India's dream of becoming a global research and development (R&D) hub is facing a funding crisis. As per the Reserve Bank of India's 'State Finances: A Study of Budgets' report, the total funding for R&D in state budgets was a paltry 0.1% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) between FY23 and FY25. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change The report looked at the R&D budget of 10 Indian states and Union Territories to conclude that their total expenditure was even lower than the national average of 0.64%. Among the 10 states, Rajasthan’s R&D allocation stood at 0.42% of the GSDP in the FY25 Budget. Kerala was in second place, with its R&D expenditure at 0.28% of the state’s GDP. Moreover, Karnataka (0.07%) and Tamil Nadu (0.01%), which are among the top 5 wealthiest states, saw less than 0.1% of their GSDP allocated to R&D. State-level funding was mainly routed to medical, health, family welfare, sanitation and agricultural research. However, there were spatial variations in R&D expenditure across the states & Union Territories. While health and education-related spending increased between FY21 and FY25, expenditure on agriculture-related research declined in the same period. While the RBI report does not include all states, it highlights the sorry state of R&D funding at the state level. Also read: Budget 2025: CII seeks priority sector lending reforms, outcome-based credit “The idea of supporting research is largely missing at the state level in the absence of any mandate. State governments have never really prioritised research,” said Prof V Ramagopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS-Pilani. He added that it is a big ask to expect state governments to fund R&D when many cannot manage state universities. Even India’s R&D spending amounting to 0.64% of the total GDP pales in comparison to the global average of 2.6%. On the other hand, the United States and China spend about 3.5% and 2.4% of their GDPs, respectively, on R&D. The lack of support at the state level has forced the Centre to do a lot of heavy lifting with respect to R&D funding. According to ‘Research and Development Statistics At A Glance 2022-23’, the Centre is responsible for over 43% of the total R&D funding in the country. State governments constitute less than 7% of the funding mix. Nevertheless, things have been improving but at a less-than-ideal pace. As per the Department of Science & Technology’s estimates, India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) more than doubled from ₹ 60,196.75 crore in 2010-11 to ₹ 1.27 lakh crore in 2020-21. On a per capita basis, it increased from $29.2 in 2007-08 to $42 in 2020–21. According to Prof Rao, who won the coveted Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 2004, the ‘Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research’ (PAIR) scheme is an example of the Centre’s oversized involvement in R&D funding. The scheme links top-tier institutions with those having limited research capacities. “The Centre wants to use this hub-and-spoke model to encourage R&D at the state level after realising that state governments are not doing much,” he said. Prof Rao argued that state governments will start taking R&D funding seriously if NITI Aayog comes up with a ranking system. He added that co-funded initiatives involving both the Centre and the states could help the latter improve their share in R&D funding. Also read: Nirmala Sitharman’s pre-budget meeting: What states want from the FMspin ph 6 。

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Barcelona loses at home for the first time this seasonIndia’s architecture fans guard Mumbai’s Art Deco pastWith each team coming off a come-from-behind win, West Virginia and North Carolina Central square off Tuesday night in Morgantown, W.Va. West Virginia (6-2) has won two straight games and is in the midst of a 16-day, four-game homestand that kicked off with a 73-60 win over Georgetown in the Big 12-Big East Battle on Friday night. North Carolina Central (4-7) comes off a 78-77 road win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday night. Javon Small led the Mountaineers with a game-high 26 points against Georgetown as they overcame a second-half deficit with a decisive run. "The way we played in the second half (against Georgetown), I'll take that team everywhere," West Virginia coach Darian DeVries said. "You have to be able to do that every single night, every single possession you don't always get to go on a 16-0 run to pull you out of it. That's where we are still growing as a team." Eduardo Andre was questionable for the Georgetown game after he missed the Mountaineers' 83-76 overtime win against Arizona on Nov. 29. But the fifth-year senior center returned with four points, three rebounds and four blocks. "It was good to have him back in the lineup for a reason," DeVries said. "That presence, especially defensively and the ability to block shots, that's a huge deal for us." Against Gardner-Webb, Po'Boigh King led NCCU with 28 points, well above his 17.4 points per game average, as the Eagles rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to win on a late 3-pointer from Isaac Parson. On offense, the Eagles take care of the ball. They are seventh in the nation in turnover margin at plus-7.5 per game. They seek extra possessions on defense and are second nationally with 18.9 turnovers forced per game "We're good enough, we just need to fine tune some things," NCCU coach LeVelle Moton said. "We've got to cross some T's, dot some I's and close. We can't be a really good basketball team until we get the mindset that when winning time presents itself in the last five minutes, (the other team) has to earn it." --Field Level MediaChristmas Day revellers put on notice following wild scenes at Aussie beach

