroll as New Regional Sales Manager for Tri State area (Eastern Pennsylvania NJ and Delaware)philucky link 。

President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on a simmering feud among MAGA allies over H-1B worker visas, telling the New York Post that he supports the program, according to the outlet. Trump told the New York Post that he has “always liked the visas.” The H-1B visa program allows employers to temporarily hire non-U.S. citizens for highly skilled jobs. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” he said, according to the outlet’s report. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During his first term, the Trump administration implemented rules that would have cut the number of H-1B visas issued each year. The rules, however, were ultimately struck down in court. In recent days, MAGA world has been embroiled in a debate over the program, with one faction defending the visas and another faction arguing that the program allows foreigners to take American jobs. Trump allies, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, argued in online posts that the visa program benefits the country. The Trump Administration The latest news on Donald Trump's presidency The Secret Service acknowledges denying some past requests by Trump's campaign for tighter security Canadian ministers head to Palm Beach for talks with incoming Trump administration Musk said in a post this week that “the number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low.” Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, said that the reason he and others who built SpaceX and Tesla are in the U.S. is because of the H-1B program. “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face,” he said in a post . “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk said in a post to X that “those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party,” later clarifying that he was referring to “those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists.” Musk’s posts came in reply to a post from Scott Adams, the creator of the “Dilbert” comic, who said “MAGA is taking a page from Democrats on how to lose elections while feeling good about themselves.” Separately, Ramaswamy, who is partnering with Musk to lead Trump’s nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, argued in a post to X that he hopes American culture again prioritizes “hard work over laziness.” Ramaswamy also said in a post to X on Friday that the H-1B visa program “is badly broken & should be replaced with one that focuses on selecting the very best of the best (not a lottery), pro-competitive (no indentured service to one company), and de-bureaucratized.” Republicans who criticized H-1B visas included far-right activists Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also weighed in, calling it “lazy” for the “tech industry to automatically go to foreign workers for their needs.” “Invest in our American workforce,” she said in a post to X on Friday. “We must invest in Americans first before looking elsewhere.” Musk also faced accusations of censoring critics after more than a dozen conservatives, including Loomer, said their blue badge verification on X had been revoked after they criticized Musk over his views on immigration. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News: 'Death by 1,000 paper cuts': How 2024 Became Such an exceptional year for tornadoes Appeals court overturns ex-49er Dana Stubblefield’s rape conviction Passenger train collides with fire truck, injuring 3 firefighters and 12 others in FloridaBy ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke National Politics | Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration National Politics | Expecting challenges, blue states vow to create ‘firewall’ of abortion protections National Politics | Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.

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Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler each know what it's like to have a decent PGA Tour season. Getty Images Welcome back to the Monday Finish, where we’re starting to think this Scottie Scheffler might have a real future in the game. To the news! First, a quick request: If you like the Monday Finish, subscribe HERE to get it in your email inbox! It’s free. And it would make me happy. (Ed. note: Some people have missed the last couple emails, this one should come through Monday evening, hang tight!) GOLF STUFF I LIKE Appreciating the good stuff. It’s natural to look forward. And, I think increasingly, cultural forces have us moving on to the next thing even faster than ever. That’s doubly true for athletes, who are likely inspired by some end goal (winning the championship, say) but in order to get there must lose themselves in the process. An athlete’s comfort zone is having something left to prove, some skill yet to master, some distance to the mountaintop left to climb. Actually reaching the summit? That can be tough to process, in its own way. That brings us to Scottie Scheffler , who won again this weekend, this time at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, his ninth worldwide victory this season. He redirected questions about what the victory meant , as he’s used to doing by now, insisting that he plays not for money nor legacy but because he enjoys the competition. His is an aspirational outlook; if you’re in it purely for the joy of winning and the love of competing, you can soak up your victories while also looking ahead to the next chance to contend. Bravo, Scottie. The crossroads of accomplishment, satisfaction and winning also brings us to Bob MacIntyre . The 28-year-old Scotsman ended up with a fairy-tale season, but it didn’t begin that way. This was his first full year playing the PGA Tour and it took time to adjust; he initially based himself out of Orlando, Fla. but soon found that untethering and unsatisfying. After several months he moved home to Oban to re-center himself. It was right around that time that MacIntyre, missing home, brought home to him. He tapped in his father Dougie as a fill-in caddie for the RBC Canadian Open and, sure enough, won the whole damn thing. In the moments after the win I was struck by MacIntyre’s instincts. While CBS interviewer Amanda Balionis understandably assumed he’d then tap in for the following week’s Memorial Tournament, a big-money Tour event for which he was suddenly qualified, MacIntyre shook his head. He was headed home with his girlfriend and his family to celebrate a dream come true. The moment when Dougie MacIntyre starts saying “I’m a grass cutter” and then breaks down 🥹 pic.twitter.com/GHH1zDhjqG Things only got more outrageous for the popular Scot when he teed it up the next month at his home open, the Genesis Scottish, held at the Renaissance Club. MacIntyre fought off a loaded leaderboard that included Rory McIlroy and eventually outdueled Adam Scott , pouring in a big-time birdie putt at No. 18 to finish off a tournament win he’d dreamt of as long as he could dream. The Hero can serve as something of a bookend to the year and is often a good time to ask players to reflect. Had MacIntyre gotten the opportunity to appreciate what he’d done? “I’ve not done that yet and I don’t think I’ll be able to do that until later on in my life, to be honest with you,” MacIntyre said after a bogey-free opening round. “That’s just — it’s work. I try to go week to week, just try and improve every day, every week.” Later on in his career, he said, he’d have an easier time. As a competitor, that makes complete sense. But as a fan of great stories I wanted a moment of real-time reflection for MacIntyre, for his family and friends. Wins this special just don’t come along often enough to let ’em pass by. I was relieved, then, to see him post a picture to social media on Monday following a seventh-place finish in the Bahamas. He’s sitting on a beach, wearing a grin and holding a beer, sun setting into the horizon behind him. Life’s good, Bob. Good on ya for taking a minute to stop and soak it in. Celebrating the good stuff — that’s golf stuff I like. A post shared by @robertmacintyre WINNERS Who won the week? Another good week to remember that competitive golf truly never stops. Scottie Scheffler won for the ninth time in 2024 — a total that now includes seven official PGA Tour wins plus Olympic Gold and the tiger trophy handed over by Scheffler’s childhood idol, tournament host Tiger Woods , on Sunday afternoon. Scheffler gapped the field by six shots thanks to a bogey-free final-round 63, low score of the day by four. What a fitting finish to a dominant year. Joaquin Niemann won the Saudi International, the final Asian Tour event of the season as well as the final International Series event. The win came with subtext: Niemann played two International Series events all season but finished third and then won, which jumped him to the top of the season-long standings. That meant he got the LIV spot that had been promised to the series winner but, because Niemann is already on LIV, nobody will earn promotion. Niemann also jumped back inside the top 100 in the world, though it’s clear he’s playing at a higher level than his No. 74 ranking suggests. Johannes Veerman won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, known as “Africa’s major,” which attracted a strong field from the DP