South Korean lawmakers impeached acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, sinking the country even deeper into political crisis two weeks after his predecessor was suspended over a martial law declaration that shocked the world. Han, a career bureaucrat who was serving as prime minister, took over from President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14 after parliament voted to impeach him on allegations of insurrection. Opposition MPs have now also stripped Han of his duties, arguing that he refused demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice. "I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Lawmakers from the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) loudly protested in parliament after the speaker said only a simple majority was required for impeachment to pass, instead of the two-thirds required to remove Yoon. PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily, with many rushing towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote. In addition to being the second impeachment of a head of state in just two weeks, Friday's vote was also South Korea's first impeachment of an acting president. PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han "must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition's passage of the impeachment motion". However, Han said in a statement that he "respects the parliament's decision" and would wait for the Constitutional Court's subsequent decision on whether to uphold it. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is now stepping into the roles of both acting president and prime minister, pledged to do all he can to end the political upheaval gripping his country. "Minimising governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment," Choi said in an address shortly after his appointment as acting leader, adding that "the government will also dedicate all its efforts to overcoming this period of turmoil." Amid the ongoing crisis, South Korea's won touched a 16-year low against the US dollar on Friday, faring worse than in the immediate aftermath of Yoon's martial law declaration, which sent the currency sliding to a two-year low against the greenback. Seoul's stocks also tumbled, with the KOSPI Index closing down by 1.02 percent on Friday. At the heart of the backlash against Han was his refusal to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon, and now Han as well. The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon. The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock. Han's refusal to formally appoint more judges "revealed his true colours", said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae. The refusal "is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law", said Jo. The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges". Such actions, it said, were "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public". Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees. "The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," he argued. The United States affirmed its "ironclad" commitment to South Korea, a key strategic ally against North Korea and China, after news of Han's impeachment. "We reiterate our support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens and democratic processes, and the rule of law," Pentagon spokesman Major Pete Nguyen said in a statement, referring to the South by its official name. A US State Department spokesperson said Washington is "ready to work with Acting President Choi and the ROK government". South Korea's Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday, despite the latest controversy, with the suspended president's legal team attending. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.Putin apologizes for 'tragic incident' but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot down MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a “tragic incident” following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people. He stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. The Kremlin said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike as the plane attempted to land on Wednesday. Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev “for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace.” The Kremlin also says Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. Israel detains the director of one of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals during a raid DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel’s army has detained the director of one of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals. The announcement on Saturday came after health officials said Israeli troops stormed the hospital and forced many staff and patients outside and told them to strip in winter weather. Israel’s military alleges the hospital director is a suspected Hamas operative and says it detained over 240 others. It acknowledges it ordered people outside and that special forces entered the hospital. It says it “eliminated” militants who fired at its forces. Kamal Adwan officials have denied that Hamas operates in the hospital. Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travel Even with abortion bans in place in most Republican-controlled states, the number of people obtaining them has grown slightly. That's part of a complicated picture of the impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two and a half years ago. Abortion pills are more common now. So is traveling to other states for care, often on journeys hundreds of miles long. Public support for the right to abortion has also increased since before the ruling. That's been reflected in most ballot measures to add the right to abortion to state constitutions being adopted. Drought, fires and deforestation battered Amazon rainforest in 2024 BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The Amazon rainforest staggered through another difficult year in 2024. A second year of record drought contributed to wildfires that worsened deforestation across the massive forest, which spans Brazil, Peru, Colombia and other Latin American nations and is a critical counterweight to climate change. There were some bright spots. Both Brazil and Colombia reported lower levels of deforestation compared to prior years. Experts say Amazon countries need to do more to strengthen cross-border collaboration and that the global community who reap the benefits of commodities from the rainforest also need to pitch in. Bloodied Ukrainian troops risk losing more hard-won land in Kursk to Russia KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied by daily combat losses and demoralized by the rising risk of defeat in Kursk. Some want to stay in the region at all costs. Others question the value of having gone in at all. Battles are so intense that commanders are unable to evacuate their dead. Lags in communication and poorly timed operations have cost lives and commanders say they have little way to counterattack. The overstretched Ukrainians have lost more than 40% of the territory they won in the lightning incursion that seized much of Kursk in August. Afghan forces target Pakistan in retaliation for deadly airstrikes Afghanistan's Defense Ministry says its forces hit several points inside Pakistan in retaliation for deadly airstrikes. Pakistan last Tuesday launched an operation to destroy a training facility and kill insurgents in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province. The strikes killed dozens of people. The ministry said Saturday that its forces hit points “serving as centers and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organized and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan.” Pakistan accuses the Taliban of not doing enough to combat cross-border militant activity, a charge the Taliban government denies. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who instituted economic reforms, cremated in New Delhi NEW DELHI (AP) — Manmohan Singh, the former Indian prime minister widely regarded as the architect of the country’s economic reform program, has been cremated after a state funeral. The veteran leader, who was also credited for a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, died late Thursday at age 92. Singh’s body was taken Saturday to the headquarters of his Congress party in New Delhi, where party leaders and activists paid tributes to him and chanted “Manmohan Singh lives forever.” Later, his body was transported to a crematorium ground for his last rites as soldiers beat drums. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh was prime minister for 10 years until 2014. Sweden embarks on a sober search for more cemetery space in case of war GOTHENBURG, Sweden (AP) — Burial associations in Sweden are looking to acquire enough land for something they hope they’ll never have to do. And that's to bury thousands of people in the event of war. The search follows new crisis preparedness guidelines from the country's civil defense agency and the military. The issue is seen in a new light after Russia's invasion of Ukraine led formerly neutral Sweden to join NATO. Sweden and Finland sent out updated civil preparedness guides in November with instructions on how to survive in war. The guides are similar to those in Denmark and Norway, though they don't mention Russia by name. Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' dies at 73 LONDON (AP) — Olivia Hussey, the actor who starred as a teenage Juliet in the 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet,” has died, her family said on social media. She was 73. Hussey died on Friday, “peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones,” a statement posted to her Instagram account said. Hussey was 15 when director Franco Zeffirelli cast her in his adaptation of the William Shakespeare tragedy. “Romeo and Juliet” won two Oscars and Hussey won a Golden Globe for best new actress for her part as Juliet, opposite British actor Leonard Whiting. Decades later, the pair brought a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures over nude scenes in the film they said they were coerced to perform. The case was dismissed by a Los Angeles County judge in 2023. Winning ticket for $1.22 billion lottery jackpot sold in California, Mega Millions says At least one Mega Millions player has plenty of dough to ring in the New Year after drawing the winning number. After three months without anyone winning the top prize in the lottery, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold in California for the drawing Friday night. The California Lottery said the winning ticket was sold at Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) on Rhonda Rd. in Cottonwood. The winning ticket matched the white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the winner or winners was not immediately known. The estimated jackpot was the fifth-highest ever for Mega Millions.Georgia has a chance to post its best start to a season in 94 years ahead of its home meeting with South Carolina State in Athens, Ga., on Sunday. Georgia (11-1) hasn't appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 10 seasons and hasn't won a tournament game since 2002, but the Bulldogs seem primed to make a return. The Bulldogs have won six straight games and a seventh would mark their best start since beginning 13-0 in the 1930-31 campaign. Georgia hasn't played since a Dec. 22 home win over Charleston Southern. Head coach Mike White knows the intensity of the schedule will soon increase as Southeastern Conference play revs up, but that's not to say his team will overlook its next opponent. "We've had a much-needed break, both mentally and physically," White said. "Our guys need to get away from it a little bit, miss it, then come back rejuvenated for one more tune up for the grind of the SEC -- the best league in the country. But we'll be prepared for South Carolina State. They're dangerous, they play really hard, they've been really competitive. They're another good team." Adding to Georgia's success has been the play of De'Shayne Montgomery. After being academically ineligible for the first 10 games of the season, the Mount St. Mary's transfer has averaged 19 points per game in two contests. Asa Newell follows with 15.8 points in 12 games, while fellow Mount St. Mary's transfer Dakota Leffew chips in 12.9. South Carolina State (6-8) will play its fourth road game of a six-game stretch away from home. The other Bulldogs prepare for their final regular season meeting with a power conference team following losses at South Carolina Upstate and Xavier. South Carolina State faces Morgan State on Jan. 4 to start Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. Led by third-year head coach Erik Martin, the team boasts a rare roster figure in today's college basketball landscape. "We brought back 90 percent of our returnable student athletes this year," Martin said. "I can pretty much guarantee I'm the only person in America that did that." Sophomore Drayton Jones leads the team with 13 points per game, followed by Omar Croskey's 9.4. Georgia is 2-0 all-time against South Carolina State, last earning a 76-60 win in Nov. 2021. --Field Level Media22 jili slot 。

