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No, the president cannot change Social Security

BKTI stock soars to 52-week high, reaches $36.88 amid growth

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MADRID (AP) — Barcelona got back to winning in the Spanish league in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday with a pair of goals by Raphinha. Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Víctor also scored for Barcelona, which hadn't won in three consecutive league games to allow Real Madrid to inch closer at the top of the standings. Madrid is now four points back although it has two games in hand. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Why some brewing companies are producing more hop-forward ales and light-bodied lagersCoreWeave targets valuation of over $35 billion in 2025 US IPO, sources say

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GREEN BAY, Wis. — Without many weapons around him, New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler couldn’t capitalize on his opportunity for a nationally televised showcase. One week after leading four straight scoring drives in a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders, the fifth-round pick from South Carolina didn’t produce any points as the Saints fell 34-0 to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, the first shutout in the NFL this season. The Saints (5-10) were shut out for the first time since falling 13-0 to San Francisco on Nov. 27, 2022. Rattler has started four games in his rookie season, and the Saints have lost each of them by at least 18 points. But he showed promise in his last appearance, when he came off the bench to replace an ineffective Jake Haener and orchestrated a comeback against the Commanders. That performance earned Rattler another start in place of the injured Derek Carr, but Rattler wasn’t nearly as effective Monday night. He went 15 of 30 for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble. The Saints were playing without five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness). Receivers Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (head) and tight end Taysom Hill (knee) have been sidelined for multiple weeks. The Saints lost center Erik McCoy to an elbow injury during Monday's game. Rattler was facing a Green Bay defense missing four starters: linebacker and leading tackler Quay Walker, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and rookie safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) throws a long pass downfield during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. Credit: AP/Mike Roemer But the Packers still had plenty of answers for Rattler and the Saints. New Orleans was shut out in the first half for a second straight game, the first time the Saints have been scoreless at halftime of back-to-back games since 1997. On New Orleans’ first series, Rattler failed to connect with Kevin Austin on third-and-7 from the Green Bay 40. The Saints initially lined up to go for it on fourth down but opted to punt after a false-start penalty pushed them back 5 yards. New Orleans already trailed 21-0 when Rattler got the Saints inside the Green Bay 30 late in the second quarter. That drive ended when Keisean Nixon sacked Rattler and forced a fumble that Rashan Gary recovered. Green Bay Packers linebacker Eric Wilson (45) stops New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) on a carry during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. Credit: AP/Morry Gash The Saints got to Green Bay’s 34 before a sack by Devonte Wyatt pushed them out of field goal range in the closing seconds of the half, leading to an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt. That drive also included a clock management miscue. The Saints allowed about 24 seconds to run off the clock after Austin recovered his own fumble before New Orleans finally called a timeout with 15 seconds left. With the Saints trailing 24-0 in the third quarter, Rattler got New Orleans into scoring position again before Zayne Anderson picked off a first-and-10 pass from the 22. That was as close as Rattler and the Saints got to scoring.The US presidential election on Nov 5 was one of the most anticipated events of the year and the result was a surprisingly clear victory for Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Trump won the important swing states -- Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin -- and secured more than the 270 electoral votes necessary for a second term as president. Voters appear to have punished the Democratic administration of Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris for higher living costs, a legacy of the pandemic, as well as concerns about Middle East politics and a