kevin spacey blackjack movie Hired dog walker Helaina Timson walks 6-year-old Florence on Friday at the Allen County Humane Society. Florence has been adopted. Charlotte Caldwell | The Lima News LIMA — On Nov. 18, the Ohio SPCA and Allen County Humane Society board of directors suspended the volunteer dog walking program, sparking criticism on social media and bringing attention and signatures to a petition started in 2023. “After several recent incidents involving injuries to dogs and volunteers, this is the best decision for the health and safety of the dogs and our staff and volunteers,” the Ohio SPCA and Humane Society wrote in a Facebook post . In a separate post , the organization specified a dog named Rascal caused serious injury to someone and prompted the board to hire a behaviorist and dog walkers before volunteer dog walkers would be reintroduced. The shelter currently has three hired dog walkers and is looking for a fourth and has teamed up with Joshua Osting, the founder of Exceptionally Obedient Dogs LLC out of Fort Jennings, according to shelter manager Sherry Bernard. The employees have already had one training session with Osting, she said. Bernard said the shelter currently has about 20 dogs that are ready for adoption and walk with the dog walkers and about 40 dogs in the building total. In addition to the petition and social media comments, one complaint — which is public record — has been filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Charitable Law Office by Lisa Harding, a former board member from Lima. “The financial records are not well kept, no reports provided to the board at meetings. No record of how much donations come in for the Lima shelter. Online donations are deposited into sanctuary account. Lima board is given no proof that transferred funds are actually the amount received by the sanctuary. No records or reports are given,” Harding wrote, adding the organization has “inconsistent policies and procedures.” Organization’s response to rumors John Bell, the organization’s attorney based out of Columbus and a member of the board of directors, confirmed the board wants the volunteer dog walking program to return after the staff are trained by the behaviorist and get on the same page with how dogs should be handled. Bell has over 20 years of experience working with animal welfare groups. “It is our intention to, at some point in the future, resume the volunteer dog walkers. That has always been our intention, and the suspension of that program has always been temporary,” Bell said. “The issue is not the people. The issue is the animals. Our concern is that if they’re not handled by folks who understand how to do this correctly, they won’t be socialized and ready to be adopted,” he continued. “In order for them to be socialized, we have to have people who do more with them than just take them out of the cage, spin them around the yard and bring them back.” He mentioned other tasks volunteers can do while the dog walking is suspended, like feeding, bathing and grooming the dogs and cleaning the areas where the animals are housed. Bell explained the way animals are categorized at the shelter coming in depending on their past behavior. “When an animal comes in, their behavior is assessed, and they are sorted into groups according to the level of our comfort with their behavior. They have green, yellow and red. Reds are animals that have had some significant issues in their behavior, and only the most trained and skilled staff should be handling them, and we’ve had volunteers going in and taking red level dogs out of their cages, and even if they don’t get injured, we really can’t have that,” he said. “The fact that there’s only one injury doesn’t mean there’s not other issues we’re trying to eliminate by going through this process of bringing in a professional to train folks.” When the incident with Rascal occurred, he was taken off the adoptable animals list, which made people assume Rascal was euthanized and the shelter was no longer a “no-kill” shelter. “What no-kill shelter means is we won’t euthanize an animal just for the sake of space. If an animal comes in in severe distress, humane euthanization may be required because it may not be possible to alleviate the suffering in any other way, and that happens at every shelter in every city and county in Ohio,” Bell said. “We do not euthanize just because an animal has an issue, even if it’s a behavioral issue. If they come in after a bite or attack, they’re not euthanized because of that. They would only be euthanized at the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian for the sake of eliminating the animal’s suffering if we cannot alleviate the suffering.” Another allegation centered around the shelter currently not having a humane agent and the reasons for it, including “the hostile work environment, lack of support, and ceased communication from board members and staff,” according to the petition . “We’ve had trouble keeping humane officers because the pay is so low and the community support isn’t there, and we have people complaining about not having a humane officer,” Bell said. “If we can get somebody who is qualified under the revised code, which means they have full peace officer training, just like every police officer in the state of Ohio, and they’re certified and want to come to us and work for the little bit that a humane agent gets paid, we would have humane agents all the time, but we can’t seem to get people who are qualified, willing to go there and do it for the pay that’s available. It’s a hard job.” Bell said there is a humane agent on the board who hasn’t been sworn into Allen County yet, which will happen when the county’s probate court judge approves him. Bell explained that by law, all humane societies in Ohio are private, non-profit charities, so they are 100% funded by donations. He said only about 20% of the organization’s funding comes from Allen County donors, so the organization’s other branches are helping fund the shelter. “The county government does not have to support the county humane society. There’s no financial connection there. The limited government function that is performed by the humane agent does not make us a government office,” Bell said. “We’re a donation-dependent private charity, and some counties don’t have a humane society or humane agent.” The petition criticized the organization for not adding any new programs since its takeover of the shelter in 2015. “We’d like to do more of that, but again you can’t have just anybody coming in and taking the animals out and taking them to a remote location and exposing them to the public. That’s not something you can walk in off the street and do the first day you volunteer,” Bell said. “If we’re not doing enough it’s because we don’t have the manpower and the financial resources to do more.” One consequence of decreased manpower and financial resources is putting the organization’s low-cost spay and neuter clinic on pause, which is another source of community backlash. “If we don’t have money to get the vets in to do the spay and neuter clinics and support staff, it can’t happen,” Bell said. Bell expressed concern about decreased donations because of the allegations. “The unfortunate thing about some of these posts is that’s going to damage the donations that we would otherwise receive, and that money’s not going to come in from another source,” he said. Testimonial from a volunteer Marianna Eilerman, of Elida, helps organize the Petco cat partnership where cats from the shelter are brought to Petco to help them get adopted. Since she started helping with the program in June 2021, she has rehomed about 90 cats. She also transports cats to and from Petco and vet appointments, runs the front desk and decorates the shelter. “When I moved here, I didn’t know anybody from here. I work from home, and we adopted a dog from