Nest Learning Thermostat Fourth-Generation Review: A stunning design infused with AI
In a significant political move, the BJP administration in Rajasthan has dismantled nine districts created under the previous Congress rule, labeling them as impractical and not in public interest. The reshuffle was confirmed during a state cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, resulting in Rajasthan retaining seven divisions and 41 districts. The opposition Congress party, quick to criticize the decision, argued it was fueled by political vendetta and hinted at possible legal battles to counter the government's actions. (With inputs from agencies.)How Did Dr. Manmohan Singh’s MNREGA Transform Rural India?
Unlocking the Future? Arm Earning in GamingFrom left: Bryson DeChambeau with Donald Trump; at the U.S. Open; during his hole-in-one challenge. YouTube; getty images; TikTok The past 12 months had it all — crazy winning streaks, new major champs, a major-week arrest (!) and more. With 2025 on the horizon, our writers are looking back at the most memorable moments from 2024. No. 15 — Charley Hull goes viral | No. 14 — LIV, LPGA CEOs say goodbye | No. 13— Solheim Cup parking fiasco | No. 12 — Phoenix Open chaos | No. 11 — Lydia Ko’s Hall of Fame resurgence | No. 10 — PGA Tour/Saudi PIF merger stalemate | No. 9 — Keegan Bradley named Ryder Cup captain | No. 8 — Lexi Thompson steps away | No. 7 — Xander Schauffele’s major breakthrough | No. 6 – AK’s return to golf | No. 5 — Nelly Korda’s dominance Biggest golf moments of 2024 No. 4: Bryson DeChambeau’s vast reach When you think of Bryson DeChambeau’s 2024, what comes to mind first? If you’re of a certain age or from a certain sector of the golf-fan populace, surely his U.S. Open win at Pinehurst No. 2 most resonates. With Rory McIlroy leaking oil down the stretch, DeChambeau, on the 72nd hole, authored one of the greatest clutch moments in major-championship history, stuffing an awkward 55-yard greenside bunker shot to 4 feet to secure par and, ultimately, his second U.S. Open title in five years. If you’re a different — read: less traditional — breed of golf fan, though, there’s a good chance, you most associate DeChambeau’s 2024 not with that week at Pinehurst — or, for that matter, any of his other three major starts or 13 appearances on the LIV Golf tour — but instead for his round with Donald J. Trump ...or Tom Brady...or Tony Romo. If you get your golf fix by way of Bob Does Sports or Garrett Clark, maybe DeChambeau’s hit-and-giggles with those YouTube giants was your most enduring DeChambeau memory of the year. Or maybe you’re not much of a golf fan at all, but on a sleepy sports evening in December, you happened upon DeChambeau in a made-for-TV match in Vegas . Or maybe you even caught him on your TikTok feed last month when your algorithm served you a chronicle of the 16 days he spent trying to make a hole-in-one over his Dallas house. This is DeChambeau’s latest superpower: thanks to the vast reach of social media and his own relentless commitment to self-promotion, he has become hard to miss, even if you’re not looking for him. Praising DeChambeau’s branding prowess is to take nothing away from the stellar year he had on the course, especially at the majors. At the Masters, he tied for 6th. At the PGA Championship at Valhalla, he came roaring back on Sunday, shooting a seven-under 64 with his “B game” to finish runner-up, one shot behind Xander Schauffele. Then came Pinehurst, where he took down McIlroy in front of a decidedly pro-McIlroy crowd. DeChambeau’s only hiccup at the majors came at the Open Championship at Royal Troon, where his brute force was no match for the gusty conditions; he missed the cut by six. On the LIV tour, DeChambeau failed to win but had seven top-10s, finishing 8th in the overall standings. However you feel about LIV’s competitive format, DeChambeau’s indoctrination into the Saudi-funded league has seemingly unlocked something in him. On the PGA Tour, he was a huge talent but an outsider. Now, he’s surrounded by outsiders, disrupters and so-called rebels. As he told the Telegraph earlier this year: “I came to LIV and suddenly there were players in the same boat as me. Because they were getting stick as well, not from the LIV fans but seemingly everywhere else. I was not alone in being disliked and could share these feelings with my teammates and my colleagues.” DeChambeau could be himself, which is exactly what he’s done on his social-media platforms, this year more than ever. His popular “Break 50” YouTube series, in which he and his playing-partner guest try to shoot 49 or better from forward tees, has garnered such large audiences — most episodes have driven more than 2 million viewers each — that he convinced Trump to join him, during a period when the former president was deep in a campaign dogfight with President Biden. That episode has now been watched 13 million times. As of this writing, DeChambeau has 1.65 million YouTube subscribers — 140,000 more than the PGA Tour. That statistic would not be lost on Phil Mickelson, who a few months before signing with LIV in 2022, publicly lambasted the Tour for its unwillingness to share media rights with the players. Mickelson alleged that the Tour was making tens of millions of dollars annually “on their own media channel,” to which the players did not have access. Turns out players don’t need those highlights to grow their own personal