perceived lack of clarity about Ms Harris's profile, failing to win over voters despite an otherwise strong US economy. In our view, the Trump sweep promises to support US economic growth, which is already running at a decent level. US growth will end up well above its potential, contributing to rising inflationary pressures. Inflationary risks could also increase depending on trade policy, should large tariffs be implemented on a global scale. Given the unique global position of the US as a driver of consumer demand and its notable absence in the rest of the world, we see a good chance that US tariffs could be largely absorbed by importing countries rather than US consumers. The result is a modest impact on US inflation, while tariffs could become a disinflationary driver in China and possibly Europe. Judging from the initial reaction post-election, markets are taking the results in stride, as the likely extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and looser regulations could potentially translate to higher economic growth in the US. These developments, combined with generally higher fiscal spending, should translate into a positive impact on earnings growth for US equities, giving a further boost to cyclical sectors such as industrials and quality mid-caps, which are among our favourites to position for the cyclical recovery in global growth. Moreover, Trump's perceived policy preferences favour segments such as banks, oil and gas, and defence stocks. We maintain our long-standing preference for remaining invested in US equities, which should receive a further boost from a Trump sweep relative to their European peers. The higher potential for new trade tariffs should increase the risk premiums of European equities. In our opinion, industries such as automobiles, semiconductors and chemicals are most exposed to the tariff risks. ALL EYES ON THE FED With US election uncertainty now out of the system, the markets are once again returning to data dependency and a focus on the Federal Reserve until more clarity on policies becomes available after Trump's inauguration on Jan 20. The day after the election, the Fed followed through with its expected interest rate cut of 25 basis points (bps) and refrained from any pre-commitment to further moves. The question remains how much higher the terminal rate will be as a result of Trump's policies. We expect two more rate cuts of 25bps, to a range of 4% to 4.25% by March 2025, which would leave the policy rate in slightly restrictive territory to fight rising inflation. In the fixed income space, as the most bond-bearish outcome -- a Republican sweep of the presidency, Senate and House -- appears to have crystallised, yields are moving higher in the aftermath. Given the volatility in US Treasury markets, it is difficult to declare that longer-term yields have reached an attractive entry point just yet, even if the level looks more appealing again. We still see more value in corporate debt, which remains in a position to dampen some moves in a world of higher fiscal vulnerabilities and uncertainties. Considering gold's record-breaking run this year, which recently reflected the growing chances of another Trump presidency, its dip in the aftermath of the election looks like a "buy the rumour, sell the fact" situation. ECHOES OF 2016? Looking ahead, the big question for the gold market is how different today's version of Trump will be from the one who won the election eight years ago. Back then, expectations of pro-growth policies supported the dollar and lifted US bond yields, which in turn weighed on gold prices. By the end of 2016, gold prices were down more than 10% from election day. While we expect higher growth, a stronger dollar and higher bond yields this time around, the outlook for gold seems different. There are broad-based concerns in the gold market about ballooning fiscal deficits and rapidly rising debt levels in the US, which at some point could undermine the US dollar's role as the world's reserve currency. In addition, there is Trump's geopolitical agenda, which is shaped much more by confrontation than conciliation. In our view, the bigger picture for the yellow metal remains very much unchanged. Central banks are increasing their gold reserves to be less dependent on the dollar and less susceptible to US sanctions. This applies particularly to the People's Bank of China, which still has a rather low share of gold in its currency reserves. Renewed signs of central bank buying, particularly from China, should be much more important than the outcome of the US presidential elections. Kean Tan is Head of Investment Solutions at SCB-Julius Baer Securities Co Ltd.Where is Santa now? Track him with Google Santa Tracker on his Christmas Eve flight path