here. Our other one had passed away,” Eilerman said about why she started volunteering at the shelter. “When I lived in Toledo I worked at the humane society up there a lot and I’m fortunate enough to have time and the money to do the stuff, so I started helping out with cleaning and different things, and it’s just kind of evolved. Then the Petco thing started and I wanted to be in charge of that. “It helps me. I feel like I’m giving back. It’s very rewarding. I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life,” she said. Eilerman has two adopted cats and two adopted dogs at home, two of which came from the Allen County shelter. Per week, she volunteers six to seven hours at Petco and five to six hours at the shelter. Volunteer program at another shelter The Auglaize County Humane Society wrote in a Facebook message that its volunteer program has “around 10 regular volunteers that come weekly. We have around 50 signed up but due to their schedules, do not come as often. Our volunteers help us clean, go to special events, help with fundraisers, as well as, play with/socialize and walk our dogs (and cats). We do not allow our volunteers to interact with ‘problem’ dogs for their own safety. We are a small facility and do not have the number of animals as the bigger shelters, but we put the safety of our animals as well as their caregivers first.” Anyone interested in adopting can download an application at www.ohiospca.org and email it once complete to [email protected] . Bell said any concerns from the community about the way the shelter is ran can be emailed to him at [email protected] and he will bring them up to the board. Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.

iCoreConnect CEO McDermott purchases $49,421 in common stock

NoneCanadians warned to use caution in South Korea after martial law declared then lifted VANCOUVER — Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press Dec 3, 2024 2:53 PM Dec 3, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message South Korean martial law soldiers leave the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Yonhap, Kim Ju-sung VANCOUVER — Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as "anti-state" forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon's declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities' instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people's travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. "There's always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term," Chan says. "If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place." Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon's declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo's call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back "harrowing" memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. "It has been a very difficult experience to see that," Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. "But that said, I'm really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. "This is a country that will stand up for democracy." Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. "It's not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada," Lim says. "There's still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). "We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I'm a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law." — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Retail council calls for government intervention in Canada Post strike Dec 3, 2024 3:33 PM Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs Dec 3, 2024 2:56 PM TTC board approves ban on lithium-ion battery e-bikes during winter months Dec 3, 2024 2:33 PM Featured FlyerFinland beats US 4-3 in OT in world junior hockey; Canada rebounds from loss to top Germany 3-0

Results of a non-binding vote on the proposed Grassy Mountain coal mine in Crowsnest Pass were announced Monday, with more than 71 per cent of voters supporting the project. About 54 per cent of eligible voters participated in the plebiscite, which was held to gauge community sentiment specifically on metallurgical coal mining by Northback Holdings Corp. The ballot posed the question, “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain?” An advance poll was conducted on Nov. 19, followed by the primary voting day on Monday. The results showed 71.7 per cent of voters in favour of the project, while 28.3 per cent opposed it. Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter expressed satisfaction with the strong voter turnout and called the result a “real strong message” from the community. “I’m very pleased that we had over 53 per cent of the eligible voters turn out to vote on this subject,” Painter told Shootin’ the Breeze. “This sends a very strong message to our council that our community is in favour of ethical metallurgical coal mining in our area.” Painter emphasized the importance of understanding community preferences regarding a project that could affect housing, infrastructure and employment in the region. “We are the community that this mine primarily will draw from. Therefore, it is important that we need to know where our community stands and they have told us,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the municipal council’s role is limited to advocacy and that the ultimate decision on the proposed mine is not in their hands. “We are not the decision-maker on this project; we are only one of the stakeholders,” he noted, adding that council will move forward and continue to advocate. The Grassy Mountain coal mine project has been the subject of significant debate. On Sept. 10, Crowsnest Pass council passed a motion to conduct a non-binding vote, seeking input from residents on their support for the development and operations of the proposed mine. Since then, a long-standing debate has grown heated at times regarding the consequences of mining. Supporters have cited its potential to drive economic growth and create jobs, while critics have voiced concerns over environmental risks, such as selenium contamination and air quality issues due to dust generation. Painter acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Clean water is very important. We get that. Now you must also remember that the area of this mine site, Grassy Mountain, is not pristine mountaintops. It’s previously mined land with no reclamation.” He added that mining operations have made strides in addressing environmental concerns, citing global investments in clean-water technology by other mining companies. “Our mining neighbours to the west of us, Glencore, is spending billions of dollars on clean water technology. They are leaders globally in clean water,” he said. The mayor clarified that council’s next steps would involve internal deliberations, with no influence over the regulatory process or the mining company’s decisions. “We cannot control what they are going to do. They’re bound by the rules and regulations of our country. We cannot influence that,” he said. Northback Holdings, the company behind the Grassy Mountain project, welcomed the vote’s outcome, calling it a step forward for “responsible resource development.” In a statement issued on social media, the company expressed gratitude for the community’s support and reiterated its commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. “Exciting news from Crowsnest Pass! Residents have voted in favour of the Grassy Mountain project! Thank you for your overwhelming support for responsible resource development and economic growth,” the company said. “Together, we’re creating well-paying jobs and a brighter future for the region. At Northback, we are committed to modern mining practices that protect the environment while revitalizing the local economy. Let’s move forward together!” Northback representatives were unavailable to comment on the voting results.