World and PGA Tours. The American is off to a hot start in the 2025 DP World Tour season, which continues this week. And Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen won the final stage of PGA Tour Champions qualifying by eight shots; he’ll be joined on the senior circuit by Freddie Jacobson, Mark Walker, Felipe Aguilar and Brendan Jones after they made it through at TPC Scottsdale on Friday. If you like the Monday Finish, subscribe for free HERE to get it in your email inbox! NOT-WINNERS A few golfers who didn’t win but still kinda won. Tom Kim finished second to Scheffler, another chapter in the big bro-little bro rivalry the two have developed at home in Dallas and on Tour. While this wasn’t as close as a playoff showdown at the Travelers nor as fiesty as their Presidents Cup duel, it was a big step in the right direction for Kim, who just missed out on top-50 PGA Tour status at the end of the season but could be in fine form heading to 2025. Justin Thomas showed out in his first tournament as a father; he had the 54-hole lead before Scheffler steamrolled the field but impressed with a new weapon — a 46-inch driver — in his bag. Thomas easily could have been on the Presidents Cup team and I think he’ll continue to show people why come the new year, where he surely already has Bethpage Black on the mind. Akshay Bhatia also boasted a new driver this week, this one a Callaway prototype that he says helps counteract his extreme out-to-in swing path. I’m, I would say, a unicorn person to fit because my club path is anywhere from four to nine right,” Bhatia said. “There’s just not many guys that swing a driver like I do. Just trying to find something that we can keep the spin down but it doesn’t go left. It’s just a hard balance.” So far, so good: Solo fourth at the Bahamas. And Keegan Bradley quietly finished fifth at the Hero, showing the sort of form that will feed into one of 2025’s most guaranteed storylines: is there any way the U.S. Ryder Cup captain can play his way onto the team? SHORT HITTERS Major contenders you forgot. We discussed this on Monday afternoon’s Drop Zone recording (subscribe on Spotify or Apple ); when that publishes first thing Tuesday I’ll post it here. But as the year comes to a close I thought it would be fun to look back and see who I’d already forgotten had contended at the four men’s majors. Here’s one from each: -The Masters leaderboard was chock-full of talent heading to Sunday’s final round. Scheffler led by one over Collin Morikawa , who was one stroke ahead of Max Homa , who was one stroke ahead of Ludvig Aberg , who was one stroke ahead of Bryson DeChambeau , who was one stroke ahead of Xander Schauffele . But tied with Schauffele in T6? That would be Cameron Davis , who like me lives in Washington but unlike me is a Tour winner, amateur hypnosis enthusiast and one-time Masters contender. Still, he faded Sunday to T12 as Scheffler took the air out of the tournament on the back nine. -You may remember two specific pairings from the PGA Championship: DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland were the chase pack, storming ’round Valhalla on Sunday and making their way to the 18th tee each six under par for the day. DeChambeau would go on to birdie 18 and set the clubhouse lead, which Schauffele and Morikawa were chasing from the final pairing. Morikawa couldn’t buy a birdie while Schauffele eventually won the whole thing, but lost in that shuffle was the fact that there was another twosome in between those groups. Shane Lowry shot one under par on Sunday to finish T6, while Sahith Theegala needed two late birdies just to salve a 73 that left him T12. -At the U.S. Open, you’ll remember DeChambeau leading by three shots entering the final round over Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and... Matthew Pavon ! The Frenchman made some Sunday bogeys but did well to hang in on a brutally tough golf course in pressure-packed conditions. He played the final six holes in two under par (DeChambeau played the same stretch in one over, and McIlroy in three over) to finish solo fifth. -And the Open Championship was loaded with fascinating contenders, not least of which was Dan Brown . The unheralded Englishman, who was playing in his first-ever major, was the first-round leader and held the lead through much of Saturday, at which point he double-bogeyed 18. His Sunday 74 kept him out of contention but in the house at an extremely impressive T10. ONE DUMB GRAPHIC Wizards, take note. scottie scheffler has as many wins since feb 1 as the washington wizards basketball team pic.twitter.com/yWfFomKE2F ONE SWING THOUGHT From Scottie Scheffler. No top pro takes a swing change lightly, least of all the detail-oriented Scheffler, who is finishing off a historically good 2024 season. Insert change: how ’bout a new putter grip? Scheffler admitted after Thursday’s opening round that he and short-game coach Phil Kenyon had deferred the potential change until the offseason and that this seemed like the right moment to test it out. “Figured this is a good week to try stuff just because you can practice and practice and do all the stuff at home, but there’s just something different about being in competition,” Scheffler said. “I really enjoyed the way it felt, I felt like I’m seeing some improvements in my stroke.” The results speak for themselves: Scheffler is dangerous every week and arguably even more dangerous when he’s just testing stuff out. ONE BIG QUESTION Should players get paid to play the Ryder Cup? I mean, yeah, probably. This topic swirled in the Bahamas this week again, with Tiger Woods echoing history (this was a topic of discussion in 1999, he said, and he thinks players should each get a large chunk of change to donate to charity) and Patrick Cantlay staying out of the fray (“I think that’s a media narrative and I’m not going to fall into that,” he said of talk the Americans were demanding pay) and Scheffler, as usual, making plenty of sense. “I think every one of our players would pay to play in the Ryder Cup if that’s what was asked of us,” he said, referencing a McIlroy line about the event’s meaning. “I think it’s a little bit silly for a tournament that makes hundreds of millions of dollars to ask for the players to pay as well, but I think we all would. I definitely would.” That particular resolution seems unlikely, though massive appearance fees also wouldn’t sit particularly well with a golfing public increasingly exhausted by money talk. Scheffler’s exhausted by money talk, too — he insisted, again, that he’s overpaid. But the question then becomes: if the players shouldn’t get paid from Ryder Cup profits, who should? ONE THING TO WATCH How hot will LIV’s hot stove get? Last week saw renewed rumors of Tony Finau to LIV ultimately shot down by Finau himself in an interview with Golfweek ; his much-scrutinized Hero WD was due to a procedure on his knee. So now what? Now we wait as see, I guess, but it feels unlikely that any massive Jon Rahm -style transaction would take place this winter. As a result, LIV’s biggest upcoming may well be LIV CEO Greg Norman himself, who confirmed over the weekend that, while he’ll stay with LIV in some capacity it won’t be in his current position. Anyway, I usually slide a video in here, so this is a sideways shift: Here’s the Ryder Cup doc I mentioned last week. It’s so beautifully shot it’s worth watching for vibes alone. Una Famiglia : NEWS FROM SEATTLE Monday Finish HQ. I have moved into an office located above a bakery. I have an extreme sweet tooth. This is proving to be something of a personal challenge. Will keep you posted. We’ll see you next week. Before you go, a quick request: If you like the Monday Finish, subscribe for free HERE to get it in your email inbox! Dylan Dethier welcomes your comments at dylan_dethier@golf.com . Latest In News Golf.com Editor Dylan Dethier is a senior writer for GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a graduate of Williams College, where he majored in English, and he’s the author of 18 in America , which details the year he spent as an 18-year-old living from his car and playing a round of golf in every state.LOS ANGELES, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renovaro Inc. (NASDAQ: RENB) , a pioneer in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics powered by artificial intelligence, today announced that it has received a notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule, 5550(a)(2). The Company’s security will continue to be listed and traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market and this matter is now closed. Renovaro previously received a notification letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department on September 12, 2024, notifying the Company that, over the previous 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock had been below the minimum of $1.00 per share required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). About Renovaro Renovaro https://renovarogroup.com/ aims to accelerate precision and personalized medicine for longevity powered by mutually reinforcing AI and biotechnology platforms for early diagnosis, better-targeted treatments, and drug discovery. Renovaro Inc. includes RenovaroBio with its advanced cell-gene immunotherapy company and Renovaro Cube. Renovaro Cube has developed an award-winning AI platform that is committed to the early detection of cancer and its recurrence and monitoring subsequent treatments. Renovaro Cube intervenes at a stage where potential therapy can be most effective. Renovaro Cube is a molecular data science company with a background in FinTech and a 12-year history. It brings together proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) technology, multi-omics, multi-modal data, and the expertise of a carefully selected multidisciplinary team to radically accelerate precision medicine and enable breakthrough changes in disease agnostic decision support. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the success or efficacy of our pipeline, platform and fundraising. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “aims,” “intends,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various uncertainties, including as set forth in Renovaro’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Renovaro Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Investor Relations Chris Tyson Executive Vice President MZ Group - MZ North America 949-491-8235 RENB@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us For media inquiries, please contact: karen@Renovaro Cube.com and STarsh@Renovarogroup.com