channels. DeChambeau has proven that playing golf for fun with other famous golfers and golf-lovers is another wildly effective approach to building audiences. It’s a simple formula: let fans in and they will come in droves. DeChambeau has another 2.2 million followers on Instagram, and his TikTok legion is 1.4 million strong. In his social-media bios, he identifies himself as a “Content Creator & Pro Golfer.” Note the order of those titles. Following his U.S. Open win in June, DeChambeau was asked if professional golf needs more players like him. “I hope so,” he said. “My mission is to continue to expand the game, grow the game globally, domestically. YouTube has really helped me accomplish some of that.” He added, “It’s direct conversations to people that truly engage with what I’m doing.” Scottie Scheffler was the best golfer of 2024. But the most influential? That was Bryson DeChambeau. Latest In News Golf.com Editor As GOLF.com’s executive editor, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game’s most respected and highly trafficked news and service sites. He wears many hats — editing, writing, ideating, developing, daydreaming of one day breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely talented and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Before grabbing the reins at GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and foursome of kids.
With Costs Soaring, How Is The US Going To Fund Health Care?Stonehill earns 90-83 win over New HampshireDAZN Buys Australia’s Foxtel in $2.2 Billion Deal With News Corp and TelstraNPP’s Mike Oquaye Jnr and NDC’s Elikplim Akurugu both contesting for the Dome Kwabenya seat The Electoral Commission’s decision to rerun the Dome Kwabenya parliamentary election at one polling station has sparked intense debates among voters in the constituency and supporters of the two main political parties. According to the EC, the rerun will take place at the Abokobi Women’s Development Centre 2, with the date yet to be determined, following the successful completion of the collation process for 367 polling stations in the constituency. In an interview with GhanaWeb on Saturday, December 28, 2024, most voters expressed their readiness for the electoral process and confidence in the victory of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, Elikplim Akurugu. One voter stated that the NDC candidate would secure a resounding win, even if the EC decides to conduct multiple reruns. He emphasised that no attempts or schemes by the electoral management body would undermine the will of the people. “The EC can decide to do this 10,000 times, and our decision will still stand. Elikplim won, and we are standing firmly behind her. I wish I could provide examples of why we voted against the NPP. My family and I supported the NPP in 2016, but over the last eight years, they have failed to listen to those who brought them to power. Do you think we will continue being fools? Let the EC proceed, and we will still vote massively. In fact, we don’t even want them to bring any ballot papers because we won’t participate,” he explained. Another individual expressed confidence in the victory of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Mike Oquaye Jnr., asserting that the earlier declaration should have favored him. “This happens often with the EC. I am optimistic that after the rerun, NPP’s Mike Oquaye will emerge victorious with a wide margin,” another voter opined. Some supporters praised the EC’s decision, describing it as a step in the right direction and commending the commission for its commitment to resolving grievances and restoring peace. However, critics, unimpressed with the EC’s handling of electoral matters since the conclusion of the elections, condemned the commission for fueling unnecessary tensions and public agitation. “They need to take the EC to Pantang [Mental Hospital] because how can they make a decision one day and change it the next? How is this even an issue? They declared a winner and are now calling for a rerun. Even if they vote again, the NPP will still not win,” one critic expressed. Elikplim Akurugu of the NDC was initially declared the winner of the parliamentary election in Dome Kwabenya, flipping a seat previously considered safe for the NPP. However, her victory was marred by allegations of irregularities and claims that some pink sheets were tampered with after party supporters reportedly besieged the collation centre. MAG/MA
Four infrastructure majors bid for TOT Bundle 15The extinction clock is accelerating on the Knott’s Xcelerator roller coaster that is quickly becoming an endangered species as the granddaddy of an aging class of thrill rides watches better-known kin drop like flies. Three rides similar to the 2002 Xcelerator , all of them younger than the Knott’s Berry Farm coaster, are currently out of commission: Top Thrill 2 (2003), Kingda Ka (2005) and Formula Rossa (2010). The first Intamin Accelerator coaster ever built, Xcelerator reopened in November 2023 after spending two years on the disabled list while getting a new hydraulic launch system installed. Xcelerator accelerates from zero to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds with the assistance of a hydraulic launch, according to Roller Coaster Database. The Xcelerator trains quickly transition into a 205-foot-tall vertical top hat element before sending riders plunging downward on a relatively short ride covering 