gs-777 Why SoundHound AI Stock Rocketed Higher Again TodayTrump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border ProtectionBy REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief who’s been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner. As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency who most recently has been the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs. Related Articles They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security ; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Tom Homan as border czar ; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Scott led during Trump’s first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country’s borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he joined the agency, San Diego was by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Traffic plummeted after the government dramatically increased enforcement there, but critics note the effort pushed people to remote parts of California and Arizona. San Diego was also where wall construction began in the 1990s, which shaped Scott’s belief that barriers work. He was named San Diego sector chief in 2017. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump’s policies. “He’s well known. He does know these issues and obviously is trusted by the administration,” said Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner under the Obama administration. Kerlikowske took issue with some of Scott’s past actions, including his refusal to fall in line with a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like “illegal alien” in favor of descriptions like “migrant,” and his decision as San Diego sector chief to fire tear gas into Mexico to disperse protesters. “You don’t launch projectiles into a foreign country,” Kerlikowske said. At the time Scott defended the agents’ decisions , saying they were being assaulted by “a hail of rocks.” While much of the focus of Trump’s administration may be on illegal immigration and security along the U.S.-Mexico border, Kerlikowske also stressed the importance of other parts of Customs and Border Protection’s mission. The agency is responsible for securing trade and international travel at airports, ports and land crossings around the country. Whoever runs the agency has to make sure that billions of dollars worth of trade and millions of passengers move swiftly and safely into and out of the country. And if Trump makes good on promises to ratchet up tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, CBP will play an integral role in enforcing them. “There’s a huge amount of other responsibility on trade, on tourism, on cyber that take a significant amount of time and have a huge impact on the economy if it’s not done right,” Kerlikowske said. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda. He has appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He’s also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, he advocated for a return to Trump-era immigration policies and more pressure on Mexico to enforce immigration on its side of the border.Bank of Canada preparing for more uncertain, shock-prone future

Actor-comedian-singer Sandra Bernhard comes to Mill Valley on Tuesday. (Photo by Brian Ziegler) Sandra Bernhard will perform a cabaret-style show in Mill Valley. (Photo by Brian Ziegler) Actor-comedian-singer Sandra Bernhard brings her "Easy Listening" show to California this month. (Photo by Nick Spanos) Actor-comedian-singer Sandra Bernhard comes to Mill Valley on Tuesday. (Photo by Brian Ziegler) For Sandra Bernhard , the “Easy Listening” tour that brings her to Southern California this month is a homecoming of sorts, a return to the place where her comedy career first blossomed more than 45 years ago. “I kind of broke the mold,” Bernhard says of the style of comedy she embraced when she arrived in Los Angeles barely 20 years old. “I was post-feminist, very outspoken, a 20-, 21-year-old woman at the time. “The mold had been, you know, Joan Rivers and all the women of that era, who were amazing and brilliant and wonderful,” she says. “But they were stuck in that time where the women couldn’t talk about things that I talked about. There was self-deprecating and very like, ‘My husband this, my husband that.’ “I came along and said, ‘Well, we’ve done all this work to get where we’re at as women. I’m not going to go back and rely on that stuff.” So Bernhard, an actress and singer as well as a comic, did what she wanted no matter how unusual her act might have been for the times. “It was sort of like rock and roll meets cabaret meets, you know, irreverence and kind of a revolutionary approach,” Bernhard says. “Then, when I started adding in the music, it just made it even more based on everything I observed in terms of real entertainment. Which I love, but I just turned everything on its ear.” Bernhard returns to California from her base in New York City for shows in December, ranging from Palm Springs to Mill Valley to Beverly Hills. The show is titled “Easy Listening,” though it’s not so much soft rock as it is sharp edges, she says. Bernhard will perform at the Sweetwater Music Hall at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Admission is $86.01. Get tickets at sweetwatermusichall.org . In a pair of interviews edited for length and clarity, Bernhard talked about her mentors and friends at the Comedy Store in the ’70s, her feelings about the recent election, and a host of TV and film projects with which she’s been involved. Q The ‘Easy Listening’ show is described as a tour through your influences, musically, as you grew up – A – yeah, but that’s not really what the show is about. [laughs] I do a new show at Joe’s Pub [in New York City] probably every year and they ask you to describe the show. It’s more, these are ethereal kind of throwaways, you know, sketches of ideas that I have. I mean, the idea of easy listening, especially in today’s world, is more of a reflection on how it’s just the complete opposite. There’s really nothing easy to listen to unless you put on your records. Because I want to just tune out all of the noise, you know, of people I have no interest in hearing anymore. Q Do audiences feel different to you during the holiday season? A I mean, seasonally, everything feels different because it’s just the cycle of the earth and nature. Things do feel different. I haven’t really played in L.A. and that time of year in a long time. Certainly in New York, they do so at the holiday. But I’m sure that when I play around California there’ll be groovy holiday California vibes, for sure. Q At the time we talked earlier this year [before her spring shows were rescheduled to December] you were backing Joe Biden’s re-election bid. How’d you react to the results of the election? A I was disgusted. I was shocked. I was like, ‘This is it. America just cannot get ready for a woman.’ They certainly can’t get ready for a Black woman. We’re racist, we’re misogynistic, we’re not ready for prime time. And we will reap what we sow. Q So how do you address those kinds of heavy topics in a show where people have come for entertainment? A I don’t think I’m going to beat people over the head with it. I haven’t thought about it. I have a full show that doesn’t require me talking about it all if I decide I don’t want to talk about it. It might just be at the end of the show, because I always leave with some sort of message about people being responsible for themselves and for each other no matter what’s going on politically. So I’m sure that there will that, you know, with accelerant thrown on it. Q Let me ask you more about your start in L.A. in the ’70s. I’m sure at the time there was a lot of misogyny in the comedy world – A – guess what, there still is. [laughs]. It was hard. If I hadn’t had my mentor, Paul Mooney , who discovered me when I first started getting up to perform, to kind of protect me and advise me and give me the lowdown on everything, I probably wouldn’t have made it. He saw my potential. He believed in me and helped me nurture it. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the courage to do it. It’s sort of beautiful and poetic that an incredibly brilliant, handsome Black man was my guardian angel. And that also, like, freaked out people. So all the way around it was, ‘Who is this person and what is she all about?’ If you don’t have that, if people aren’t asking those questions, you’re probably never going to make an impact. Q I always loved your appearances on David Letterman’s shows in the ’80s and ’90s. You clearly seemed to be one of his favorite guests. A I mean, the brilliance about Letterman was I knew him from the Comedy Store in the ’70s. Not well, but I knew him. And because we came from that same background, I think he got a kick out of all the people that were in that world, and sort of let them do their own thing, or let me do my own thing, in his living room. That’s why it worked so well, because we all came from that place and we appreciated each other’s nuances and uniqueness. So it was a great place to come and be irreverent and crazy and funny and just turn it into a little piece of mini-theater. Q Around that same time, I saw Scorsese’s ‘King of Comedy,’ which is one of your great roles. How was that working with him and De Niro and Jerry Lewis at that early point in your career? A It was a total jumping-off for me. You know, everybody wanted that role. Many, many, many well-known, unknown, in-between actresses auditioned for that role. So when I got the call that I got it, it was phenomenal on every imaginable level. Then the experience of shooting it, waiting for it to come out, which took forever, which it shouldn’t have. When it finally did come out it was a game changer for me. Q You’ve got a few new TV and film roles: One of the Gray Sisters on Disney+’s ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians,’ Michelle Buteau’s Netflix series ‘Survival of the Thickest,’ and ‘Marty Supreme,’ the Timothée Chalamet ping-pong biopic. Tell me about playing the three Gray Sisters with Margaret Cho and Kristen Schall. A That was so fun because I’ve never had prosthetic makeup before so that was like a real trip. We all look so unique. We had these different gray wigs, very glamorous in a sort of funny way. Amazing costumes, amazing costumes, amazing makeup and special effects. We had a ball. Q The description of the Gray Sisters is that you are three old women who share one eye and one tooth and run a New York City taxi company. A Well, the teeth, the teeth didn’t work. We all had our own teeth. But we do share an eyeball and we keep passing them back and forth. It’s funny. I can’t imagine – I want to look because when you’re in the scene, you don’t really know how it’s being filmed or what it looks like. But it’ll be funny. Q How do you go about picking TV or movie projects? A Once you meet somebody and you know they have a show, you always go, ‘Wow, I’d love to work with you,’ so they know that. A lot of time, you see people, they don’t think you want to work with them. It wouldn’t cross their mind. So if I don’t want to work with them I don’t say anything. But if I do, I always do.

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DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his family’s 50 years of iron rule . Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," President Joe Biden said , crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a “fundamental act of justice” but also a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” and said rebel groups are “saying the right things now” but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn't immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani , is poised to chart the country’s future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad's fall as “a victory to the Islamic nation.” Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state,” and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed . At least one small child was seen among them. “This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,” said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.” Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.” “We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, “God is great.” People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. “It’s like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with “love.” Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels “have felt the pain of the people,” said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria’s historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it “a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood.” It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be “calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country.” The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assad’s rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel . Iran said Syrians should decide their future “without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention.” The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador to Syria, said it was “effectively impossible” to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria's government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. “When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction,” Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the “possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists.” Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need “to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is “stability and safe transition.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel’s military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn’t respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel’s efforts to take advantage of Assad’s downfall to occupy more territory. Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Sarah El Deeb and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --WuKong Education, a leading online K-12 education provider, has been named to the highly-anticipated 2025 edition of the GSV 150 : GSV's annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills. This recognition underscores WuKong Education's transformative role in the EdTech industry and its commitment to empowering students worldwide through AI-powered personalized learning. Out of more than 2,500 global VC- and PE-backed companies, WuKong Education was selected for the 2025 GSV 150 based on a proprietary evaluation framework, including revenue scale, growth, user reach, geographic diversification, and margin profile. The 2025 cohort of the GSV 150 collectively reaches 3B learners and generates over $25B in annual revenue. "The rapid rise of generative AI is fueling knowledge and creating opportunities we had not imagined before," says Luben Pampoulov, Partner at GSV Ventures. "Multi-modality is making education more engaging, AI tools are driving personalization and productivity, and learning is happening at the speed of light. Effectively everyone across the 2025 GSV 150 has generative AI deeply embedded in their offering." WuKong Education is revolutionizing online education for students aged 3-18 worldwide, offering courses in Chinese, Mathematics, and English Language Arts. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, WuKong Education empowers students from 118 countries with a unique learning journey that ignites curiosity, nurtures creativity, and sharpens critical thinking skills. Powered by AI, WuKong Education adapts to each student's unique needs, ensuring that every learner receives a personalized educational journey: This AI-driven teaching model has not only significantly improved student academic performance but also fostered the holistic development of students, earning widespread praise from students and parents around the world. "We are honored to be named to the 2025 GSV 150," said Vicky Wang , founder and CEO of WuKong Education. "This recognition affirms our ongoing commitment to revolutionizing education. By combining the expertise of our teaching and research teams with the possibilities of AI, we are setting a new benchmark for digital education to empower students globally." Earlier this year, WuKong Education was named a 2024 Cognia® School of Distinction for excellence in education by Cognia®, a globally recognized education quality certification organization, and was also listed in the AU&NZ EdTech Top 50 by HolonIQ, a global leader in impact intelligence, for the third consecutive year. These recognitions underscore WuKong Education's continued leadership in the global EdTech industry and its ongoing dedication to delivering exceptional education to learners around the world. About WuKong Education Based in Silicon Valley, WuKong Education is shaping the future of online learning for students aged 3 to 18. WuKong Education's three core programs—WuKong Chinese, WuKong Math, and WuKong English (ELA)—combine AI-driven technology, expert educators, and personalized services to deliver engaging, dynamic learning experiences. With over 400,000 families served globally, WuKong Education is empowering students to succeed and become lifelong learners in an ever-changing world. Learn more at: wukongsch.com . About GSV Founded in 2011, GSV is a global platform that drives education and workforce skills innovation. We believe that ALL people have equal access to the future, and that scaled innovations in "PreK to Gray" learning and skills are crucial to achieving this goal. The GSV platform includes the ASU+GSV Summit , hosted annually in San Diego with 7,000+ attendees; the India -based ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit , now entering its third year; and The AI Show @ ASU+GSV , an immersive exploration of the AI Revolution in education, which welcomed 10,000+ attendees this year. GSV Ventures , GSV's investment arm founded in 2015, is a multi-stage venture fund investing in the most transformational companies across the global "PreK to Gray" landscape. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wukong-education-named-to-the-2025-gsv-150-for-leading-the-way-in-education-technology-302338883.html SOURCE WuKong EducationThe Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