The arrests of Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Yong-hyun, and six others underscore the need for robust institutional reforms and a renewed commitment to upholding the rule of law in South Korea. The country's democratic institutions and political culture face a critical test in the wake of these developments, as the public watches closely to see how the government will respond to the allegations and ensure justice is served.Teacher in space still inspires

The biggest cyber scares of 2024

Experts predict mass deportation would damage US economySpeculations are rife about the possible reasons for the man's inability to complete the challenge successfully. Some attribute it to a lack of commitment, while others suggest underlying issues that may have hindered his progress. Whatever the case may be, the situation serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of self-discipline and perseverance in achieving personal goals.BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo’s WNY Sophomore Externship Experience (SEE) program is set to return in 2025, offering paid opportunities for undergraduate sophomores from UB and across the region to gain hands-on experience with some of Western New York’s top companies. Designed to help students develop their skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of professional opportunities in the region, the program aims to foster a new generation of talented individuals who can make a lasting impact on the local economy. The program is run by the Division of Student Life’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory Powered by Blackstone LaunchPad (UB CoLab) at UB. Through the SEE program, participating students are matched with leading Western New York companies and organizations, where they can apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, explore career paths, and enhance their professional readiness. Each extern will receive a $4,000 stipend for the nine-week program, which will run from June 2 to July 31, 2025. Additionally, externs will earn one course credit through UB (pass/fail) and a micro-credential they can showcase on their LinkedIn profiles and resumes. The SEE program is supported by The Prentice Family Foundation and administered by UB CoLab, powered by Blackstone LaunchPad, with collaboration from a wide range of campus and community partners. “We were thrilled by the success of last year’s inaugural SEE program, which exceeded our expectations in terms of student engagement and employer participation,” said Hadar Borden, director of UB CoLab. “With more than 200 applicants and 47 students placed in externships across 25 host companies, the program demonstrated the immense value of exposing students to real-world opportunities in Western New York.” Borden adds: “This year, we are looking forward to expanding the program to include even more students, businesses and industries. It is an exciting time to grow this initiative and help connect our students with the workforce of the future while also showing them the incredible professional possibilities right here in our region.” The SEE program is open to all undergraduate sophomores who have completed their fourth semester by the spring of 2025. This includes students from UB, other Western New York colleges and universities, and those who graduated from a local high school. The externship is designed to be a part-time, immersive experience, with approximately 25 hours per week working with the host company and engaging in professional development activities. Externs will have the opportunity to engage in various professional development activities, including weekly meetups with fellow students, community-building events like Food Truck Tuesdays, and cultural experiences such as Shakespeare in the Park and an Explore Buffalo tour of Silo City. Last year’s program saw participation from students across a variety of majors, including arts and sciences, engineering, business, and health fields. The host companies and organizations in 2024 included ACV Auctions, Buffalo Zoo, Chautauqua Institution, M&T Bank, Kaleida Health, NOCO Energy Corp., People Inc., and many others across industries like technology, health care, finance and manufacturing. “UB SEE offers the opportunity to companies and organizations to apply and join this program as leaders in workforce development in Western New York,” said Borden. “Not only are we providing an opportunity for students at UB, and beyond, to get meaningful experience early in their college careers, we are working with reputable employers in our region to help bolster the workforce in the years ahead.” By participating as host sites, companies gain access to emerging talent and fresh perspectives, all while contributing to the growth of Western New York’s future workforce. Interested companies can apply online via this application form. 2024 program outcomes and impact: • 47 students from 20+ colleges and universities participated. • 25 host companies offered students exposure to over 140 hours of professional experience. • 98% of students reported expanding their professional network, while 93% felt more confident in their problem-solving abilities. • Host companies reported a 96% satisfaction rate, with more than 80% indicating interest in returning as host sites in 2025. The 2025 WNY Sophomore Externship Experience application deadline for externs is Jan. 31. For companies and organizations interested in hosting externs, priority will be given to those that apply by Jan. 24. Prospective applicants can learn more about the program and how to apply by attending one of the upcoming informational sessions, available both virtually and in person. Interested companies and organizations will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interested students and companies can visit UB’s SEE program website or contact the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory at UB. About UB Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) Startup and Innovation CoLab powered by Blackstone LaunchPad opened its doors in March 2016. Located in the Student Union on UB’s North Campus, CoLab provides students with experiential learning, individualized mentorship and ideation support, and seminars and training sessions related to starting and growing a business. The CoLab is one of over 60 campus programs part of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation’s LaunchPad program. Blackstone LaunchPad seeks to close the opportunity gap by equipping primarily first generation and underrepresented college students with key entrepreneurial skills and career exposure, such as paid internships, to build lasting careers.

