Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:HRTG – Free Report ) by 22.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 388,587 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 70,100 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. owned about 1.27% of Heritage Insurance worth $4,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of Heritage Insurance by 63.3% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 432,732 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $3,064,000 after buying an additional 167,819 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Heritage Insurance by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,414,585 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $10,016,000 after acquiring an additional 96,923 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in Heritage Insurance by 45.7% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 436,099 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $3,088,000 after acquiring an additional 136,800 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Heritage Insurance by 263.3% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 87,814 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $622,000 after acquiring an additional 63,645 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Heritage Insurance by 413.4% during the second quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 74,772 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $529,000 after purchasing an additional 60,207 shares during the period. 59.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Heritage Insurance Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE HRTG opened at $12.39 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $380.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.96 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.51 and a 12 month high of $16.90. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $12.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.53. Analysts Set New Price Targets HRTG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Heritage Insurance from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 16th. Piper Sandler upgraded Heritage Insurance from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $9.00 to $13.00 in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price target on Heritage Insurance from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Heritage Insurance Heritage Insurance Company Profile ( Free Report ) Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides personal and commercial residential insurance products. The company offers personal residential insurance in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia; commercial residential insurance for properties in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as personal residential and wind-only property insurance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HRTG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:HRTG – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Heritage Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Heritage Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Not as it seems: Rise of deepfakes throughout the Crypto sector
Juan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. He said at his introductory news conference on Thursday that the Mets “showed me a lot of love." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, Soto was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. Belichick's five-year deal pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary per year. It is guaranteed only for the first three years, including for buyout purposes. There is also up to $3.5 million in annual bonuses. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNC Bill Belichick is already the most decorated coach in NFL history. His next challenge is college football after he agreed to a five-year deal to coach at North Carolina. The reaction around the NFL ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. Others caution that the players he brings into UNC should prepare to have their limits tested.
This is the No. 1 company where workers are happy with their pay—it's not based in New York or San FranciscoSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Dez White's 26 points helped Missouri State defeat UCSB 68-56 on Sunday. White shot 6 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line for the Bears (7-5). Vincent Brady II scored 13 points while going 4 of 8 and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line and added seven rebounds. Michael Osei-Bonsu finished 5 of 8 from the floor to finish with 10 points. Kenny Pohto led the way for the Gauchos (7-5) with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Cole Anderson added 11 points for UCSB. Deuce Turner finished with seven points. Missouri State took the lead with 6:05 left in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 31-25 at halftime, with White racking up 17 points. Missouri State pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored UCSB by six points in the final half, as White led the way with a team-high nine second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Pawar flags ‘30% vote manipulation’ in Maha polls, says EC’s role in question“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.