Musk's millions for Trump make him biggest US political donorCHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Umahi meets COAS, assures accelerated road infrastructure overhaulFurthermore, the developers have teased that the DLC will introduce a new faction to the game, the Oceanic Order, a secretive group of underwater mystics who hold the key to unlocking the true potential of the atom's power. Players will have the opportunity to ally with this mysterious faction, uncover its secrets, and harness its unique abilities to shape the fate of the atom world.Charles Schwab Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors despite daily gainss777 login 。

The Indianapolis Colts have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. A sentence that has been said for four straight seasons, which is the longest playoff drought the franchise has experienced since their stretch from 1988-1994. Colts no playoffs for 4 straight years. Longest drought since 1988-94. Yeah, this is not good. *I've had to check that 1988-94 stat 3 or 4 times just to be certain* Colts loss upsets their own fan base, along with the Giants The Giants were In the driver's seat for the number one overall pick as they entered today's game at 2-13. But then the Colts and their annual late-season collapses came to Met Life Stadium and changed everything. The Giants now move to 3-13, and now, a lot needs to happen for them to climb back into the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This puts them in danger of missing out on drafting one of the top two rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class. And with the loss, the Cols officially eliminated themselves from the postseason, and this kind of collapse should put multiple key players, coaches, and front office member's jobs in jeopardy. Not only did they lose to a Giants team that many thought they were focusing on the offseason already, but they did it in such an awful fashion. They allowed the Giants to score 45 points, which is 16 points more than their previous season high of 29. This type of performance from the defense should be the nail in Gus Bradley's coffin as the team's defensive coordinator. But with the overall lack of preparation and, to be honest, care surrounding this football team, it's hard to say head coach Shane Steichen should be safe. Where do the Colts go from here? The Colts are now eliminated from the post season, something they should probably be used too at this point. Owner Jim Irsay is a passionate man and had never responded well to his football team, aka his pride and joy, being embarrassed. This type of loss is one where the national media will rip the team for the next few days and will make them yet again the laughing stock of the NFL due to yet another embarrassing late-season collapse of this magnitude. In the past, when we've seen this happen, some sort of change has occurred. But with it continuing to happen, I don't know how he can justify making a simple fix and expecting things to change at this point. It's time for a complete reset in Indianapolis, and the result of their final game next week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars should honestly not have any effect on what is to come next. The Colts have become arguably the worst possible team you can be in the NFL, which is mediocre. They are not bad enough to own a top draft selection but not good enough to be in the postseason. And to be honest, if they had punched their ticket there this season, they simply wouldn't have been good enough to worry about any team they would have had to play. We can complain about the product on the field as much as we want, but the ball is officially in Jim Irsay's court, and all eyes are on him. The Colts have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. And will finish this season below .500. Drastic changes coming in Indianapolis? pic.twitter.com/862VdRgSIX This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

Amidst the euphoria surrounding Chinese assets, there are also mounting concerns about regulatory risks and geopolitical tensions that could impact the performance of Chinese concept stocks. In recent years, Chinese authorities have stepped up regulatory oversight of domestic tech companies, leading to increased scrutiny and compliance challenges for Chinese companies listed abroad. Geopolitical tensions, particularly between China and the United States, have further added to the uncertainty surrounding Chinese assets, with concerns about potential sanctions or restrictions on Chinese companies operating in foreign markets.

In conclusion, the recent Central Political Bureau meeting in China has heralded a series of important "firsts" that collectively signal a significant shift in the country's economic policy direction. From transitioning to a more sustainable growth model to embracing digital currency innovation, supporting SMEs, enhancing regulatory governance, and promoting international cooperation, these initiatives reflect China's evolving economic priorities and its commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable, and balanced development. As China charts a new course for its economic future, these "firsts" serve as powerful indicators of the country's determination to adapt, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing global economic landscape.Notre Dame puts losing streak in past, turns focus to DartmouthIn a nutshell: Rumors regarding Intel partially divesting its foundry division have circulated since an insider leak last month. The company addressed those rumors this week, confirming its fabrication operation would become an independently run subsidiary. Head honcho Pat Gelsinger calls it "the next phase" of his plan to "transform" Intel into the powerhouse it once was. On Monday, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger informed employees that the company is transforming its foundry arm into an independent subsidiary, confirming insider leaks from August. According to the press release, disguised as a message to employees, the decision emerged last week after what Gelsinger described as a "highly productive and supportive Board meeting." As an independent subsidiary, the foundry can accept outside investments and allocate funds within a separate budget. This separation will allow the foundry to run more efficiently. "Collectively, these changes are critical steps forward as we build a leaner, simpler and more efficient Intel," Gelsinger said. "And they build on the immediate progress we have made since announcing our plan on August 1 to create a more competitive cost structure." The foundry will keep its current leadership and form an independent board of directors. A confidential source told CNBC that the company is considering turning it into a publicly traded spinoff. Gelsinger says the foundry will expand its relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) with co-investments in new chip designs, including an AI chip for AWS and a custom Xeon 6 chip based on Intel's 3nm process. Intel's foundry has been particularly troubled recently. After spending two years and $50 billion expanding its fab operations, the company turned in a dreadful Q2 2024 earnings report . Gelsinger called it "disappointing," but investors promptly launched a class-action suit claiming that executives, including Gelsinger and CFO David Zinsner, issued "materially false and misleading" statements about its foundry business. The news of the foundry split caused stock prices to rebound nearly 22 percent from a low of $18.60 per share just five days ago to $22.66 during trading on Monday. However, it's still a far cry from the $49.55 stock price investors enjoyed in January. Gelsinger remains confident that he can turn things around. In addition to the continued broadening of its AWS relationship, the company received a $3 billion cash injection thanks to the CHIPS ad Science Act. However, the company still plans to cut 15,000 jobs by year's end. Nobody knows if they are getting let go, but the boss said the company would notify "impacted employees" beginning in the middle of next month. It is also divesting two-thirds of its global real estate holdings by the end of the year.