2,200 feet of track in a minute. Over the past decade, three Intamin Accelerator coasters have been relocated, one has been closed and two are currently “standing but not operating” — Roller Coaster Database’s version of the disabled list. “Over time, I believe we’ve seen just about every one of these coasters shut down for an extended period of time to repair the launch systems,” according to Screamscape’s Lance Hart. ALSO SEE: Xcelerator coaster returns at Knott’s Berry Farm after two years on disabled list Six Flags announced in November that Kingda Ka would be removed from its Six Flags Great Adventure park in New Jersey and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. “Kingda Ka has delivered more than 12 million rides since 2005,” Six Flags said in a statement. “What was cutting edge roller coaster technology 20 years ago has been surpassed by more modern advancements.” Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa and Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 are both eventually expected to reopen. Formula Rossa has been closed since January to repair the launch system — a process that can take a year or more, according to Screamscape. Cedar Point closed Top Thrill Dragster for the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons after a metal piece flew off the ride and seriously injured a woman waiting in the attraction queue in 2021. The rechristened Top Thrill 2 replaced the Intamin hydraulic launch system with a Zamperla electro-magnetic propulsion launch system in May — but the ride only operated for about a week before the park closed the coaster again due to mechanical issues. ALSO SEE: 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster about to become a reality The Intamin Accelerator coasters employ a hydraulic launch system with a rapidly spooling cable that pulls the trains to speeds ranging from 80 mph to nearly 150 mph. Intamin produced 14 of the lightning fast rides between 2002 and 2010. “These systems were a bit finicky, heavy on the maintenance side,” according to Screamscape. “It was typically a matter of ‘when’ the launch system was going to crap out unexpectedly. The repair process was always a lengthy and expensive one, so it was no surprise when Intamin decided to retire the launch system for good.” Related links A few of the aging thrill rides have received new leases on life with state-of-the-art updates. Zamperla removed the old hydraulic launch systems and installed new magnetic launches on Top Thrill Dragster at Ohio’s Cedar Point and ThunderVolt at Canada’s Playland. Ferrari World removed the Formula Rossa hydraulic launch system over the summer, according to Screamscape. Screamscape estimates Xcelerator’s new hydraulic launch system should last 8 to 13 years. Knott’s paid $13 million for the Intamin extreme coaster in 2002, according to RCDB. Related Articles
Trump ‘Border Czar’ Plans to Separate Families or Let Them Leave TogetherPresident-elect Donald Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, a prominent real estate developer and father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the next U.S. ambassador to France. Kushner, the founder and chairman of Kushner Companies, has long been recognized as a major player in the real estate sector. Under his leadership, the firm grew into one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate enterprises, managing a portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and retail properties. In announcing the nomination, Trump also drew attention to Kushner’s philanthropic endeavors and public service record. Over the years, Kushner has served on the board s of several prominent institutions, including New York University, and was appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. He also held leadership roles as a commissioner and chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Jared Kushner, Charles Kushner’s eldest son, played a key role in the first Trump administration. Jared Kushner is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. He served as a senior adviser with a portfolio that included some of the administration’s most ambitious initiatives. His contributions ranged from helping spearhead the rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines under Operation Warp Speed to brokering peace agreements between Israel and Arab nations through the Abraham Accords. “Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren,” Trump continued. “His son, Jared, worked closely with me in the White House, in particular on Operation Warp Speed, Criminal Justice Reform, & the Abraham Accords. Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest ally, & one of our greatest!” Trump’s decision to nominate Charles Kushner reflects his confidence in his ability to foster diplomatic ties between the United States and France. France plays a pivotal role in global diplomacy, in particular on the European continent, which is now contending with the Ukraine war. Trump has vowed to end the conflict quickly by leveraging his relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to push the two warring leaders into a peace deal. France has been a key player in diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, using its influence within the European Union and its seat on the United Nations Security Council to push for negotiations and conflict resolution.‘End of an era’: What’s next for Matt Gaetz?