Value Transformation LLC Contributes to Cutting-Edge Knowledge with SAE International's Release of Dictionary of Electric and Hybrid VehiclesMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The top of the NFC standings are towering over the Green Bay Packers as they move toward the playoffs, casting a long shadow shaped like Vikings, Lions and Eagles over what has been an otherwise-promising season on both sides of the ball. For as well as the Packers (11-5) had been playing down the stretch, they left Minnesota with a rather murky outlook for the playoffs after stumbling into a 17-point deficit that proved too large for their late surge in the 27-25 loss to the Vikings on Sunday . “They continued to compete and battle, but you just can’t do that against good teams. The margins in this league, especially against a good football team, are razor thin," coach Matt LaFleur said. "I don’t think we were at our best, but that’s a credit to them in our slow start — and that’s me as much as anybody.” The Packers gained 126 yards in the fourth quarter and still finished with a season-low 271 yards. The defense allowed 441 yards, which was also a season worst. The most glaring set of numbers after this frustrating afternoon, though, was this: 0-5. That's Green Bay's record against the top three teams in the NFC: Minnesota, Detroit and Philadelphia. There's no shame in losing to those opponents that carry a combined 40-7 record into Monday, particularly when four of those defeats — save for the 10-point loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 — came by a total of 12 points. “It’s not about who we can and can’t beat. We can beat everybody. If we figure out how to finish, we’ll win games,” cornerback Keisean Nixon said. But the Packers will more than likely be on the road the entire time they're alive in the playoffs, so any path to the Super Bowl would undoubtedly trigger rematches with one, two or even all three teams from that daunting trio. The Packers clearly aren't overmatched by the Vikings, Lions or Eagles, but in games against those premier foes that significantly shrink the margins for error the Packers have shown a troubling pattern of not meeting the moment with too many ill-timed mistakes and not enough big-time plays. “It's hard when you put yourself in a hole and are down early and just kind of shooting yourself in the foot,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “There’s so much stuff to clean up and get better at, but I think we’re still a really good team. We can put up points. But when you put yourself in a hole, it’s just hard to climb out of that hole. And when it’s a good team like the Vikings, you know, it just makes it even tougher.” The red flag came right away. Josh Jacobs, the NFL 's fourth-leading rusher, had just given the Packers a second first down on the opening drive of the game when defensive tackle Jerry Tillery pushed the ball out and safety Cam Bynum recovered at the Minnesota 38. Jacobs had gone 11 straight games without fumbling until losing one at Seattle on Dec. 15. Now he has coughed up the ball twice in three games. “I feel like it drained the energy out of the team just starting early,” Jacobs said. “I take it personal on getting the team to start fast and things like that. Yeah, that’s on me.” Though the Vikings punted on the subsequent possession, they moved the ball enough to flip the field position. Perhaps wary of the fumble getting in Jacobs' head, LaFleur then called three straight passes from their own 15-yard line, and Love was off the mark on all three to force a punt. After a breakout performance here a year ago in a 33-10 victory over the Vikings that helped the Packers squeak into the playoffs after a rough start and ride the momentum through a first-round win at Dallas, Love looked awfully amid the cocktail of blitzes ordered by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores that fueled a fierce pass rush. He finished 19 for 30 for 185 yards and one touchdown. “They do a good job of keeping a lid on the coverage. That’s how they play," LaFleur said. "We knew that going in, so there was going to be minimal opportunities to push the ball down the field. You've got to be super efficient. You've got to stay on schedule because once they get you into third down, that’s where they’re really good.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBig budget games have nearly killed the gaming industry. It finally seems that people are waking up to the reality of unsustainably massive video game budgets, but it’s sadly a decade too late. In a new article in The New York Times , Rami Ismail explains how and why the focus on high-end graphics created an unsustainable budgetary arms race that has ravaged the games industry. He’s entirely correct, but this is something I’ve been consistently writing about since 2015 . The widespread and ongoing layoffs in gaming are also due to this runaway budget problem , but what is happening now was already set in motion a decade ago. Modern games have a 7-8 year production cycle, with many taking even longer than that. Thus, the decisions and investments made to make the games we see today were made nearly a decade ago. This is an issue because as gaming hardware improves in graphical potency, the requirements to fulfill that increase logarithmically. Forbes also has an excellent breakdown of this problem, courtesy of ex-Valve developer Stephen Theodore . So, the layoffs we are now seeing are a means for publishers to pay back the money layer, who are understandably livid that they didn’t earn back on their prior investments. The Sensual Horror Of ‘Nosferatu,’ Explained The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Packers’ Loss To The Vikings Israel Adesanya On UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night: ‘I Still Get Paid’ Admittedly, laying off development staff to pay investors that fund publishing is a bit like cutting off your legs while trying to escape from a rampaging lion, but most of the people in publishing management are rather dim-witted. What’s maddening about all of this is that this situation was entirely avoidable . There was never any need to spend crazy sums of money on game development; it was a choice people in publishing made to try to scale what is, in actuality, a hit-based business. This is also mainly why the Silicon Valley money layer are still somewhat baffled and bewildered by gaming. They are used to funding tech startups that scale to infinity and hopefully beyond. Gaming simply uses tech to facilitate a creative and cultural output, which is very much hit or miss in a business sense. That aside, the future of gaming is now in a precarious place . The mass layoffs have resulted in the loss of a great deal of institutional expertise and knowledge. While this loss won’t be immediately noticeable, it will definitely cause issues in the next few years. Admittedly, if the money layer wises up and starts funding developers directly and having them self-publish, that could bring back many of the skilled people who have recently been lost. Not to mention cutting out the deadweight middlemen in publishing. However, I am not overly optimistic about that, as the money layer funded this big budget nonsense in the first place. Ideally, we need the mid-tier games back that fuelled the success of the PlayStation 2. This is something the Switch has begun to facilitate , but this really needs to be an industry-wide change. For now, I suppose I should take solace in the fact that the warnings I’ve been giving over the last decade are finally beginning to sink in. It’s just a huge shame it took this long for people to catch up. Follow me on X , Facebook and YouTube . I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.

