NoneDusty May, No. 14 Michigan try to continue strong start vs. Arkansas
Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion1 2 Lucknow: Pushing for the use of technology in the agriculture sector, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that UP, which has only 11% of the total land in the country but produces around 20% of the total food, can increase it threefold if technology is adopted. Speaking at ‘Krishika-From farming to prosperity', a programme organised by a private media house, the CM criticised the opposition for playing politics in the name of farmers, whereas the only real work for them was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The central and state govts are committed to ensuring that farmers achieve self-reliance and never have to depend on anyone. Key initiatives such as issuing soil health cards and launching schemes like the PM Fasal Bima Yojana and PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana have significantly benefited the farming community," the CM said. Detailing work done for farmers in UP, the CM said that approximately 70% of the land is tied to the rural economy in the state. Of the 235 lakh hectare of land in the state, 161 lakh hectare are cultivated, with 86% of it being irrigated and extremely fertile. This allows UP farmers to achieve nearly double the food grain production compared to other states, he said. Among the state's recent achievements, the CM said that irrigation coverage was expanded and now has over 3,500 farmer producer organisations. The inauguration of the Arjun Sahayak project in Bundelkhand in 2021 transformed the region, and farmers who previously earned Rs 5,000 per bigha annually now report incomes of Rs 50,000 per bigha. Warehousing capacity has also been enhanced, and the sugarcane sector now boasts 120 operational sugar mills, 100 of which make payments to farmers within a week. "UP ranks first in sugarcane, sugar and ethanol production, while also contributing 25% of India's potato production and 30% of its maize output. The state's farmers have set records in the cultivation of paddy, wheat, pulses and oilseeds. These achievements, driven by the hard work of farmers and the ‘double-engine' govt's initiatives, have restored UP's pride as the food basket of the nation," the CM said. He added that UP was also a leader in cattle rearing, with over 12 lakh stray cows being cared for in govt shelters. Natural farming is being practised on over 1.15 lakh hectare in UP, particularly along the banks of the Ganga in 27 districts and all seven districts of Bundelkhand. Under the PM Kusum Yojana, the state provided solar panels to one lakh farmers. Electricity dues for private tube-wells of over 14 lakh farmers were waived, while loans worth Rs 36,000 crore for 86 lakh farmers were waived in 2017. Initiatives like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi ensured direct financial support to 12 crore farmers nationwide, including 2.62 crore farmers in UP. The CM spoke about Shyam Bihari Gupta, chairman of the gau seva commission, who was promoting natural farming, which saves farmers Rs 12,000–15,000 per acre. If all 1.61 crore hectare of cultivated land in UP were converted to natural farming, the economic benefits would run into lakhs of crores of rupees, the CM said. The CM also gave examples of some successful farmers from UP, mentioning a farmer from Bijnor who earns an annual net profit of Rs 1 crore from just 10 acre of land. UP farmers have set a national benchmark by producing an extraordinary 860 quintal of sugarcane per acre. He also spoke about a farmer who cultivates peppermint, processes it, and has achieved export earnings of Rs 200 crore. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Businesses have voiced concerns about the state of law and order in industrial areas, which has not improved to the level they had anticipated, even though the interim government has been in office for three and a half months. At the same time, the energy and power crises are making things extremely difficult for businesses, impeding production. They made the comments at a business conference on "Private sector outlook: expectations and priorities" organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka today. "Instability in industries is not desirable in any way, so there should be a roadmap with a specific time frame for improving the law-and-order situation," Abdul Muktadir, chairman and managing director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said while addressing the event. Although Bangladesh has recently faced challenging times, some positive initiatives have been undertaken during this period, which are expected to yield good results, he said. High import duties have affected the businesses and small traders are also bearing the brunt, Muktadir said. Businesses will benefit if the law-and-order situation in the country improves, said Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of Pran-RFL Group. Chowdhury claimed that he could not open letters of credit to import raw materials, which would disrupt employment and production in his factories. He proposed leveraging new technologies to boost agricultural production and issuing partial bonds to facilitate the import of raw materials. The Pran chairman also stressed the need to reduce loan interest rates.East Tennessee State won its fourth straight men’s basketball game Saturday at Freedom Hall Civic Center in a contest which the Bucs dominated statistically. The Bucs defeated Austin Peay 79-57 with advantages in