Ex-DePaul guard leads N. Illinois against Chris Holtmann's Blue Demons

‘Get Millie Black’ Is Not Your Typical Detective ShowSPRINGFIELD — Visitors coming to the Illinois Statehouse to see their lawmakers in action, or just to tour the historic building, may see longer lines to get through security screening during the upcoming legislative sessions. Responding to a significant increase in potential threats to lawmakers and the public in recent years, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’s office recently implemented new emergency rules requiring nearly anyone to pass through security screening upon entering the Statehouse or any building in the Illinois Capitol Complex. “Unfortunately, the world is not getting safer,” Amy Williams, senior legal adviser in the secretary of state’s office, told a legislative oversight committee Tuesday. One of the more serious threats, Williams said, occurred in March when security officials were notified of an active shooter threat, prompting a lockdown of the complex. The lockdown was lifted after investigators determined there was no credible threat, according to reports at the time. In April, police locked down the Capitol for about an hour as the building was cleared following a bomb threat. Illinois State Police arrested a suspect accused of making the threat the following month. So far in 2024, Williams told the committee, the Secretary of State Police Department has responded to 17 threats to the Capitol, nearly twice as many as any other year since 2018. There have also been threats directed at individual lawmakers. In September, a man was arrested for threatening to assassinate Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore. And on Monday, Dec. 9, Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, reported an employee in her district office became ill after opening office mail, according to a social media post. The employee was transported to a local hospital, prompting police to evacuate the building and cordon off a portion of the street while emergency crews responded. In October, Williams said, the secretary of state’s office was advised by a security consultant to increase the number of people required to go through security screening to include everyone other than lawmakers, state government employees and other elected officials. That meant many people who had previously been given unrestricted access to the building — including lobbyists, vendors and members of the news media — now have to go through security screening as well. “Primarily that decision came about because members of the General Assembly, elected officials, are sensibly background checked by their constituents who choose them to go to the Capitol to do the people's work on their behalf,” she said. “And state government employees are background checked by their respective agencies. Lobbyists, vendors and members of the press are not subject to any background check.” To avoid congestion, Williams said the office has set up a “TSA Express-style” screening point at the east entrance of the building for those individuals who previously had unfettered access. The security changes near the tail end of a three-year, $224 million renovation project that will make permanent changes to the way the public enters and exits the Capitol. That project involves restoration and remodeling of the entire north wing of the Capitol. When it’s completed, sometime in 2025, all public access will be through a new entryway on the north side of the building where people will pass through security screening before entering the building itself. Until then, visitors will continue entering through either the east or west doors of the building where metal detectors and baggage x-ray machines are located just inside the building. Lawmakers are tentatively scheduled to return to the Statehouse Jan. 2 for the start of a brief lame duck session. The regular 2025 session begins Wednesday, Jan. 8. The Illinois Flag Commission selected its Top 10 finalists for the state flag redesign contest with public voting slated to begin in January. Members of the commission could select up to 10 of their favorite designs – from the nearly 5,000 submissions – prior to their December 9 meeting where they narrowed their choices to 10 overall. “Having received nearly 5,000 entries, I appreciate the creativity and passion reflected in all the submissions,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office convened the Flag Commission meetings. Starting in January, the public will have the opportunity to vote online at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag for one of the new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag. After the public voting period, the commission will report its findings and recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly by April 1, 2025, whose members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag, return to a previous iteration of the flag or retain the current flag. Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner (48th District—Springfield) and State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District—Chicago), was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2023, creating the commission to gauge public desire for a new flag. The flag designs eligible for public voting in January can be viewed at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag . Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.City slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. Juventus beat Man City 💪 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. "We played well" Pep Guardiola trusts in his squad despite 2-0 loss to Juventus... 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”

Tampa, FL, 12/23/2024 / 16:15, EST/EDT - EQS Newswire - The Mosaic Company The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) today announced its combined October and November 2024 sales volumes and revenue by business segment. Potash Oct./Nov. 2024 Oct./Nov. 2023 Sales volumes (000 tonnes (1)) 1,228 1,638 Sales revenues (million USD) $299 $506 Phosphates Oct./Nov. 2024 Oct./Nov. 2023 Sales volumes (000 tonnes (1)) 946 1,019 Sales revenues (million USD) $680 $677 Mosaic Fertilizantes Oct./Nov. 2024 Oct./Nov. 2023 Sales Volumes (000 tonnes (1)) 1,640 1,472 Sales Revenues (million USD) $823 $811 (1)Tonnes = finished product tonnes Phosphate sales volumes in the first two months of the fourth quarter of 2024 reflect the impact of lost production and shipments related to hurricanes Helene and Milton. Potash sales volumes in the first two months of the fourth quarter of 2024 reflect a delay in Canpotex shipments caused by Canadian rail and port strikes which are expected to be recovered by the end of the quarter. Potash revenues for the first two months of the fourth quarter were impacted by additional Canpotex logistics costs incurred to mitigate volume losses from the strikes. Mosaic has successfully completed a third ammonia supply agreement in line with our strategy to ensure raw materials supply reliability and competitiveness. About The Mosaic Company The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphates and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at . Mosaic will publish a market update on the company's investor relations website immediately after this press release. Mosaic - Market Education (mosaicco) The Mosaic Company Contacts Investors: Media: Jason Tremblay 813-775-4226 ... Joan Tong, CFA, 863-640-0826 ... Ben Pratt, 813-775-4206 ... This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of MWSPC, the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; risks related to the anticipated value of the Ma'aden shares to be issued in the proposed transaction at transaction announcement and at closing, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending Ma'aden transaction, including the 5 inability to receive the required approval by Ma'aden shareholders and other approvals, including potential regulatory approvals, necessary to complete the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable agreement; the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of Ma'aden and MWSPC; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. SOURCE: The Mosaic Company 12/23/2024 EQS Newswire / EQS Group MENAFN23122024004691010666ID1109025688 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.Why some brewing companies are producing more hop-forward ales and light-bodied lagers