PARSIPPANY, NJ – November 25, 2024, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ: LINC), a national leader in specialized technical training for more than 75 years, announces the graduation of eight new technicians from its specialized Johnson Controls International (JCI) Academy program at the Denver, CO campus. This is the first group to graduate from the Denver location; the JCI Academy has also operated at Lincoln’s Columbia, MD campus since the Fall of 2022. Since the inception of Lincoln Tech’s partnership with JCI in 2018, more than 500 students have graduated from Lincoln schools and gone straight to work at JCI locations across the country. “Our partnership with Johnson Controls enables us to broaden our innovative training programs, providing graduates with hands-on experience and direct pathways to careers that align with market needs,” says Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO. “We are proud to contribute to building a future-ready talent pool that ensures the efficient and sustainable operation of our building systems.” The graduating class celebrated its milestone on Friday, November 15 th at the Denver campus – when the ribbon was also officially cut on the Johnson Controls Academy classroom. The graduates – six of whom had previously attended Lincoln Tech, along with two current JCI employee who were advancing their skill sets – will move into positions at JCI branches in Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. As entry-level technicians, they’ll begin careers installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining fire and security alarm systems on JCI-operated buildings. Marcus Biart, a graduate of the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program at Lincoln Tech’s Mahwah campus, enrolled in the JCI Academy to further his training and will go on to a position at JCI’s Fort Worth, TX location. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he told his fellow graduates when speaking at Friday’s ceremony. “JCI’s instructors were willing to teach me, and I was eager to learn. Thank you for giving a young man like me a chance.” Mike Schade, VP of Human Resources at Johnson Controls, was among the speakers to congratulate the graduates on their successes. “You all wanted to do something unique and exciting with your life,” Schade said. You had a vision. And vision is an important word here – at Johnson Controls not only do we want to have great technicians and help build their careers, we want to help build the trades for our economy and our country. The work we do saves lives and saves the planet.” The JCI Academy at Lincoln Tech provides six weeks of intensive hands-on training designed to close the skilled labor gap and prepare future technicians for security and fire installation and service roles. On-site housing for the duration of the program and relocation expenses upon completion are supported by Johnson Controls. To ensure smooth onboarding, graduates of the Johnson Controls Academy receive support from a retention coach for one year post-graduation. The collaboration between Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech began in 2018, enhancing classroom experiences with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Johnson Controls is dedicated to workforce development from the K-12 level and throughout employees' careers. Through the partnership with Lincoln Tech and initiatives like the Community College Partnership Program, STEM 101, and HVAC learning labs, Johnson Controls equips schools with vital resources to develop smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, benefiting students along the way. There are more than 800,000 positions projected to open nationwide for electricians and electronic systems technicians by 2033*, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * Career growth projections can be found at onetonline.org for the years 2023-2033 and are current as of November 18, 2024. ### About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946. Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 13 states under four brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. Lincoln also operates Lincoln Culinary Institutes in both Maryland and Connecticut.For more information, go to lincolntech.edu. Contact Information Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Scott Watkins swatkins@lincolntech.edu About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social Platforms. Contact Information Johnson Controls International Kari Pfisterer (414) 217-1488 kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com Attachment JCI Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Lincoln Tech's Denver CampusThe Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit will be $7,000 again in 2025. Investors are now starting to plan their TFSA contribution for next year and are wondering which investments might be good to generate passive income. TFSA limit increase The government created the TFSA in 2009 to give Canadians a new option for putting money aside to meet financial goals. The name of the vehicle is somewhat misleading. It is more like a tax-free investing account. Since inception, the cumulative maximum contribution space per person has grown to $95,000 in 2024 and will jump to $102,000 in 2025. The size of the annual TFSA limit increases in $500 increments, with adjustments depending on the rate of inflation. Capital gains, , and interest income earned on qualifying Canadian investments inside the TFSA are all tax-free. This means the full amount can be reinvested or removed as tax-free earnings. Any money withdrawn from the TFSA opens up equivalent new contribution space in the following calendar year in addition to the annual TFSA limit. As such, it makes sense to pull money out of the TFSA before the end of the year if it will be needed for a short period of time, and you think you might be able to replace it in the following months. Seniors get an added benefit. The earnings from a TFSA do not count towards the net world income calculation used by the Canada Revenue Agency to determine the Old Age Security (OAS) pension recovery tax or OAS clawback, as it is widely known. Every dollar of net world income earned above the annual threshold triggers a $0.15 reduction in the total OAS that will be paid in the next payment period. In the 2025 income year, the number to watch is $93,454. For example, net world income of $103,454 in 2025 would lead to a $1,500 reduction in OAS paid in the July 2026 to June 2027 payment period. Where possible, it normally makes sense for seniors to maximize the use of their TFSA space before holding income-generating investments inside a taxable account. Good TFSA investments for passive income Falling interest rates have led to a decline in bond yields, which, in turn, has triggered a drop in the rates offered on (GICs). The brief opportunity last year that saw GIC rates go as high as 6% is long gone, but investors can still get rates in the 3-4% range from Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) members, depending on the term and the financial institution. This might still be adequate for investors who are willing to accept a lower yield and don’t want to put capital at risk of a loss. For those who can handle some market volatility and are seeking better returns, TSX dividend stocks might be attractive. ( ), for example, has increased its dividend annually for the past 29 years. More gains should be on the way, driven by higher revenue and cash flow from recent acquisitions and the ongoing $24 billion capital program. The stock has enjoyed a nice rebound over the past year, but investors can still get a 6% dividend yield from Enbridge. The bottom line on TFSA passive income The right balance between GICs and dividend stocks is different for every person. In the current market conditions, it is quite easy to put together a diversified portfolio of GICs and dividend stocks to get an average yield of at least 4.5%. On a TFSA of $102,000 in 2025, this would generate annualized tax-free passive income of $4,590.