SINGAPORE , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber DWM Holding Limited ("Amber DWM"), the holding entity of Amber Group's digital wealth management business, known as Amber Premium ("Amber Premium"), today announced that it has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited ("iClick" or the "Listco") (NASDAQ: ICLK) and Overlord Merger Sub Ltd. ("Merger Sub"), a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Listco. Under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Amber DWM, with Amber DWM continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Listco (the "Merger"). Amber DWM's shareholders will exchange all of their issued and outstanding share capital for a mix of newly issued Class A and Class B ordinary shares of the Listco on the terms and conditions set forth therein in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933. Wayne Huo , Chief Executive Officer and Director of Amber DWM , said: " We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with iClick. This merger represents a significant milestone, bringing together Amber Premium's expertise in digital wealth management and iClick's innovative marketing technology. Together, we aim to redefine the digital financial ecosystem, delivering unparalleled value to our clients and stakeholders. By bridging the worlds of blockchain, fintech and digital marketing, we are unlocking new opportunities to revolutionize how value is created and exchanged in the digital economy ." The transaction values Amber DWM at US$360 million and the Listco at US$40 million by equity value on a fully diluted basis (assuming completion of certain restructuring as set forth in the Merger Agreement). Upon closing of the Merger (the "Closing"), the Amber DWM shareholders and the Listco shareholders (including holders of ADSs) will own approximately 90% and 10%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the combined company, or 97% and 3% voting power, respectively. The Merger Agreement also contemplates that, upon the Closing, the Listco will change its name to "Amber International Holding Limited" and adopt the tenth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Listco, in each case immediately before the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), following which the authorized share capital of the Listco shall only consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares (with different voting powers but equal economic rights), a par value of US$0.001 each. Please refer to the Merger Agreement filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 6-K furnished by the Listco to the SEC on November 29, 2024 for more details. The Listco's board of directors (the "Board") approved the Merger Agreement and other transaction documents, including but not limited to the voting agreement entered into by and among certain shareholders of the Listco (who holds approximately 36% of the outstanding shares representing 71% voting power of the Listco as of the date of this press release), the Listco and Amber DWM (the "Voting Agreement") (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"), and the transactions contemplated thereunder (the "Transactions"), with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors. The Board also resolved to recommend that the Listco's shareholders vote to authorize and approve the Transaction Documents and the Transactions when they are submitted for shareholder approval. In connection with the Transaction, each of the shareholders of Amber DWM immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger is entering into a lock-up agreement with the Listco pursuant to which they have agreed not to transfer the shares received in consideration of the Merger for a period of 12 months following the Merger closing. The completion of the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including, among other things, receipt of the Listco's shareholder approval and regulatory/stock exchange approvals (if applicable). The Merger Agreement provides for a long-stop date for any party to terminate the agreement if the Merger is not completed by June 30, 2025 . " This merger represents a transformative opportunity to broaden our business portfolio by integrating Amber Premium's state-of-the-art digital wealth management solutions. By uniting iClick's robust data analytic and enterprise software expertise with Amber Premium's advanced digital wealth management services, we aim to unblock synergies between traditional finance and the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem, particularly benefitting corporate and high net worth individual clients ", said Mr. Jian Tang , Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of iClick . The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety to the full text of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement, which are filed as Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 to the Form 6-K furnished by the Listco to the SEC on 29, 2024, respectively. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to Amber DWM. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to iClick. About Amber Premium Amber Premium, the business brand behind Amber DWM Holding Limited, is a leading digital wealth management platform offering private banking-level solutions tailored for the dynamic crypto economy. Serving a premium clientele of esteemed institutions and qualified individuals, Amber Premium develops and supports innovative digital wealth management products. Its institutional-grade access and operations makes it the top choice for one-stop digital wealth management services, providing tailored, secure solutions that drive growth in the Web3 economy. About iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Founded in 2009, iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK) is a renowned online marketing and enterprise solutions provider in Asia . With its leading proprietary technologies, iClick's full suite of data-driven solutions helps brands drive significant business growth and profitability throughout the full consumer lifecycle. For more information, please visit https://ir.i-click.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending transactions described herein, and the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable transaction agreements; (iii) the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of the Listco, Amber DWM or the combined entity; (iv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the Listco's securities; (vi) the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Amber DWM or the combined entity to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; (vii) any changes in the business or operating prospects of Amber DWM and the combined entity or their businesses; (viii) changes in applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) risks relating to Amber DWM's and the combined company's ability to enhance their services and products, execute their business strategy, expand their customer base and maintain stable relationship with their business partners. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC by the Listco in connection with the proposed transactions, and other documents that the parties may file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and the Listco, Amber DWM and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation. No Offer or Solicitation This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transactions described above and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Amber DWM, the Listco or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Participants in the Solicitation The Listco, Amber DWM and their respective directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Listco in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement pertaining to the proposed transaction when it becomes available for the proposed transaction. Additional Information and Where to Find It The Listco will file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders a proxy statement in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and securityholders are urged to read the proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain important information regarding the proposed arrangement. You may access the proxy statement (when available) and other related documents filed by the Listco with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . You also may obtain the proxy statement (when it is available) and other documents filed by the Listco with the SEC relating to the proposed arrangement for free by accessing the Listco's website at ir.i-click.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amber-groups-subsidiary-amber-dwm-holding-limited-and-nasdaq-listed-iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited-enter-into-a-definitive-merger-agreement-302319082.html SOURCE Amber GroupSunday, December 22, 2024 Scotland has initiated a procurement process to upgrade its InterCity train fleet with modern, energy-efficient models. The project emphasizes enhanced passenger comfort, improved reliability, and sustainable solutions to address the increasing demand for rail travel. This development was highlighted by the railway news platform, Railway Supply. Scotland Advances Modernization of InterCity Trains for Sustainability and Comfort Scotland is making strides toward revamping its InterCity train network by phasing out aging models. The initiative is designed to deliver a greener, more comfortable, and user-friendly travel experience for passengers. The plan includes replacing 25 trains in ScotRail’s High-Speed Train (HST) fleet, which serves vital routes linking Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness. This upgrade reflects Scotland’s commitment to modernizing its rail infrastructure. The upcoming fleet aims to enhance passenger comfort and provide better accessibility, all while reducing environmental impact. The modernized designs will also focus on boosting reliability to support the increasing demand for rail travel across Scotland. Advancing Sustainability with Modern InterCity Trains in Scotland Scottish authorities have underscored the environmental advantages of upgrading the InterCity train fleet, emphasizing reduced emissions and a stronger commitment to sustainability. This initiative aligns with Scotland’s vision for a greener and more efficient transportation network. An updated Decarbonisation Action Plan, scheduled for release in spring 2025, will outline fresh targets for phasing out diesel-powered trains and adopting clean energy technologies. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop highlighted the significance of these advancements, noting that over 4 million passengers relied on InterCity services last year. She expressed optimism that the new fleet will not only attract more riders but also lower operational costs and emissions. The project is expected to stimulate Scotland’s economy by engaging local suppliers and fostering innovation within the rail industry. It also aims to position rail as the preferred choice for both work and leisure travel by offering greater accessibility, comfort, and reliability. Contracts for the procurement process will be finalized in 2025, with delivery timelines to follow. The modernized trains are designed to meet contemporary expectations for passenger experience while establishing a sustainable foundation for future transportation needs. By investing in low-carbon solutions, the Scottish Government is setting a new benchmark for rail efficiency and environmental stewardship. These upgrades reflect a commitment to creating greener, more appealing travel options that benefit both passengers and the planet. Scotland Drives Rail Modernization for Sustainability and Efficiency Scotland’s plans to upgrade its rail network align with broader sustainability objectives, focusing on enhancing reliability, accessibility, and reducing emissions. These improvements aim to create a greener, more efficient travel system for all passengers. Updates on contract awards and project milestones are expected in 2025, as the nation takes decisive steps toward delivering a modernized rail experience that prioritizes comfort and efficiency. This investment underscores Scotland’s proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges through sustainable transportation. The project reflects a vision for cleaner, more energy-efficient mobility that benefits both passengers and the economy. Authorities anticipate that replacing aging InterCity trains with modern fleets will significantly reduce operational costs while offering an elevated travel experience. These advancements position rail as a competitive and attractive mode of transport. By adopting cleaner technologies, Scotland moves closer to achieving its ambitious environmental goals. This initiative reaffirms the government’s dedication to promoting green travel solutions and setting a benchmark for sustainable rail systems. Scotland’s modernization efforts showcase its leadership in sustainable transportation, paving the way for long-term growth. With upgraded facilities and reduced emissions, the rail network is poised to meet the demands of future generations while fostering innovation and efficiency. Through strategic investments in rail modernization, Scotland is building a future defined by sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in transportation.
Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad rule BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian opposition war monitor and a pro-government media outlet say government forces have withdrawn from much of the central city of Homs. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. Losing Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Syria’s embattled leader, Bashar Assad. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors have returned to the Hawaii military base for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.Drug company executives had hoped that a second Trump administration would be staffed by friendly health policy officials who would reduce regulation and help their industry boom. But some of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed nominees are instead alarming drugmakers, according to interviews with people in the industry. For health secretary, Trump chose Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic with no medical or public health training who has accused drug companies of the “mass poisoning” of Americans. Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is Dr. Dave Weldon, a former Congress member from Florida who raised doubts about vaccines and pushed to move most vaccine safety research from the agency. And Trump’s choice to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, former television host Dr. Mehmet Oz, has scant experience in managing a large bureaucracy like the one he may now oversee; the agency is in charge of health care programs that cover more than 150 million Americans. In Trump’s first term as president, pharmaceutical executives largely cheered his health policy nominees. They had ties to the moderate wing of the Republican Party and decades of conventional experience, including at major drug companies. John LaMattina, who was once the top scientist at Pfizer and is now a senior partner at PureTech Health, a firm that creates biotech startups, said of those officials, “You could disagree with them, but at least there’s a certain knowledge base, and they’ve given serious thought to these issues.” He added, “We’re now seeing some people without any sort of background, and that’s worrisome.” The implications remain unclear for Americans who rely on medications or on widespread immunity from diseases that, for now, are rare. Some in the Trump administration want to speed drug approvals, potentially seeding the market with drugs of uncertain effectiveness. Kennedy has in some forums called for more independent safety reviews of established vaccines, and at other times, he has demanded fewer constraints on unconventional and unproven treatments. But Kennedy has also tapped in to veins of outrage among consumers and lawmakers, who have long vilified drug companies for setting high prices on certain drugs and reaping billions of dollars in profits rather than putting patients first. In choosing such a vociferous critic as Kennedy, the president-elect stunned the sector, causing vaccine and biotechnology stocks to plummet temporarily. And though Kennedy most recently said that he would not take vaccines away from Americans who want them, even a modest reduction in the number of people receiving certain shots could spook investors and translate into hundreds of millions of dollars of lost revenue. The industry is also concerned that drug approvals could be delayed if Kennedy makes good on his threats to fire drug regulators, or if they quit in droves to avoid working under his leadership. “There was cautious optimism on Trump when he won, and that was very rapidly replaced with concern over RFK Jr.,” said Brian Skorney, a drug industry analyst at the investment bank Baird. Drug companies’ political action committees made millions of dollars in contributions to Democrats and Republicans this election cycle, and the industry’s lobbying groups can wield considerable influence over policy and legislation. Top pharmaceutical executives have said little publicly about Trump’s picks for health policy positions, seeking to avoid alienating the people who would regulate them. Their lobbying groups have publicly issued polite statements saying they want to work constructively with the administration. But Derek Lowe, a longtime pharmaceutical researcher and industry commentator, has criticized Kennedy on his blog, calling him “a demagogue whose positions on key public health issues like vaccination are nothing short of disastrous.” “You really can’t engage with someone like that. There is no common ground,” Lowe said in an interview. Drug industry officials have a long list of concerns about Kennedy, who did not return a request for comment for this article. They are particularly worried that he could seek to undermine childhood vaccines; one way would be for him to push to revise the government’s recommendations on immunizations. Kennedy has also called for overturning legal protections that shield vaccine makers from litigation when people are seriously harmed by vaccines — a change that would upend an established compensation program and could