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Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen still gets asked about the Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on the first day of 2007. That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football's blue bloods that was followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could have been a back-breaking interception return for a touchdown with 1:02 left. Then the Broncos used three trick plays that remain sensations to not only force overtime but win 43-42. And then there was the marriage proposal by Boise State running back Ian Johnson — shortly after scoring the winning two-point play — to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics that was accepted on national TV. That game put Broncos football on the national map for most fans, but looking back 18 years later, Petersen sees it differently. "Everybody wants to talk about that Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game, which is great how it all worked out and all those things," Petersen said. "But we go back to play TCU (three years later) again on the big stage. It's not as flashy a game, but to me, that was an even better win." Going back to the Fiesta Bowl and winning, Petersen reasoned, showed the Broncos weren't a splash soon to fade away, that there was something longer lasting and more substantive happening on the famed blue turf. The winning has continued with few interruptions. No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for another trip to the Fiesta Bowl, this time in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year's Eve. That success has continued through a series of coaches, though with a lot more of a common thread than readily apparent. Dirk Koetter was hired from Oregon, where Petersen was the wide receivers coach. Not only did Koetter bring Petersen with him to Oregon, Petersen introduced him to Dan Hawkins, who also was hired for the staff. So the transition from Koetter to Hawkins to Petersen ensured at least some level of consistency. Koetter and Hawkins engineered double-digit victory seasons five times over a six-year span that led to power-conference jobs. Koetter went to Arizona State after three seasons and Hawkins to Colorado after five. Then when Petersen became the coach after the 2005 season, he led Boise State to double-digit wins his first seven seasons and made bowls all eight years. He resisted the temptation to leave for a power-conference program until Washington lured him away toward the end of the 2013 season. Then former Boise State quarterback and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin took over and posted five double-digit victory seasons over his first six years. After going 5-2 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he left for Auburn. "They just needed consistency of leadership," said Koetter, who is back as Boise State's offensive coordinator. "This program had always won at the junior-college level, the Division II level, the I-AA (now FCS) level." But Koetter referred to "an unfortunate chain of events" that made Boise State a reclamation project when he took over in 1998. Coach Pokey Allen led Boise State to the Division I-AA national championship game in 1994, but was diagnosed with cancer two days later. He died on Dec. 30, 1996, at 53. Allen coached the final two games that season, Boise State's first in Division I-A (now FBS). Houston Nutt became the coach in 1997, went 4-7 and headed to Arkansas. Then Koetter took over. "One coach dies and the other wasn't the right fit for this program," Koetter said. "Was a really good coach, did a lot of good things, but just wasn't a good fit for here." But because of Boise State's success at the lower levels, Koetter said the program was set up for success. "As Boise State has risen up the conference food chain, they've pretty much always been at the top from a player talent standpoint," Koetter said. "So it was fairly clear if we got things headed in the right direction and did a good job recruiting, we would be able to win within our conference for sure." Success didn't take long. He went 6-5 in 1998 and then won 10 games each of the following two seasons. Hawkins built on that winning and Petersen took it to another level. But there is one season, really one game, no really one half that still bugs Petersen. He thought his best team was in 2010, one that entered that late-November game at Nevada ranked No. 3 and had a legitimate chance to play for the national championship. The Colin Kaepernick-led Wolf Pack won 34-31. "I think the best team that I might've been a part of as the head coach was the team that lost one game to Nevada," Petersen said. "That team, to me, played one poor half of football on offense the entire season. We were winning by a bunch at half (24-7) and we came out and did nothing on offense in the second half and still had a chance to win. "That team would've done some damage." There aren't any