WESTLAKE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 11, 2024-- Nordson Corporation (Nasdaq: NDSN) today reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended October 31, 2024. Sales were $744 million, a 4% increase compared to the prior year’s fourth quarter sales of $719 million. The increase in fourth quarter 2024 sales included the favorable 6% impact of acquisitions and favorable currency translation of 1%, offset by an organic sales decrease of 3%. Net income was $122 million, or earnings per diluted share of $2.12, compared to prior year’s fourth quarter net income of $128 million, or earnings per diluted share of $2.22. Adjusted net income was $160 million, an increase from prior year adjusted net income of $156 million. Fourth quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per diluted share were $2.78 compared to prior year adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.71. EBITDA in the fourth quarter was $241 million, or 32% of sales, an increase of 4% compared to prior year EBITDA of $227 million, also at 32% of sales. Commenting on the Company’s fiscal 2024 fourth quarter results, Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer Sundaram Nagarajan said, “I appreciate our team’s focus and commitment to our customers, which delivered results above our fourth quarter guidance expectations. Our Advanced Technology Solutions segment delivered year-over-year fourth quarter sales growth, as electronics demand continued to steadily improve at fiscal year-end. During the down electronics cycle, our ATS team holistically implemented the NBS Next growth framework, making them responsive to the needs of our customers while also delivering a strong incremental operating performance. Our industrial product lines performed well against record comparisons from prior year. I’m also pleased with the early integration of our Atrion Medical acquisition, which contributed positively to the quarter.” Industrial Precision Solutions sales of $392 million decreased 3% compared to the prior year fourth quarter, driven by a 5% organic sales decrease, a favorable acquisition impact of 1%, and a favorable currency impact of 1%. The organic sales decrease, following record organic sales in prior year fourth quarter, was driven by our industrial coatings, polymer processing and precision agriculture product lines, partially offset by double-digit growth in nonwovens product lines. Operating profit was $126 million in the quarter, or 32% of sales, a decrease of 4% compared to the prior year operating profit. The decrease in operating profit was driven by lower sales. EBITDA in the quarter was $143 million, or 37% of sales, a 3% decrease from the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA of $148 million, which also was 37% of sales. Medical and Fluid Solutions sales of $200 million increased 19% compared to the prior year fourth quarter, driven primarily by the acquisition of Atrion, which offset an organic sales decrease of 3% and a favorable currency impact of 1%. The organic sales decrease was driven by softness in medical interventional solutions product lines, partially offset by modest growth in our medical fluid components and fluid solutions product lines. Operating profit totaled $44 million in the quarter, or 22% of sales, a decrease of 8% compared to the prior year operating profit. EBITDA in the quarter was $72 million, or 36% of sales, an increase versus the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA of $62 million, or 37% of sales. Advanced Technology Solutions sales of $152 million increased 5% compared to the prior year fourth quarter, driven by an organic sales increase of 4% and a favorable currency impact of 1%. The organic sales increase was driven by double-digit growth in select test and inspection product lines and modest growth in our electronics processing product lines. Operating profit totaled $33 million in the quarter, or 22% of sales, an increase of 6% compared to the prior year operating profit due to higher sales and improved profit margins. EBITDA in the quarter was $41 million, or 27% of sales, an increase from the prior year fourth quarter EBITDA of $35 million, or 24% of sales. Sales for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, were a record $2.7 billion, an increase of 2% compared to the prior year. This sales growth was driven by a favorable acquisition impact of 5%, partially offset by a 3% decrease in organic volume. Net income was $467 million, or earnings per diluted share of $8.11, compared to prior year’s net income of $487 million, or earnings per diluted share of $8.46. Adjusted net income was $561 million, a decrease from prior year adjusted net income of $567 million. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $9.73 compared to prior year adjusted earnings per diluted share of $9.85. EBITDA was $849 million, or 32% of sales, compared to prior year EBITDA of $819 million, or 31% of sales. Free cash flow for the full-year was $492 million, which was a conversion rate of 105% of net income. Reflecting on fiscal 2024, Mr. Nagarajan continued, “In 2021, we launched our Ascend strategy with the milestone of achieving $3 billion in annual sales and greater than 30% EBITDA margins by 2025. The strategy is delivering results and has ample runway to accelerate. Our diversified portfolio, built on our leadership in niche end markets with differentiated products, is delivering balanced results in the ever-changing macro environment. Our acquisition strategy is generating growth, and I am pleased with the integration and deployment of the NBS Next growth framework. We also continued to generate strong free cash flow in the year, allowing us to consistently reinvest in the business while returning cash to our shareholders.” Following four consecutive years of record-setting performance, we enter fiscal 2025 with approximately $580 million in backlog. Based on the combination of order entry, backlog, current exchange rates and anticipated end market expectations, we anticipate delivering sales in the range of $2,750 to $2,870 million in fiscal 2025. Full year fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings are forecasted in the range of $9.70 to $10.50 per diluted share. First quarter fiscal 2025 sales are forecasted in the range of $615 to $655 million with adjusted earnings in the range of $1.95 to $2.15 per diluted share. Commenting on fiscal 2025 guidance, Nagarajan said, “Considering the evolving global macro-environment, we are entering 2025 with a conservative viewpoint. The fiscal first quarter is seasonally Nordson’s weakest quarter due to the holiday and calendar year-end slowdowns and cautious customer spending. While we remain confident about the long-term growth drivers of our end markets, we are being prudent about our expectations for end market recovery timing, particularly for our electronics and agricultural product lines. Even in uncertain times, our team delivers operational excellence and strong cash flow due to our close-to-the-customer business model, diversified niche end markets, differentiated products and the NBS Next growth framework.” Nordson management will provide additional commentary on these results and outlook during its previously announced webcast on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. eastern time, which can be accessed at . Information about Nordson’s investor relations and shareholder services is available from Lara Mahoney, vice president, investor relations and corporate communications at (440) 204-9985 or . Certain statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “continue,” “target,” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. These statements reflect management’s current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, U.S. and international economic conditions; financial and market conditions; currency exchange rates and devaluations; possible acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; the Company’s ability to successfully divest or dispose of businesses that are deemed not to fit with its strategic plan; the effects of changes in U.S. trade policy and trade agreements; the effects of changes in tax law; and the possible effects of events beyond our control, such as political unrest, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, acts of terror, natural disasters and pandemics, including the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the other factors discussed in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be reviewed carefully. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release. Nordson Corporation is an innovative precision technology company that leverages a scalable growth framework through an entrepreneurial, division-led organization to deliver top tier growth with leading margins and returns. The Company’s direct sales model and applications expertise serves global customers through a wide variety of critical applications. Its diverse end market exposure includes consumer non-durable, medical, electronics and industrial end markets. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the Company has operations and support offices in over 35 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at , , or . NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands except for per-share amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Sales $ 744,482 $ 719,313 $ 2,689,921 $ 2,628,632 Cost of sales 341,658 335,220 1,203,792 1,203,227 Gross profit 402,824 384,093 1,486,129 1,425,405 Gross margin % 54.1 % 53.4 % 55.2 % 54.2 % Selling & administrative expenses 223,932 199,054 812,128 752,644 Operating profit 178,892 185,039 674,001 672,761 Interest expense - net (27,282 ) (25,921 ) (84,011 ) (56,825 ) Other income (expense) - net (3,538 ) 1,462 (4,509 ) (597 ) Income before income taxes 148,072 160,580 585,481 615,339 Income taxes 25,904 32,802 118,197 127,846 Net Income $ 122,168 $ 127,778 $ 467,284 $ 487,493 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 57,188 57,020 57,176 57,090 Diluted 57,603 57,552 57,616 57,631 Earnings per share: Basic earnings $ 2.14 $ 2.24 $ 8.17 $ 8.54 Diluted earnings $ 2.12 $ 2.22 $ 8.11 $ 8.46 NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 115,952 $ 115,679 Receivables - net 594,663 590,886 Inventories - net 476,935 454,775 Other current assets 87,482 67,970 Total current assets 1,275,032 1,229,310 Property, plant & equipment - net 544,607 392,846 Goodwill 3,280,819 2,784,201 Other assets 900,508 845,413 $ 6,000,966 $ 5,251,770 Notes payable and debt due within one year $ 103,928 $ 115,662 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 424,549 466,427 Total current liabilities 528,477 582,089 Long-term debt 2,101,197 1,621,394 Other liabilities 439,100 450,227 Total shareholders' equity 2,932,192 2,598,060 $ 6,000,966 $ 5,251,770 NORDSON CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net Income $ 467,284 $ 487,493 Depreciation and amortization 136,175 111,898 Other non-cash items 5,883 16,105 Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other (53,149 ) 25,786 Net cash provided by operating activities 556,193 641,282 Cash flows from investing activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment (64,410 ) (34,583 ) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (789,996 ) (1,422,780 ) Other - net 10,008 20,484 Net cash used in investing activities (844,398 ) (1,436,879 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Issuance (repayment) of long-term debt 464,353 976,043 Repayment of finance lease obligations (6,148 ) (6,840 ) Dividends paid (161,438 ) (150,356 ) Issuance of common shares 31,067 21,373 Purchase of treasury shares (33,339 ) (89,708 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 294,495 750,512 Effect of exchange rate change on cash (6,017 ) (2,693 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 273 (47,778 ) Cash and cash equivalents: Beginning of period 115,679 163,457 End of period $ 115,952 $ 115,679 NORDSON CORPORATION SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENT (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended Sales Variance October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Organic Acquisitions Currency Total Industrial precision solutions $ 392,150 $ 405,436 (5.5 )% 1.2 % 1.0 % (3.3 )% Medical and fluid solutions 200,223 168,632 (3.2 )% 21.4 % 0.5 % 18.7 % Advanced technology solutions 152,109 145,245 3.9 % — % 0.8 % 4.7 % Total sales $ 744,482 $ 719,313 (3.0 )% 5.7 % 0.8 % 3.5 % Americas 323,170 315,635 (6.0 )% 8.9 % (0.5 )% 2.4 % Europe 185,350 184,297 (6.6 )% 4.6 % 2.6 % 0.6 % Asia Pacific 235,962 219,381 4.2 % 2.0 % 1.4 % 7.6 % Total sales $ 744,482 $ 719,313 (3.0 )% 5.7 % 0.8 % 3.5 % Twelve Months Ended Sales Variance October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Organic Acquisitions Currency Total Industrial precision solutions $ 1,484,249 $ 1,391,046 0.1 % 6.6 % — % 6.7 % Medical and fluid solutions 695,452 660,316 (0.2 )% 5.4 % 0.1 % 5.3 % Advanced technology solutions 510,220 577,270 (11.4 )% — % (0.2 )% (11.6 )% Total sales $ 2,689,921 $ 2,628,632 (2.5 )% 4.8 % — % 2.3 % Americas 1,178,626 1,149,760 (1.9 )% 4.3 % 0.1 % 2.5 % Europe 726,100 682,676 (5.1 )% 10.2 % 1.3 % 6.4 % Asia Pacific 785,195 796,196 (1.0 )% 1.0 % (1.4 )% (1.4 )% Total sales $ 2,689,921 $ 2,628,632 (2.5 )% 4.8 % — % 2.3 % NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - NET INCOME TO EBITDA (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Net income 122,168 127,778 467,284 487,493 Income taxes 25,904 32,802 118,197 127,846 Interest expense - net 27,282 25,921 84,011 56,825 Other expense - net 3,538 (1,462 ) 4,509 597 Depreciation and amortization 36,528 31,261 136,175 111,898 Inventory step-up amortization (1) 4,759 4,556 7,703 8,862 Severance and other (1) 12,717 — 17,332 5,487 Acquisition-related costs (1) 8,200 6,244 13,957 19,966 EBITDA (non-GAAP) (2) 241,096 227,100 849,168 818,974 (1) Represents severance as well as fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions. (2) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations. EBITDA is defined as operating profit plus certain adjustments, such as severance, fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions, plus depreciation and amortization. NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - EBITDA (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Industrial precision solutions $ 392,150 $ 405,436 $ 1,484,249 $ 1,391,046 Medical and fluid solutions 200,223 168,632 695,452 660,316 Advanced technology solutions 152,109 145,245 510,220 577,270 Total sales $ 744,482 $ 719,313 $ 2,689,921 $ 2,628,632 Industrial precision solutions $ 126,254 $ 131,450 $ 470,559 $ 460,889 Medical and fluid solutions 44,264 48,041 187,731 189,367 Advanced technology solutions 33,464 31,526 94,231 101,662 Corporate (25,090 ) (25,978 ) (78,520 ) (79,157 ) Total operating profit $ 178,892 $ 185,039 $ 674,001 $ 672,761 Industrial precision solutions $ 2,899 $ 4,658 $ 8,976 $ 4,658 Medical and fluid solutions 10,761 — 10,761 1,479 Advanced technology solutions 3,816 — 5,895 14,304 Corporate 8,200 6,142 13,360 13,874 Total adjustments $ 25,676 $ 10,800 $ 38,992 $ 34,315 Industrial precision solutions $ 14,035 $ 12,062 $ 56,856 $ 33,228 Medical and fluid solutions 17,239 13,547 58,061 54,988 Advanced technology solutions 3,340 3,529 13,433 15,185 Corporate 1,914 2,123 7,825 8,497 Total depreciation & amortization $ 36,528 $ 31,261 $ 136,175 $ 111,898 Industrial precision solutions $ 143,188 37 % $ 148,170 37 % $ 536,391 36 % $ 498,775 36 % Medical and fluid solutions 72,264 36 % 61,588 37 % 256,553 37 % 245,834 37 % Advanced technology solutions 40,620 27 % 35,055 24 % 113,559 22 % 131,151 23 % Corporate (14,976 ) (17,713 ) (57,335 ) (56,786 ) Total EBITDA $ 241,096 32 % $ 227,100 32 % $ 849,168 32 % $ 818,974 31 % (1) Represents severance as well as fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions. (2) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations. EBITDA is defined as operating profit plus certain adjustments, such as severance, fees and non-cash inventory charges associated with acquisitions, plus depreciation and amortization. NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 October 31, 2024 October 31, 2023 Operating profit $ 178,892 $ 185,039 $ 674,001 $ 672,761 Other / interest expense - net (30,820 ) (24,459 ) (88,520 ) (57,422 ) Net income 122,168 127,778 467,284 487,493 Diluted earnings per share $ 2.12 $ 2.22 $ 8.11 $ 8.46 Shares outstanding - diluted 57,603 57,552 57,616 57,631 Inventory step-up amortization $ 4,759 $ 4,556 $ 7,703 $ 8,862 Severance and other 12,717 — 17,332 5,487 Acquisition costs 8,200 6,244 13,957 19,966 $ 19,560 $ 17,880 $ 76,972 $ 59,719 908 6,817 908 6,817 Total adjustments $ 46,144 $ 35,497 $ 116,872 $ 100,851 Adjustments net of tax $ 38,071 $ 28,247 $ 93,278 $ 79,898 EPS effect of adjustments and other discrete tax items $ 0.66 $ 0.49 $ 1.62 $ 1.39 Adjusted net income (1) $ 160,239 $ 156,025 $ 560,562 $ 567,391 Adjusted earnings per share (2) $ 2.78 $ 2.71 $ 9.73 $ 9.85 (1) Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP measure defined as net income plus tax effected adjustments and other discrete tax items. (2) Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure defined as GAAP EPS adjusted for tax effected adjustments and other discrete tax items. NORDSON CORPORATION RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES - OPERATING CASH FLOW TO FREE CASH FLOW (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands) Year to Date October 31, 2024 July 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 January 31, 2024 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 556,193 $ 459,812 $ 294,964 $ 172,356 Additions to property, plant and equipment (64,410 ) (43,786 ) (21,907 ) (7,530 ) Free Cash Flow - Year to Date (1) 491,783 416,026 273,057 164,826 Free Cash Flow - Quarter to Date (2) 75,757 142,969 108,231 164,826 Net Income - Year to Date $ 467,284 Free Cash Flow Conversion (3) 105 % Year to Date October 31, 2023 July 31, 2023 April 30, 2023 January 31, 2023 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 641,282 $ 478,072 $ 287,905 $ 123,337 Additions to property, plant and equipment (34,583 ) (24,244 ) (15,349 ) (9,302 ) Free Cash Flow (1) 606,699 453,828 272,556 114,035 Free Cash Flow - Quarter to Date (2) 152,871 181,272 158,521 114,035 (1) Free Cash Flow - Year to Date is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and is defined as Net cash provided by operating activities minus Additions to property, plant and equipment. (2) Free Cash Flow - Quarter to Date is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and is equal to Free Cash Flow - Year to Date less prior period Free Cash Flow - Year to Date. (3) Free Cash Flow Conversion - Year to Date is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate the Company's ongoing operations and is defined as Free Cash Flow - Year to Date divided by Net Income - Year to Date. Management uses certain non-GAAP measures, such as adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and EBITDA, internally to make strategic decisions, forecast future results, and evaluate the Company's current performance. Given management's use of these non-GAAP measures, the Company believes these measures are important to investors in understanding the Company's current and future operating results as seen through the eyes of management. In addition, management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in enabling them to better assess changes in the Company's core business across different time periods. Because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures to other companies' non-GAAP financial measures, even if they have similar names. Amounts may not add due to rounding. View source version on : CONTACT: Lara Mahoney Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications 440.204.9985 KEYWORD: OHIO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION PACKAGING ENGINEERING SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING OTHER MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Nordson Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/11/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/11/2024 04:32 PMy77777 games 。