An independent watchdog investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol found no evidence that federal agents were involved in inciting the violence, repudiating baseless claims that the FBI played a major role in the attack. According to a report released Thursday by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, no undercover FBI employees were involved in the riots or instigated any protesters to storm the Capitol. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," the report explains. RELATED STORY | January 6 defendant tells Scripps News he may not accept a potential pardon from Trump Meanwhile, the report found that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C. on the day of the attack but none were given authorization to participate. "Our review determined that none of these FBI CHSs was authorized by the FBI to enter the Capitol or a restricted area or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report states. The investigation found that many of those 26 informants provided the FBI with information prior to the riot that was "no more specific than" what the bureau had already been provided by other sources. RELATED STORY | Rioters who stormed Capitol after Trump's 2020 defeat toast to his White House return However, the investigation found there was a "basic step that was missed" by the FBI in the lead-up to Jan. 6, that could've potentially aided in preventing the protest from getting out of hand. "The FBI could have taken an additional step to canvass its field offices in advance of January 6 to identify any intelligence, including CHS [confidential human sources] reporting, that might have assisted with the FBI and law enforcement partners’ preparations for January 6," the report reads. Horowitz's report concludes by recommending that the FBI reassess the policies and procedures the bureau has in place to prepare for events that have the potential to cause security issues. The FBI agreed with the inspector general's recommendation.Dearborn Heights, MI (Planet Detroit) A poll released Tuesday found a majority of those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump oppose efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency, as local advocates warn that EPA cuts could impact Michigan environmental programs. The poll, which also found that support from all voters for the agency has increased since 2017, was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Network, a group founded by former EPA scientists and officials during the first Trump administration to support environmental agencies and communities impacted by environmental injustice. "These numbers were frankly astounding to me," said Matt George, head of research for the communications firm Seven Letter, which performed the poll. However, he noted that there has historically been strong bipartisan support for the EPA. Sean McBrearty, Michigan director for the nonprofit Clean Water Action, told Planet Detroit the poll results were similar to other surveys that found overwhelming bipartisan support in Michigan for protecting the Great Lakes and reinstating "polluter pay" legislation to hold businesses accountable for cleaning up pollution. "Holding corporations accountable was actually one of the arguments that Republicans used in their State House campaigns," he said. Despite broad support for environmental action and Trump's promises to protect air and water quality, former EPA staffers on a Tuesday press call said the President-elect will seek to roll back regulations, decline to defend established rules from corporate lawsuits and find ways to shrink the agency. The result could be weaker environmental protections and declining support for Michigan's environmental programs. "Trump tried to dismantle EPA in the past, and he seems dead set on trying again," said Michelle Roos, executive director for EPN. Roos said the poll confirms that Trump does not have a mandate to weaken the EPA. Trump won a majority of electoral votes in this year's election but secured less than 50% of the popular vote. The poll, conducted between Nov. 7 and 13, included responses from 1,000 voters. It found that 76% of Trump voters and 86% of all voters wanted to either strengthen the EPA or protect it at its current level. Sixty-four percent of Trump voters (and 88% of all voters) expressed concern that Trump would hand EPA leadership to a director who will "put the interests of polluting corporations ahead of protecting clean water, clean air, and public health." Trump has picked former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Zeldin has questioned whether climate change is an urgent problem and voted to expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands. He's widely seen as someone who will be loyal to Trump's agenda of shrinking the EPA and eliminating environmental protections. Former EPA officials on the Tuesday call said widespread support for the agency may not influence the incoming administration, which has discussed using a "schedule F" order to fire as many as 50,000 federal employees. Jeremy Symons, senior advisor for EPN and former climate policy advisor for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, said the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint for radically restructuring the executive branch is a "novel plan" for dismantling the EPA and driving staff out. Although Republicans will gain control of the U.S. House and Senate next year, they could still resist the Trump administration's efforts to slash EPA's budget. However, Project 2025's chapter on the EPA proposes relocating regional offices "so that they are more accessible to the areas they serve and deliver cost savings to the American people," which could drive out EPA workers. When the Trump administration moved the Bureau of Land Management's headquarters from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2020, it led to an exodus of workers in leadership positions. Russel Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget who worked on Project 2025, previously described plans to inflict "trauma" on EPA employees. "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected," Vought said. "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains." Recently released EPA data shows over 143 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in drinking water, which has been detected in drinking water systems across Metro Detroit. If the Trump administration proposes different PFAS regulations, the 2029 deadline for complying with the rules will