live casino login

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3 per cent. The benchmark index’s 1.7 per cent gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. Wall Street has steadied after a volatile few weeks. Credit: AP The Dow rose 1 per cent as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2 per cent. The Australian sharemarket is set to climb, with futures pointing to a rise of 52 points, or 0.6 per cent. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump’s victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It’s now within about 0.5 per cent of its all-time high set last week. Loading “Overall, market behaviour has normalised following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8 per cent after handily beating analysts’ third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2 per cent after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8 per cent after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8 per cent. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2 per cent. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $US3.6 trillion ($5.5 trillion) behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7 per cent. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7 per cent following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41 per cent from 4.42 per cent late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $US99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $US99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts’ expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Loading Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It’s still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers’ inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6 per cent, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the US releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank’s meeting in December. AP The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day’s trading. Get it each we e kday afternoon . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. World markets Wall Street Shares Most Viewed in Business LoadingChina’s internet pioneers that once defied Silicon Valley was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. BEIJING - From Tencent Holdings to Alibaba Group Holding, China’s tech leaders delivered underwhelming numbers for a quarter beset by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Whether or not they can win back investors may increasingly hinge on Beijing’s actions. In call after call with investors, China’s internet pioneers described how the uneven economy was undermining their business and clouding the future. Most offered cautious optimism for how the unprecedented government stimulus unleashed late in the summer would help grease the wheels and pleaded for patience. But the group that once defied Silicon Valley and defined the country’s private economy was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. Just over the past week, the five biggest tech firms erased US$41 billion (S$55.3 billion) in market value, while a gauge of sector stocks listed in Hong Kong has fallen into bear market territory. On Nov 22, a sell-off in Chinese stocks deepened as concerns over Donald Trump’s imminent return mingled with growing frustration over the pace of Beijing’s fiscal stimulus rollout. For investors that were looking to major tech earnings to revive market euphoria, this season now looks like a flop. The business environment “is not only much worse than five years ago, it’s worse than even when China started the Covid Zero policy in 2022,” said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis. “This sector is obviously supported by China’s industrial policies and intent on winning the tech race with the US, but at the same time, it’s a problematic sector.” PDD Holdings executives boasted about their cheap hairy crabs instead of offering reassurance for disappointing earnings. Tencent went through its usual pitch about building and sustaining “evergreen” games, without promising any imminent new blockbusters. Alibaba executives spent their time justifying elevated spending to ward off intense competition. Even Baidu, the frontrunner in AI development, failed to wow with any exciting new projects. “We have not observed a notable improvement in advertisers’ spending patterns, and consumer spending remains subdued,” Baidu’s head of mobile ecosystem Luo Rong told analysts on a call on Nov 21, dulling expectations for the current quarter. “Having said that, we are particularly encouraged by the strength and timeliness of recent stimulus policies which continue to be rolled out.” Pressure is building for Beijing to offer further measures, as late September’s market rally on the stimulus campaign fizzles. The parade of ho-hum numbers, vague comments about fiscal policy and warnings contrasted sharply with the pre-Covid era, when Alibaba and Tencent each approached US$1 trillion in market value and analysts talked about the threat they posed to US rivals. Alibaba once fought directly with Amazon.com’s AWS for cloud customers around the world, as it and JD.com talked openly about carving up international markets. Tencent once sketched out ambitions of marrying content with social media and online finance in an unparalleled fintech and internet empire. That swagger has vanished since Beijing’s 2020 crackdown on a sector it deemed too powerful. Having once commanded enviable growth rates off the back of China’s burgeoning economy, these companies now face prolonged consumer malaise at home, a lack of obvious growth engines and costly ventures to expand overseas. “October retail sales were boosted by earlier Singles’ Day promotions, so it’s not indicative of the real consumption environment – which companies I spoke to are still cautious about,” said Xin-Yao Ng, investment manager for Asian equities at abrdn. “Generally, I hear of a weaker November.” PDD’s US-listed stock plunged 11 per cent after the company gave a downbeat