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GREAT BARRINGTON — "What fire?" responded a laughing Dillon Mahon on Wednesday afternoon. The marketing director at Ski Butternut said it in jest, but after a whirlwind two weeks, the wildfire that stunned Berkshire County seems like a distant memory as Opening Day of the 2024-25 ski season is upon us. "Pretty much, got done with the fire, started making snow and now we're ready to go skiing," Mahon told The Eagle over the phone. "What a difference a couple of weeks makes." "We were shooting water into the woods. At one point, we turned some snowguns on to hit the buildings. We were seeing ashes, not really burning embers, but black stuff coming from the sky." — Dillon Mahon, Marketing director A National Guard helicopter was scooping water from the snowmaking pond at Ski Butternut to help fight the wildfire two weeks ago. With Thursday's natural accumulation aiding and abetting, Butternut is set to join Jiminy Peak in opening for snow business Friday morning. Berkshire East and Catamount are planning to drop the ropes on first chair Saturday, while Bousquet is planning on a Dec. 13 opener with the Garden boardshop's Kick Off rail jam event. Back on Nov. 18, though, it was hard for Mahon and the Ski Butternut family to think much about shredding some powder on Upper Applejack. A wildfire on the other side of Great Barrington was sending smoke up over the mountains surrounding the ski hill. Within days, a National Guard helicopter was making runs scooping water from the snowmaking pond to help fight the blaze as it summited another mountaintop and started chewing its way down toward the upper lodge. "We were here the whole time," said Mahon. "By the end of the day, you could see flames up on the ridges, we had people here all night monitoring. By Wednesday, bunch of fire companies on sight cutting fire breaks. Later in the afternoon, the basin filled with thick smoke after the wind shifted. A wild day, smoky base area, couldn't see building to building. "We were shooting water into the woods. At one point, we turned some snowguns on to hit the buildings. We were seeing ashes, not really burning embers, but black stuff coming from the sky. Just in case any of that was hot. That was probably the scariest part of it." By Nov. 21, a steady rainfall blessed the Berkshires after two insanely dry months. That lingering drizzle eventually turned into the first snowflakes of the season. "A weird conclusion to it," said Mahon. "As I'm looking out my window to the right, behind the upper lodge, that hill in particular, it was coming down toward the triple chair." The wildfire that burned through Great Barrington ultimately will not hinder opening day plans at Ski Butternut. Mahon spent chunks of the last two weeks answering all sorts of calls from concerned skiers near and far, checking in, to various media asking about the "Butternut Fire." The somewhat unfortunate name threw the ski area for a bit of a loop. Mahon said the fire department had to come out and say that although it was being labeled that, Ski Butternut neither started the fire, nor was currently burning to the ground. Ski Butternut, here last December, will open for operations this weekend. And now, it's time to ride. Mahon said he's been at Butternut for eight years, and this is only the second or third time they've been able to get enough coverage on the slopes to open the first week of December. The creek, which dried out earlier in the fall has been replenished and temperatures in the teens allowed round-the-clock blasting to pile up the good stuff. Butternut plans to open Friday through Sunday, and then reopen for good on Dec. 13. Fridays will see the return of $25 lift tickets through their renewed partnership with L.L. Bean. That'll also provide Saturday s'mores on the deck. And speaking of that upper lodge that dodged a potential catastrophe, Butternut is throwing it back. "We just reopened the upper lodge, the bar upstairs, calling it Channing's," said Mahon, noting that news got a lot of "about time" comments on social media. "Channing Murdock was the founder and original owner of Butternut, we've reimagined it into the bar space it was. Craft beer, live music, some light fare. That's kind of a new thing to the area we're excited about. Everybody is psyched for that." There'll be the traditional Fe-brew-ary beer tastings on Wednesdays, and Butternut also joined forces with the Freedom Pass. A lower-key competitor with Ikon and Epic, Freedom Pass features now 21 smaller mountains around the country. Holders of Butternut's unlimited season pass get three free lift tickets to any Freedom Pass mountain, a list that includes Lost Valley in Maine, McIntyre in New Hampshire, Mount Southington in Connecticut and Yawgoo Valley in Rhode Island, alongside hills as far off as Oregon, Alaska, New Mexico and Spain.Private equity company buys three South African fibre networks

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Moscow bans adoption of Russian children to countries that allow gender transitionSYDNEY, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vast Renewables Limited ("Vast”) (Nasdaq: VSTE), a leading Australian green energy technology company, held its Annual General Meeting ("AGM”) on November 27, updating shareholders on progress towards deploying its next generation concentrated solar power ("CSP”) solution to deliver clean, continuous dispatchable power and heat. The AGM saw Vast's Chairman, Peter Botten, and CEO, Craig Wood, provide updates on the company's achievements throughout 2024 and the outlook for the year ahead. All resolutions were successfully passed at the AGM, with Craig Wood, Colin Richardson and William Restrepo all re-elected as Directors. The AGM follows Vast's recent announcement that it has signed an updated funding agreement to access up to $30 million of its existing $65 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ("ARENA”). The funding and Vast's progress throughout 2024 pave the way for another successful year ahead. Vast's technology is set to be deployed at utility-scale in Port Augusta, South Australia at the Vast Solar 1 ("VS1”) project to deliver green, reliable and affordable energy for South Australia's grid. The technology will also power a world-first co-located renewable methanol production facility, Solar Methanol 1 ("SM1”). A real world, in-demand application for hydrogen, renewable methanol has the potential to decarbonise shipping and is already being used to power major container vessels. Leveraging Australia's natural resources, the projects are set to be a catalyst for a domestic Australian CSP industry, creating highly skilled green manufacturing and operational jobs, and helping Australia become an export powerhouse by supplying Australian green technology to clean energy projects around the world. Vast is attracting significant interest from major investors, industry and international governments. Along with funding from ARENA, Vast is backed by EDF and Nabors Industries, and Vast's renewable methanol project is supported by Mabanaft and the German Government. The following addresses were made by Vast's Chairman Peter Botten and CEO Craig Wood during Vast's Annual General Meeting on November 27, 2024. Chairman's Address from Peter Botten 2024 has been a pivotal year in the growth of Vast since the business combination with Nabors Energy Transition Corp was completed in December last year. Significant progress has been made this year towards Vast's vision of delivering continuous, carbon free energy to the world, leveraging our next generation CSP technology As announced earlier this week, Vast has secured up to $30m of funding from ARENA. This is an important signal of confidence from ARENA in the potential of Vast's technology to power Australia's energy transition, and we're grateful for their ongoing support. Vast continues to progress towards final investment decision on our utility-scale CSP reference project in Port Augusta, South Australia (VS1). The project paves the way for Vast's pipeline of utility-scale projects in Australia and internationally. Alongside generating green electricity for the grid, we believe Vast's technology will have a key role to play in reducing the cost of sustainable fuels production. Vast is also progressing a co-located renewable methanol production facility (SM1) at the Port Augusta site, partnering with German fuels giant Mabanaft on that project. During the year, Vast also expanded its presence in the US market, signing a project development partnership with Houston-based renewables developer GGS Energy. As Vast looks to 2025, the key focus will be on: CEO's Address from Craig Wood As Peter mentioned, our utility-scale CSP reference project in Port Augusta, VS1, is progressing well. The plant will have 30MW capacity and 8 hours of thermal storage, providing dispatchable overnight power critical to stabilising South Australia's grid. We recently finalised the FEED stage and we're working diligently with our partners towards achieving Final Investment Decision in Q1 2025 with construction to commence shortly thereafter. The project has received support from the Australian Government, including from ARENA and the Department for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. The co-located renewable methanol plant, SM1, is also progressing well through the pre-FEED stage. The project will produce 7,500 tonnes of renewable methanol per annum, which will help decarbonise the local maritime industry. As a world-first project, we're thrilled to be partnering with German company Mabanaft on this effort. Financial close is currently targeted for 2025. Vast continues to strengthen our market-leading proprietary CSP technology, and to build out our manufacturing capability ahead of delivering Vast equipment into the VS1 project. Our solution leverages the abundant sunshine in sunbelt countries like Australia to power homes, industry and transport with green, reliable and affordable energy. We continue to improve the cost and performance of our modular, scalable technology, and to de-risk its manufacture and operation. Vast equipment is currently being produced at our facility in Queensland, Australia, and we'll be scaling up our manufacturing capability to deliver to the Port Augusta projects starting in 2025. Throughout 2024, we've also invested in our business systems and capabilities to set ourselves up for success. Vast has had a strong emphasis on safety during 2024, and we are focused on improving our safety performance as we head towards construction on site next year. We are investing in a new ERP to replace legacy systems as our requirements continue to evolve. We are also developing the quality and project control systems necessary to deliver the Port Augusta projects. All of this activity means Vast's team has continued to grow throughout the year, both in Australia and the US. This growth will continue early into 2025, and then accelerate as we move into construction of the VS1 and SM1 projects. As Peter mentioned, we were delighted to announce earlier this week that Vast continues to