automatically be pushed back by a decade, according to Elizabeth Southerland, former director of the Office of Science and Technology in the EPA's Office of Water. If Congress were to approve EPA budget cuts, it could have a dramatic impact on Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy received roughly 35% of its funding from the EPA in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said the president-elect and Republican lawmakers are likely to cut programs that largely serve low-income people and communities of color, such as Biden's Justice 40 Initiative, which directs climate and infrastructure funding to historically disadvantaged communities. Johnson said this would force EGLE and the state to make difficult decisions about what programs to support. Budget cuts and a loss of staff at EPA could also drain support for environmental enforcement and cleaning up contaminated sites, Johnson said. EPA administers the Superfund program, which is involved in the cleanup of over 60 highly contaminated sites in Michigan. But the agency also provides support for the cleanup of other sites that aren't on the list. "When the EPA is there, we've heard from impacted residents that it does make a difference," Johnson said. In 2017, the Trump administration sought to reduce the agency's budget by a third, although Congress resisted these cuts. If Trump finds more success securing cuts in his coming term, it would add to a long decline in agency funding. According to an EPN report, the EPA's inflation-adjusted spending decreased by 50% between 1980 and 2019, while the U.S. population increased by 44%. McBrearty stressed the need for grassroots opposition to the budget cuts and deregulation that political donors often support. He said it was important to support environmental groups and organizations like labor unions, which have previously worked collectively to push for environmental protections and workplace safety. "We need to take every step we can to build a system that makes lawmakers accountable to the people, not to the corporations funding their campaigns," he said. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with nina@planetdetroit.org should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://planetdetroit.org/2024/11/trump-voters-oppose-epa-budget-cuts/

Ooredoo platinum sponsor for 25th Al-Bawasil CampZerbor Introduction The VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF ( NYSEARCA: MORT ) has significantly underperformed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust ( SPY ) so far in 2024, delivering a ~0.4% gain against the ~26% total return for the S&P 500 tracking ETF: I Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Yankees proposed blockbuster: Cardinals $260M superstar, more for Jasson Domínguez | Sporting News

Comedian Duncan Norvelle, famed for ‘chase me’ catchphrase, dies aged 66

Exciting News: "Black Myth: Wukong" Receives Major Update with Tons of New Features!The news of Refund Brother's unemployment has sparked discussions about the gig economy and the challenges that come with relying on online platforms for income. As more and more individuals turn to freelancing and online entrepreneurship, the story of Refund Brother serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of such endeavors. However, it also highlights the power of personal branding and community support in navigating the ups and downs of a freelance career.Despite these injury setbacks, Manchester United has managed to cope well in recent weeks, thanks to the depth of their squad and the resilience of the remaining players. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shown his ability to adapt and find solutions in the face of adversity, and he will be hoping that his team can continue their good form despite the injury concerns.

The fire at the Alibaba data center has prompted questions about the company's disaster preparedness and risk management protocols. Data center fires can have devastating consequences, leading to data loss, downtime, and financial losses. In response to the incident, Alibaba has issued a statement addressing the situation and outlining its response plan.Since its inception 25 years ago, Death Comes has captivated audiences with its unique blend of suspense, fear, and supernatural elements. The franchise has become a staple in the horror genre, setting a high standard for quality storytelling and heart-pounding scares. With each new release, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the gripping saga of Death Comes.An independent watchdog investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol found no evidence that federal agents were involved in inciting the violence, repudiating baseless claims that the FBI played a major role in the attack. According to a report released Thursday by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, no undercover FBI employees were involved in the riots or instigated any protesters to storm the Capitol. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," the report explains. RELATED STORY | January 6 defendant tells Scripps News he may not accept a potential pardon from Trump Meanwhile, the report found that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C. on the day of the attack but none were given authorization to participate. "Our review determined that none of these FBI CHSs was authorized by the FBI to enter the Capitol or a restricted area or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report states. The investigation found that many of those 26 informants provided the FBI with information prior to the riot that was "no more specific than" what the bureau had already been provided by other sources. RELATED STORY | Rioters who stormed Capitol after Trump's 2020 defeat toast to his White House return However, the investigation found there was a "basic step that was missed" by the FBI in the lead-up to Jan. 6, that could've potentially aided in preventing the protest from getting out of hand. "The FBI could have taken an additional step to canvass its field offices in advance of January 6 to identify any intelligence, including CHS [confidential human sources] reporting, that might have assisted with the FBI and law enforcement partners’ preparations for January 6," the report reads. Horowitz's report concludes by recommending that the FBI reassess the policies and procedures the bureau has in place to prepare for events that have the potential to cause security issues. The FBI agreed with the inspector general's recommendation.