rebounds, assists, fast-break points and points in the paint. ETSU (6-2) held a 46-29 rebounding advantage, including 15-8 on the offensive glass. The Bucs had 20 assists to 10 for the Governors, held an 18-2 advantage in fast-break points and outscored them 42-24 in the paint. “We had 20 assists on 30 made baskets,” ETSU coach Brooks Savage said. “In the first half, I thought we turned some (shots) down. But, they’re so unselfish. Especially in today’s world, I’d rather them be like that. They share it and I’m really proud of how they’re focused and together.” John Buggs III was the leading scorer with 15 points, going 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Quimari Peterson led the way with 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while only having one turnover. Jaden Seymour finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Karon Boyd, held to two points in the first half, had a stretch in the second half where he scored 10 straight for the Bucs. “I wasn’t worried about that. I was trying to stop their best player, No. 4 (LJ Thomas),” Boyd said. “Then, it was time for me to execute on offense. We’re trying to be player-led to pass up a good shot to get a great shot.” The Bucs got off to a fast start with an early 21-9 advantage. They were able to take a 35-28 lead into the half. They pushed the lead to 46-34 on a 3-point shot by Buggs III and maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. “We tried to come out with a bunch of intensity, punch them early,” Buggs said. “We see our chemistry coming together, putting each other in position to succeed.” Thomas, a NC State transfer, led Austin Peay with 15 points. Tate McCubbin had 10 points and seven rebounds. Savage liked the contributions throughout the ETSU roster with nine Bucs playing 12 minutes or more. They included Gabe Sisk with eight points and Maki Johnson with six points on a pair of 3-point buckets. Roosevelt Wheeler totaled six points and seven rebounds in place of Davion Bradford, who turned his ankle earlier in the day. “Roosevelt Wheeler has continued to work hard,” Savage said. “I say it all the time, but he’s a character guy, a salt-of-the-earth type guy. Coach (Cory) Dixon has done a great job keeping him in the gym. He has a great attitude, doesn’t complain or sulk. He was really good around the basket, protecting the rim, rebounding and guarding. We needed everybody along the way. I thought the bench was great.” NEXT UP The Bucs have a pair of tough road games next at James Madison on Tuesday and Wichita State on Saturday. Austin Peay faces another Southern Conference team when the Govs head to Samford next Sunday.
The cost of Neom has been estimated to be as high as $1.5 trillion. This year, however, has seen a sharp change in direction in terms of spending for the kingdom. "Saudi Arabia has poured tens of billions into projects that have yet to hint of any financial returns," one financier told CNBC. 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are In Saudi Arabia's northwestern desert, a sprawling construction site replete with cranes and pile drivers sits encircled by a recently-built road. A pair of tracks cuts through the site like deep gashes through the sand, comprising the spine of what planners say will be a high-speed rail system. The skeletal infrastructure forms the foundations of The Line, a multi-billion dollar high-tech city that its architects say will eventually house 9 million people between two 106-mile long glass skyscrapers more than 1,600 feet high. The project, whose estimated cost is in the hundreds of billions, is just one of the hyper-futuristic venues planned in Neom, the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a region that the kingdom hopes will bring millions of new residents to Saudi Arabia and revolutionize living and technology in the country. It's a core pillar of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil revenues and create new jobs and industries for its burgeoning young population. The cost of Neom has been estimated to be as high as $1.5 trillion . In the years since it was announced, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the mammoth sovereign wealth fund now overseeing $925 billion in assets, has poured billions into overseas investments, with ever-increasing waves of foreign investors flying to the kingdom to raise cash. This year, however, has seen a sharp change in direction in terms of spending, with a stated emphasis on keeping investments at home along with reports of cutting costs on megaprojects like those in Neom. The changes come as the Saudi deficit grows and the outlook for oil demand, along with global oil prices, sees sustained lows. That begs the question: does Saudi Arabia have enough money to meet its lofty goals? Or will it have to be more flexible to make its spending trajectory sustainable? Money Report European stocks set to start the week higher as global markets rally China's central bank keeps medium-term loan rate unchanged amid yuan weakness One Gulf-based financier with years of experience in the kingdom told CNBC: "The PIF's pivot towards domestic investments, widely acknowledged but now officially admitted, suggests that there is still a lot of spending needed. Saudi Arabia has poured tens of billions into projects that have yet to hint of any financial returns." The financier spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak to the press. Andrew Leber, a researcher at Tulane University who focuses on the political economy of the Middle East, believes that the