what-ifs with this season's Boise State team. The Broncos are in the field of the first 12-team playoff, representing the Group of Five as its highest-ranked conference champion. That got Boise State a bye into the quarterfinals. Spencer Danielson has restored the championship-level play after taking over as the interim coach late last season during a rare downturn that led to Andy Avalos' dismissal. Danielson received the job full time after leading Boise State to the Mountain West championship. Now the Broncos are 12-1 with their only defeat to top-ranked and No. 1 seed Oregon on a last-second field goal. Running back Ashton Jeanty also was the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy. "Boise State has been built on the backs of years and years of success way before I got here," Danielson said. "So even this season is not because of me. It's because the group of young men wanted to leave a legacy, be different. We haven't been to the Fiesta Bowl in a decade. They said in January, 'We're going to get that done.' They went to work." As was the case with Danielson, Petersen and Koetter said attracting top talent is the primary reason Boise State has succeeded all these years. Winning, obviously, is the driving force, and with more entry points to the playoffs, the Broncos could make opportunities to keep returning to the postseason a selling point. But there's also something about the blue carpet. Petersen said he didn't get what it was about when he arrived as an assistant coach, and there was some talk about replacing it with more conventional green grass. A poll in the Idaho Statesman was completely against that idea, and Petersen has come to appreciate what that field means to the program. "It's a cumulative period of time where young kids see big-time games when they're in seventh and eighth and ninth and 10th grade and go, 'Oh, I know that blue turf. I want to go there,'" Petersen said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!It can be difficult to define "cheap," particularly on Wall Street. However, in the context of this article, it means a stock with a price below $50. Let's look at two tech stocks that meet this criterion , and why investors might want to strongly consider one or both for their portfolios. SoundHound AI Topping my list is SoundHound AI ( SOUN 15.38% ) . I t qualifies as a cheap stock thanks to its share price (about $21 as of this writing). On a valuation basis, its price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of more than 75 makes it quite expensive. However, like many hypergrowth tech stocks, there's a reason investors have paid up for SoundHound shares, and it's the ongoing AI boom. The corporate world is making enormous investments in artificial intelligence (AI) technology . C ompanies including Microsoft , Amazon , and Meta Platforms are spending billions to build or expand AI data centers, but it's not just the big tech players that are over the moon for AI. Consumer brands , financial companies , and healthcare providers are all recognizing that they need to develop an AI strategy, lest they fall behind their competitors. And that's where SoundHound AI comes in. The company's voice AI systems are crucial to businesses seeking to deploy customer-facing AI. SoundHound helps brands develop systems for ordering at a restaurant, in-car navigation, and other purposes. It has already partnered with iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz , Netflix , and Mastercard . The company is very early in its lifecycle and has generated only $67 million in revenue over the last 12 months, with no profits. But it is growing quickly , with revenue having increased 89% in its most recent quarter (the three months ending on Sept. 30). Growth-focused investors who are interested in what could be one of the best AI application companies around should keep an eye on SoundHound. IonQ As of this writing, the stock price of IonQ ( IONQ 17.64% ) is around $39, which qualifies it as cheap in my book -- at least when it comes to its share price. On a valuation basis, it's clear the company isn't that cheap , with less than $40 million in revenue over the last 12 months and no profits. Yet the reason this company is so compelling to me is that it is a leader in the fascinating field of quantum computing . Unlike traditional binary computers that form the foundation of everything from smartphones to AI supercomputers, quantum computers operate on a more complex system of hardware logic . It's like the difference between a steam engine and a rocket: They're both mechanisms for transportation, but the scale of their applications couldn't be more different. In a nutshell, quantum computers will be vastly more powerful than today's best supercomputers -- once scientists can work out all the kinks. That's precisely what IonQ, along with competitors like Alphabet , are trying to do: design quantum computers so that they can be scaled up and used to solve incredibly complex problems. But for the moment, technical challenges remain, meaning that this is a promising -- but not proven -- investment. More to the point, the company is free cash flow negative, meaning it must fund its operations through cash on hand, debt, or secondary equity offerings. So, while IonQ is not for every investor, it is a compelling choice for those who are looking for a pure play in the quantum computing sector.