Long-distance holiday travel could set US record as 119M expected to hit the road, skies

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has awarded a generous $100,000 grant to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District in a celebration of “Giving Tuesday.” This funding will be utilized to purchase emergency generators for Stations 332 and 334 in Apple Valley, ensuring that these crucial facilities can maintain their operations during power outages and continue to respond effectively to emergencies. “Giving Tuesday is a day that calls upon us to reflect on the power of collective generosity,” stated Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. She expressed her pride in supporting the 2024 grant recipients, who are focused on rehabilitating lands impacted by recent wildfires and fostering the health of both communities and ecosystems. “The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is deeply committed to preservation and stewardship of the cultural and natural resources of the region,” Valbuena added. For those interested in learning more about the philanthropic efforts of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, further information can be found at www.SanManuelCares.org . About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe situated on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic, and cultural development. As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains, and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.MACON, Ga. (AP) — Ahmad Robinson had 25 points in Mercer's 75-63 win over winless Chicago State on Sunday. Robinson shot 9 of 16 from the field and went 7 for 8 from the free-throw line for the Bears (6-4). Marcus Overstreet scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Angel Montas had nine points. Noble Crawford led the Cougars (0-12) with 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Cameron Jernigan added 18 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Troy McCoy scored 11. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Scotland's Finance Secretary Shona Robison is under pressure to embark on wide-ranging reforms as she prepares to set out her draft Budget for next year. Spending watchdog Audit Scotland warns that the NHS is unsustainable in its present state, local authorities want more cash and autonomy, and unions say education is threatened by a lack of teachers. There are also calls for the SNP to replace the council tax with a new system and to restrict access to "freebies" such as state-funded university tuition. Robison said the Budget would focus on eradicating child poverty and "tackling the climate emergency" while improving public services and growing the economy. Her tax-and-spending bill will be scrutinised in the Scottish Parliament over the winter before a vote in February, when she will need support from outside the ranks of the SNP minority administration for it to become law. The UK government says an extra £3.4bn is available to Robison for this Budget , which covers 2025/26, as a result of decisions made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her October Budget at Westminster. That's because the lion's share of Scottish government funding comes in the form of an annual lump sum from the Treasury known as the block grant, calculated using a formula designed in the 1970s by a Labour politician, Joel Barnett. But much of the increase has already been swallowed up by Scottish government decisions to raise salaries for public sector workers who, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at Strathclyde University, are both more numerous per head and, "on average, paid more in Scotland," than those elsewhere in the UK. The institute's annual budget report says that despite the increases in funding, the settlement for 2025/26 "is still tricky" and the finance secretary "will have limited room for manoeuvre". Other pressures include the SNP's decision to fund a partial reversal of Reeves’ restriction of winter fuel payments for pensioners, and the impact of Labour’s decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions . There are also calls for Robison to spend some £220m replicating relief from business rates - a form of property tax - announced by the chancellor for retail, hospitality and leisure firms in England. "Given that there's no difference in the challenges being faced either side of the border, we think it's really incumbent on the Scottish government to pass on that 40% rates relief," says Stacey Dingwall, head of policy and external affairs for the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland. Ms Dingwall says the Scottish government also needs to keep its promise to reset relations with business after a net loss of 20,000 small Scottish firms in 2023. Scotland's total budget last year amounted to some £60bn. The UK government says the block grant for 2025/26 will be £47.7bn. Ms Robison must balance the books every year as the devolved administration has only limited powers to borrow money. The remainder of her budget is raised by taxes administered in Edinburgh, such as income tax, land and buildings transaction tax (formerly known as stamp duty), and business rates. Since devolution in 1999, the Scottish government has been responsible for a wide range of public services, including health, education, policing, justice and housing. Control of defence, foreign affairs, currency and immigration remains with the UK government. But, in the quarter of a century since the establishment of the modern Scottish Parliament, extra powers over welfare and taxation have been transferred from London to Edinburgh. That has seen devolved social security spending jump from £192m in 2018/19 to £5.1bn in 2023/24, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute. The sharpest divergence from Westminster welfare policy came through the introduction in 2021 of a weekly benefit for low income families, currently £26.70 per child, known as the Scottish Child Payment. "It is definitely making an impact," says Chris Birt, associate director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, who would like the budget to include more investment in social housing; better funding for social care and childcare; and council tax reform. "Most people don't give a monkey's if services are provided by UK government, Scottish government, health board, council, whatever, they just want that support to be there," says Mr Birt. "We definitely need to have a much more radical discussion about how we support people, not how we worry about our institutions." As well as divergence from Westminster on welfare, there has also been a shift on tax policy . At present anyone earning more than around £29,000 per year in Scotland pays more income tax than their compatriots in England. Those earning below that threshold pay slightly less, in a system which is now more complex than anywhere else in the UK. Ms Robison must also consider what to do with council tax after last year's shock decision by then First Minister Humza Yousaf to reintroduce a freeze of the levy. An extension