Brewers love crafting a wide array of beers, but over time, beer drinkers have gravitated dramatically toward two key factors – hoppiness and drinkability. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS) (“ATEK” or the “Company”) received an official notice of noncompliance (the “NYSE American Notice”) from NYSE Regulation (“NYSE”) stating that the Company is not in compliance with NYSE American continued listing standards due to the failure to timely file the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the “Delinquent Report”) by the filing due date of November 19, 2024 (the “Filing Delinquency”). The Company intends to file the Delinquent Report in the near future, however, there is currently no anticipated date for when such Filing Delinquency will be cured via the filing of the Delinquent Report. The Company expects, however, to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards once the Delinquent Report has been filed. In the interim, the NYSE American Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s Class A common stock listed on NYSE American. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately regain and remain in compliance with all applicable NYSE American listing standards. About Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE American: ATEK.U, ATEK, ATEK WS), incorporated in Delaware, is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. ATEK is the third SPAC founded by Isabelle Freidheim, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer, with Kirthiga Reddy as President and Jennifer Calabrese as Chief Financial Officer. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the “safe harbor” provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “intend,” or continue or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology or expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plan to file the Delinquent Report within the provided cure period to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to file the Delinquent Report within the Initial Cure Period to regain compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards; general economic, political and business conditions; the number of redemption requests made by the Company’s stockholders in connection with a potential business combination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk that the approval of the Company’s stockholders for a potential transaction is not obtained; expectations related to the terms and timing of a potential business combination; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a business combination; the risk that a business combination may not be completed by the Company’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of its business combination deadline in the Company’s upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders; costs related to a business combination; and other risks that will be detailed from time to time in filings with the SEC, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2024 and in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. There may be additional risks that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements provide the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. And while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that the results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125554143/en/ CONTACT: Bevel PR Athena@bevelpr.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125554143/enHELENA, Mont. — A Montana law banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors will remain temporarily blocked, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, after justices agreed with a lower court judge who found the law likely violates the state’s constitutional right to privacy. The case against the Montana law now goes to trial before District Court Judge Jason Marks in Missoula. “I will never understand why my representatives are working to strip me of my rights and the rights of other transgender kids,” Phoebe Cross, a 17-year-old transgender boy and lead plaintiff, said in a statement. “Just living as a trans teenager is difficult enough, the last thing me and my peers need is to have our rights taken away.” The attorney general’s office said it looks forward to defending the law, with a spokesperson noting there are recent scientific and legal developments that support lawmakers’ postion. This court decision comes as the British government on Wednesday banned puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria, citing an unacceptable safety risk. The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month heard arguments over Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers, hormones or surgery for transgender minors, with observers saying it appeared the justices were likely to uphold the ban. The Biden administration had sought to block similar bans that exist in more than half the states. “Because Montana’s constitutional protections are even stronger than their federal counterparts, transgender youth in Montana can sleep easier tonight knowing that they can continue to thrive for now, without this looming threat hanging over their heads,” said Kell Olsen, an attorney for Lambda Legal. Legislative debate over Montana’s bill drew national attention in the spring of 2023 after Republicans punished Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr — the first transgender woman elected to the state’s Legislature — for admonishing lawmakers who supported the bill . Marks blocked the law late lasg year, just days before it was to take effect. He agreed with transgender young people, their families and health care providers that the law is likely unconstitutional and would harm the mental and physical health of minors with gender dysphoria, rather than protect them from experimental treatments, as supporters claim. The judge noted the same Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law saying patients, including minors, have a right to receive treatment for other issues with experimental drugs — as long as it’s recommended by a health care provider and they give consent. Marks said he could only conclude the Legislature’s stated intent in passing the law was “disingenuous,” and it seemed more likely its purpose is to “ban an outcome deemed undesirable by the Montana Legislature, veiled as protection for minors.”. Montana is one of at least 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming medical care for minors and most face lawsuits. Some bans have been temporarily blocked by courts, while others have been allowed to take effect. Fifteen states have enacted protections for gender-affirming medical care for minors. In Montana’s case, transgender youth argued the law would ban them from continuing to receive gender-affirming medical care, violating their constitutional rights to equal protection, the right to seek health care and the right to dignity. The state Supreme Court upheld the injunction based on the right to privacy.