outlook due to intensifying competition in China. The stock, once an investor darling, now trades at 7.7 times forward earnings, about a third of its three-year average. Along with Alibaba, which eked out just 1 per cent growth in domestic commerce, PDD is fighting a defensive action against upstarts like closely held ByteDance. There are some bright spots. PDD’s Temu shopping platform has proven to be a hit in the United States and other overseas markets. Alibaba’s international e-commerce division delivered strong growth rates several quarters in a row, prompting the company to unify all online retail operations under the leadership of that division’s chief, Jiang Fan. Meituan - which is next on the slate of companies whose earnings will be studied for signs of domestic consumer appetites - is following the trend and bringing its takeout service to the Middle East. In the realm of games, Tencent and NetEase enjoyed a string of hit releases over the summer that revived domestic sales. Tencent-backed Black Myth: Wukong was an unexpected smash hit on PCs, tapping Chinese history and folklore and potentially opening more opportunities for similarly ambitious titles. But that growth spurt may already be petering out. “The sector is no longer considered as driving structural growth like it once did, which means that it is lot more cyclical than before,” said Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong analyst John Choi. “Policy stimulus will likely play an important role for these companies to see some level of growth acceleration. I am not sure if investors will lose patience, but I do see that the fundamentals are improving going forward.” There remain questions about the full extent and timing of China’s support, which is rolling out in stages, leaving the macroeconomic outlook uncertain. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion after he was hit late while sliding by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in the first half of their Week 13 meeting. The Jaguars announced Wednesday that they placed Lawrence on IR because of that injury. Coach Doug Pederson had previously revealed that Lawrence wasn't expected to practice Wednesday. The fourth-year quarterback will now be rendered inactive for at least four games. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Lawrence's season "is almost certainly over" in the wake of his concussion. Here's what to know about Lawrence's injury and how long it will sideline him. AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR SUSPENSION: Texans' Nick Caserio blasts NFL's lack of consistency NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Trevor Lawrence injury update Lawrence suffered a concussion on a 6-yard scramble in the Jaguars' 23-20 loss to the Texans in Week 14. He was sliding to the ground when Al-Shaair came in over the top and made forcible contact to his head. Lawrence appeared to be knocked out by the hit and went into the fencing position, a sign of a brain injury. A brawl ensued after the hit , and both Al-Shaair and Jaguars defensive back Jarrian Jones were ejected from the game. Al-Shaair also received a three-game suspension because of the hit. Meanwhile, Lawrence was carted off the field and did not return after being diagnosed with a concussion. Lawrence posted an update to social media following the game, saying he was "home and feeling better" after the incident. However , during his postgame news conference , coach Doug Pederson didn't commit to L awrence playing again in 2024. He said the team would "make a smart choice" about the 25-year-old and noted that "where we are as a team" would play a role in Jacksonville's decision about him. That ultimately led the 2-11 Jaguars to place Lawrence on IR on Wednesday. He will have four full weeks to recover and likely much longer. How long is Trevor Lawrence out? Lawrence is out for the next four weeks at a minimum. That makes the Jaguars' Week 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts the earliest potential return date for the No. 1 quarterback. Given that the Jaguars won't be playing for anything in Week 18, it seems likely that Jacksonville will opt to end Lawrence's season, as Rapoport reported. That will allow the Jaguars to evaluate their quarterback depth while ensuring Lawrence has extra time to prepare for the 2025 NFL season when the team will perhaps be more competitive. 2025 NFL MOCK DRAFT: How high can elite RB Ashton Jeanty go in first round? Who is the Jaguars backup quarterback? Mac Jones is Jacksonville's backup quarterback. He started twice in place of Lawrence during the 2024 NFL season and performed well in his stead against the Texans, completing 20-of-32 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Jones has a career record of 18-26 as a starter and has completed 65.8% of his passes for 9,430 yards, 48 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 14 selections after Lawrence, and will be a free agent after the season. As such, Jones' extended starting stretch will allow the Jaguars to evaluate whether they should retain the Jacksonville native as Lawrence's backup or consider another option behind their $275 million man. Jaguars QB depth chart After the Lawrence injury, the Jaguars have three healthy quarterbacks on their roster: two on the 53-man roster and one on the practice squad. Beathard was a third-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft. The 31-year-old has a 3-10 record in 13 career starts while completing 60.4% of his passes for 3,886 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Wolford, 29, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2018. He played in the AAF before landing a job with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. He is 2-2 in four starts and has completed 58.7% of his passes for 626 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.The Rising Demand For Furniture To Play A Pivotal Role In Furniture Logistics Market In The Forecast PeriodFootball is for everyone: HE Sports Minister