expose the industry to costly lawsuits. The stakes appear to be highest for companies that make vaccines. About a fifth of Merck’s revenue comes from two types of vaccines that Kennedy has targeted: a vaccine against the human papillomavirus that has averted thousands of cancer cases, and the shots that children receive to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella. (Merck declined to comment.) Vaccine sales represent about 3% of the industry’s overall prescription drug revenues, according to IQVIA, an industry data provider. With some exceptions, vaccines tend to generate relatively low returns compared with profits from more expensive products used for diseases like cancer and arthritis. Drug manufacturers also fear the effect Kennedy could have at the Food and Drug Administration. They often complain that the agency can be too onerous, but their business model is reliant on a well-staffed FDA that can weed out would-be competitors that haven’t met its standards for safety and effectiveness. Kennedy regularly lambastes the FDA as “corrupt” and too close to the drug industry. He has denounced the fees the agency receives from makers of medical devices and drugs, which make up about half of its $7.2 billion annual budget. It’s unclear how Kennedy’s views will mesh with those of Jim O’Neill, a Silicon Valley investor and former government official who would serve as his deputy if he is confirmed. O’Neill, a former top aide to billionaire Peter Thiel, has called for approving drugs once they’ve been shown to be safe but before they have been shown to be effective. That idea goes well beyond the deregulation favored by most pharmaceutical executives. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition who will be his press secretary, described the president-elect’s choices for administration posts as “highly qualified” and reflective of “his priority to put America First.” Although lawmakers in both parties frequently criticize the drug industry for charging high prices, Kennedy paints pharmaceutical companies in a much harsher light. In an interview last year, Kennedy called vaccine makers “the most corrupt companies in the world” and “serial felons.” He has advanced falsehoods about the science underlying some of the industry’s most influential products, suggesting that vaccines cause autism and that HIV may not be the true cause of AIDS. He has embraced an increasingly popular notion that healthy food and lifestyle changes — not pharmaceutical products — will heal sick people. Referring to drug companies, he wrote on the social platform X this year, “The sicker we get the richer and more powerful they become.” “His view of our world seems to be that everything is a conspiracy,” said Brad Loncar, a former biotech investor who now runs BiotechTV, an industry media company. “If you really know our industry, it’s made up of well-intentioned, smart people, and it’s one of the most innovative sectors of our entire economy.” Pharmaceutical officials were relieved by Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, Dr. Martin Makary, who has a contrarian bent but has been aligned with scientific consensus on vaccine safety and is not seen as a threat to unwind the status quo. Drug companies hope to have an ally in Vivek Ramaswamy, who made his fortune as a biotechnology executive and has been named to lead a government efficiency effort alongside Elon Musk. Ramaswamy has been critical of what he describes as regulatory red tape that slows new drug approvals. And O’Neill, the president-elect’s choice for deputy health secretary, has close ties to some biotechnology and medical technology companies, though he is less well-connected to major industry players. Bracing for the potential of public attacks and new proposals that could hurt their bottom lines, drug companies are said to be reaching out to contacts close to Trump in hopes of influencing the incoming administration. Some are also considering new ways to defend their businesses from government initiatives they consider detrimental. “There’s no playbook for dealing with these disruptive figures like Kennedy,” said Sam Geduldig, managing partner of the right-leaning lobbying firm CGCN Group. Other lobbyists said they are instructing pharmaceutical clients not to hit the panic button yet. Once Congress returns after the Thanksgiving break, Kennedy is expected to make the rounds on Capitol Hill. He could face trouble winning the support he needs from Senate Republicans to be confirmed because of his record on vaccines, his past support for abortion rights and his ideas about overhauling the food system. Drug industry officials have long regarded Trump as a wild card, just as likely to be a boon as a foe. In 2020, the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed worked closely with drugmakers and poured billions of dollars into producing highly effective COVID shots in record time, saving countless lives. Trump’s pandemic-era health secretary, Alex Azar, spoke with admiration that year about “our partners in the private sector.” But this year, Trump