enjoy strong support from ARENA as evidenced by up to $30m of funding being made available to the business, subject to certain milestones being achieved. This funding is important as it creates a runway to support Vast in completing the necessary activities to achieve financial close on VS1 and SM1, and to continue the build out of our Australian green technology manufacturing business. As part of that release, we also updated the estimated capital cost for VS1 to AUD360-390million. We look forward to another successful year in 2025 as we move into construction on VS1 and SM1, deliver Vast technology through our manufacturing business, and expand our project development pipeline in Australia, the US and other global markets. We thank you, our shareholders, all of our partners and our employees for their ongoing support. About Vast Vast is a renewable energy company that has CSP systems to generate, store, and dispatch carbon-free, utility-scale electricity, industrial heat, or a combination to enable the production of sustainable fuels. Vast's CSP v3.0 approach utilises a proprietary, modular sodium loop to efficiently capture and convert solar heat into these end products. On December 19, 2023, Vast listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "VSTE”, while remaining headquartered in Australia. Visit www.vast.energy for more information. Contacts For Investors: Caldwell Bailey ICR, Inc. [email protected] For US media: Matt Dallas ICR, Inc. [email protected] For Australian media: Nick Albrow Wilkinson Butler [email protected] ‍ Forward Looking Statements The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the Port Augusta project, Vast's future financial performance, Vast's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "project," "should," "will," the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Vast management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Vast disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Vast cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Vast. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; Vast's ability to obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms or at all; Vast's ability to manage growth; Vast's ability to execute its business plan, including the completion of the Port Augusta project , at all or in a timely manner and meet its projections; potential litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inquiries involving Vast, including in relation to Vast's recent business combination; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of Vast's recent business combination; costs related to that business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Vast's products and services. Additional risks are set forth in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2024, dated September 9, 2024, as amended on November 7, 2024, and other documents filed, or to be filed with the SEC by Vast. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Vast's expectations can be found in Vast's periodic filings with the SEC. Vast's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov

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Shopping for a smart thermostat that works with the new Matter standard? There aren’t many to choose from, but now you’ve got one more option. Smart home manufacturer Meross has just unleashed its first thermostat to support Matter, the 2-year-old protocol that allows the big smart-home platforms to play nice with each other. On sale now for $69.99 (a $30 price cut from its $99.99 list price), the is rated to work with 95 percent of HVAC systems, including single- and multi-stage furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, and fan coil units. One thing the Meross thermostat do is work with heating and cooling setups in Europe; instead, the device is strictly for stateside use. The Meross thermostat also requires a C (or “common”) wire; if you live in an older home without a C wire, the thermostat can still work with help from an adapter. From a design standpoint, the Meross thermostat comes in a sleek white housing with a glass touch panel, complete with LED indicators for current and set temperature, heating and cooling status, and wireless connectivity. The Meross app lets you set up heating and cooling schedules, and it also tracks your HVAC energy consumption over time. Best of all, the new Meross thermostat works with . Thanks to Matter, the Meross thermostat will work with Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, along with their respective voice assistants. The Meross device’s Matter connectivity comes via Wi-Fi rather than Thread, the latter being a low-power, high-reliability wireless connection that’s an integral part of the Matter standard. Thread-enabled devices can connect to each other, creating self-healing mesh networks, whereas Matter-over-Wi-Fi devices are dependent on a Wi-Fi router. While thermostats were among the first categories of smart devices to support the Matter standard, there are still only a handful of Matter-enabled thermostats on the market. Google makes two of them: the and the , while the works with Matter in conjunction with the Aqara Zigbee 3.0 Hub. The exclusive club is rounded out by the . We’ll have a full review of the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat once we check out a sample unit. Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week that more than 2,000 grants totaling $62 million were awarded by the New York State Council on the Arts, including to some local organizations and artists. According to a media release, the grants will support 1,497 nonprofit organizations and 509 individual artists, “increasing access to arts funding and recognizing the substantial economic and social impact of New York’s vital arts and culture sector.” With more than $21 million already awarded as multi-year grants, this funding round brings Fiscal Year 2025’s totals to $84 million in grants. “As the unparalleled leader of arts and culture, New York’s creativity and innovation inspires the world,” Hochul said in the release. “Our continued investment in our dynamic creative sector will further boost tourism, strengthen our local economies and continue New York’s success as a rich and vibrant place to live, work and visit.” NYSCA’s on-going efforts to ensure greater access to arts funding also resulted in a 20% increase in applications, with 70% of organization support grants awarded to institutions with budgets under $1 million across the state, the release stated. Recipients of four different FY 2025 grant categories were announced: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Targeted Opportunities, and Regrants and Services. Local organizations and artists who received awards are: • Arts & Rec Inc. of Stamford, received a $20,000 support for organizations grant. • Bright Hill Press of Treadwell, received a $25,000 support for organizations grant. • Chenango County Council of the Arts Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Chenango River Theatre Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Community Arts Network of Oneonta received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Earlville Opera House, Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Fenimore Chamber Orchestra received a $15,000 support for organizations grant. • Foothills Performing Arts Center, Inc. received a $49,500 support for organizations grant. • Foundation for the Open Eye, Inc. received a $10,000 support for organizations grant. • Franklin Stock Company at Chapel Hall, Inc. received a $25,000 support for organizations grant. It also received a $10,000 support for artist award for playwright Kyle Bass for “The Civilities.” • Gilboa Historical Society, Inc. received a $15,000 support for organizations grant. • Glimmerglass Opera Theatre Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Hanford Mills Museum at East Meredith received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. • Iroquois Indian Museum received a $10,000 support for artist award for Margaret Jacobs: Ancestral Understanding: Kanien’kehá:ka Plant Knowledge in Steel. • Roxbury Arts Group Inc. received a $40,000 support for organizations grant. The organization is also Delaware County’s regrant facilitator and received $175,000 for that program. • West Kortright Centre, Inc. received a $49,500 support for organizations grant. NYSCA is also accepting applications for $80 Million in grants for the Capital Projects Fund until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, the release stated. NYSCA’s Capital Projects Fund invests in capital facilities and expansion projects for cultural nonprofit organizations that promote accessibility, diverse programming, environmental sustainability and more. This funding helps preserve and create jobs that contribute to the growth of New York’s arts and tourism sectors. Visit the NYSCA website for additional details. Created by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Hochul and the state Legislature, the council is an agency that is part of the executive branch. For more information on NYSCA, visit arts.ny.gov , and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, on X @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week to House Speaker Mike Johnson that he did not intend to take the oath of office. He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state launched a special election process to fill the vacancy. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped that Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.None

lucky 88 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) Position Increased by Avior Wealth Management LLCDozens of police are breathtesting people driving into the Napier suburb of Maraenui on Thursday, as the area prepares for a large gang tangi on Friday and Saturday. The tangi is for Napier's Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter president, "Heil Dogg" , also known as Angus Benson and Angus Ratima. Police had set up checkpoints in two different locations near the gang's Napier headquarters, and said they were preparing for large numbers of gang members from across the region to visit the area and pay their respects. At the Maraenui gang pad, a large marquee and food truck had been set up on the front lawn, and catering trucks were seen dropping off supplies. In a social media post, attendees are being warned of road closures near the family's home and are urged to behave. "Everyone is responsible for their own behavior, carloads, risk management and situations throughout this week...!!️PLAY UPS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!️..Said with LOVE," the post reads. Heil's body was at his mother's home in Maraenui, and will be taken to the nearby gang headquarters on Friday where he will lie for his last night and for poroporoaki (farewell). A person on social media reflected on previous tangi, and said: "Our Heil wouldve been right in there to like he was with all our whanau when they passed on, tha Man with the biggest heart smiles & Aroha." The service is being held on Saturday in Marewa.