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly?Will Riley scored a game-high 19 points off the bench as No. 25 Illinois shrugged off a slow start to earn an 87-40 nonconference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kylan Boswell posted 13 points and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 11 for Illinois (4-1). Coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama on Wednesday, the Illini led by as much as 52 despite hitting just 10-of-40 3-point attempts. Jalen Ware paced Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6) with 10 points before fouling out. Ketron "KC" Shaw, who entered Saturday in the top 20 of Division I scorers at 22.3 points per game, went scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. The Hawks canned just 22.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Illinois broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:06, then missed its next six shots. That gave the Hawks time to pull into an 8-8 tie on Evan Johnson's 17-foot pullup at the 12:21 mark. That marked Maryland Eastern Shore's last points for more than seven minutes as the Illini reeled off 17 straight points to remove any suspense. Johnson opened the spree with a basket and two free throws, Ben Humrichous swished a 3-pointer and Tre White sank a layup before Kasparas Jakucionis fed Ivisic for a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup. Jakucionis set up Johnson for a free throw, then drove for an unchallenged layup to make it 25-8 with 5:15 left in the first. Evan Johnson snapped the visitors' dry spell with a driving layup at the 4:56 mark, but Illinois went on to establish a 35-15 halftime lead on the stretch of 11 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 second-chance points and 13 points off UMES' 10 turnovers. Maryland Eastern Shore needed nearly four minutes to get its first points in the second half as Illinois pushed its lead to 42-15. The Illini margin ballooned all the way to 70-24 on Boswell's driving layup with 8:11 to go. --Field Level MediaAll-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet acquired by Red Sox from White Sox for prospects

Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981, taking over in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War. After his defeat by Ronald Reagan, he spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His death on Sunday was announced by his family and came more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. He was the longest-lived US president. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) December 29, 2024 His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta and Washington DC before being buried in his home town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and finally the White House, where he took office as the 39th president. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked for more than four decades leading the Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service.

US House passes massive defense policy bill, despite transgender provisionSaudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament as well as the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain , Portugal and Morocco, with three games in South America. Here are some of the key issues that need to be answered over the next decade: Where will games be played? Saudi Arabia proposes 15 stadiums — eight still on paper — in five cities: Eight in the capital Riyadh , four in the Red Sea port city Jeddah, and one each in Abha, Al Khobar and Neom, the planned futuristic mega-project. Each would have at least 40,000 seats for World Cup games. The opening game and final are set for a 92,000-seat venue planned in Riyadh. Some designs are vivid. In Neom, the stadium is planned 350 meters (yards) above street level and one near Riyadh is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff with a retractable wall of LED screens. Saudi Arabia aims to host all 104 games, though there has been speculation that some games could be played in neighboring or nearby countries. When will the World Cup be played? Surely not in the traditional World Cup period of June-July, when temperatures in Saudi Arabia routinely exceed 40 Celsius (104 degrees). FIFA moved the Qatar-hosted World Cup to November-December 2022, though those dates were not loved by most European clubs and leagues whose seasons were interrupted. Also, that slot is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. January 2034 could be a possibility even though that would be just before the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The International Olympic Committee has signaled it won’t be opposed to back-to-back major events. In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Saudi World Cup bid official Hammad Albalawi said the precise dates of the tournament are up the world soccer body. “That’s a decision by FIFA. We stand ready to be part of this conversation. But ultimately it’s a FIFA decision together with the confederations,” Albalawi said. Will stadiums be segregated for men and women? Giving more rights and freedoms to women in a traditionally conservative society is fundamental to Saudi messaging around the modernization program known as Vision 2030. The kingdom decided in 2017 to let women attend sports events, initially in major cities and in family zones separate from men-only sections. By 2034, at the promised pace of social reforms, female fans should not be restricted. Saudi Arabia launched a women’s professional soccer league in 2022 with players joining from clubs in Europe. They face no restrictions playing in shorts and with hair uncovered. Will alcohol be allowed at the venues or hotels? The Saudi prohibition of alcohol is clear and understood before FIFA signs any sponsor deals for 2034. But will there be any exceptions? The alcohol issue was problematic for the World Cup in Qatar because the expectation was created that beer sales would be allowed at stadiums even before Qatar won its bid in 2010. One year later, FIFA extended a long-time deal to have Budweiser as the official World Cup beer through 2022. Qatar then backtracked on that promise three days before the first game, causing confusion and the sense of a promise broken. In Qatar, alcohol was served only at luxury suites at the stadiums. Visitors could also have a drink in some hotel bars. But Saudi Arabia has even stricter rules on alcohol — and there is no indication that will change. Albalawi noted that Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted dozens of sports events where alcohol wasn't served. “We’re creating a safe and secure family environment for fans to bring their families into our stadiums,” he said. How will workers rights be protected? Saudi promises to reform and enforce labor laws, and fully respect migrant workers, have been accepted by FIFA but face broad skepticism from rights groups and trade unions. A formal complaint is being investigated by the U.N.-backed International Labor Organization. Protecting the migrant workers needed to build stadiums and other tournament projects — a decade after it was a defining issue for Qatar — looms as a signature challenge for Saudi Arabia. Would Israel be allowed to play if it qualified for the 2034 World Cup? Saudi-Israeli relations had been improving when FIFA all but gave the 2034 World Cup to the kingdom on Oct. 4 last year. Three days later Hamas attacked Israel and diplomacy got more complicated. Any soccer federation bidding to host a FIFA tournament accepts a basic principle that whichever team qualifies is welcome. That did not stop Indonesia putting up barriers last year to Israel coming for the men’s Under-20 World Cup. Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel which had qualified through a European tournament nine months before the issue flared. FIFA moved the entire tournament to Argentina and the Israeli team reached the semifinals. Israel played at the 1970 World Cup but has never advanced through qualifying in Europe, where it has been a member of UEFA for 30 years. Europe should have 16 places in the 48-team World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Where will the final of the 2030 World Cup be played? Most of the attention at the FIFA Congress on Wednesday was on the Saudi decision, but the soccer body and its members also formally approved the hosts of the 2030 World Cup — the most spread out and longest ever. One game each in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the original host in 1930, will be played from June 8-9. The tournament resumes four days later for the other 101 games shared between Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Six countries, three continents, multiple languages and currencies. Fans traveling on planes, trains, automobiles and boats across about 14 kilometers (10 miles) of water between Spain and Morocco. The final is due on July 21, 2030 and a decision on where it will be played could cause some tension between the host countries. Morocco wants it in the world’s biggest soccer venue — the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. Spain, meanwhile, has proposed to host the final in either of the remodeled home stadiums of club giants Real Madrid or Barcelona. ___ Associated Press writer Baraa Anwer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contributed to this report.

Arsenal ’s Champions League run continued at a rampant rate with the Gunners thumping Monaco in a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Bukayo Saka’s brace and a late strike from Kai Havertz . Myles Lewis-Skelly stood out as one of the hosts' brightest stars with him making his first start , while Saka, whose importance is growing on a weekly basis, has been waxed lyrical about once again – but there is one player who should also make the headlines and that's Havertz. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Havertz’s transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal makes him the latter’s third-most expensive arrival. After assisting in his side’s 1-1 draw with Fulham on the weekend, the 25-year-old was replaced by Gabriel Jesus at the top of the tree until he entered the fray for the Brazilian in the 73rd minute. Mikel Arteta now has a very important decision to make. Plenty was made of Havertz’s arrival from fellow London club Chelsea in the summer of 2023, given the combination of his lofty price tag and his lack of potency throughout his time with the Blues. But his goalscoring aside, his off-the-ball presence is finally being felt. Inside Havertz's Influential Cameo vs Monaco Thrown into action with just shy of half an hour of regulation time to play, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star managed to make a terrific impact and even plundered his tenth of the season – and 23rd for the club – in the 88th minute. With the score poised at 1-0 and the home side chasing a two-goal buffer, Havertz’s link-up play between himself and his fellow teammates was pivotal to them seeing out a resounding victory in Europe’s most prestigious competition. Kai Havertz has only ever worn the number 29 shirt throughout his entire club career. Here's why. An assertive presence from the front, the 55-cap Germany international gave the Monaco defenders no space to breathe and was busy in and around the six-yard box. Havertz, widely regarded as one of the best players to have turned out for both Chelsea and Arsenal , took his chance well, too, as he turned in Saka’s driven cross from point-blank range. Havertz Statistics vs Monaco Minutes 17 Goals 1 Shots 1 Touches 13 Touches in opp. box 4 Accurate passes 8/9 (90%) Chances created 1 Overall rating 7.5 As highlighted above, Havertz was keen to get on target with his only effort on goal. Creating havoc in Monaco 's danger area - right in front of goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki - he took four touches inside their French side's penalty area and created the singular chance in just 17 minutes. His accuracy in passing (8/9; 90% completion rate) allowed the home side to retain possession as Adolf Hutter's men piled on the pressure in search of a winner. Irrespective of the data, he certainly passed the eye test with his tenacity and willingness to chase down opponents being the most impressive aspect of his 22nd appearance of the 2024/25 campaign across all competitions. Arteta Faces Centre Forward Conundrum Amid Havertz Run of Form Taking his 2024/25 tally to nine, Jesus’ goalscoring rate pales in comparison with his most recent Premier League strike being during a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. All told, the £280,000-per-week earner puts together a compelling case of being the club's answer to a serviceable centre forward. As mentioned, it is not only hitting the back of the net which the lanky forward is useful for. His tireless runs off the ball and chasing down every loose bit of possession, he makes the game much simpler for his fellow teammates, which, in turn, boosts morale. The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Arteta and his entourage, who continue to fight on all fronts this season, and having someone capable of working hard and adding goals to their seasonal tally could be the difference-maker - and Havertz should be first in the pecking order. From Rafael Leao to Declan Rice, here are the greatest players born in 1999. Jesus' lack of confidence in front of goal has been showcased for months now by the former Manchester City prospect's lack of numbers. It's not only statistics, however, that dampen the Brazil international's chances of succeeding in north London from here on out: it's Havertz's ever-growing importance. With Everton at home and back-to-back outings against Crystal Palace on the horizon, how many points the club manage to pick up between now and the turn of the year could solely depend on Arteta’s preferred option at centre forward. And if Havertz keeps Jesus out of the team, it could mean the Brazilian is facing a north London exit. All statistics per Sofascore - correct as of 11/12/24Maupay also had a dig at Everton when he departed on loan to Marseille in the summer and his latest taunt has further angered the Premier League club’s supporters. The 28-year-old said on X after Sean Dyche’s side had lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday: “Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile.” Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂 — Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024 Former boxer Tony Bellew was among the Toffees’ supporters who responded to Maupay, with the ex-world cruiserweight champion replying on X with: “P****!” Maupay endured a miserable spell at Everton, scoring just one league goal in 29 appearances after being signed by the Merseysiders for an undisclosed fee in 2022. He departed on a season-long loan to his former club Brentford for the 2023-24 season and left Goodison for a second time in August when Marseille signed him on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. After leaving Everton in the summer, Maupay outraged their fans by posting on social media a scene from the film Shawshank Redemption, famous for depicting the main character’s long fight for freedom.