spoke little about Operation Warp Speed. With some exceptions, the drug industry has been in something of a slump since the heights of the pandemic, when it enjoyed a boost in its public image, and investors eager to get in on huge gains poured money into drug stocks. But trust in vaccines and public health institutions has eroded at the same time as the bubble in the biotech markets has deflated. Among major COVID vaccine makers, Moderna’s stock price is down tenfold, and Pfizer’s stock price has fallen by half, from their high-water marks in 2021. An index of smaller biotechnology stocks is down by close to half. Drug company officials still see opportunities to benefit from Trump’s win. The industry is looking forward to Trump replacing Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, as he is expected to do. She has been aggressive in taking on big business, including pharma. The industry is also hopeful that Trump could help reverse its worst policy defeat in recent memory. Under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, President Joe Biden’s signature policy achievement, Democratic lawmakers empowered Medicare to directly negotiate the prices of certain prescription drugs — cutting into manufacturers’ profits and raising the specter of similar price cuts in the commercial market. Republicans in Congress have said that they want to repeal the negotiation program. This article originally appeared in The New York Times . © 2024 The New York Times CompanyPeacock’s ‘Hysteria!’ set in Michigan during 1980s satanic panic
Vikings escape with 30-27 win over Bears in overtime thrillerWill the Sukhna lake, a treasure of Chandigarh’s heritage and a beauty spot of global renown, be finally rid of proliferating weed at the regulator-end and the birding area (rowing canal)? A statement released by the UT administration on November 26 claimed that the annual de-weeding exercise had been upgraded with the induction of a machine (an “aquatic plant harvester”) hired from a New Delhi-based firm, Cleantec Infra. The stated purpose of the mechanical de-weeding was described thus by the Administration: “To maintain ecological balance and enhance scenic beauty” and to remove the obstruction to recreational activities such as ‘boating and water sports’.” So far, the UT engineering department hired de-weeding labourers. The weed shrivels in winter and the manual removal in the cold season works to lift the leaves and part of the stem. However, the roots of the weed run deep, estimated as embedded 3-4 feet in the silt deposits under the water. Since the weed is not uprooted by manual removal, it blooms and eats up the water surface with summer’s advent. As reported by this writer in these columns, the weed infiltrated the birding area canal in 2018 from the proliferation at the regulator-end. Unseen to most visitors and officials to the lake, the weed in the canal has currently covered more than 60% of the stretch, which used to host migratory birds in winter. Currently, the forests and wildlife department has employed five paddle boats with workers to remove the weed tops from the canal, which unfortunately also constitutes a disturbance to the paltry number of birds visiting the Sukhna this winter. Though the harvester promises much to the public, the fact is that its cutting depth has been set to a metre. It does not attack the roots but merely lengthens the “pruning” exercise undertaken by manual de-weeding. Cleantec Infra officials suggested to this writer that the administration could deploy more specialised machines in standing water, such as the “amphibious excavator”, to remove the silt in which roots are entrenched. Ideally, the drying up of the lake would afford a thorough de-silting but high precipitation levels have not been conducive to the exercise, the last being in 2010. Chief engineer CB Ojha told this writer: “The department will consider the use of excavators. We will consult the forest department on this issue.” On wings of a lovely surprise Small migratory birds, such as warblers, chiffchaffs and thrushes, can be quite bewildering to budding photographers. Their plumages change with the seasons and the sexes often look alike; not that the couple tends to confuse a spouse with a specimen from another species! Navjot Singh, an employee with the Chandigarh Housing Board, has taken to nature photography since 2021. He was out birding with Gagan Gyan at Chakki Modh (Himachal Pradesh) on November 3. As luck would have it, an agile bird with long wings and a particularly upright stance, when perched, came into their view. Both took its photos but mistook it as a common species, and hence did not post its photos on social media. They let matters rest there till Singh made a trip to Narkanda two weeks later. There, as he was casually showing his photographs to an accomplished bird guide, Himanshu Chaudhary, a startling revelation came his way. “Chaudhary identified the supposedly-common bird as a “rufous-tailed rock thrush”. It is a very rare bird in India, as it migrates in autumn and has been observed in some states such as Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Sikkim,” Singh told this writer. Though Singh does not have many years of experience in avian photography, his photographic record of a female thrush is part of an encouraging, emergent phenomenon. Such records from enthusiasts have led ornithologists to review the thrush as not a vagrant or a chance stray bird to India but a species which regularly passes through in small numbers. “Significant increase in number of thrush sightings outside Ladakh could be due to the increased number of birders covering suitable habitat of the species, and taking photographs during passage migration,” wrote C Abhinav and Piyush Dogra in the journal, “Indian Birds”. vjswild2@gmail.com