current pace of spending won't last. "The number of 'we pay up front and hope for economic returns later' giga projects that are currently underway is not sustainable," Leber said. "With that being said," he added, "the Saudi monarchy has shown itself to be somewhat flexible whenever economic realities assert themselves. I do think that eventually, a number of projects will be quietly shelved in order to bring its fiscal outlays back into greater sustainability." Saudi Arabia in October cut its growth forecasts and raised its budget deficit estimates for the fiscal years 2024 to 2026 as it expects a period of higher spending and lower projected oil revenues. Real gross domestic product is now expected to grow 0.8% this year, a dramatic drop from a previous estimate of 4.4%, according to the ministry of finance. The kingdom's economy also swung dramatically from a budget surplus of $27.68 billion in 2022 to a deficit of $21.6 billion in 2023 as it ramped up public spending and decreased oil production due to its OPEC+ supply cut agreement. Its government forecasts a deficit of $21.1 billion for 2024, projecting revenue at $312.5 billion and expenditures at $333.5 billion. Saudi authorities expect that the budget will remain in deficit for the next several years as it pursues its Vision 2030 plans, but they add that they are fully prepared for this. "Our non-oil revenues have grown significantly, now it covers about 37% of expenditure. That's a significant diversification, and that gives you a lot of comfort that you can maneuver and be stable despite the fluctuation in oil price," Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan told CNBC in October. "Our aim is to make sure that our plans are stable and predictable." "We are not going to blink, we have significant fiscal resource under our disposal, and we are very disciplined in our fiscal position," the minister said. Saudi Arabia has an A/A-1 credit rating with a positive outlook from S&P Global Ratings and an A+ rating with a stable outlook from Fitch. That combined with high foreign currency reserves — $456.97 billion as of September, a 4% percent increase year-on-year, according to the country's central bank — puts the kingdom in a comfortable place to manage a deficit, economists told CNBC. Riyadh is successfully issuing bonds, tapping debt markets for more than $35 billion so far this year. The kingdom has also rolled out a series of reforms to boost and de-risk foreign investment and diversify revenue streams, which S&P Global said in September "will continue to improve Saudi Arabia's economic resilience and wealth." When asked if the kingdom's spending trajectory is sustainable, Al-Jadaan replied: "Absolutely, yes," adding that the government recently published its numbers for the next three years and that "we think it is very sustainable." Still, many analysts outside the kingdom, as well as individuals working within the kingdom and on NEOM projects, are skeptical of the megaprojects' feasibility. Reports that some projects have been dramatically cut down — in the case of the Line, its size target slashed from 106 miles to 1.5 miles and population target down from 1.5 million by 2030 to less than 300,000 — attest to that concern on a higher level. Neom executives acknowledge that the current phase of work on The Line is for a building length of 1.5 miles — which would still make it the longest building in the world. However, the eventual goal of 106 miles has not changed, they say, stressing that cities are not built overnight and that construction is continuing apace. For Tarik Solomon, chairman emeritus at the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, "it's promising to see transparency and some project cutbacks." "The Kingdom's rising external borrowing reflects challenges with Vision 2030 feasibility," he told CNBC. "Though debt remains manageable at 26.5% of GDP, continued small pressures add up, underscoring the need for fiscal discipline and achievable goals." Solomon pointed to the desire of many Saudi residents for improvements to the infrastructure they use in their daily lives — like Riyadh's public transport, network connectivity, schools, and health care. "The road to resilience for Saudi Arabia isn't in figuring out ski slopes in the desert but in building with innovation, complexity, and the courage to pursue what's truly impactful," he said. Also on CNBC Donald Trump chooses hedge fund executive Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary Trump might name Kevin Warsh as Treasury chief then Fed chair later, report says Trump and Fed Chair Powell could be set on a collision course over interest ratesNASA to Discuss Firefly's First Robotic Artemis Moon Flight
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.”West Ham beat Wolves in tense Premier League match-up