Poulakidas' 22 help Yale beat Fairfield 91-66SELINSGROVE — Bot's Tavern owner Rick Schuck began preparing his downtown business for Saturday's playoff game between Susquehanna and Bethel universities on the Selinsgrove campus as soon as he heard the local football team had made it to the Division III quarterfinals. "This really is great for SU, SU football and great for the community. We get a 'bump' in business from most SU events and enjoy the ride," Schuck said of the matchup that has him stocking up on beverages and creating food and drink specials. "We're preparing for a victory." Usually at this time of year, students are studying for finals and aren't very visible in the business district, he said. Downtown merchants are hoping for a repeat of Nov. 30 when a typical slow weekend turned into a busy one due to SU's first win in a national playoff since 1991. "Now that there's a playoff, we expect a lot of people to be in town and (Bethel) may bring some people from Minnesota to Selinsgrove," Schuck said. "It's good not just for my business; it will make for a very active weekend." Malcolm Derk, who serves as Susquehanna's chief of staff and president of Selinsgrove Projects Inc., the downtown revitalization organization, said residents are "really excited for football. We're expecting a lot of people at the game and downtown." BJ's Market Street Tavern Manager Krista Harriman is preparing to bolster staff and keep the business open until 2 a.m. to accommodate the anticipated crowd of patrons Saturday as the restaurant also plans to serve Christmas revelers. "Last weekend when the (athletes) got off the plane from the game, we had a full house," she said. "We're sharing in the excitement." Susquehanna's Director of Athletics Sharief Hashim said "tireless" work by the student athletes and coaches has made for a historic season. "We look forward to welcoming families and fans from across the country to Selinsgrove for what promises to be an exciting matchup and are eager to showcase the charm of central Pennsylvania to our visitors — many of whom may be discovering our region for the first time," Hashim said. "As Susquehannans, we know that these visitors ­will discover what we already know to be true: Susquehanna is a warm, welcoming community rooted in rich traditions, strong relationships and a steadfast commitment to diversity." In recent years, Schuck said, the university has increased its visibility in the downtown, particularly with the opening of Susquehanna's Downtown Center at 111 N. Market St. SU President Jonathan Green "is certainly a downtown advocate" and has helped improve town-gown relations, he said. "If the university is successful, than the downtown should be successful. And, if the downtown is successful, so should the university. Both should recognize that."

Moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter held before the Falcons-Commanders gameBieber re-signs with Guardians

NoneSan Salvador: The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and the Republic of El Salvador held on Wednesday in San Salvador their third round of political consultations. The consultation round was co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador HE Adriana Mira. The two sides discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to boost them. Also present were Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to the Republic of El Salvador HE Fahad Salem Al Marri, Acting Director of the Department of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Jassim bin Mohammed Al Asmakh and the accompanying delegation.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel's Chris Perkins and David Furones make their predictions on player or team props they believe will occur for the Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots Week 12 matchup at Hard Rock Stadium.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Maupay also had a dig at Everton when he departed on loan to Marseille in the summer and his latest taunt has further angered the Premier League club’s supporters. The 28-year-old said on X after Sean Dyche’s side had lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday: “Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile.” Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂 — Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024 Former boxer Tony Bellew was among the Toffees’ supporters who responded to Maupay, with the ex-world cruiserweight champion replying on X with: “P****!” Maupay endured a miserable spell at Everton, scoring just one league goal in 29 appearances after being signed by the Merseysiders for an undisclosed fee in 2022. He departed on a season-long loan to his former club Brentford for the 2023-24 season and left Goodison for a second time in August when Marseille signed him on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. After leaving Everton in the summer, Maupay outraged their fans by posting on social media a scene from the film Shawshank Redemption, famous for depicting the main character’s long fight for freedom.

haha 777 games The signer said he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need. The Wanted star Max George has said he will be spending Christmas in hospital after doctors discovered “some issues” with his heart. The singer, 36, provided the health update in an Instagram post alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up while lying in a hospital bed. He revealed he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need, but said he is expecting it to be a “difficult few weeks/months”. He wrote: “Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart. “I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet. “It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks/months... and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned.” The singer said he is “surrounded with love and support” from his “wonderful” partner, actress Maisie Smith, as well as his family and friends. He added: “Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got. “I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.” Friends and famous faces were among those to offer their support including his bandmate Siva Kaneswaran who said: “Here for you brother. Rest up and get well soon.” JLS stars JB Gill and Marvin Humes also commented. Gill wrote: “God bless you bro, wishing you better soon. Sending lots of love”, while Humes added: “Sorry to hear you’re not well geezer, you’re strong and will fight through. Big love mate.” George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low and Heart Vacancy. His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life. Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House of Games. Earlier this year he made his stage debut in the theatrical adaption of a BBC TV show about a lottery syndicate by Kay Mellor titled The Syndicate. George and soap actress Smith first met when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing, but have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. 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. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.” AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingTimberwolves vs. Hawks Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, and betting trends for December 23Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to ChabadTrump will ‘most likely' pardon Capitol rioters on day one and says Jan. 6 committee members should be jailed

Online Auction Market size to increase by USD 3.08 Billion between 2023 to 2028, Market Segmentation by Product, Platform, Geography , TechnavioASML Deadline: ASML Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K Have Opportunity to Lead ASML Holding N.V. Securities Fraud Lawsuit

The common murre, a large black-and-white seabird native to northern waters, has become far less common in Alaska over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change. A study published Thursday in Science reveals that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the northeast Pacific from 2014 to 2016 triggered a catastrophic population collapse, wiping out four million birds -- about half the species in the region. Strikingly, they have shown little signs of rebounding, suggesting long-term shifts in the food web that have locked the ecosystem into a troubling new equilibrium. "There's a lot of talk about declines of species that are tied to changes in temperature, but in this case, it was not a long term result," lead author Heather Renner of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge told AFP. "To our knowledge, this is the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era," she and her colleagues emphasized in their paper. The finding triggers "alarm bells," Renner said in an interview, as human-caused climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. With their dapper, tuxedoed look, common murres are sometimes called the "penguins of the north." Their slender wings power them across vast distances in search of food and make them expert divers. But even these hardy seabirds were no match for an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. The largest marine heat wave ever recorded began in the late fall of 2014, spanning a massive swath of the northeast Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska. It persisted for over two years, leaving devastation in its wake. During this time, some 62,000 emaciated murres washed ashore along the North American Pacific coastline -- dead or dying from starvation. Experts point to two key reasons for the bird deaths: elevated ocean temperatures reduced both the quality and quantity of phytoplankton, impacting fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies -- the mainstay of the murre diet. At the same time, warmer waters increased the energy demands of larger fish, such as salmon and Pacific cod, which compete with murres for the same prey. "We knew then it was a big deal, but unfortunately, we couldn't really quantify the effects," explained Renner. For years after the event, breeding colonies failed to produce chicks, complicating efforts to assess the full impact. Earlier estimates pegged the number of deaths at around a million, but a more robust analysis -- drawing on data from 13 murre colonies -- revealed the toll was four times higher. "It is just so much worse than we thought it was," Renner said of the new findings. The marine heat wave didn't just impact common murres. Pacific cod stocks collapsed, king salmon populations dwindled, and as many as 7,000 humpback whales perished. Yet the crisis created an uneven playing field: some species emerged unscathed, while others even thrived. Thick-billed murres, which often share nesting cliffs with common murres, were largely unaffected, possibly due to their more adaptable diet, Renner noted. For common murres, however, the fallout lingers. Despite nearly a decade since the heat wave, their numbers show no sign of bouncing back -- and the losses may well be permanent. Part of the reason lies in the long-term decline of some of their prey. Another factor is murres' survival strategy relies on numbers: they aggregate in massive colonies to protect their eggs from opportunistic predators like eagles and gulls. With their populations slashed, these birds have lost their critical safety buffer. Still, Renner offered a glimmer of hope. While addressing global warming is essential for curbing long-term climate change, conservation efforts can make a difference in the short term, she said. Removing invasive species like foxes and rats from murre nesting islands could also provide the beleaguered birds with a fighting chance. ia/desRoom-filling media spectacle opens fresh portal to Lee Ung-no's fervent brushwork

FPIs sell big in oil & gas and financial stocks, add ITANGELA Rayner yesterday struggled to explain how Labour’s housing plans will cope with the 2.5 million migrants expected to arrive in Britain. The Deputy PM contradicted herself when grilled on how her pledge to build 1.5 million homes would address both the housing crisis and record immigration levels . She told Sky News there is “plenty of housing” already – despite Labour’s repeated warnings about shortages. Presenter Sir Trevor Phillips challenged her claim, insisting it didn’t make any “sense”. But she doubled down, adding: “There is plenty of housing Trevor, but there’s not enough for the people who desperately need it. “So the homes, especially under our social affordable housing, they will be there for people who desperately need them.” Read More on Politics Her comments come as Labour will this week unveil detailed plans for mandatory house-building targets in every area of England and Wales. Ms Rayner, who is also the Housing Secretary, will also set out where councils can build on underused “grey belt” land in the green belt while prioritising brownfield sites.

The Nordstrom family is taking back control of its store in a $6.25 billion dealIn a bygone era, two of the authoritarian Middle Eastern leaders —Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Muammar el-Gaddafi—were hunted down before being executed. Saddam was sentenced to death by hanging after being convicted of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi Special Tribunal while Gaddafi was severely beaten up by rebel forces before being shot to death. Still, some Arab rulers who were deposed but survived included Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia in 2011, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt in 2011, and Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen in 2012. But there was one rare exception—in Asia. Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was driven into exile—first, seeking refuge in the Maldives, then in Singapore and finally in Thailand. When he ran out of safe havens, or so the story goes, he returned to his home country –but not to his lost presidency. In Asia, there were several other political leaders who were ousted from power and went into exile, including Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand and most recently Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. When the Taliban captured power back in 1996, one of its first political acts was to hang the Afghan President Mohammed Najibullah in Ariana Square in Kabul. And, when it assumed power a second time, it ousted the US-backed government of Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank official, armed with a doctorate in anthropology from one of the most prestigious Ivy League educational institutions in the US: Columbia University. In a Facebook posting, Ghani said he fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeking safe haven because he "was going to be hanged" by the Taliban. If that did happen, the Taliban would have earned the dubious distinction of being the only government in the world to hang two presidents. But mercifully, it did not. Last week, as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lost his battle for survival against a 14-year-old civil war in his country, he went... Thalif Deen

While Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, he and his campaign allies also wooed smaller religious groups, far from the mainstream.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. People are also reading... Nebraska transportation director: Expressway system won't be done until 2042 27-year-old Beatrice man sentenced for May assault Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 Gage County Sheriff's Office helps catch Fairbury suspect Mother to Mother supporting families Stabler scores 22 in Lady O's season opening win At the courthouse, Dec. 7, 2024 Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals Orangemen open season with win over Nebraska City Holiday Lighted Parade happening Saturday Clarissa Ruh Missouri man sentenced for attempted sexual assault Beatrice Regional Orchestra to perform Sunday "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. Biden is considering preemptive pardons for officials and allies before Trump takes office COLLEEN LONG, ZEKE MILLER and LISA MASCAROAssociated Press He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." Here are the people Trump picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Paul Atkins, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. David Perdue, Ambassador to China President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Rodney Scott, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Billy Long, Internal Revenue Service commissioner Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administration administrator Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Raghav Motani knew he was putting himself in a dangerous position. After his first year studying for a masters of marketing at University of Technology Sydney, Motani could no longer afford the AUD$400 per week rent for his shared bedroom — two single beds divided by a closet in the middle of the room that works out to about CAD$1,440 per month. “I couldn’t afford this place, the lease was coming up, and I needed to find somewhere to live,” he said. “So, I had to make a decision that put my safety at risk.” He found a listing for a shared room further away from campus, for about half the price. It meant a long commute, but it was his only option. There was no lease agreement, just cash payments to a landlord, and texts through WhatsApp. But after issues started with his roommate, the landlord kicked him out just a few months later. “Everything was through WhatsApp or through word of mouth. You’re scared, you’re anxious, you can’t find a job, you don’t know if you can make rent; and that is when you make irrational decisions.” Motani was fortunate and was able to get back his security deposit, but many others don’t. Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world for housing, and a limited rental supply means students are regularly forced to cram into rooms and pay rent to landlords they’ve never met, without a signed agreement. “I have been in rooms where they have put curtains up in a single bedroom, and they’re selling off multiple blocks within the room. It is $300 per week, but there are no walls, it is just bed sheets,” Motani said. “They have all the power. They say, “if you don’t like it, try and find something else.’” Unlike Canada, where domestic students often travel from home to attend university, most domestic students in Australia attend school in the city they grow up in and live with their parents; apartment and room hunting is almost entirely among international students in Australia. When Motani was searching for a place to live, viewings would have as many as 15 students touring rooms “you couldn’t dream of living in.” Landlords may not even be aware of the situation. One person leases the apartment, and then rents rooms to multiple students. When unexpected inspections happen, the students are often all kicked out, with few protections in place for them. A drone view of they Sydney skyline. There has also been an explosion of purpose-built student accommodation in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, but a single room in a six-room apartment with a shared kitchen can cost as much as AUD$750 per week, the equivalent of $2,700 per month in Canada. A similar room in Toronto or Waterloo ranges between $1,000 to $1,400 per month. There are currently about 133,000 student accommodation beds across Australia, according to the Urbis Student Accommodation Benchmarks report, with about 30,000 new beds in the works. While adding supply is welcome, it also a business, and companies are expanding largely on profit margins, not necessarily a desire to keep costs low for more students, said Alan Morris, a professor in the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney. The number of beds has almost doubled since 2014, but prices continue to rise, leaving many without affordable rooming options. “It is fair to say there are at least a quarter of international students who are vulnerable to falling into a very desperate situation due to a lack of finances,” said Morris. In 2019, Morris conducted the first widespread survey of international students living in private residences. With over 7,000 submissions, Morris and his team found more than a third were struggling to pay rent and 20 per cent of the students frequently went without food. About three per cent of the respondents reported “hotbedding” — sleeping in shifts in a bed during designated time slots. “The reality is that if you have 10 people in a room, each paying $200 per week, you have the opportunity to make $2,000 per week, when you regularly would be getting about $800. So, you can see the incentives.” Morris followed up with 800 of the survey participants in the summer of 2020, and found the situation had drastically deteriorated. He intends to conduct a similar survey in the coming years, “and I can say with certainty that the numbers have likely only gotten worse.” In the aftermath of the pandemic, the return of international students became an easy target to blame for price increases, despite only making up between four and six per cent of the rental market. “To pin this moment on international students, and to suggest they are the creator of this housing crisis, is just complete nonsense,” said Laurence Troy, an associate professor of urbanism at the University of Sydney. “It then mixes together with this broader hysteria around immigration in general and wanting to blame non-Anglo looking outsiders for coming and taking the housing, but there’s so many other things going on that created this problem.” The demand and price for housing in Australia isn’t necessarily just about people desiring homes, he said. “Historically it was connected to wage growth, but those trends started to disconnect around 2000, and more closely correlated with tax incentives,” said Troy. Due to high property valuations, units built to rent for the broader public are almost universally money-losers. But this is often exactly what investors are after, he said. If the cost of owning a rental property outweighs the cost it generates, this becomes a taxable loss that can be offset against other income. This practice is known as negative gearing. Put simply: You make money when you lose money. Negative gearing was introduced in 1936 in Australia; attempts at reform have been attempted, but often to wide criticism. Today, many of Australia’s most influential politicians are among those benefiting from these tax policies, which means little support for change. “There is a middle class awakening happening around this, but when you look at Sydney, all rational logic would suggest this should have imploded a long time ago. But time marches on, and it keeps going.” For nearly a decade, Sean Stimson has been working to help international students and provide guidance when the system fails them. The Redfern Legal Centre’s International Student Legal Service New South Wales is the only free statewide legal service for international students. “We are meeting with students every day, and recently I can say that almost every single person has an issue that is in some way connected to accommodation disputes,” he said. “It’s very clear that something has gone wrong.”None

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Kromenhoek completed 13 of 20 passes in his first college start, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Khi Douglas, as the Seminoles (2-9) won for the first time since Sept. 21. The true freshman also connected with Amaree Williams for a 4-yard TD and Hykeem Williams for a 10-yard TD. Florida State had the nation’s lowest scoring offense at 13.3 points. The Seminoles hadn’t scored more than 21 points or surpassed the 300-yard mark in 2024. But Florida State overwhelmed FCS Charleston Southern (1-11), accumulating 415 offensive yards. Kaleb Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Landon Sauers, and an interception for the Buccaneers. The takeaway Charleston Southern: While the Buccaneers found some success through the air, they couldn’t sustain drives and managed just 57 rushing yards on 29 carries. Florida State: The Seminoles picked up a season-best 176 rushing yards, scoring 17 points in the second quarter and 14 points in the third quarter to take control. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Up next Charleston Southern’s season is over. Florida State plays host to Florida on Nov. 30. ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25 Advertisement Advertisement

Radical left-wing documentary filmmaker Michael Moore is roasting outgoing President Joe Biden for starting World War III on his way out of office. Moore published a “Dear Joe” letter to the dotard-in-chief noting that he recently laid out an agenda for Biden’s final days in office for “cementing your status as a ‘Great President’,” and then lamented “you have done none of them.” But worse than just ignoring Moore’s suggestions, the filmmaker insisted, “You on the other hand seem to be trying to cement your legacy as a war monger — doubling down on some of your worst mistakes and worst impulses.” The Bowling for Columbine director then laid out some of Biden’s “warmongering.” Instead of using your precious little time left to do something to HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, your first action after Trump won was to fast track the delivery of over $6 Billion in weapons to Ukraine. Then, you called up Zelensky and gave him the green light to start firing long range ballistic missiles into a country with a massive amount of nuclear weapons, Russia. Then, as if that weren’t enough carnage for one week, you authorized the use of antipersonnel land mines in Russia. LAND MINES, Joe? Seriously? THIS is your legacy? This is how you want to go out? In a blaze of horror? Like, if Joe’s gotta go, we all gotta go with him... right into World War III? Moore pointed out that the U.S. has spent a billion dollars in efforts to remove landmines from war torn places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, adding that these are “the places we invade and then leave our landmines behind.” “Vietnam was 50 years ago, Joe. And kids today in southeast Asia are still getting their arms blown off by our landmines. That’s your legacy, Joe. This is what you’re doing,” Moore railed. Moore was also disgusted by the White House’s lobbying against 19 Democrat senators who moved to block Biden weapons shipment to Israel and expressed his outrage that Biden’s administration accused these senators of being Hamas supporters. The Hollywood elitist then knocked Biden’s administration for blocking a U.N. vote to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, adding, ” America once again single handedly blocked the ceasefire. The only country speaking out in favor of more death and destruction was the one you and I are citizens of. This is your legacy, Joe?” The next “Is this your legacy, Joe?” point Moore included in his screed was Biden’s refusal to back the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. As he began to wrap up his accusatory letter, he had more suggestions for Biden, writing, “Maybe you should stop arming foreign wars and leave that for the next guy. Maybe instead, you should focus on things that matter to Americans,” and demanded that Biden “make some real and powerful change” in the last two months he has left. He then suggests that the Equal Rights Amendment is a “no brainer.” You have the power to order the E.R.A. be officially published in the United States Constitution. You’ve had nearly 4 years to do this. It was ratified by the required number of states and it should be published as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. Women, who make up 51% of the American population — THE MAJORITY — should finally be recognized as equal citizens and equal human beings, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, just as they are in almost every single other Western Democracy. “You have the power to do this, Joe. You have the power to make this your legacy,” Moore concludes. “So, Joe, I’m really telling you for the last time: JUST DO IT. ” However, it is far from clear that Biden has this power at all. The original E.R.A. language that the states considered for ratification in 1974 contains a seven-year time limit to garner its three-quarters vote (38 states). That time passed with only 35 of the 38 states having ratified the amendment for inclusion as part of the U.S. Constitution. The amendment has been constantly reintroduced in succeeding congressional sessions, but has never passed with the needed percentages. Two U.S. Supreme Court cases — Dillon v. Gloss (1921) and Coleman v. Miller (1939) — both held that adding time limits is a legitimate political practice in which Congress has authority to engage. But, while no direct court case has considered the question of placing time limits on constitutional amendments, there is no reason to believe the SCOTUS would not just adopt the past two dictum decisions as precedent. So, the truth is, it isn’t obvious at all that Biden has the power to just add the ERA to the U.S. Constitution on his own hook. And even if he wanted to, his final two months is simply not enough time to propose the move, and then get it approved for action. Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHustonCIBC Asset Management Inc Buys New Stake in Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPOP)

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Concurrent Gainers: 10 midcap stocks that gain for 5 days in a row - The Economic TimesLyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB) Shares Sold by Mutual of America Capital Management LLCThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . OLEAN, N.Y. (AP) — Noel Brown had 22 points in Saint Bonaventure’s 85-70 win against Bryant on Sunday. Saint Bonaventure (6-0) is off to its best start since it won nine consecutive games to open the 1969-70 season. Brown added seven rebounds for the Bonnies. Melvin Council Jr. scored 18 points and added five rebounds. Lajae Jones shot 3 for 7 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. It was the sixth victory in a row for the Bonnies. The Bulldogs (3-3) were led by Earl Timberlake, who posted 17 points and seven rebounds. Barry Evans added 14 points and six rebounds for Bryant. Connor Withers also had 14 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Saint Bonaventure took the lead with 15:50 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 46-40 at halftime, with Council racking up 14 points. Saint Bonaventure extended its lead to 64-44 during the second half, fueled by a 13-2 scoring run. Jones scored a team-high 10 points in the second half as their team closed out the win. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible while deputies pushed him inside Tuesday. At the brief hearing, the defense lawyer informed the court that Mangione would not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail. Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turn Luigi Nicholas Mangione was apparently living a charmed one: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-od Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy.” Pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators are working to piece together why Mangione diverged from a path of seeming success to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO The 26-year-old man charged in last week’s killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in New York City has appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom. Luigi Nicholas Mangione was arrested Monday after a worker at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, notified police that he resembled the suspect in last Wednesday's killing of Brian Thompson. While being led into court to be arraigned Tuesday, Mangione shouted something that was partly unintelligible but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” During the hearing in Hollidaysburg, Mangione was denied bail and his attorney said Mangione would not waive extradition. DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are trying to preserve President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction as he returns to office, and they're suggesting various ways forward. One novel notion is based on how some courts handle criminal cases when defendants die. In court papers made public Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books. The proposals included freezing the case until he’s out of office, or agreeing that any future sentence wouldn’t include jail time. Another idea: closing the case with a notation that acknowledges his conviction but says that he was never sentenced and that his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump’s spokesperson called the ideas “pathetic.” Middle East latest: Israel bombs hundreds of sites across Syria as army pushes into border zone Israel says it bombed more than 350 military sites in Syria during the previous 48 hours, targeting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of strikes was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse. Israel also acknowledged its troops were pushing into a border buffer zone inside Syria, which was established after the 1973 Mideast war. However, Israel denied its forces were advancing Tuesday toward the Syrian capital of Damascus. Life in the capital was slowly returning to normal. People celebrated for a third day in a main square, and shops and banks reopened. Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they were also prime trolling opportunities. Throughout his first term in the White House and his recent campaign to return there, the Republican has dished out provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. Report on attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreign leaders WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional task force looking into the assassination attempts against Donald Trump during his presidential campaign is recommending changes to the Secret Service. These include protecting fewer foreign leaders during the height of the election season and considering moving the agency out of the Department of Homeland Security. The 180-page report was released Tuesday. It constitutes one of the most detailed looks so far into the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and a second one in Florida two months later. South Korea's ex-defense minister is formally arrested over brief imposition of martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's previous defense minister has been formally arrested over his alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol and others in imposing martial law last week. Kim Yong Hyun resigned last week and has been detained since Sunday. He is the first person arrested in the case. Prosecutors have up to 20 days to determine whether to indict him. A conviction on the charge of playing a key role in rebellion carries the maximum death sentence. Kim is accused of recommending martial law to Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting on it. Celebrities and coastal residents flee from wind-driven wildfire in Malibu MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of Southern California residents are under evacuation orders and warnings as firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu. The flames burned near seaside mansions and Pepperdine University, where students sheltering at the school’s library on Monday night watched as the blaze intensified. Officials on Tuesday said a “minimal number” of homes burned, but the exact amount wasn’t immediately known. More than 8,100 homes and other structures are under threat, including more than 2,000 where residents have been ordered to evacuate. Pepperdine University on Tuesday morning said the worst of the fire has pushed past campus. It was not immediately known how the blaze started. More beans and less red meat: Nutrition experts weigh in on US dietary guidelines Americans should eat more beans, peas and lentils and cut back on red and processed meats and starchy vegetables. That's advice from a panel of nutrition experts charged with counseling the U.S. government about the next edition of the dietary guidelines. The panel did not weigh in on the growing role of ultraprocessed foods that have been linked to health problems or alcohol use. But they did say people should continue to limit added sugars, sodium and saturated fat in pursuit of a healthy diet. Tuesday’s recommendations now go to federal officials, who will draft the final guidance set for release next year.No. 5 UCLA snaps No. 1 South Carolina's 43-game win streakShares of Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. ( NYSE:ECO – Get Free Report ) saw strong trading volume on Friday . 139,240 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 56% from the previous session’s volume of 89,389 shares.The stock last traded at $21.24 and had previously closed at $20.91. Okeanis Eco Tankers Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of $676.72 million and a PE ratio of 5.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $23.46 and its 200-day moving average is $28.77. Okeanis Eco Tankers ( NYSE:ECO – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 8th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.36. The firm had revenue of $84.93 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $74.61 million. Okeanis Eco Tankers had a return on equity of 27.19% and a net margin of 29.25%. Equities analysts predict that Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. will post 3.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Okeanis Eco Tankers Cuts Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wexford Capital LP grew its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wexford Capital LP now owns 22,204 shares of the company’s stock valued at $728,000 after purchasing an additional 1,472 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers during the third quarter valued at about $206,000. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in Okeanis Eco Tankers during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $247,000. PDT Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 61.5% during the third quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 20,254 shares of the company’s stock valued at $663,000 after acquiring an additional 7,715 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BBR Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth about $326,000. About Okeanis Eco Tankers ( Get Free Report ) Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp., a shipping company, owns and operates tanker vessels worldwide. It operates a fleet of 14 tanker vessels comprising six modern Suezmax tankers and eight modern VLCC tankers focusing on the transportation of crude oil. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Neo Faliro, Greece. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