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Pune: NCP chief Ajit Pawar, while visiting Baba Adhav in the city on Saturday, defended the use of EVMs in polls. He questioned the opposition parties for their double standards and said when they performed well in the Lok Sabha election, the EVMs worked fine, but when Mahayuti won the assembly poll, the EVMs became suspicious. "Before the assembly poll, the Lok Sabha election was held, in which MVA won 31 seats, while our alliance managed to secure only 17 seats. At that time, we did not raise any doubt against EVMs and accepted the mandate. Now, if the people of the state changed their mind and voted in favour of Mahayuti, is it our fault?" the NCP chief, who visited Mahatma Phule Wada to urge Adhav to call off his hunger strike, said. While Pawar defended the use of EVMs, he agreed that there was no harm in discussing the issue. "I agree that in a democracy, we can discuss the issue (related to EVMs) and if there is no solution, the aggrieved parties can approach the Supreme Court. Even the Supreme Court has rejected the plea against the use of EVMs. It is weird that the opposition sees no problem in EVMs when they win and blame it when they face defeat," the NCP chief said. Adhav, however, said, "The difference in the Lok Sabha and state assembly poll results is astonishing. It is nothing short of a miracle and therefore, I doubt the fairness of the process. When I pressed the button on the EVM machine, I realised that there is a possibility of manipulation. While raising the doubts, I understand that the responsibility of proving the manipulation lies upon me and some technical experts will throw light on it, but the process lacked fairness," the 95-year-old social activist said. The social activist also criticised Mahayuti govt, claiming that it made use of excess money during the recently concluded assembly election. While Pawar sat next to him, Adhav said, "I have witnessed so many elections but this time, there was excessive use of money. The money which was distributed under various schemes was not given by these politicians from their own pocket but it was public money. The whole process of election is in question and for the fairness of it, I decided to start the agitation." ‘Shinde taking rest, not unhappy' Interacting with media, NCP chief Pawar also rejected the claim that Sena chief and caretaker chief minister Eknath Shinde was unhappy. "There is nothing like it. All of us were exhausted owing to the election campaign. At present, there is not much of a load as he is caretaker CM. Therefore, he went to his native place to take some rest on a weekend," the NCP chief said.Commercial Bank has partnered with Qatar Post to issue the first special edition post stamps in celebration of its 50th (golden) anniversary. This collaboration symbolises Commercial Bank’s legacy and commitment to Qatar’s growth, marking five decades of innovation, dedication, and service excellence. The stamps were unveiled at a media event held at the Commercial Bank Plaza on Sunday. Throughout the years, Commercial Bank’s efforts have been centred around client convenience and community advancement. That, the bank said, has been evident in the instrumental role it has, and continues to, play in elevating the financial landscape across Qatar. Since its establishment, the bank has envisioned a banking experience poised not only to prosper but to revolutionise the landscape of financial services. Its catalysing vision has enabled it to gradually become a pioneer in the banking sector, introducing many first-of-its-kind services that have contributed to Qatar’s economic success story. Commercial Bank opened the first private bank in 1974, and introduced the first ATM in Qatar in 1994, the first ladies-only branch in Qatar, the first ladies branch manager, the first visa card, and many other notable achievements. With these milestones in place, Commercial Bank views its 50th anniversary celebration as a collective accomplishment, one that should be shared with its stakeholders and the wider community in Qatar, and for that, has chosen to launch the first special edition post stamps in Qatar to commemorate this timeless significance. "Brand presence has consistently been a fundamental priority for Commercial Bank," stated HE Abdul Rahman bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Board