of that freeze in this year's Budget would be, if anything, an even greater surprise, throwing Yousaf's successor, John Swinney, into a bitter battle with local authority leaders. It is therefore considered unlikely. Over their 17 years in power at Holyrood, the SNP have also maintained and expanded the provision of a wide range of state-funded benefits, including personal care for the elderly, university tuition, prescriptions, and bus travel for the youngest and oldest Scots. Some critics, including Alison Payne, research director with the think tank, Reform Scotland, say this is a poor use of a limited pot of cash. "Where budgets are tight and you have dwindling resources, you need to have a conversation about whether it is better to target what support you have to those who need it most," says Ms Payne. But it is the National Health Service which provides the biggest headache for Robison. Not only does it account for 40% of her Budget but it is under extraordinary pressure. The public spending watchdog, Audit Scotland, says the country's current healthcare delivery model is not sustainable , with a "worsening financial position" and "ongoing performance issues." Here too there is a call not just for increased funding, or tinkering with existing policy, but for fundamental reform, potentially up to the point of stopping some services. Ahead of the budget, Scottish Labour said "every institution in Scotland" had "been left weaker by SNP mismanagement and waste." The Scottish Conservatives accused the SNP of having "failed Scotland by making people pay more while getting less". Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, said the SNP "would have to pull out all the stops" to persuade his party to support the budget. The Scottish Greens said they wanted to see "a progressive budget that invests in tackling the climate crisis and lifting children out of poverty". The Alba Party urged Swinney to reject any proposals from parties "that want to rip up the social contract that Alex Salmond delivered whilst in office". Taken together it is all a huge challenge for Robison and her boss, John Swinney, who has promised to guide Scotland out of "a long, dark winter" into the "warmth of spring".San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Grants $100,000 to Apple Valley Fire Protection DistrictFARGO, N.D. (AP) — Jacari White scored 19 points as North Dakota State beat Western Michigan 98-62 on Sunday. White had five rebounds and five assists for the Bison (10-4). Jacksen Moni added 16 points while shooting 7 for 10, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc while they also had seven assists. Masen Miller finished 5 of 9 from 3-point range to finish with 15 points. The Bison extended their winning streak to seven games. The Broncos (3-7) were led by Chansey Willis Jr., who recorded 22 points and five assists. Marquese Josephs added 12 points for Western Michigan. Markhi Strickland also put up eight points. North Dakota State took the lead with 19:23 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 49-28 at halftime, with White racking up 13 points. North Dakota State extended its lead to 73-38 during the second half, fueled by a 9-0 scoring run. Darik Dissette scored a team-high eight points in the second half as their team closed out the win. North Dakota State next plays Monday against CSU Bakersfield at home, and Western Michigan will host Valparaiso on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Sasa Ciani and Filip Skobalj scored 15 points apiece and Tyem Freeman added five of his nine points in overtime to lead UIC over Little Rock 77-69 on Sunday. Ciani added 10 rebounds for the Flames (7-4). Skobalj made 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Javon Jackson scored 13. Jackson sank three free throws with less than a second left to force OT tied at 64. The Trojans (6-5) were led by Johnathan Lawson, who posted 25 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Lewis added 11 points and two steals. Tuongthach Gatkek had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Skobalj scored nine points in the first half for UIC, which trailed 32-30 at halftime. Skobalj hit a 3-pointer with 2:45 left in OT to put the Flames up 68-65 and they stayed in front from there. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Washington — A number of Republican senators have expressed concern about Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Defense Department, potentially putting his intended nomination at risk. Hegseth, who has been meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill this week to try to build support ahead of his confirmation hearings, has faced a round of negative stories involving allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement at veterans' charities , repeated intoxication and infidelity. "Some of these articles are very disturbing. He obviously has a chance to defend himself here, but some of this stuff is, it's going to be difficult," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told reporters Tuesday. "Time will tell." Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, also said he found the allegations "disturbing" but added, "We all love a good redemption story." Cramer suggested Hegseth's alleged behavior stemmed from alcohol abuse, adding that "almost everything else can come from that one abuse." Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, who noted he has also read the reporting and is aware of the allegations, said Hegseth will have to address them. "I want to know if they are true and I want to hear his side of the story and he is going to have to address them," he said Tuesday, adding that he wasn't sure if Hegseth's nomination would face headwinds. On Monday, the New Yorker reported that before he became a full-time Fox News host, Hegseth was forced to step down from two nonprofit advocacy groups — Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America — amid complaints about his alleged behavior that included repeatedly being intoxicated while on the job, leading a hostile work environment and mismanaging the charities' funds. CBS News reported that Jessie Jane Duff, a Marine veteran who served as one of Trump's 2024 campaign executive directors, was among those who pushed to have him ousted from Concerned Veterans for America in 2016. A lawyer for Hegseth has denied the allegations. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican, said Tuesday that the allegations "are a surprise to all of us" and that his ability to be confirmed by the Senate "depends on how he addresses the issues that have been raised." Lummis said the allegations also came as a surprise to Trump. "Some of the earlier issues that were raised about an incident in California, I think were satisfactorily addressed and would not have interfered with his nomination, but some new things that have come to light in the last 12 to 14 hours are things he needs to address," she said. Hegseth, an Army veteran turned Fox News star, was investigated for sexual assault in 2017 in Monterey, California. Authorities declined to file charges in the case, saying none were "supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt." Hegseth told investigators that the sexual encounter with the woman was consensual and he has denied any wrongdoing. He paid a confidential settlement to the woman out of concern that her accusation could result in his firing from Fox News, his lawyer said after the claims became public in mid-November. But Sen. Tommy Tuberville pushed back on the notion that Trump may have concern about his pick. "I talked to him last night," the Alabama Republican said Tuesday. "I don't think there's any concern. Why would there be?" Asked Monday whether he thought the Senate would confirm him to lead the Pentagon, Hegseth said he was "taking it meeting by meeting." Trump has already had one Cabinet pick withdraw from the process. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida pulled his name from consideration amid scrutiny over allegations of sex trafficking and illicit drug use, which he denies. Alan He contributed to this report. Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Louise Mary Casper, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Born in Sheboygan, WI, Louise passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, after a courageous five-year battle with breast cancer. Louise grew up in Cleveland, WI, where she developed a love for learning and community. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders. Her passion for helping others led her to earn a Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. For 45 years, she was a dedicated Speech Pathologist, touching the lives of thousands of elementary and preschool students in Fond du Lac, WI; Worthington, MN; Omaha, NE; and Rochester, MN. Colleagues and students alike admired her unwavering optimism and the hopeful spirit she brought to her work every day. On September 1, 1973, Louise married the love of her life, Michael John Casper of Valders, WI. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. She is survived by her devoted husband Michael; their two children, Michael T. Casper (43) and Kimberly (Casper) Hohn (40); and five cherished grandchildren: Michael D. Casper (17), Madison Casper (13), Leo Casper (10), Samuel Hohn (9), and Jay Hohn (7). Louise was the epitome of a loving grandmother, never missing a sports event or milestone in the lives of her grandchildren in Prior Lake, MN, and Chicago, IL. She was always organizing activities and projects for the kids, creating lasting memories that will be treasured forever. An avid traveler with an adventurous spirit, Louise and Mike explored the world together, visiting countries like the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Canada. Family road trips to Disneyland and Mount Rushmore were among the highlights of her children’s youth. In retirement, their journeys took them across the United States to places like Hawaii, Boston, Cooperstown, Gettysburg, New York, Florida, San Diego, San Francisco, Georgia, Alabama, and many more. She loved experiencing new places and cultures, sharing that joy with her family. Louise had a zest for life that was infectious. She was a beautiful person inside and out--the life of the party and a constant source of positivity. There was never a dull moment when she was around. She deeply cherished family traditions, especially annual trips to Nisswa, spirited games of Christmas bingo, and the lively rounds of the Left-Right-Center game. In her own words: “I’ve been so blessed with a wonderful husband and family. Mike and Kim and their families have brought so much love and joy into our lives. I’ve had a wonderful life and want my funeral to be a Celebration of Life!” We will miss her weekly chats about everything and nothing, her unwavering support, and the way she made everyone feel special without judgment. Her thoughtful gifts, caring conversations, and devoted love for her husband Mike and the family they created are her lasting legacy. A Celebration of Louise’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 7th at St. Michael’s Church in Prior Lake, MN. Visitation at the Church will be from 9-10:30am followed by a Memorial Mass. Friends and family are also invited to a lunch celebration nearby afterwards to share stories and memories in honor of her remarkable life. If flowers are being sent, the family suggests Stems & Vines in Prior Lake which can be prepared for the church.HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — Amarri Tice scored 20 points and Paul Otieno added six in the overtime as Quinnipiac defeated Hofstra 75-69 on Sunday. Tice added 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Bobcats (6-7). Otieno scored 17 points and added 14 rebounds. Jaden Zimmerman shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. Jean Aranguren led the Pride (8-5) in scoring, finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Cruz Davis added 14 points and two steals for Hofstra. Michael Graham had eight points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Quinnipiac entered halftime up 36-32. Tice paced the team in scoring in the first half with 10 points. Quinnipiac was outscored by four points in the second half and the teams finished regulation tied 63-63 after two free throws by Aranguren with 38 seconds remaining. Otieno shot 2 of 3 from the field on the way to their six points in the overtime. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The top of the NFC standings are towering over the Green Bay Packers as they move toward the playoffs, casting a long shadow shaped like Vikings, Lions and Eagles over what has been an otherwise-promising season on both sides of the ball. For as well as the Packers (11-5) had been playing down the stretch, they left Minnesota with a rather murky outlook for the playoffs after stumbling into a 17-point deficit that proved too large for their late surge in the 27-25 loss to the Vikings on Sunday . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekVictors Home Solutions recognized as 2024 Roofing Contractor of the YearMarin Voice: E-bikes are vehicles, not toys, so think before you buy one as a gift