DP World has issued a groundbreaking $100 million Blue Bond to fund sustainable projects cutting across marine transportation, port infrastructure, marine pollution, as well as nature and water positive initiatives. Through this issuance, DP World will contribute to closing the significant funding gap for UN SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), as well as increasing transparency to meet investors’ growing interest in blue assets. This is the first Blue Bond issuance from a company in the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the company’s aim of leading the logistics sector and region toward a more resilient future. It is also the first corporate Blue Bond out of the broader Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa region. DP World’s 5-year Blue Bond was priced at a 5.25% coupon rate. Investment management firm, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. was the key investor. The Blue Bond is fully aligned with the DP World’s recently launched Ocean Strategy and long-standing Decarbonisation and Water Strategies. The Ocean Strategy, which encompasses four foundational pillars, links global trade and environmental stewardship, supports the company’s leadership towards a Sustainable Blue Economy and removes barriers to comprehensive climate ocean action. The strategy aims to advance the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Goals. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive of DP World, said: “As a responsible leader in global trade, we are committed to preserving the ocean’s ability to provide for future generations. It is our ambition to lead our industry towards a sustainable blue economy as we work with our partners to remove barriers to comprehensive climate and ocean action. This Blue Bond will lay the foundation for the years to come.” “We are increasingly working in regions where the ocean is being polluted, coastal biodiversity is being lost, and critical resources like water are becoming scarcer, posing significant threats to both nature and people. This issuance represents DP World’s second foray into the sustainable financing capital markets highlighting our commitment to sustainability and demonstrates our approach towards sustainable business practices.” “We are proud to partner with DP World on its issuance of the first corporate Blue Bond in the Middle East. This innovative transaction will mobilize capital towards UN SDG 14, Life Below Water, while providing an opportunity for attractive investment returns. We recognize UN SDG 14 as the most underfunded of all the sustainable development goals. We hope this transaction can be a model for other issuers and investors to support the blue economy.” Philip Brown, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Debt Capital Markets of Citigroup, which advised on the bond, said: “Citi is proud to have supported DP World in arranging this important inaugural Blue Bond issuance under the updated and pioneering Sustainable Finance Framework.” The Blue Bond spread of 99.6 bps above US treasuries represents DP World’s tightest ever spread in the bond or sukuk market, demonstrating the attractiveness of the issuance. · Sustainable Marine Transportation: Supporting research, development, and procurement of alternative fuels and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, and other sources of marine pollution in the maritime sector. · Sustainable Ports Development: Funding infrastructure upgrades to minimise environmental impacts, noise and air pollution. · Marine Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration: Expanding Nature Based Solutions projects to conserve and restore marine ecosystems, and innovations to enhance biodiversity. · Marine Pollution: Initiatives to tackle waste and pollution in coastal and marine environments, as well as improvements to water quality and ensuring the equitable access to water. The Bond follows the publication of DP World’s recently enhanced Sustainable Finance Framework, which is aligned with various international standards. The Framework takes into consideration the Guidelines for Blue Finance from the International Finance Corporate and the ‘Bonds to Finance the Sustainable Blue Economy – A Practitioner’s Guide’. Earlier this year, DP World published its inaugural Green Sukuk Impact and Allocation Report. Of the $1.5bn raised in 2023, $1.17bn has already been allocated to eligible green projects. Projects financed though the Sukuk have contributed to avoiding more than 177 million kg of CO2 emissions, saving 466,057 MJ of energy and generating 866,686 kWh of renewable energy. Source: DP WorldThe new Song Pro from JAC is another impressive plug-in hybrid model that offers a perfect balance of power, efficiency, and comfort. Featuring a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to an electric motor, the Song Pro delivers a total output of 218 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque. This powertrain is paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission for responsive and dynamic performance. The Song Pro also comes with a 13.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers an electric-only range of up to 80 miles, ensuring a smooth and silent driving experience. In terms of technology, the Song Pro is equipped with a range of advanced features, including a customizable digital cockpit, wireless charging, and intelligent voice recognition.