The BGL Automotive Aftermarket Insider – AAPEX/SEMA Show Recap , /PRNewswire/ -- Investor interest in automotive aftermarket M&A will remain high in 2025 as favorable tailwinds, including an increasingly aging car parc, more miles traveled, and the proliferation of new technologies, continue to drive the industry forward, according to an industry report released by the Automotive Aftermarket investment banking team at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL). Inside the report, BGL shares its annual recap of the 2024 AAPEX and SEMA Shows in . The automotive aftermarket M&A environment and strategies impacting current and future deal activity are discussed, and optimism and interest in the sector remain high. Political discussion pervaded conversations more than ever before among company owners and investors, largely due to the unique timing of the show and our U.S. Presidential Election. Through discussions with owners and other industry leaders, BGL identified key strategies that companies are employing to navigate uncertainty and challenges facing the industry. Key takeaways include: How the scarcity of quality assets in 2023 and 2024 has sparked fierce competition among buyers Why owners and investors should act soon to seize the opportunities in the non-discretionary aftermarket segment The factors behind a surging M&A interest in suppliers of replacement parts and mission-critical services Why more miles, older vehicles, and a growing car parc are creating continued value of non-discretionary parts and service providers BGL's maintains coverage of the broad automotive sector, including the automotive supply chain, automotive aftermarket, and the on- and off-highway commercial vehicle sectors. Our team has executed numerous transactions for private, public, or institutionally-backed companies in the automotive industry, including M&A sell-side advisory, financial restructuring advisory, and capital markets advisory. Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on , , , , and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in , , , , and , and real estate offices in , , and . The firm is also a founding member of REACH Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of and . For more information, please visit . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & CompanyWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
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It has taken new Michigan coach Dusty May just nine games to guide the Wolverines into the Top 25. May and the Wolverines enter the poll at No. 14 and strive to continue their strong start when they face Arkansas in the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday night in New York. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Dusty May, No. 14 Michigan try to continue strong start vs. Arkansas
More firms to go bust in wake of Budget tax hikes Corporate bankruptcy experts warn number of firms going bust will rise 'Wave of distress' among business after NI hike and increase in minimum wage CBI set to warn tax rises in Budget will hit corporate profits By CALUM MUIRHEAD Updated: 21:50, 24 November 2024 e-mail View comments Britain faces a wave of insolvencies as businesses are hit by higher taxes and soaring costs alongside a prolonged period of elevated interest rates in the wake of the Budget. In the latest blow to Rachel Reeves, corporate bankruptcy experts warned the number of firms going bust would rise this winter and through next year. Gordon Thomson, of accountancy firm RSM UK, warned of 'a wave of distress' among business following the Chancellor's national insurance hike and increase in the minimum wage. John Cullen, insolvency partner at accountants Menzies, added: 'It would be unrealistic to think that corporate insolvencies will go anywhere but up during the course of 2025.' The CBI will today warn tax rises in the Budget will hit corporate profits – damaging the UK economy in the process. CBI chief Rain Newton-Smith will say in a speech: 'When you hit profits, you hit competitiveness, you hit investment, you hit growth.' Concern: Insolvency experts are now warning of a wave of corporate failures The Chancellor faces an ongoing backlash over her Budget – and in particular the £25billion increase in national insurance paid by employers. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has also warned interest rate cuts will have to be 'gradual', which will extend the period of elevated borrowing costs for businesses. Insolvency experts are now warning of a wave of corporate failures as a result. Ric Traynor, boss of restructuring group Begbies Traynor, told the Mail many firms will 'throw in the towel' in the New Year rather than keep going only to be hit with a bumper tax rise in April. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Bosses demand urgent business rates shake-up Labour 'risks destruction of the High Street': Retailers say... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Insolvencies hit a post-Covid peak of 2,293 in October 2023 but fell 24 per cent to 1,747 last month – crucially before the Budget. But these figures are set to go into reverse as the Budget measures take effect. David Hudson, restructuring advisory partner at FRP, said: 'Changes to national insurance will only increase costs for those under-pressure businesses, which may well be a factor in further companies going under.' Mark Ford, at wealth manager Evelyn Partners, warned many firms will be 'fighting for their survival' due to rising wage bills. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: More firms to go bust in wake of Budget tax hikes e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.The Minnesota Vikings have listed offensive tackle Cam Robinson as questionable on the final injury report ahead of Sunday's game with the Arizona Cardinals. Robinson is dealing with a foot injury he aggravated in Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears. He played just nine snaps in the 30-27 victory and was replaced by backup David Quessenberry, who allowed four pressures on 38 pass-blocking snaps and an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 53.0 – the lowest on the team alongside right guard Dalton Risner. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