NEW YORK , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global automotive software market size is estimated to grow by USD 30.89 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 14.4% during the forecast period. Growing demand for differentiated in-car experiences is driving market growth, with a trend towards over-the-air (OTA) updates for software components. However, rising complexity in automotive software architecture leads to higher production costs for oems and suppliers poses a challenge. Key market players include Access Co. Ltd., Alphabet Inc., Bittium Corp., BlackBerry Ltd., BorgWarner Inc., Elinext IT Solutions Ltd., Green Hills Software LLC, Hitachi Ltd., Information Technologies Institute Intellias LLC, Intel Corp., KPIT Technologies Ltd., Microsoft Corp., Net Solutions, NVIDIA Corp., NXP Semiconductors NV, Renesas Electronics Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Schaeffler AG, Siemens AG, and Sigma Software. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The automotive software market has experienced significant growth due to the increasing installation of electronics and driver assistance features in vehicles. OEMs are focusing on remote Over-The-Air (OTA) updates to reduce costs and enhance customer experience. Benefits include savings on equipment, labor, and training costs, optimized testing cycles, and faster time-to-market for automobiles. Major OEMs like BMW, Daimler, and Tesla have already implemented OTA updates, making it a valuable product differentiator. This trend is expected to continue driving market growth during the forecast period. The Automotive Software Market is experiencing significant growth with key technologies such as connectivity, automation, and electrification driving innovation. Autonomous vehicles are a major trend, with companies focusing on developing software for vehicle control, sensor fusion, and machine learning. Telematics is another area of interest, with solutions providing real-time vehicle monitoring, diagnostics, and infotainment services. Additionally, vehicle electrification is leading to the development of software for battery management systems, charging infrastructure, and energy management. The market is competitive with players like Tesla, Google, and Apple making significant strides. The future of the automotive software market lies in the integration of various technologies to create a seamless and connected driving experience. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! • The automotive software market faces significant challenges due to the increasing complexity in vehicle architecture. OEMs and suppliers must invest heavily in research, development, and testing to ensure reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance. These investments lead to increased production costs for advanced software solutions, straining OEM profit margins and limiting innovation for smaller suppliers. Suppliers also face pressure to develop and support intricate software architectures, which requires substantial resources and extensive testing. These factors will continue to impact the growth of the automotive software market. • The automotive software market faces several challenges in the implementation and integration of various technologies. These include adaptive and autonomous driving technologies, connectivity and telematics, cybersecurity, and electric and hybrid vehicle systems. The complexity of these systems requires a high level of collaboration between automotive manufacturers, software developers, and technology providers. Additionally, the rapid pace of technological advancements and increasing customer expectations for advanced features add to the challenges. The convergence of these technologies necessitates a comprehensive approach to software development and implementation in the automotive industry. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This automotive software market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Safety system 1.2 Infotainment and telematics 1.3 Powertrain 1.4 Chassis 2.1 Application software 2.2 Middleware 2.3 Operating system 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Safety system- The automotive software market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for connected and autonomous vehicles. Automakers and tech companies are investing heavily in developing advanced software solutions for improved vehicle performance, safety features, and enhanced user experiences. This trend is expected to continue, with the market projected to reach substantial revenue by 2025. Key players in the market include Bosch, Continental AG, and Autodesk, among others. These companies are focusing on innovation and collaboration to meet the evolving needs of consumers and regulatory bodies. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) The automotive software market is experiencing significant growth due to the integration of advanced technologies such as 5G, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles (EVs). These innovations are revolutionizing the automotive industry by enhancing in-vehicle applications, including body control, comfort, infotainment, and telematics. 5G technology enables car-to-car communication, ensuring seamless data exchange and improving safety features like lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance. Commercial vehicles also benefit from these advancements, leading to the development of embedded systems tailored to their specific needs. The market for automotive software is expected to expand as these technologies become more prevalent in passenger cars and other vehicle segments. The Autonomous Vehicle market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for advanced driving technologies. The market encompasses various software solutions such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication, and autonomous driving software. These technologies enable vehicles to sense their environment, make decisions, and interact with other vehicles and infrastructure. The market is driven by factors such as government regulations, consumer preferences, and technological advancements. The future of the Autonomous Vehicle software market lies in the development of more sophisticated and reliable systems that can ensure safe and efficient transportation. The market is expected to grow at a steady pace in the coming years, with a focus on improving safety, reducing emissions, and enhancing the overall driving experience. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Safety System Infotainment And Telematics Powertrain Chassis Product Application Software Middleware Operating System Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

US billionaire businessman Frank McCourt is crafting a fundamental overhaul of TikTok’s business model as part of a plan to bid for the Chinese-owned short-form video app , he told Reuters. McCourt, who formerly owned the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, said he has received verbal funding commitments totaling $20 billion from a consortium of investors to rescue the app from legal purgatory as it awaits a Supreme Court decision to determine if it will be forced to sell its US operations. His vision for TikTok includes revamping the company’s advertising model so that users will have control over the ads and type of content they want to see. Over time, TikTok could earn revenue through ecommerce and licensing data for artificial intelligence training models — with users’ consent — which will diminish the business’ reliance on ads. “When you give permission for your data to be used and you receive compensation, it’s flipping this 180 degrees and giving the user the power,” McCourt said this week. The plan faces several hurdles, including TikTok’s repeated assertions that it cannot be divested from its owner, Chinese tech firm ByteDance. McCourt said the bid for TikTok would exclude the algorithm that determines the content that users see, in order to reduce complications for ByteDance. The Chinese government in 2020 added content