Romanian elections 23rd Nov-1st DecemberFrom left: Bryson DeChambeau with Donald Trump; at the U.S. Open; during his hole-in-one challenge. YouTube; getty images; TikTok The past 12 months had it all — crazy winning streaks, new major champs, a major-week arrest (!) and more. With 2025 on the horizon, our writers are looking back at the most memorable moments from 2024. No. 15 — Charley Hull goes viral | No. 14 — LIV, LPGA CEOs say goodbye | No. 13— Solheim Cup parking fiasco | No. 12 — Phoenix Open chaos | No. 11 — Lydia Ko’s Hall of Fame resurgence | No. 10 — PGA Tour/Saudi PIF merger stalemate | No. 9 — Keegan Bradley named Ryder Cup captain | No. 8 — Lexi Thompson steps away | No. 7 — Xander Schauffele’s major breakthrough | No. 6 – AK’s return to golf | No. 5 — Nelly Korda’s dominance Biggest golf moments of 2024 No. 4: Bryson DeChambeau’s vast reach When you think of Bryson DeChambeau’s 2024, what comes to mind first? If you’re of a certain age or from a certain sector of the golf-fan populace, surely his U.S. Open win at Pinehurst No. 2 most resonates. With Rory McIlroy leaking oil down the stretch, DeChambeau, on the 72nd hole, authored one of the greatest clutch moments in major-championship history, stuffing an awkward 55-yard greenside bunker shot to 4 feet to secure par and, ultimately, his second U.S. Open title in five years. If you’re a different — read: less traditional — breed of golf fan, though, there’s a good chance, you most associate DeChambeau’s 2024 not with that week at Pinehurst — or, for that matter, any of his other three major starts or 13 appearances on the LIV Golf tour — but instead for his round with Donald J. Trump ...or Tom Brady...or Tony Romo. If you get your golf fix by way of Bob Does Sports or Garrett Clark, maybe DeChambeau’s hit-and-giggles with those YouTube giants was your most enduring DeChambeau memory of the year. Or maybe you’re not much of a golf fan at all, but on a sleepy sports evening in December, you happened upon DeChambeau in a made-for-TV match in Vegas . Or maybe you even caught him on your TikTok feed last month when your algorithm served you a chronicle of the 16 days he spent trying to make a hole-in-one over his Dallas house. This is DeChambeau’s latest superpower: thanks to the vast reach of social media and his own relentless commitment to self-promotion, he has become hard to miss, even if you’re not looking for him. Praising DeChambeau’s branding prowess is to take nothing away from the stellar year he had on the course, especially at the majors. At the Masters, he tied for 6th. At the PGA Championship at Valhalla, he came roaring back on Sunday, shooting a seven-under 64 with his “B game” to finish runner-up, one shot behind Xander Schauffele. Then came Pinehurst, where he took down McIlroy in front of a decidedly pro-McIlroy crowd. DeChambeau’s only hiccup at the majors came at the Open Championship at Royal Troon, where his brute force was no match for the gusty conditions; he missed the cut by six. On the LIV tour, DeChambeau failed to win but had seven top-10s, finishing 8th in the overall standings. However you feel about LIV’s competitive format, DeChambeau’s indoctrination into the Saudi-funded league has seemingly unlocked something in him. On the PGA Tour, he was a huge talent but an outsider. Now, he’s surrounded by outsiders, disrupters and so-called rebels. As he told the Telegraph earlier this year: “I came to LIV and suddenly there were players in the same boat as me. Because they were getting stick as well, not from the LIV fans but seemingly everywhere else. I was not alone in being disliked and could share these feelings with my teammates and my colleagues.” DeChambeau could be himself, which is exactly what he’s done on his social-media platforms, this year more than ever. His popular “Break 50” YouTube series, in which he and his playing-partner guest try to shoot 49 or better from forward tees, has garnered such large audiences — most episodes have driven more than 2 million viewers each — that he convinced Trump to join him, during a period when the former president was deep in a campaign dogfight with President Biden. That episode has now been watched 13 million times. As of this writing, DeChambeau has 1.65 million YouTube subscribers — 140,000 more than the PGA Tour. That statistic would not be lost on Phil Mickelson, who a few months before signing with LIV in 2022, publicly lambasted the Tour for its unwillingness to share media rights with the players. Mickelson alleged that the Tour was making tens of millions of dollars annually “on their own media channel,” to which the players did not have access. Turns out players don’t need those highlights to grow their own personal channels. DeChambeau has proven