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) between February 29, 2024 and September 4, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Celsius common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Celsius materially oversold inventory to PepsiCo, Inc. (“Pepsi”) far in excess of demand, and faced a looming sales cliff during which Pepsi would significantly reduce its purchases of Celsius products; (2) as Pepsi drew down significant amounts of inventory overstock, Celsius’ sales would materially decline in future periods, hurting Celsius’ financial performance and outlook; (3) Celsius’ sales rate to Pepsi was unsustainable and created a misleading impression of Celsius’ financial performance and outlook; (4) as a result, Celsius’ business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as indicated in defendants’ Class Period statements; and (5) consequently, defendants’ statements regarding Celsius’ outlook and expected financial performance were false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.comDonald Trump is reportedly eager to end the war in Gaza before he takes office. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham, who serves as a foreign policy advisor to Trump, told Axios that the president-elect wants a ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiated immediately. Trump has expressed similar sentiments about the war in Ukraine , which has escalated in recent weeks , and has suggested that he could swiftly negotiate peace between Ukraine and Russia . The incoming Trump administration is preparing to handle the conflict as it appears a lack of progress may carry into Trump's term. Israeli officials believe Trump will take a different approach to Gaza and the subsequent "day after" plan than Biden. "Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal," Graham told Axios. "He wants to see it happening now. "I want people in Israel and in the region to know that Trump is focused on the hostages issue," he continued. "He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end." "I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire." More than a year into the war, 101 hostages are still being held in Gaza by Hamas , including seven American citizens. Israeli intelligence service reports suggest about half of the hostages are still alive. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Gaza health ministry. DON'T MISS... Benjamin Netanyahu vows to 'focus on Iran' as Israel agrees Lebanon ceasefire Hezbollah launches 250 rockets at Israel in largest attack in months Benjamin Netanyahu's furious reaction after ICC issues arrest warrant Graham's comments come after his second visit to the Middle East this month, in which he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Graham believes Trump needs to finalize a deal in Gaza so that he can focus on other policy priorities in the region, including Israel-Saudi normalization and a regional alliance against Iran. He also added that policy about Palestine would have to be on the table in normalization negotiations between Saudi and Israel. Graham also clarified that he rejects proposals from hardliners in Benjamin Netanyahu's administration like Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich who wants Israel to indefinitely occupy Gaza. "The best insurance policy against Hamas is not an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza but a reform in the Palestinian society," Graham said. "The only ones who can do that are the Arab countries."Knight stops 20 shots, Florida rolls past Carolina 6-0 for 2nd win over 'Canes in as many days

( MENAFN - Jordan Times) Much of the apprehension in US domestic discourse over President-elect Donald Trump's recent election success is echoed by foreign nations. They view his foreign policies as vague and ambiguous, making it difficult to predict their effects on the global stage. Trump's domestic and foreign policies are deeply intertwined, with the strongest evidence found in his“Make America Great Again” motto-a nationalistic slogan that is not abstract, but comparative. This motto implies that the United States should surpass its rivals in military strength, technological advancement, economic power, and global influence. If this indeed marks a new American political paradigm, the world is about to enter a different era-one in which economic dominance becomes the ultimate ideal. As a result, longstanding“isms” such as pluralism, humanitarianism, capitalism, equitism, and even human rights could be reshaped and subjected to new practices. Thomas Piketty's groundbreaking 2014 book Capital in the Twenty-First Century stunned the world with its data on the dramatic concentration and inequality of wealth in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Piketty shows that profits have surged, particularly when compared to stagnant wages, and he warns that unless governments address this imbalance, capitalism itself may not survive the upheavals that will inevitably follow. Trump, set to take office in less than two months, will assume power with control of both houses of Congress, backed by the momentum and support he has garnered. His cabinet picks so far appear to be ideological allies, ready to align with his policies and executive decisions. Among his key recruits are major figures like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Peter Thiel, tech industry giants poised to drive his“Make America Great Again” agenda. This paves the way for what I would call a“Wealthocracy,” a term that perhaps better captures today's reality than“plutocracy.” Unlike a plutocracy, where the wealthy influence government, a wealthocracy sees them directly shaping and executing policy, effectively blurring the divide between the private and public spheres. This strategy threatens to stoke rivalries among the world's superpowers, leaving smaller nations scrambling to avoid being trampled. For Jordan, this situation presents a complex, nearly impossible dilemma-a