recommendation algorithms to its export-control list, requiring a divestiture or sale of TikTok’s algorithm to go through its administrative licensing procedures. TikTok’s appeal to the Supreme Court is a last-ditch effort to overturn a law signed by President Biden that seeks to force a sale over national security concerns, or else the app will be banned on Jan. 19. McCourt said he believes the Supreme Court will uphold the law, after which ByteDance could be open to negotiations. Until then, he is focused on smoothing the path to an acquisition. McCourt said he and his team have had “preliminary conversations” with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Trump tried to ban TikTok in 2020 but has since reversed his view , saying on Dec. 16 that he has “a warm spot in my heart for TikTok .” A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. The team is also speaking with potential CEO candidates for the new TikTok, McCourt said. One source familiar with the matter said the team approached V. Pappas, TikTok’s former chief operating officer . Pappas did not respond to a request for comment. McCourt declined to name who he is speaking with for the CEO role. The plan for TikTok will also include migrating its technology onto an open-source protocol developed by Project Liberty, an organization founded by McCourt. The protocol would allow users to control their data and easily move it elsewhere on the internet. The plan is influencing the search for a CEO. “This is both a big project to scale the technology that we’ve built, but it is also a vision for a better internet. We’re talking to people who share that vision and have the capacity and skills to do both,” McCourt said.The benchmark for world food commodity prices rose in November to its highest level since April 2023, increasing by 0.5 percent from October, driven by surging international vegetable oil quotations, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported Friday. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 127.5 points in November, up 5.7 percent from a year ago while still 20.4 percent below its March 2022 peak. The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index increased by 7.5 percent in November from October, marking its second large increase in two months and 32 percent higher than its year-earlier level. Global palm oil prices climbed further amid concerns about lower-than-expected output due to excessive rainfall in Southeast Asia. World soyoil prices rose on global import demand, while rapeseed and sunflower oil quotations increased as tightening global supply prospects affected their respective markets. The FAO Dairy Price Index maintained its upward trajectory in November, increasing by 0.6 percent from October, driven by rebounding global import demand for whole milk powder. Butter prices reached a new record level amid strong demand and tight inventories in Western Europe, while cheese prices rose due to limited export availabilities. The other sub-indexes posted declines in November. The FAO Cereal Price Index dropped by 2.7 percent, down 8.0 percent below a year earlier. Global wheat prices declined due to weaker international import demand and increased supplies from the ongoing harvests in the Southern Hemisphere. World maize prices remained stable as strong domestic demand in Brazil and Mexico’s demand for supplies from the United States of America were offset by favorable weather in South America, reduced demand for Ukrainian supplies and seasonal pressure from the ongoing U.S. harvest. The FAO All-Rice Price Index declined by 4.0 percent in November, driven by increased market competition, harvest pressures and currency fluctuations. The FAO Sugar Price Index declined by 2.4 percent from October, impacted by the start of the crushing season in India and Thailand and eased concerns over next year’s sugarcane crop prospects in Brazil, where recent rains have improved soil moisture. The FAO Meat Price Index decreased by 0.8 percent in November, due mainly to lower quotations for pig meat in the European Union, reflecting abundant supplies and persistently subdued global and domestic demand. World ovine and poultry meat prices fell slightly, while international bovine meat quotations remained stable, with higher Brazilian export prices offset by lower Australia prices. Updated forecasts point to declining cereal stocks-to-use ratio According to FAO’s new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also released on Friday, global cereal production in 2024 is forecast to decline by around 0.6 percent from the previous year to 2 841 million tonnes, a downward revision from October, yet still the second-largest output on record. Global wheat output for 2024 is expected to be on par with 2023, at 789 million tonnes, while maize output is forecast to decline by 1.9 percent from the previous year to 1 271 million tonnes, due to lower-than-expected yields in the European Union and the United States of America. FAO’s forecast for world rice production in 2024/25 has changed slightly, pointing to a 0.8 percent annual increase to a record high of 538.8 million tonnes. For 2025, softer wheat prices may discourage area expansions of the winter wheat crop underway in the northern hemisphere. Below-normal rainfall in key wheat growing regions in the Russian Federation has led to low soil moisture levels, affecting planting operations. By contrast, favourable soil moisture and government support policies, along remunerative prices, should spur expanded plantings in China and India. Coarse grain crops are being planted in the southern hemisphere. Early indications suggest a contraction in maize sowings in Argentina due to dry conditions and the risk of stunt disease transmitted by leafhoppers. In Brazil, early planting intentions, encouraged by a return of rainfall, point to the same maize area for the 2025 crop. In South Africa, preliminary expectations point to an increase in white maize sowings, driven by record prices, offsetting a contraction in the yellow maize area. World cereal utilization is forecast to grow by 0.6 percent to 2 859 million tonnes in 2024/25, led by anticipated increases in food consumption of rice and wheat. A significant revision from October now forecasts that global cereal stocks will decline by 0.7 percent from their opening levels, resulting in a global cereal stock-to-use ratio of 30.1 percent for 2024/25, down from 30.8 percent in the previous year but still indicating “a comfortable supply level” globally. International trade in cereals in 2024/25 is now forecast at 484 million tonnes, down 4.6 percent from the previous year. Global wheat and maize trade volumes are expected to decline, while rice trade is predicted to increase. The Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), hosted at FAO, also released its monthly Market Monitor on Friday, In addition to the regular analysis, the report featured a reflection on agricultural commodity markets in 2024 and discusses uncertainties that could affect global commodity markets in 2025. Source: FAO

Skobalj's 19 help UIC down La Salle 96-83