The Railway Board has decided to engage its Public Sector Undertakings through competitive bidding to carry out operation and maintenance of newly constructed sheds, depots, workshops as well as rolling stock. In a recent communication to the general managers of all 17 zones, the board conveyed its decision to empower the zones to carry out a limited tendering process to for engaging PSUs. According to the Board, after the zonal Railways reported challenges related to operationalisation and maintenance of newly created assets, it constituted a committee of principal executive directors from different departments to decide upon the modalities for awarding such work to PSUs. "Executive Dte (Executive Directorate) should write a basic model document of conditions for maintenance by PSUs for each type of their assets," the Board's letter said. It added, "Based on the document, Zonal Railways may formulate detailed tender documents and engage a Railway PSU through competitive basis by calling limited tender from amongst the Railway PSUs to undertake the maintenance." The Board has also laid down 29 conditions for maintenance in the basic model document such as "Shed/Depott Workshop in its existing shape shall be handed over to the PSU for operation." The PSU shall augment the infrastructure to suit the requirement of maintenance of rolling stock and ensure maintenance of the 'infrastructure including M&Ps as per good industrial practice' among others, it said. Keeping safety in mind, one of the conditions said, "Once every year, a safety audit shall be carried out by the Railways. It shall review and analyze the Annual Safety Report and accident data of the preceding year, and undertake an inspection of the rolling stock and the assets of the shed/depot/workshop." The Board has also said the Zonal Railway shall reserve the right to terminate the contract if the performance of the PSU is not found satisfactory. Some of the railway unions have raised their objections based on some news reports which said that depots and sheds are being given to private companies for maintenance. Indian Railway Employees Federation General Secretary Sarvjeet Singh has written a letter to the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board requesting for a clarification for the same. "A section of media as well as social media has reported that the Railway Board is handing over the operation and maintenance of the Railway’s shed/depot/workshop to private companies. If it is true, we strongly oppose this policy," Singh said. Asked for a clarification, Singh said there are over 700 workshops and 300 sheds/depots and Railway is facing an acute shortage of workforce. "In such situation, the privatisation will be against the interest of the workers and all railway unions and federations will fight tooth and nail," he said.

ServiceTitan prices IPO at $71, above expected range, after slow stretch for tech offeringsCool Smashers target lead share vs ThunderbellesNew Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) The initial share sale of Carraro India Ltd got subscribed 1.12 times on the last day of bidding on Tuesday. The Initial Public Offer (IPO) received bids for 1,46,18,814 shares against 1,30,98,803 shares on offer, as per NSE data. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) part got subscribed 2.21 times, while the retail individual investors (RIIs) portion received 71 per cent subscriptions. Non-institutional investors attracted 60 per cent of subscriptions. Carraro India Ltd on Thursday said it has garnered Rs 375 crore from anchor investors. The issue has a price band of Rs 668-704 per share. Carraro India's IPO is completely an offer-for-sale (OFS) of shares worth Rs 1,250 crore by Carraro International SE, with no fresh issue component, according to the red herring prospectus. Since the entire issue is an OFS, all proceeds from the IPO will go directly to the selling shareholder rather than the company. Founded in 1997, Carraro India, a subsidiary of Carraro S.p.A, began its manufacturing journey with transmission systems in 1999 and axles in 2000. The company started its operations using IP rights licensed from other entities within the Carraro Group and specialises in complex engineering products and solutions for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers. It serves as an independent tier-1 provider, concentrating on axles and transmission systems for agricultural tractors and construction vehicles. Carraro India operates two manufacturing plants in Pune -- one for drivelines and the other for gears. These plants are equipped with advanced technologies for casting, machining, assembly, prototyping, testing, painting, and heat treatment. Its key customers include large domestic and international OEMs. It exports to customers in Asia directly and indirectly and outside Asia through Carraro Drive Tech Italia. Its key clients in the agricultural tractor sector include CNH, TAFE, Mahindra and Mahindra, John Deere India Pvt Ltd, Escorts Kubota, Action Construction Ltd, and International Tractors Ltd. In the construction vehicle sector, it serves CNH, Bull Machines, Liugong, Manitou Equipment, Doosan, Escorts Kubota, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Action Construction Ltd. Axis Capital Ltd, BNP Paribas, and Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd are the book-running lead managers to the issue. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)