Dior Conners hits game-winning 3 with a second left as Appalachian State tops William & Mary, 79-76

Five days after Bruins firing, Montgomery named NHL Blues coachCompany illegally hired minors to sanitize ‘kill floor’ equipment at Iowa meat processing plant, US Dept. of Labor finds

IDF Spokesman criticizes government, is immediately reprimanded | 'Exceeded his authority'WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Prestige Wealth Inc. Announces Closing of Acquisitions of InnoSphere Tech and Tokyo Bay(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, Dec. 5 AUTO RACING 4:25 a.m. (Friday) ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates CHAMPIONS HOCKEY LEAGUE 1 p.m. NHLN — Zurich at Berlin COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 6:30 p.m. FS1 — Purdue at Penn St. COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) 5 p.m. ESPN2 — Kentucky at North Carolina 6 p.m. ACCN — Auburn at Virginia 7 p.m. ESPN — Texas at Notre Dame ESPN2 — Mississippi at NC State SECN — Boston College at Arkansas 8 p.m. ACCN — Florida at Clemson 9 p.m. ESPN — Duke at South Carolina ESPN2 — Stanford at LSU ESPNU — Alabama at California SECN — SMU at Missouri COLLEGE HOCKEY (MEN’S) 7:30 p.m. BTN — Penn St. at Ohio St. GOLF 4 a.m. GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge, First Round, Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa 1:30 p.m. GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero World Challenge, First Round, Albany Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas 4 a.m. (Friday) GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge, Second Round, Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa HORSE RACING Noon FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBATV — Denver at Cleveland 10 p.m. NBATV — Houston at Golden State NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. PRIME VIDEO — Green Bay at Detroit SOCCER (MEN’S) 3:15 p.m. USA — Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur at Bournemouth The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by TV listings provided by .Jaguars place QB Trevor Lawrence (concussion) on IRScreen Time Crisis