Member of Commercial Bank. "Over the years, our brand has gained increasing prominence across Qatar and the region, reflecting our dedication to advancing Qatar's economic leadership and fostering impactful progress. We are honoured to be the first bank to collaborate with Qatar Post in issuing exclusive post stamps to commemorate this significant milestone. “The celebration of Commercial Bank’s golden anniversary marks this moment in our history, illustrating the progression from our modest beginnings to becoming a leading force in innovation and excellence. Through our contributions to Qatar’s remarkable economic development, we have kept the nation’s legacy of perseverance, progress, and agility, which continue to define our aspirations for the future." Qatar Post Chairman and Managing Director Faleh bin Mohammed al-Naemi stated: "We are pleased to collaborate with Commercial Bank in launching the first special edition post stamp to commemorate the Bank's 50th anniversary. This initiative marks an important milestone in our partnership with the banking sector, as it represents the first time that joint post stamps have been created with this vital sector. “Furthermore, it reflects the strengthening of the partnership and the remarkable achievements between Qatar Post and Commercial Bank, particularly in the area of digitising payments for mailbox subscription fees. This new service enables Commercial Bank customers to renew their mailbox subscriptions easily online, providing them with a seamless and user-friendly digital experience. “Qatar Post continues to serve as a leading provider of postal services and a key player in logistics. Additionally, we are proud of our active role in supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 by offering innovative and reliable solutions that meet the needs of both individuals and businesses, as well as facilitating money transfer operations." As Commercial Bank embarks on a new chapter, it stands as a pioneer in a new age of banking; one that integrates cutting-edge technology with world-class financial services and always puts its customers at the heart of everything it does. Related Story QNL backs initiative to preserve Palestinian, Lebanese heritage Qatar Charity distributes food baskets to orphans in Sudan
Georgia loses QB Carson Beck (arm) during SEC title gameAccused work Christmas party rapist claims he was only 'reaching for vape'NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stressed the importance of using south Indian cinema to promote the natural beauty of Jammu and Kashmir as part of a broader strategy to boost tourism in the region. The chief minister also expressed a desire to engage more with filmmakers from the south Indian industry, which he believes has been overlooked so far. “The places we should be focusing on where the money is there, the budgets are big are actually the south Indian film industry. That, for reasons of arrogance or ignorance, we have consciously ignored up until now. So they are the ones with movie budgets of Rs 300-400 crore,” Abdullah told PTI during a recent interview. The chief minister observed the tourism sector would benefit greatly if films depicted the scenic beauty of Jammu and Kashmir, as he highlighted the historical connection with Bollywood that, he said, had played an important role in establishing the valley as a favourite honeymoon destination for generations of Indians. This strategy, according to Abdullah, would serve a dual purpose — it would not only display the scenic beauty of the region in south Indian films but also promote Kashmir as an attractive travel destination among tourists from south India who had not traditionally viewed the valley as a vacation spot. While there is no precise estimate of the south Indian film industry’s size, a 2022 report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) valued it at approximately Rs 74,900 crore. The report, titled “Regional is the New National Way Forward for the South India Media and Entertainment Industry”, showed that the south Indian film industry accounted for 35 per cent of the total media and entertainment market share, maintaining its relevance despite rapid technological advancements. According to media consultancy firm Ormax Media, Tollywood — the Telugu-language film industry — brought in around USD 212 million last year, surpassing Bollywood’s earnings of USD 197 million. Abdullah mentioned the possibilities of marketing Jammu and Kashmir as a prime filming location for films and video albums. These have more time for shoot preparation but can easily boast high budgets. He also highlighted the destination wedding market, a major commercial business opportunity now. By targeting these avenues, Abdullah aims to give a boost to the tourism industry and showcase the unparalleled beauty of Jammu and Kashmir to a wider audience. The chief minister said a proposal had been made for opening some new destinations in Kashmir. “We have actually put together a proposal and are trying to see if we can get multilateral agency funding. (Agencies)