BAKU, Azerbaijan , Nov. 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Minister Guilbeault shared a statement as Canada wraps up its participation at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) . " Canada came to COP29 with a purpose: to demonstrate that multilateralism matters—both to respond to the climate crisis, and to support ambitious and inclusive international climate action. Throughout the two weeks of COP29 , our Canadian delegation worked in good faith and in the spirit of solidarity to promote Canadian interests, human rights, workers' rights, and the rights of Indigenous peoples, and to maintain and build on the momentum from COP28 last year in Dubai . "While this was commonly called the "Finance COP", for Canada this summit was all about the importance of partnership. Canada united with ambitious countries from all regions of the world to push for strong mitigation outcomes; played a leading role in key climate finance negotiations; and listened carefully to the requests from Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Canada worked to find common ground and led and engaged in strategic engagements to advance our priorities. " Canada welcomes the outcome on a new collective climate finance goal. Canada remains committed to supporting developing countries in their climate efforts. We will work with all partners to scale up public and private finance, and to improve access and support for the poorest and most vulnerable. Canada continues to make climate finance a priority in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. " Canada successfully pushed for the adoption of a renewed work program on gender and in support of Indigenous peoples. We welcome the outcome to increase transparency and to strengthen the integrity of international carbon markets. In Baku , we pushed for concrete steps to advance the interests and rights of workers, as more governments and industries invest significantly in climate solutions. "Our climate ambition remains unchanged. We will do our part to drastically reduce global emissions while creating good-paying jobs in the clean economy. Canada understands its responsibility and is committed to putting forward an ambitious 2035 climate plan. "Despite all the challenges, we have shown again that the Paris Agreement is working. "The world is steadily bringing down global temperature forecasts. We are tackling global emissions; investing in innovation; implementing clean energy solutions; and leading a global shift that is critical to our prosperity. We can do this." Quick facts While in Baku , Minister Guilbeault demonstrated the new models of climate finance that are possible internationally with the announced launch of GAIA, a $2 billion climate finance platform that leverages funds through independent partners like the Japanese MUFG Bank. Funds from GAIA will go up to 25 emerging markets and developing economies, with 70% of funding dedicated to adaptation to climate change. At COP29 , nearly 200 countries adopted the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance and reached a breakthrough agreement that will triple public finance to developing countries, from the previous goal of US$100 billion annually to US$300 billion annually by 2035, and secure efforts of all actors to scale up finance to developing countries from public and private sources to the amount of US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035. The Canada Pavilion welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world and hosted 65 events showcasing Canada's leadership on climate action, nature-based solutions, sustainable finance, and Canadian clean technologies—while discussing gender equality, youth perspectives, and the critical role of Indigenous knowledge and climate leadership, and the importance of workers in building and deploying climate solutions. As countries around the world prepare to announce their next round of emissions reduction targets—called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs—Canada announced $1.25 million to support the United Nations Secretary-General's Climate Action Team project, which is working to mobilize countries to submit credible and ambitious NDCs in 2025. Canada also announced over $12.5 million aimed at halting biodiversity loss; supporting communities to adopt climate smart practices; empowering women conservationists in Madagascar ; and supporting biodiversity in Mozambique , South Africa , and Zimbabwe to improve protected areas and enhance livelihoods for over 180,000 people in vulnerable communities in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Canada is committed to international action to reduce methane and industrial greenhouse gas emissions. As a Global Methane Pledge Champion, Canada signed an open letter during COP29 calling on all Pledge participants, as well as subnational governments, private companies, and non-governmental actors, to continue and accelerate efforts to reduce methane emissions as rapidly as possible in this critical decade and beyond. Canada also signed onto the global pledge on Scaling International Assistance for Industry Decarbonization; the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste; and the Statement of Methane Abatement Partnership Roadmap. As a proud member of the High Ambition Coalition, Canada signed the High Ambition Coalition COP29 Leaders' Press Statement. Canada gave support to several other important international declarations and initiatives, including the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform; the COP29 Declaration on Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) to Resilient and Healthy Cities; the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action; the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP); and the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience. Canada , along with the United Kingdom , is co-chair of the Powering Past Coal Alliance and was pleased to welcome Uganda and Standard Chartered as new members during COP29 ; applauded the launch of the updated Powering Past Coal Alliance Finance Principles to help spur investments for earlier retirement of coal power plants; and signed onto the No New Coal Call to Action. Canada was pleased to welcome Finland and Uruguay as new members, and Nigeria as a Friend, of the Canada -led Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, seeking to expand the use of carbon pricing to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030. SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/24/c9206.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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This marks the second time George Washington has served as the forward-deployed naval forces-Japan (FDNF-J) aircraft carrier. In 2008, it became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be forward-deployed to Japan before being relieved by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in 2015. "A US carrier represents the most advanced maritime capability we have, and it's the most advanced investment we can make in the security of Japan and of the Western Pacific," said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. "The George Washington returns with modernized, cutting-edge technology that represents our investment in deterrence and security in this region." During George Washington's transit from Norfolk, Virginia to Japan, the crew completed Exercise Southern Seas in U.S. 4th Fleet and a seven-week transit from San Diego. "Arriving here in Yokosuka has been a milestone for this crew for many months, and for some the journey started in April when we departed from Virginia," said Capt. Tim Waits, commanding officer of George Washington. "I could not be more proud of this team. Not only have we arrived safely and on time, but from day one of...

(The Center Square) – State and national officials lauded former President Jimmy Carter for his public service after learning of his death Sunday afternoon at the age of 100. President Joe Biden said an official state funeral would be held for Carter in Washington. "He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism," Biden said. "We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism." President-elect Donald Trump urged everyone to keep the Carter family in their thoughts and prayers. "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans," Trump said in a statement released from his campaign. "For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." Former president Bill Clinton gave Carter and his wife Rosalynn the Medal of Freedom in 1999. "From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn's devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity--he worked tirelessly for a fairer, better world," Clinton and his wife Hillary said in a statement. Former president George W. Bush hailed Carter as a man of deeply held convictions. "President Carter dignified the office," Bush said on social media. "And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn't end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations." Carter served as Georgia's governor from 1971-1975 before becoming president. Under his leadership, the European and Japanese state trade offices were launched, as well as the Georgia Film Commission," Gov. Brian Kemp said. "He and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's support of the civil rights movement in the place of its birth is also remembered with deep appreciation." Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said Carter exemplified what it meant to be a public servant. "I had the honor of meeting him and his wife, and I will never forget that day," Jones said. "They were kind, wonderful, accepting and exactly what they portrayed every day, two people devoted to lifting up those in their community who needed help the most. President Carter's legacy will live on in the numerous nonprofits, charities and organizations Rosalynn, his family and him started."

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D usk had fallen when Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, Syria’s new ruler, pulled up to the entrance of the apartment building where he grew up in southwest Damascus. Earlier that day, his troops had entered Syria’s capital in triumph, sweeping all before them, liberating prisoners from their dungeons and taking over government ministries. But Jolani had a more personal mission: he wanted to go home. He went up to the tenth floor in the lift, along with four armed guards, and rang the doorbell. His arrival came as something of a shock to Dr Ahmed Suleiman, a mechanical engineer, and his wife, the flat’s current occupants. However, according to the building’s caretaker, Amer, who witnessed the scene, Jolani was very polite. “Would you mind vacating this apartment?” he asked. “You see, my parents have fond memories of this place and would like to move back.”None

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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Cornerback Taron Johnson is still agitated over the dud the Buffalo Bills defense produced in giving up season worsts in points and yards, while melting down on third down in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams last weekend. There’s no better time or opportunity to show how much better they are than this Sunday. That’s when the Bills (10-3) travel to play the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who just happen to lead the NFL in scoring and feature the same dynamic style of offense as the Rams. “I think our mindset is just going to be attack,” Johnson said after practice Wednesday. “We can’t wait to play Sunday just to prove people wrong and prove to ourselves that how we played wasn’t who we are.” The Bills acknowledge having several excuses to lean on for why they unraveled in a 44-42 loss — riding a little too high after a division-clinching win, a cross-country trip and facing a more driven opponent in the thick of a playoff race. What’s unacceptable is the hesitancy their usually reliable defensive backs showed in coverage and the lack of pressure applied by their defensive front. The bright side is the substandard performance potentially serving as a late-season reminder of this not being the time to let their foot off the gas. “A lot of teams have scars on their way to having a darn good season. And we’re having a darn good season,” coach Sean McDermott said. “So what has to be in front of us this week is the opportunity that’s in front of us, quite frankly, to challenge that team,” he added, referring to Detroit. “You better bring your heart, you better bring your guts, you better put it on the line.” With a little bit of added fire, the Bills are going back to the basics on defense following an outing in which very little went right. The defense was off-balance from the start in being unable to stop the run, before eventually being picked apart in the passing game while allowing the Rams to score on each of their first six drives (not including a kneel-down to close the first half) in building a 38-21 lead. The most frustrating part was Buffalo’s inability to get off the field while allowing the Rams to convert 11 of 15 third-down chances. LA’s 73.3% third-down conversion rate was the third highest against Buffalo — and worst since Miami converted 75% of its chances in 1986 — since the stat was introduced to NFL gamebooks in 1973. “The recipe to lose a football game is what we did (Sunday) and it starts with me, first and foremost,” defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said Monday. “Move on and let it not happen again. Let it be a learning lesson. Failure is the best teacher.” The challenge is preparing for an exceptionally balanced Lions offense that ranks fourth in the NFL in both rushing and passing, and averaging 32.1 points per outing. The objective, McDermott said, is to not overcorrect but stick to the fundamentals that led to Buffalo winning seven straight before losing to Los Angeles. He placed an emphasis on winning at the line of scrimmage and forcing takeaways, something Buffalo failed to do last weekend for the first time this season. A little more urgency, would help, too. “It is a mentality. It is an attitude, and if you want to play good defense, that’s where it starts,” McDermott said. “There’s not a lot of shortcuts or ways around it. It’s got to be a mentality.” The message resonated even on offense, where quarterback Josh Allen nearly rallied the Bills to victory while becoming the NFL’s first player to throw three touchdown passes and rush for three more scores. “It was a case of you saw a team that’s fighting for their lives to try to make the playoffs in the Los Angeles Rams, and they came out ready to play. And maybe we didn’t have that type of urgency,” Allen said. “It forces us to know that we’ve got to be better. We know that.” NOTES: LB Baylon Spector (calf) and DE Dawuane Smoot (wrist) returned to practice Wednesday, opening their 21-day windows to be activated off IR. ... Starting CB Rasul Douglas did not practice and could miss time after hurting his knee on Sunday. ... Buffalo has until this weekend to determine whether to activate OL Tylan Grable (groin) off IR. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Qatar tribune QNA DOHA The Qatar Credit Bureau (CB) has announced the launch of its five-year strategy aimed at enhancing and advancing services to keep abreast with global changes. The strategy seeks to create a healthy and sustainable credit environment that fosters trust in the State of Qatar’s credit sector. The strategy aims to expand the Qatar Credit Bureau’s credit database by including new sectors. Currently, the database encompasses 32 sectors, such as banks, finance companies, telecom companies, and automotive companies. It will now be expanded to include insurance companies, increasing the total number of regulated sectors. The bureau stated that its five-year strategy will leverage big data and artificial intelligence technologies to develop innovative products. These products will help credit providers make more accurate credit decisions, fostering greater transparency and mitigating credit risks. The bureau also reaffirmed its commitment to raising public awareness about the importance of maintaining a good credit record. Through its awareness initiatives, the bureau aims to guide individuals toward improved financial management and achieve financial stability that benefits all. These initiatives align with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a strong and sustainable economy and reinforce Qatar’s position in the global economic arena. This expansion will provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of the country’s credit landscape, enabling credit providers to confidently offer their services to customers with a clearer understanding of risk levels and market-specific offers. As part of the bureau’s steps towards digital transformation, the focus will be on enhancing the electronic services portal and mobile applications. This will make it easier for customers to access the bureau’s services quickly and conveniently, 24/7. This shift aligns with the bureau’s commitment to delivering modern services that support the Third Financial Sector Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030. Both initiatives aim to achieve comprehensive technological advancements that meet beneficiaries’ needs and support sustainable economic development. Copy 23/12/2024 10Fasenra, an injectable medication developed by AstraZeneca for severe asthma, has proven more effective during attacks than traditional oral steroids. A recent study shows it reduces the necessity for further treatment by 30%. King's College London led the research with 158 UK patients vulnerable to asthma and COPD attacks, revealing the drug's superiority over oral prednisolone, especially in emergency exacerbations. This promising result could transform how severe asthma and COPD are managed. The findings indicate Fasenra's potential for at-home use during life-threatening episodes, significantly reducing hospitalizations. Published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the study amplifies the impact of this breakthrough treatment, AstraZeneca's second-best selling respiratory drug. (With inputs from agencies.)manila 777 casino 。

Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) revealed the club had informed the fans forum that changes to certain ticket policies will take effect immediately “and that this price will apply for kids and over-65s as well as adults”. The news comes as the club confirmed the cost of paying off former manager Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4million, while a release clause to bring in new head coach Ruben Amorim and his staff amounted to £11m. The figures were part of a longer version of the club’s first-quarter accounts which were released to the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. United and Everton fans are set to stage a protest against ticket prices ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday. Supporters are being asked to gather next to the trinity statue outside Old Trafford to support the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign. As well as increasing prices generally, fans are unhappy about the removal of concession tickets for certain groups. An MUST statement read: “Suffice it to say that the idea that the fans must pay their ‘fair share’ for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers’ lack of investment over two decades — is offensive. “We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. “We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival. “Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy. “United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.” Supporters’ group The 1958 said along with United and Everton, both Liverpool and Manchester City supporters will also display an FSA banner ahead of their match on Sunday. “With 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs increasing ticket prices this season, FC58, Everton, Liverpool and City supporters will display the FSA banner to raise awareness that any future season ticket price increases, removal of concessions, and treating match-going supporters as an easy target to make quick revenues will not be tolerated,” the fans’ group said. “With the discussions around the rebuild or redevelopment of Old Trafford, we need to send a message to the club that we are laser focused on keeping football affordable and looking after our loyal, match-going fan base. “Manchester United have announced that they will be selling tickets to members for the remainder of the season at a minimum of £66 irrespective of if you are under 16, youth, OAP or disabled, which is a clear exploitation of the loyal fan base and their first move towards dynamic pricing.”

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — Mount Academy’s girls volleyball team posted a 2-1 record in pool play on Saturday, Nov. 23, to qualify for a chance for a Class C state title on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Cool Insuring Arena at Glens Falls, N.Y.The Eagles will face three-time defending state champions Portville of Section 6 [...]

Himalayan Agriculture Industry Limited held its first general assembly on Saturday at the Miracle Party Palace in Sukedhara, Kathmandu. The event, inaugurated by Nepal's first President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, highlighted the company's mission to modernize and transform Nepal's agricultural sector. He also commended the company's efforts to revive Nepal's agricultural legacy, stressing collective action to restore the country's soil health. During the program, Executive Chairman Sagar Uprety of the company emphasized the importance of addressing challenges in agriculture through digitalization, modernization, and research. He stated that the company is committed to offering comprehensive solutions from production to distribution and export.Highlighting agriculture's critical role in Nepal, he voiced concerns over the sector's long-standing neglect. Krishna Maharjan, a director of the company and also associated with the Appropriate Organic Fertilizer Company Limited, spoke about their collaboration to protect Nepal from the adverse effects of unnecessary chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Tribhuvan University Professor Dr. Pramod Aryal presented insights into Nepal's agricultural data and technology, while another founding member, Hemraj Bhandari, who has also served as a member of the Constituent Assembly, urged everyone to join the company's campaign to preserve soil and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase shares in the public company. Another founder, farmer Ananta Karki, shared his experiences using organic fertilizers in his farming practices. The event was attended by a large gathering of agricultural experts, scientists, innovators, and stakeholders.

PARIS, France (AFP) — Air pollution caused by fires is linked to more than 1.5 million deaths a year worldwide, the vast majority occurring in developing countries, a major new study said on Thursday. This death toll is expected to rise in the coming years as climate change makes wildfires more frequent and intense, according to the study in The Lancet journal. The international team of researchers looked at existing data on “landscape fires”, which include both wildfires that rage through nature and planned fires such as controlled burns on farming land. Around 450,000 deaths a year from heart disease were linked to fire-related air pollution between 2000 and 2019, the researchers said. A further 220,000 deaths from respiratory disease were attributed to the smoke and particulates spewed into the air by fire. From all causes around the world, a total of 1.53 million annual deaths were associated with air pollution from landscape fires, according to the study. More than 90 per cent of these deaths were in low and middle-income countries, it added, with nearly 40 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa alone. The countries with the highest death tolls were China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria. A record amount of illegal burning of farm fields in northern India has been partly blamed for noxious smog that has recently been choking the capital New Delhi. The authors of the Lancet study called for “urgent action” to address the huge death toll from landscape fires. The disparity between rich and poor nations further highlights “climate injustice”, in which those who have contributed the least to global warming suffer from it the most, they added. Some of the ways people can avoid smoke from fires — such as moving away from the area, using air purifiers and masks, or staying indoors — are not available to people in poorer countries, the researchers pointed out. So they called for more financial and technological support for people in the hardest-hit countries. The study was released a week after United Nation climate talks where delegates agreed to a boost in climate funding that developing countries slammed as insufficient. It also came after Ecuador declared a national emergency over forest fires that have razed more than 10,000 hectares in the country’s south. The world has also been battered by hurricanes, droughts, floods and other extreme weather events during what is expected to be the hottest year in recorded history.

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‘Nitish’s B-team’: Tejashwi Yadav slams Prashant Kishor's party, claims protesting BPSC aspirants' were ‘misled’COLUMBUS, Ohio — When Ohio State’s seniors decided — essentially en masse — to return for another season, there were a handful of factors that played into those decisions. Beating Michigan was at the top of the list. Latest Ohio State Buckeyes news Ohio State’s Will Howard reveals motivation heading into the Michigan game Buckeyes and Ohio State fans celebrate big win over Indiana with ‘Carmen Ohio’ (video) What Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said after win vs. Indiana Ohio State’s win over Indiana reminds Curt Cignetti that talent beats tough talk — Jimmy Watkins

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At now-President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign rallies, attendees would hold “Trump Will Fix It” signs. Here’s hoping the antitrust policy that President Joe Biden excessively politicized is one of those “its.” Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, previously said he believes that Biden’s appointee as chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, has done a good job with antitrust policy. I disagree. For nearly 40 years, most antitrust scholars sensibly agreed that the government should base its treatment of potential corporate monopolization, mergers and related issues on these actions’ effect on “consumer welfare.” This standard ensures that antitrust is used only to prevent businesses from undermining economic competition, preserving a market that drives prices down and product quality up on behalf of us consumers. Antitrust should not protect businesses (SET ITAL) from (END ITAL) competition. Upon taking control of the FTC, Khan discarded this standard and, along with it, decades of bipartisan agreement. Biden’s Department of Justice and FTC quickly morphed antitrust into a tool for helping the White House achieve political aims that have nothing to do with keeping markets competitive. Consider, for example, how the FTC pursued Elon Musk. A newly released report by the House Judiciary Committee delved into how Khan issued a consent decree against X (then Twitter) for no reason other than that Musk — whose existing business interests were in other industries — was the company’s CEO. Khan “called for an immediate vote” just days after reporters announced the sale, which an FTC insider confirmed was what triggered the attention. The Biden FTC also had no problem targeting companies that challenged its corporate donor base. For example, Khan released an interim report against pharmacy benefit managers, companies that health plans hire to ensure they are receiving drugs at competitive costs. The major drug manufacturers have spent significant sums lobbying the government to challenge PBMs, even though the government’s own research shows these companies save patients (and taxpayers) significant sums. With the consumer welfare standard diminished, the facts didn’t stop Khan from protecting drug companies, which have showered her boss with campaign contributions, from market discipline. The shenanigans led Melissa Holyoak, a Republican FTC commissioner, to publicly dissent. She protested that “the Report was plagued by process irregularities and concerns over substance — or lack thereof — of the original order.” So much so that “the politicized nature of the process appears to have led to the departure of at least one senior leader at the Commission.” If that’s a “good job” in Vance’s view, we should be alarmed. The Biden DOJ hasn’t acted any more responsibly. For example, it sued RealPage, an AI-based software company that helps landlords come to terms with market pricing for their units, for facilitating alleged price-gouging even though it had no evidence. The Wall Street Journal editorial board stated that “it doesn’t require a Ph.D. in economics to understand that ballooning rents are caused by demand exceeding supply” and that “what’s really going on (with this suit) is an attempt to distract voters from frustration over the Biden Administration’s inflationary policies.” More recently, Biden’s DOJ targeted Visa’s debit card business over market share concerns despite the clear consumer benefits created by the company. These include secure, accessible services that millions of Americans rely on. Businesses and consumers have plenty of payment choices, but millions choose Visa for this reason. Rather than respecting those choices, Biden’s DOJ is pursuing its anti-corporate agenda with little regard for consumers’ welfare. Related Articles Opinion Columnists | Where do Democrats go from here? Opinion Columnists | California’s political clout will fade as long as population growth remains slow Opinion Columnists | Susan Shelley: Slow counts show election system needs reform Opinion Columnists | Here’s to hoping Trump delivers on some of his Libertarian promises Opinion Columnists | Grand DOGE promises of massive cuts to the federal government are unlikely to materialize The solution to the DOJ and FTC’s descent into political partisanship is straightforward: comprehensive reform. Come January, the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress must demand a recommitment to the consumer welfare standard. They must institute checks that prevent the DOJ and FTC from waging ideological warfare. Measures to ensure transparency and inter-commission collaboration, such as requiring the FTC to disclose the rationale and goals of its investigations, could also prove helpful. It’s hard to overstate the importance of appointing a better attorney general and FTC chair this time around. Coupled with new oversight measures, it could go far toward restoring fairness, protecting actual competition, and preventing rogue bureaucrats from imposing their will for personal or ideological gain. Most importantly, it would help restore the country’s trust in its governmental institutions. Whether that will come to pass remains to be seen. American businesses and consumers deserve a government that respects the rule of law. By simply refocusing the FTC and antitrust division of the DOJ on their foundational purposes, we can begin a new era of fair and impartial regulation that serves the public good. That’s something we all should be able to get behind. Veronique de Rugy is the George Gibbs Chair in Political Economy and a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.