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UC SAN DIEGO 73, JAMES MADISON 67The battle for control of Bamburi Cement has reached fever pitch, with shareholders racing against time to cast their votes by December 5. At stake is the future of Kenya's leading cement maker, as two formidable bidders vie for supremacy. In one corner is Savanna Clinker, a Kenyan powerhouse led by Benson Sande Ndeta, upping their offer from Sh70 per share in August to Sh76.55 —totaling Sh27.8 billion. In the other is Tanzania’s Amsons Group, headed by CEO Edha Nahdi, equally determined to clinch the deal. Bamburi Cement is expected to reveal the most popular offer by December 20, paving the way for share transfers. Payments to shareholders are slated for February 28, 2025, barring any changes from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). Under market regulations, bidders retain the right to adjust their offers up to 10 days before the deadline, keeping tensions high as the clock ticks down. According to Ndeta, the offer comes from a patriotic Kenyan who has the best interests of Kenyan companies at heart. He is relying on the backing of Faida Investment Bank which in a statement said that they have sufficient resources to satisfy the maximum amount of cash payable under the offer. “We further confirm that the competing offer will not fail due to insufficient financial capacity of the competing offeror and that every Bamburi shareholder that opts to accept the competing offer shall be paid in full,” said its Managing Director Lucas Otieno in an October 18, 2024, letter to CMA. In the statement, the bank said that they had received a letter from the Global Infrastructure Finance and Development Authority (GIFDA) attesting its commitment to finance the competing offeror’s acquisition of Bamburi cement. “GIFDA, the financier, had made sufficient funding arrangements and has confirmed that the funds are free and unencumbered and are available to Savannah Clinker Limited,” read the statement. “Additionally, Faida has received a statement showing the assets held by GIFDA in Fidelity Investments.” Amsons bid is backed by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and they have offered to pay Sh65 per share or Sh23.59 billion for a 100 per cent stake in Bamburi through its Kenyan subsidiary and investment vehicle, Amsons Industries (K) Ltd. “According to the offeror’s statement, KCB Investment Bank Ltd, being the transaction advisor and sponsoring stockbroker of Amsons has confirmed that Amsons has sufficient financial resources at its disposal to satisfy the consideration for all shares in Bamburi pursuant to a full acceptance of the offer,” said Bamburi after the Amsons offer. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter Amsons bid recently got regulatory approval from Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa’s (Comesa) Competition Commission. “The approval is a significant boost to our offer as we continue to engage investors of Bamburi Cement and remain confident that our acquisition bid will be successful as it presents a win-win scenario for the investors and our two countries,” said CEO Nahdi. CMA has already given the green light to shareholders to consider and pick the deal that serves their interests between the two. Asked why they never upped their offer, Ahmed Abdallah from Amsons said that the Sh65 was made after consideration of Bamburi’s market value. “We continue to be very confident that our legitimate offer, which represents a 42 per cent premium on the closing market price of Bamburi Shares at 45.65 KSHs per share, is the best and most competitive offer for Bamburi shareholders.” They promised to pump in Sh51.8 billion to modernise the company’s grinding and clinker plants to ensure its continued growth. Amsons remains confident that shareholders will choose them despite their offer per share being more than Sh11 lower than Savanna’s. On their website, Amsons Group says that since 2000 they have established themselves as a leader in Tanzania, with diversified investments across key sectors including construction, transportation, cement, flour and inland container depots. “We proudly employ over 10,000 Tanzanians, reflecting our dedication to fostering local talent and economic growth.” They also have interests in the oil and gas sector with an over 215 million litres capacity depot. “Our ongoing commitment is to create sustainable employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the nation’s progress.” The company has an annual turnover of Sh130 billion. In the cement world, they run a 6,000-tonne-per-day facility and they recently acquired one of their competitors Mbeya Cement. They also have companies in Malawi, Mozambique, DRC, Zambia and Burundi. In June, Bamburi’s major shareholder Holcim agreed to sell their shares to Amsons but revoked it on October 2 after Savanna’s offer. This came as good news to Savanna as this agreement had locked them out of the race since one needs the backing of at least 60 per cent of total shares to complete the sale. Holcim owns 58.6 per cent of Bamburi through Fincem Holding Ltd (29.3 per cent) and Kencem Holding Ltd (29.3 per cent), which opens the door for them to sell to Savanna. The two are registered in Jersey Island and also share the same address. The remaining is owned by Standard Chartered nominees (15.68 per cent, 0.72 per cent and 2.80 per cent), Aksaya Investment Holdings (11.12 per cent) and SIB (1.11 per cent). Kestrel Capital nominees (0.85 per cent and 0.34 per cent) and APA Insurance Limited (0.29 per cent) while other 4,599 shareholders own 8.48 per cent. Bamburi Cement Ltd Trucks collects cement from a Silo, a storage facility in Industrial area, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Before the Bamburi offer, Ndeta last year secured Sh65 billion for the construction of a clinker factory in Kitui County Betting on the construction boom that is in the country, Ndeta said that he raised the money through a privately placed debt arrangement and the bond to be regulated at the international exchange. He told the media at the time that he was proud of getting funding from people he said shared his vision and beliefs to deliver growth and development in the construction sector. Ndeta joined billionaire Narendra Raval as a major player seeking to pocket some Sh6.3 billion that factories without grinders pay to import clinker, which is crucial in the manufacturing of cement. Interestingly, Savanna Cement which went under in more than Sh18 billion debt does not have a clinker factory and Ndeta once served as its chairperson. For a man who loves golf which is considered a slow sport and law tennis which is quite a fast-paced game, Ndeta has been in the cement sector for more than 20 years. He started as the Chairman of the now struggling East African Portland Cement Limited in June 2003 when he was appointed by the then Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi, serving until June 2008. Ndeta was the majority shareholder of Savanna Cement Limited until November 18, 2022, when his shares were taken over by the banks. The company went into administration on July 21, 2023, under PKF Consulting Kenya partner Peter Kahi after making a net loss of Sh2.5 billion in 2022 and Sh1.07 billion in 2020. By the time it went under, Savanna Cement had made a cumulative loss of Sh7.86 billion. In August 2024, the sale of its assets which were valued at Sh10.9 billion in October 2022, commenced to help compensate some of its creditors. KCB Bank is owed Sh8.89 billion, while Absa Bank is owed Sh5.23 billion. Ndeta said that he has no intentions of delisting Bamburi from the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). On the other hand, Amsons say that if they acquire at least 75 per cent but fewer than 90 per cent of Bamburi shares they may take steps to delist its shares from NSE, subject to corporate and regulatory approvals.Aston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.

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Margaret Pomeranz is one of Australia’s most iconic movie reviewers, along with her long-time on-air partner, David Stratton. I spoke to her on Thursday. Fitz : Margaret, long-time listener, first-time caller ... Thanks so much for your time. MP : A pleasure, but I’m not quite sure exactly what you want. Margaret Pomeranz. Credit: Eddie Jim Fitz : Margaret, I want to draw on your enormous expertise in films to quickly find the gold nuggets that I know are out there, but can never find. Sometimes I stumble across fabulous films that have never got any fanfare whatsoever, and it occurs to me that you’d be the one who knows where the other beauties are. MP : Well, after your general text yesterday, I’ve racked my brain, and I’ve certainly come up with a list of 10, but a couple of them are foreign language films. Fitz : Even better. Before we get to the list, though ... did you stumble into being a famous movie reviewer, or was it the star you steered by until you got there? MP : Hah! I was absolutely dragged protesting into that role. I was producing David Stratton doing movie reviews for SBS, and I wanted a woman to join him because I didn’t want it to just be a male judgment. And I couldn’t find a woman that David Stratton accepted. And the one that he wanted was, I think, reviewing for one of the women’s magazines, and she didn’t want to do it. And so he said, “why don’t you give it a try?” And I said, “no, I just want to produce” and then the SBS head of programming came down on me and insisted, so it was truly ... accidental. I’d never been in front of camera before. Pomeranz with long-time collaborator and friend, David Stratton. Credit: Fitz : And when did you realise that in the case of you and Stratton, one plus one equals three, in the sense of having a chemistry between you which made you more than the sum of your parts? MP : Well, I don’t think we truly gelled for about five years because I was so nervous, and it took me time to be able to relax in front of camera. Fitz : So you became an iconic duo, just like Roy and HG. In their case, they never socialised much off-camera, so as to keep their on-air stuff fresh. Did you spend much time with David Stratton when the cameras weren’t rolling? MP : We did, but never excessively, apart from when we went to things like the Cannes and Venice film festivals when we would certainly see a great deal of one another. Back in Australia, we saw a bit of each other until he moved up to the Blue Mountains, which I was really shitty about, actually ... Fitz : And how do you judge the current state of the movie business globally and in Australia? MP : Well, I think the Australian film industry is really healthy. It’s almost like it’s got the confidence in itself. Globally, on the one hand, I’m sick of those Marvel Comics being translated to the screen, but on the other hand, you can get really good ones, like the one that Taika Waititi directed, Thor: Ragnarok . That was terrific, so you can’t be narrow-minded about such films. Some are extremely good. Jeff Bridges in Peter Weir’s brilliant Fearless. Credit: Warner Bros Fitz : And where are your professional energies going right now? MP : Nowhere! I am trying to get out of stuff, not into stuff. Fitz : Two more quick questions, then we can rip in. I read a blurry report that you might have had a cameo role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . Is that correct? MP : Yes, but blink and you’ll miss me, right? I had known the director, Stephan Elliott, for some time, and he said, would I play a part in his film? And I said, “all right, as long as I’m not playing anybody’s mother”. Not long afterwards, I was in Venice at the film festival, and a fax arrived for me, saying he wanted me in Priscilla, indeed playing someone’s mother, but ... “you’re playing Guy Pearce’s mother”. So I said, “oh, all right!” Fitz : Meantime, I loved your review on Charlie Pickering’s The Weekly on ABC of Married at First Sight , where you said, “It’s a groundbreaking social experiment in which mentally fragile halfwits marry toxic famed tarts”. Is there anything you’d like to add to that? Or is that about it? MP : [ Laughs. ] No, that’s about it. Fitz : OK, let’s get to the nub of it. Can you please gimme the 10 films few of us have seen yet, but bloody well should? Dannielle Hall and Damian Pitt in Beneath Clouds. Credit: © Bunya Productions MP : Well, my first one is the Australian film Beneath Clouds (2002) . That was Ivan Sen’s debut feature about two Indigenous kids, played by Damian Pitt and Dannielle Hall, who accidentally join up as they head for various reasons to Sydney from country NSW . Sen had made a series of really fantastic shorts when he was at the film school, and once he was out he made this. It looks fabulous. It’s heart-rendingly great, but very little seen. I’m always moved by the final image in a film, and in this one, it’s just heartbreakingly good. Have you seen it? Fitz : No, never heard of it, but I will see it soon! Next? MP : OK, going down the list, I loved Locke (2013) by Stephen Knight. Tom Hardy gives an outstanding performance in this film in which he is the only presence on screen. He plays a man driving to a construction site who takes 38 phone calls from various people as his life falls apart. Fitz : Hang on, just one actor? So when the screen credits roll for actors, there’s one person? MP : Yes, apart from voice actors. Fitz : That sounds like that famous first film by Steven Spielberg, Duel , with the menacing truck being the key presence monstering the poor bloke in front. Go on, next? MP : Number three is Fearless (1993) , by Peter Weir, starring Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez as survivors of a plane crash who each experience the impact of the aftermath. Have you seen that? The 1997 film Gattaca imagines a future class divide between the enhanced (as played by Uma Thurman) and the unenhanced. Credit: Getty Images Fitz : No! Look, if it’s not Shawshank Redemption or the like, you may presume I haven’t seen it, but want to. I want you to educate me and mine on the finer things in films so we can say to our friends, “I can’t believe you haven’t seen those wonderful films, Beneath Clouds , Locke , and Fearless ! What kind of bogan ignoramus are you?” MP : [ Small groan. ] Number four is District 9 (2009). This totally original, low-budget science fiction film from South African writer/director Neill Blomkamp has it all – a wild imagination, drama, pathos, compassion, with a few laughs thrown in, as a man organising the relocation of a camp of segregated aliens becomes one of them. Fitz : You see, Margaret? Don’t despair, I’ve heard of it! MP : So is that all right? Fitz : Yes, please go on. MP : I’ve chosen Nashville (1975). A gigantic tapestry of music, betrayal and politics set in the country music capital of the world and is the work of director Robert Altman. It has a multi-character cast and was the film that excited me most when I first saw it. It is still my favourite film of all time. I fell in love with Robert Altman when I saw it in Sydney, even though it was on screens for just a week, and it was gone. I dragged people to it, and then it disappeared. Fitz : If you say it is your favourite of all time, that is some recommendation. Next, please? MP : Gattaca (1997) . This debut science fiction film from New Zealand born writer/director Andrew Niccol explores the ethics of genetic engineering. Niccol wrote The Truman Show , but when he went to Hollywood, they wouldn’t let him direct it and gave him Gattaca to direct instead. It stars Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman and is riveting. Lust, Caution, directed by Ang Lee, is set in China during the Japanese occupation. Fitz : Not that you care, but I broadly hate sci-fi. Still, I will give it a go. MP : The Hill (1965) is a gruelling portrayal of men struggling to survive a military prison camp in North Africa during World War II, and it stars Sean Connery in one of his best performances. I don’t like prison movies much, but this one has stayed with me. Fitz : I like Shawsha... actually, never mind. Does The Hill have a happy ending? You’ll despair to hear, Marge, my tastes are so plebeian: I genuinely like films where the hero and the heroine and go through lots of struggles and get to kiss in the final frame – with the exception of Brokeback Mountain , where it was the two heroes. MP : [ Small pause. ] I absolutely adored Brokeback Mountain . I saw that in Venice, and when everybody else was rushing off to the next screening, I was just stayed sitting there alone, still absorbing it, it was so wonderful. But, moving on. I love tough films. And the one that I love most is The Lives of Others (2006), the debut film from German writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck about the impact that Stasi agents, East Germany’s secret police, have on a group of artists and intellectuals. A really powerful cinema experience. Fitz : Next? MP: Lust, Caution (2007) Ang Lee’s beautiful, emotionally powerful film is set in China during the Japanese occupation. It’s about a young student’s relationship with a high-ranking collaborator despite the fact that she’s part of a group that aims to assassinate him. And the next one after that is a soft one for you, Peter. I’ve chosen Chef (2014) , written, directed by and starring Jon Favreau. It’s the story of a celebrity chef in an upmarket restaurant who loses his temper as he’s not prepared to conform. So he starts up a food truck with the help of his son and estranged wife. And you’ll be thrilled to hear, Peter, this one has a happy ending. Fitz : Excellent! And that’s our 10. So the last thing is this. We’ve talked about films that you know are great, that should be more widely celebrated. What about films where everybody loves them except you? I hate to say it, but the best example for me is the one you’re in: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . Yes, all the actors are great, and Hugo’s a personal friend. But I just never understood the level of acclaim it received. MP : [ Laughing. ] Of course it was the one I was in! But, yes, I don’t always like what everybody else likes. I don’t necessarily like what David Stratton likes. I actually talked to him this morning about the list I just gave you, and I think he approves of just about all the ones on my list, but not all. Generally, I think that within seconds of a film opening, you know whether you’re in good hands with a director or not, and it’s really weird that some films just scream: “I am no good!” from the very beginning. Fitz : And the blockbuster that you detest? MP : A really popular film that everyone else loved was the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre . It’s only one of the two films I’ve ever walked out of. Fitz : And what is the other, please? MP : I will tell you, but it’s not for publication. [ We go into the Cone of Silence. ] Fitz: Oh! Oh, I see ... Thank you, indeed. I, and my readers, shall report back before Chrissie on what we think of your list. In the meantime, we are in your debt. At least we hope so.