that playing golf for fun with other famous golfers and golf-lovers is another wildly effective approach to building audiences. It’s a simple formula: let fans in and they will come in droves. DeChambeau has another 2.2 million followers on Instagram, and his TikTok legion is 1.4 million strong. In his social-media bios, he identifies himself as a “Content Creator & Pro Golfer.” Note the order of those titles. Following his U.S. Open win in June, DeChambeau was asked if professional golf needs more players like him. “I hope so,” he said. “My mission is to continue to expand the game, grow the game globally, domestically. YouTube has really helped me accomplish some of that.” He added, “It’s direct conversations to people that truly engage with what I’m doing.” Scottie Scheffler was the best golfer of 2024. But the most influential? That was Bryson DeChambeau. Latest In News Golf.com Editor As GOLF.com’s executive editor, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game’s most respected and highly trafficked news and service sites. He wears many hats — editing, writing, ideating, developing, daydreaming of one day breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely talented and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Before grabbing the reins at GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and foursome of kids.Israel strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital, and WHO chief says he was 'meters' away DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Houthi rebels in Yemen say Israeli airstrikes have targeted the rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida. The World Health Organization’s director-general says the bombardment occurred as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa, injuring a crew member. The strikes on Thursday followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. It came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.” Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel's plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights is met with conflicting emotions EIN ZIVAN, Golan Heights (AP) — Earlier this month, Syrian leader Bashar Assad was ousted after nearly 25 years in power. Within hours, Israeli tanks rolled into the Golan Heights' demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Days later, the Israeli government approved a plan to double the population of settlers in the Golan Heights. Israel seized the mountainous region from Syria in 1967, and most of the world considers it occupied Syrian territory. In the towns and kibbutzim of Israeli-controlled Golan, the news has been met with a mixture of skepticism, excitement and shock. Previous attempts to encourage more settlement in the Golan have received a lukewarm response. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. 6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison in Mozambique amid post-election violence MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — Mozambique’s police chief has said that at least 6,000 inmates have escaped from a high-security prison in the capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country. The police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, started around midday Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from prison warders and started freeing other detainees. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. What is known about a plane crash in Kazakhstan that killed 38 of 67 people on board The crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has killed 38 of 67 people on board. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t fully clear yet. It crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea. Officials in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia haven't commented on a possible cause of the crash pending an official investigation. Some commentators pointed out holes in the plane's tail section pictured after the crash as a sign that it could have been fired upon by air defense systems. Pope brings Holy Year and prayers for better future to Rome prison, a 'cathedral of pain and hope' ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison. Francis traveled to Rebibbia prison Thursday on a frigid morning. He knocked on the door to the chapel and walked across the threshold. It was reenacting the gesture he performed at St. Peter’s Basilica two nights earlier on Christmas Eve. The opening of the Basilica's Holy Door officially kicked off the Jubilee year. It's a church tradition dating to 1300 that nowadays occurs every 25 years and involves the faithful coming to Rome on pilgrimages. About 32 million people are expected in Rome in 2025. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.
GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highest Performances Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: HPH) ("HPH” or the "Company”), today announced that it has received written notification from the staff of the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq”), dated November 21, 2024, indicating that for the last 35 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for the Company's American depositary shares (the "ADSs”) was below the minimum bid price of US$1.00 per share requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rules 5450(a)(1). The Nasdaq notification letter has no current effect on the listing or trading of the Company's securities on the Nasdaq Global Market. Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company is provided with a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until May 20, 2025, to regain compliance under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. If at any time during the 180-day compliance period, the closing bid price of the Company's ADSs is US$1.00 per share or higher for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, the Nasdaq will provide the Company written confirmation of compliance and the matter will be closed. In the event that the Company does not regain compliance by May 20, 2025, subject to the determination by the staff of Nasdaq, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180-day compliance period if it meets the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement. In this case, the Company will need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, including by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. The Nasdaq notification letter will have no effect on the Company's business operations, and the Company will take all reasonable measures to regain compliance. About HPH Founded in 2010 and formerly known as Puyi Inc., we have evolved with a vision to become a leading provider of intelligent technology-driven family and enterprise services. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for families worldwide by leveraging two primary driving forces: technological intelligence and capital investments. We are dedicated to investing in high-quality enterprises with global potential, focusing on areas such as asset allocation, education and study tours, healthcare and elderly care, and family governance. We currently hold controlling interests in two leading financial service providers in China. The first is AIX Inc., a technology-driven independent financial service platform traded on the Nasdaq. The second is Puyi Fund Distribution Co., Ltd., an independent wealth management service provider. Highest Performances Holdings Inc., formerly known as Puyi Inc., was renamed on March 13, 2024 to reflect its strategic transformation. Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When HPH uses words such as "may”, "will”, "intend”, "should”, "believe”, "expect”, "anticipate”, "project”, "estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from HPH's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: HPH's ability to obtain proceeds from the Agreement; HPH's goals and strategies; HPH's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the third-party wealth management industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets HPH serves and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by HPH with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in HPH's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. HPH undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Highest Performances Holdings Inc. Tel: +86-20-28866499 Email: [email protected] Highest Performances Holdings Inc.Nigeria Has No Business With Poverty But For Poor Leadership – ILCS
The ( ) share price is pushing higher on Monday morning. At the time of writing, the telco giant's shares are up 0.5% to $4.00. This follows the release of a relating to the company's stake in the Foxtel business. Telstra share price higher on Foxtel news This morning, ( ) that it has signed an agreement with global sports streaming platform to sell its Foxtel business for an enterprise value of $3.4 billion. This transaction represents more than 7x FY 2024 Foxtel EBITDA. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholder loans in the amount of $578 million outstanding and owing to News Corp will be repaid in full in cash at closing. In addition, Foxtel's current debt will be refinanced at closing and transfer with Foxtel, and News Corp will hold a minority equity interest in DAZN Group of approximately 6% as well as one seat on its Board of Directors. Completion is expected in the first half of 2025. This is subject to regulatory approvals. What about Telstra? Telstra revealed that has agreed to divest its 35% stake in Foxtel to DAZN Group. The telco giant will receive $128 million in cash for repayment of shareholder loans. It will also hold a 3% shareholding in DAZN Group. Management advised that the transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Telstra's FY25 guidance. Nor will it impact its profit and loss for the current financial year. Telstra believes that the sale of Foxtel to DAZN represents an opportunity for the continued evolution of Foxtel's digital-first sports and entertainment offering within a global platform. A 'victory' for shareholders Commenting on the deal, Telstra's CEO, Vicki Brady, said: Now is the right time for this change. Foxtel is a world-class streaming service, and I look forward to its continued success under DAZN's ownership. This sentiment was echoed by News Corp's chief executive, Robert Thomson. He adds: This agreement is a victory for News Corp shareholders, DAZN, and sport fans in Australia and around the world. Foxtel has been transformed into a genuine digital and streaming leader in Australia, and we believe DAZN is the right owner to take the business to the next level with their technological capabilities, global footprint and compelling sports rights. This transaction also allows News Corp to focus on our other growth pillars of Dow Jones, Digital Real Estate and Book Publishing, while benefiting from repayment of our shareholder loans and an improved credit profile. We are proud to be a long-term partner of DAZN and its talented team. The Telstra share price is trading largely flat in 2024.Romanian elections 23rd Nov-1st December
AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:36 p.m. EST
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Carlos Santana returns to Cleveland on 1-year deal, first baseman's third stint with GuardiansChief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told the officials to be on high alert to the likelihood of Cyclone Fengal causing widespread damage in the State. Taking stock of the situation at a high-level meeting with district collectors and senior officials of A.P. State Disaster Management Authority and Real Time Governance Society on Saturday (November 30), Mr. Naidu called for proper coordination to mitigate the impact of the cyclone and suggested that WhatsApp groups would come in handy. The CM instructed the officials to be geared up to deal with possible flash floods and to make necessary arrangements for relief and rehabilitation in advance. He also suggested that the farmers be given updates from time to time so that they could protect their crops from heavy rains. Published - November 30, 2024 04:21 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
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