true catch-22. Jordan's best hope may be its ability to navigate the narrow corridors of regional and global power struggles, perhaps forced to yield to the demands of powerful nations and accommodate contradictory pressures. Historically, Jordan has weathered various forms of complex situations, positioning itself as a model of respect for human rights, free from double standards, and committed to inalienable rights. But in a world driven by ruthless, self-interested calculations, will this stance hold relevance? Will the world simply accept this emerging order, or will there be resistance? In Jordan, our policy decisions are shaped by navigating a vector of conflicting local, regional, and international interests-what we often call, euphemistically, resilience. It must always be remembered that Jordan, along with the entirety of its institutions, is firmly committed to the belief that any future regional projects aimed at fostering coexistence among Middle Easterners, cannot, and must not overlook Jordan's spirit, strategic geopolitical position, and exemplary sense of justice. Despite expected paradigm shifts in the management of world affairs, where an interest-focused approach could dominate international relations, Jordan's role will continue to hold on to those ideals; they are essential in facilitating the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace. The upcoming Trump administration has a tentative and sketchy plan, which merely outlines a path toward peace and remains contingent upon Saudi Arabia's role as a key negotiating actor. While Jordan plays an active part in these negotiations, it views its pivotal role as the solidifying force for that peace, helping sustain it for the entire region. MENAFN30112024000028011005ID1108942269 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.When 2025 arrives, so will the end of the amateur athlete in college sports

The Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” amid spiralling conflict across the region. The message comes after a challenging first five months in office for the Labour Government and against the backdrop of a flatlining economy and rising inflation. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, people will be travelling up and down the country. Heading home, visiting relatives and loved ones to celebrate together the hope and joy of this special season. “It’s a time to remind ourselves what’s really important. Family. Friendship. And fellowship between all people. “Being there for one another – in these celebrations, as well as the more difficult times.” To our military and veterans, the whole nation thanks you for the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. My government will serve you as you have served your country. I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. pic.twitter.com/LphMZog6np — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 22, 2024 The Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note following another year of political upheaval for Britain, which saw Labour win a landslide victory after a surprise election called by Rishi Sunak in the summer. After taking office in July, the new Government made a series of unpopular decisions as ministers confronted the realities of creaking public services and strained national finances. As well as dealing with the economic inheritance, Sir Keir said he needed to fix a “broken society” which manifested itself in summer riots across the country after the Southport knife attack. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story. “I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings. “So, from my family to yours, I hope you have a very merry Christmas.” The message comes after revised official figures released on Monday indicated that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September. Downing Street defended the Government’s record so far when asked about the data, telling reporters: “We had to take those tough decisions to lay the foundations of growth such that we can then deliver the higher living standards over this Parliament that people want to see.” The Prime Minister also used his message to thank those spending Christmas serving others, including in the NHS and emergency services, the armed forces, churches and charities. “I know that this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those who are lonely this Christmas. “Having a tough time, missing a loved one. You are not alone,” he said. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said Christmas was a time to reflect on “all that’s happened in the year” and “support all of those people who need our assistance”. “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, not just in the Conservative Party or in my constituency, but across the country,” the Tory leader said. “For all that you have been doing in your communities, supporting each other and helping to keep all our towns, villages and places going. “I think that Christmas is a time for us to reflect on all that’s happened in the year. “Sometimes we have amazing years. “Sometimes, like when I lost my dad, we have difficult years and we’re commiserating, but we do it together. “But it’s a time for us to support all of those people who need our assistance, who need our help, who need our support.” She added: “And I’m looking forward to 2025. “I wish you all the very best for the New Year and all of the exciting things to come.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with some amazing young carers. “Incredible young people who will spend this Christmas doing what they do all year round; looking after loved ones who are ill or disabled. “Carers embody the Christmas spirit of love, selflessness and generosity. “So I hope we can all take some time to think of them, and keep them in our hearts. “And wish them – and everyone – a Christmas full of peace, joy and love.”Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria

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