Score bonus bets this weekend for NBA games with the latest DraftKings promo for new customers. Register through our links (here) to redeem this welcome offer and make your opening bet on Friday. Win your first $5 bet on any game with this DraftKings promo to lock-in a $150 bonus. The outcome doesn’t matter in certain states (AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, NC, OH, PA, WY and WV), so the bonus is guaranteed. Pick one of the NBA Cup matchups on Friday for your opening wager. You can find odds for games like Nets-76ers Celtics vs. Wizards, Warriors vs. Pelicans, Pacers vs. Bucks, Mavericks vs. Nuggets and Kings vs. Clippers. Browse through the different betting options to find an easy market for the best chance at winning the bonus. Sign up with this DraftKings promo offer and win your first $5 bet on an NBA game to gain a $150 bonus. Bet Any NBA Player Prop with the DraftKings Promo With the new player DraftKings promotion, the states mentioned above will receive an instant $150 bonus, while players in other states will simply get 30-1 odds on their team to win. After leveraging the bonus, you can find player props for assists, rebounds, points and other stats on the DraftKings app. Try teasing a total for shorter odds, like moving Jayson Tatum’s total to 20+ points on Friday night. Other options are available for Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Go to the promotions tab after making your first wager to find two profit boosts for NBA Cup games on Friday. Teams are competing in the group stage with the hop of advancing to the next round. Follow along with the game of your choice and make live wagers as the action unfolds. DraftKings Promo: Guide to Win $150 Bonus New customers can make an opening bet in just a few minutes. Take these easy steps to start with the latest welcome offer on DraftKings Sportsbook. The outcome doesn’t matter for those in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, NC, OH, PA, WY and WV. New customers in all other states must win the $5 bet to trigger the $150 bonus. Find More Bonuses for NCAAF, NFL Week 12 The (6) $25 bonus bets can be used throughout the weekend for the NBA, NFL and college football. Check DraftKings on Saturday to find special offers for a day full of NCAAF games that will have an impact on the playoff standings. No. 5 Indiana will take on No. 2 Ohio State at 12 pm ET, which will be the most popular matchup of the day. We expect to see more offers for NFL Week 12 on Sunday. Use bonuses toward the Lions vs. Colts, Buccaneers vs. Giants, Cowboys vs. Commanders, 49ers vs. Packers and Eagles vs. Rams. All bets made on DraftKings go toward unlocking additional perks through Dynasty Rewards. Activate the newest DraftKings promo offer and win a $5 bet to redeem a $150 bonus for the weekend. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.In a bold move to bolster its semiconductor industry, Minnesota has awarded SkyWater Technology $19 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Bloomington. This significant financial boost is part of a broader $127 million project that promises to create 70 new jobs and enhance the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. State Support for National Growth Minnesota’s contribution comes from the Minnesota Forward Fund, specifically designed to foster economic growth and innovation within the state. The fund supports ventures poised for significant impact, aligning with federal programs like the CHIPS Act. The $19 million aid to SkyWater marks the fund’s third strategic investment. An Asset for Future Technologies SkyWater Technology views the expansion as a critical step in enhancing the U.S.’s domestic production capabilities. Their efforts focus on high-demand sectors like aerospace, defense, and quantum computing. By ramping up production capacity by 30%, the company aims to solidify itself as a key player in the national technology landscape. Strong Partnerships Propel Success Governor Tim Walz emphasizes Minnesota’s leadership in manufacturing innovation, attributing this success to strategic collaborations. These partnerships, spanning state and federal agencies, bolster Minnesota’s position as a hub for domestic manufacturing. Minnesota continues to support high-tech business expansions that drive economic growth, keeping the state and the nation at the forefront of semiconductor technology development. Exciting times are on the horizon for Minnesota’s thriving tech sector. Minnesota’s Tech Surge: SkyWater’s Expansion to Boost U.S. Semiconductor Dominance Innovative Expansion in Semiconductor Manufacturing Minnesota is making significant strides in the semiconductor industry by awarding SkyWater Technology a substantial $19 million grant. This strategic investment is a critical part of a more extensive $127 million initiative aimed at expanding SkyWater’s manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Minnesota, which is set to create 70 new jobs and reinforce the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. SkyWater’s expansion aligns with national objectives to boost domestic production in pivotal sectors. Industry Driving Growth Through the Minnesota Forward Fund The Minnesota Forward Fund, established to drive sustainable economic growth and innovation within the state, is a key contributor to this project. By focusing on ventures with the potential to make significant impacts, this fund aligns its support with federal programs like the CHIPS Act. SkyWater’s $19 million grant represents the third strategic investment from this fund, emphasizing Minnesota’s commitment to being a leader in tech innovation. Focusing on High-Demand Sectors SkyWater Technology’s expansion is especially crucial because it enhances the U.S.’s domestic production capacity in high-demand sectors like aerospace, defense, and quantum computing. With a targeted 30% increase in production capacity, SkyWater is actively positioning itself as a vital player in the national technology arena. This move not only strengthens their market position but also increases the resilience of the U.S.’s semiconductor supply chain by reducing reliance on international suppliers. Strategic Collaborations Fuelling Success Governor Tim Walz underlines the role of strategic partnerships in seizing leadership positions in manufacturing innovation. By leveraging collaborations across state and federal agencies, Minnesota is positioning itself as a primary hub for domestic manufacturing. These partnerships are essential for fostering an environment conducive to high-tech business expansions, ensuring that both the state and the nation remain at the forefront of semiconductor technology development. Trends and Predictions in the Tech Industry The expansion of SkyWater Technology is part of a broader trend of increasing investment in semiconductor manufacturing within the United States. The pandemic and recent geopolitical tensions have highlighted the need for a robust domestic supply chain, encouraging investments in this sector. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the demand for semiconductors in emerging fields such as quantum computing and advanced defense systems is expected to rise, solidifying the importance of such expansions. For more information on Minnesota’s technological advancements and economic strategies, visit the state’s official website at mn.gov .

The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate. Last Updated: Are you sure you want to delete this comment?Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish

None

Smart Card IC Market Set to Reach US$ 5.2 Billion by 2034: Industry Growth and Key Trends Shaping the FutureContecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Ecuadorian business unit, received the inaugural call of Kota Eagle, the largest and most modern container ship of Pacific International Lines (PIL). This marks a significant development for Ecuador’s foreign trade and confirms Guayaquil as a strategic port on global shipping routes. The Kota Eagle features low environmental impact technology, operating entirely on liquefied natural gas (LNG) – one of the cleanest fuels on the planet. The technology highlights PIL’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Measuring 335 meters long with a capacity of 14,000 TEUs, the vessel is a prime example of innovation in sustainable shipping. “We are proud to welcome the Kota Eagle to our terminal. This event reflects the confidence of important shipping companies such as PIL in our operational capacity, consolidating Guayaquil as an essential port for the growth of their business in the country,” said Javier Lancha, CGSA chief executive officer. “We ratify our commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring that our operation consistently meets the highest quality standards and contributes to the development of Ecuador’s foreign trade,” he added. Contecon Guayaquil continues to move towards more responsible logistics, reinforcing its commitment to being a strategic partner for Ecuador’s economic development and for the promotion of foreign trade. Offering robust logistics solutions to boost the success of its partners and customers, Contecon Guayaquil remains firmly committed to enhancing Ecuador’s connection to the world. Source: ICTSI