Share Tweet Share Share Email As we are approaching the hottest summer days many Australians might have been searching for the most efficient way of beating the scorching heat. Unlike last summer, this season is going to be extremely hot and many people aren’t financially ready to crank their energy sucking central cooling system. What is the way forward? Coldeez Cooling ACE often written as Cold Eeze Cooling ACE has been popular in the market and Claims to use advanced evaporative technology featuring bladeless design to chill any room down in a seconds no matter the temperature. Truly, most of the similar air coolers in the past failed to meet their promises. Oftentimes most advertisers use features seen in high end Cooling systems to market cheap mass produced brands, making thousands of dollars without solving any problem. With this in mind, many people have been questioning the authenticity of the Coldeez Cooling ACE, the manufacturer, and why it is trending in Australia. Today, I’m going to give an in-depth review of the Sherum ColdEeze Cooling ACE and I will be sharing real customers’ experiences which might help you know if it is Authentic or just a hype. It is also available in some local stores, mostly in Australia where it is sold mostly. For online shoppers, I have also linked to the official website where you can get it at discounted prices as well. What Is Coldeez Cooling ACE? Coldeez Cooling ACE is a portable air cooler that uses advanced evaporative technology to chill down any room in a seconds. It is compact, portable and extremely lightweight. It is powered by an in-built lithium-ion rechargeable battery and can last for several hours without shutting down. It boasts incredible features and offers three cooling modes – Cool Mode, Chill Mode, and Freeze Mode to provide unparalleled Cooling-Off experience to beat the scorching heat. ColdEeze Cooling ACE uses innovative bladeless technology, powerful airflow and energy efficient technologies. It is ideal for cooling personal spaces, it is safe and offers a smart cooling experience all summer long. ColdEeze Cooling ACE mimics most high-end air coolers though it might not compete favourably with some top brands though it is another standout option that can keep you cold all summer long. It can be placed on a table either vertical or horizontal or can be hung on a wall in either direction as well. Coldeez Cooling ACE offers a portable cooling experience. Many people have been using it in their house, offices, kitchen, and other spaces that need to cool down. It is an advanced Cooling system with an affordable price to enable many households to buy it without feeling any financial pressure. The Coldeez Cooling ACE is a top notch Cooling system that shouldn’t be ignored. It is currently selling in Australia with thousands of happy customers and impressive 4.8 star ratings. Order ColdEeze Cooling ACE today from the official website and start saving on your cooling bills. Currently one unit is sold at around AU$90 with possible free shipping. Key Highlights Cools rooms down by 30°F in seconds 3 fan speeds – Cool, Chill and Freeze Whisper quiet operation at only 20 dB No-leak durable water tank Operates for hours on built-in battery Weighs only 1 pound for portability Costs pennies a day to run Rated 4.99/5 by customers Features Of Sherum Cold Eeze Cooling ACE Coldeez Cooling ACE comes with impressive features mostly seen in high-end air coolers pricing hundreds of dollars. Here are some of the features advertised by the manufacturer on their official website: Customizable Temperature Control: Coldeez Cooling ACE allows Users to precisely adjust the temperature to their preferred level, ensuring optimal comfort and relaxation. Variable Cooling Modes : The device offers multiple cooling settings, (Cooling mode, chilling mode and freeze mode) allowing users to select the perfect mode to suit their cooling needs. Convenient Timer Function : A built-in timer enables users to set specific cooling sessions, making it easy to optimize their cooling experience Long-Lasting Rechargeable Battery : Coldeez Cooling ACE features a rechargeable battery that provides hours of continuous use, making it perfect for extended cooling. Ergonomic and Comfortable Design : It is designed to fit comfortably in any place, ensuring optimal cooling and comfort without sacrifice. Portable and Compact Design : Coldeez Cooling ACE is designed to be portable and compact, making it easy to take on the go and use wherever cooling is needed. User-Friendly Interface : Cold Eeze Cooling ACE features an intuitive interface that makes it easy to operate and customize the cooling experience. 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Simply charge it, place it vertically or horizontally or hang on a wall with included accessories. Turn it on, select your preferred cooling mode. Relax and enjoy the chill air it blows out. also read the instructions manual shipped with your order to get more insight on how to maximise it. Benefits Of Using Cold Eeze Cooling ACE Promotes Health and Wellbeing : It contributes to overall health and wellbeing by preventing heat-related illnesses and promoting a comfortable body temperature on the hottest summer day. Boosts Productivity and Focus : By maintaining a comfortable body temperature, Coldeez Cooling ACE enhances productivity, concentration, and overall performance. Rapid Cooling System: Coldeez Cooling ACE cools in seconds unlike conventional portable air conditioners. Safe: Designed with the current safety features, Coldeez Cooling ACE is extremely safe to use. It doesn’t emit any substance and it features bladeless design. Powerful: Though designed for your personal space, Coldeez Cooling ACE can even cool larger spaces like family lounge, larger walk-way etc. Energy Efficiency: Designed with quality materials, it is very efficient, saving more money on cooling bills without sacrificing comfort. Portable Cooling Experience: Unlike permanently installed cooling systems, Coldeez Cooling ACE offers portable cooling, making it possible for individuals to use one unit in many places such as, living rooms, and offices. Full Customization: Designed for users advantages, it offers owners the opportunity to adjust it based on their cooling needs. Extended Runtime: Powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery, it boosts an incredible runtime, capable of lasting more than 8 hours on a single charge. Space-Saving Size: Featuring a compact size, this portable device is built for tight spaces like nightstands and office desks. Limitations (Coldeez Cooling ACE Reviews) While it is Seen as a beast, it has its own obvious limitations which everyone looking to buy it must know. Here are some of its worrying downsides based on my experience with it: Limited Area Coverage : it is designed for personal cooling and may not be effective for larger areas or multiple individuals. Environmental Limitations : Coldeez Cooling ACE may not be suitable for extreme environments, such as deserts or tropical regions. Noise Level : It produces a slight humming noise during operation in some cooling modes. Price Limitations: Coldeez Cooling ACE might appear expensive for some individuals and manufacturers are not looking to reduce the price again. Is Coldeez Cooling ACE Any Good? Coldeez Cooling ACE is an ultra-fast personal cooler that can cool down the air by up to 20°F in just 30 seconds – faster and more efficient than traditional air conditioners. Also, by focusing on targeted action instead of cooling the whole room, it saves energy and reduces monthly bills greatly. It combines functionality, portability, and efficiency with advanced Cooling technology and impressive battery life making it an ideal addition to your room and office. Prices And Where To Buy? Cold Eeze Cooling ACE can be gotten from the official website at the following prices: One unit cost AU$89.99 Two units cost AU$179.98 Three units cost AU$209.97 Four units cost AU$259.97 This is the current pricing and didn’t cover any shipping though the manufacturer offers free shipping in some orders. Cold Eeze Cooling ACE Reviews From Users Our new office doesn’t have AC so I bought this device. It’s a lifesaver in the summer! It has 3 settings which you control by using the button. Low, medium and high. The price can’t be beaten. It’s incredibly energy-efficient, and it’s just really COOL.” – S. Baker Coldeez Cooling Ace is great for hot days at work. And it is fairly quiet. We have three, one for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, and one to carry with us. They cool the rooms perfectly! We love them.” – A. Horns Green Atlanta, GA Strong, easy to use, and definitely lowers the temperature in the room. It has a white-noise kind of sound even at the highest settings so it’s more soothing than anything else. No annoying noises. The best mini cooler I’ve tried. I highly recommend it! Murphy Boston, MA I tend to run hot and my coworkers that share an office with me are always cold, so this helps me stay cool at work. It is quiet so noise is not disruptive and because of the design, it doesn’t blow air into my phone so that I sound like I am in a wind tunnel. Sanchez San Francisco, CA I live with my elderly grandma who is “freezing” at anything lower than 78 degrees which leaves me disgustingly hot. So I bought this thing and it works perfectly! A lifesaver! It gets me to a much more comfortable temp during the day. I can take it in different rooms. I love Cooling Ace! Conclusion (Coldeez Cooling ACE Reviews ) Coldeez Cooling ACE is a revolutionary personal cooling solution that provides unmatched comfort and relaxation. Designed for individuals who spend extended periods in front of screens, engage in intense physical activities, or simply want to escape the heat, this cutting-edge device is the ultimate game-changer. It boasts an array of features that prioritize user comfort and convenience. Adjustable cooling settings, a built-in timer, and a rechargeable battery providing hours of continuous use make it an indispensable companion. In terms of Operating it, it is remarkably straightforward. with an intuitive interface that enables users to tailor their cooling experience with ease. Its portability is another significant advantage, allowing users to take it wherever they go. Whether you’re an avid gamer, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone seeking to stay cool and relaxed, Coldeez Cooling ACE is the perfect solution. By combining innovative technology, user-centric design, and unparalleled performance, it redefines personal cooling. While it has some limitations, its benefits and features make it an excellent solution for individuals seeking to stay cool and comfortable all summer day. I strongly recommend it though, always buy what you believe is the best for you . Order ColdEeze Cooling ACE Today From The Official Website!!! Related Items: Cold Eeze , tech Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Prepared Hero Fire Blanket Reviews (Legit Or Not?) EXPOSED By Consumer Reports Reviewed How to Build an App: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners How to Explore the Best Chevrolet Cars for Families in 2024 Comments