Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, pleaded not guilty on Dec. 23 in a Manhattan courtroom to multiple charges, including murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione, 26, also faces federal charges of murder and stalking that could carry the death penalty. For the state charges, the maximum sentence is life in prison without parole. Images appearing to be Mangione’s New York City Police Department (NYPD) mugshot went viral online amid his New York court appearance. Mangione was arrested by Altoona, Pennsylvania, police on Dec. 9 and was extradited to New York on Dec. 19 to face prosecution. Social media users sharing the image were critical of the NYPD because it appears like it was taken by a professional using “ photo shoot lighting .” Others questioned if it is real. This Threads post says , “NYPD official mug shot ARE WE KIDDING HERE ?!? Does Annie Liebovitz [sic] moonlight for the NYPD ?!?” Leibovitz is a famous portrait photographer. THE QUESTION Is the image of Mangione a real NYPD mugshot? THE SOURCES Statement from the New York Police Department (NYPD) Review of NYPD press releases and social media accounts 2019 Report to the New York Governor and State Legislature Booking photos released by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Maria Bivens, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spokesperson VERIFY analysis of the viral fake mugshot RevEye , a reverse image search tool THE ANSWER No, the image of Mangione is not a real NYPD mugshot. WHAT WE FOUND The image circulating as an official NYPD mugshot of Luigi Mangione is fake and was likely created using artificial intelligence (AI). VERIFY reviewed the NYPD’s social media accounts and website and found no evidence the image was ever posted on official channels. While the NYPD has posted recent images of Mangione, such as his arrival in New York , they have not released any official booking or arrest photos. “The NYPD does not disseminate arrest photos unless we are attempting to locate an individual,” the department said in an email to VERIFY. It is unclear if Mangione even had a booking photo taken upon his arrival in New York. A 2019 New York state law prohibits the release of arrest or booking photos unless their disclosure serves as a specific law enforcement purpose. If an NYPD booking photo of Mangione exists, it likely would not have been made public. The only official booking photos of Mangione released so far were by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 . Maria Bivens, the spokesperson with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, confirmed to VERIFY that the viral image was not distributed by their department. Using RevEye, a reverse image search tool, VERIFY found the viral image has never been published by credible news outlets as an official booking photo. It was also not published by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office , which is prosecuting the case, or the Department of Justice , which brought the federal charges. There are clues that suggest the image was generated with AI. For instance, the mole on Mangione’s right cheek is misplaced in the fake image, and the white undershirt disappears entirely on one side of his neck. The Associated Press contributed to this report.It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which means you’re either laying the groundwork for how best to avoid awkward conversations tomorrow or prepping your Black Friday shopping list. Or both. My advice for blocking out those cringe-worthy chats is to bury your face in the sweet potatoes and never look up. My advice for shopping for gadgets on Black Friday is a little more helpful. Here are my tips for how to shop for tech products this year, whether you’re prowling the aisles of your favorite store or perusing an app from your couch. Video games, game consoles, and game accessories are an easy score on any Black Friday. You’ll find deals on consoles including Sony’s ( SONY ) PlayStation 5, Microsoft’s ( MSFT ) X Box Series X, and Nintendo’s ( NTDOY ) Switch, not to mention a solid amount off on controllers, which are mighty pricey when not on sale. I’m hoping my wife opts for a new PlayStation 5 controller at $20 off , since ours are always dying. Discounted gaming gift cards are also a great option for Black Friday shopping. Sony , Microsoft , Nintendo , Valve’s Steam , Roblox , and others offer gift cards for in-game purchases or to pay for a few months of access to their respective online services. Whether you’re looking for over-the-ear headphones or in-ear earbuds, you can score some exceptional deals during Black Friday. Be on the lookout for Apple’s ( AAPL ) AirPods and AirPods Pro if you’re an Apple fan, or check out the various offerings from Beats , JBL , Bose , and Sony that will be on sale at different retailers. It’s important to remember that some people are exceedingly particular when it comes to their earbuds. Some prefer those with silicon tips and others can’t stand them. You should also take into account whether you want active noise cancellation (ANC) or not. ANC, as its name implies, actively cancels out background noise while you're listening to music, podcasts, shows, whatever you’re into. You’ll usually only find ANC on more expensive headphones and earbuds. So, if you can find a pair with the technology at a good price, like the Bose QuietComfort for $199 at Amazon , go for it. In the market for a laptop this Black Friday? You’re in luck. Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , and others are offering up sales on everything from Apple’s MacBooks to ASUS gaming rigs and Microsoft’s Surface laptop . Not every laptop you see on sale is worth buying, though. My advice is to look for a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM. That’s more or less the norm for modern laptops, but lower-cost models often only provide 8GB, which can translate to slower overall performance. Generally, when you’re shopping for a laptop, or desktop for that matter, you want to purchase the most expensive model you can comfortably afford. That’s because pricer models tend to have the latest and greatest chips and more RAM and storage, which means they’ll last longer than more modestly priced computers. TVs are some of the most sought-after Black Friday items. But don’t just settle for the first TV you see at a suspiciously low price. When it comes to TVs, your best bet is to get an OLED model , thanks to their brilliant colors and inky blacks. Unfortunately, OLED TVs are pretty expensive, with most coming in at $1,000 or more. QLED TVs are a great alternative , though you’re not going to get the same kind of color performance as an OLED set. If there’s one thing to remember when buying a TV, though, it’s that you get what you pay for. In other words, if you opt for a $400, 55-inch model, don’t expect it to provide the best picture quality. But if you’re looking for the kind of TV that turns your friends green with envy, like LG’s C3 , expect to splash out $1,300. If you’re looking for smartphone and tablet deals on Black Friday, you’re in for a mixed bag. In the market for a new iPhone? Then you’ll generally need to search for trade-in options or sign up for a new mobile plan. Android phones like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, however, are on sale at places like Best Buy . Tablets, on the other hand, are great buys during Black Friday, whether they’re from Apple , Samsung , or Amazon . You can often find slates for hundreds of dollars off with a quick online search. Amazon, Roku ( ROKU ), and Google ( GOOG , GOOGL ) tend to go all out when it comes to Black Friday sales on their smart speakers and streaming boxes, and this year is no different. Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is $70 off at Best Buy, Roku’s Streaming Stick is $20 off at Amazon, and Google’s Nest Audio speaker is $50 off on the Google Store site. I’ve been holding off on buying a new Roku for my bedroom until Black Friday specifically because the sales are too good to pass up. Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley . Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo FinancePenn State seeks to stay perfect, takes on Fordham
ORLANDO, Fla. — It was a season of Iowa State comebacks. And fittingly, that's how it ended for the Cyclones. Game MVP Rocco Becht scored from a yard out on fourth-and-goal with 56 seconds remaining and No. 18 Iowa State capped the best season in school history by rallying past No. 15 Miami 42-41 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday. Becht finished with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns for Iowa State (11-2), a program that entered this season — the 133rd year of Cyclone football — never having won more than nine games in a year. “If you look at this team, it’s really who they’ve been all year,” coach Matt Campbell said. The win marked the fourth time in 2024 that Iowa State got a winning score with less than two minutes remaining. For this one, the Cyclones rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half — with Miami quarterback Cam Ward watching after a record-setting first half — to get win No. 11. Carson Hansen rushed for a pair of touchdowns for Iowa State. And as the MVP, Becht got the honor of choosing which flavor Pop-Tart was to be sacrificed in a giant toaster. “There's only one,” Becht said. “Cinnamon roll.” Ward passed for three touchdowns in his final college game, while Damien Martinez rushed for a career-high 179 yards for Miami (10-3), which dropped its sixth straight bowl game and lost three of four games to end the season — those three losses by a combined 10 points. "Disappointed that we couldn't pull out a victory," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “These guys have always fought and always competed and this was no exception. ... It's painful. It's as painful as it gets when you don't win. But there's a lot to build on.” NEBRASKA 20, BOSTON COLLEGE 15: Dylan Raiola passed for 228 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska built an 18-point lead through three quarters and hung on for its first bowl victory since 2015. Raiola hit Emmett Johnson with a 13-yard TD pass on fourth down with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter for a 20-2 edge and the Cornhuskers (7-6) held on for the win at Yankee Stadium. Raiola completed 23 of 31 passes in front of a sizable Nebraska crowd that celebrated the team's first bowl win since topping UCLA in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and first winning season since 2016. Raiola completed passes to 10 receivers, including Jahmal Banks, who finished with four receptions for 79 yards. Grayson James finished 25 of 40 for 296 yards as Boston College (7-6). UCONN 27, NORTH CAROLINA 14: Joe Fagnano threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns to help the Huskies (9-4) beat the Tar Heels (6-7) at Fenway Park, embarrassing incoming coach Bill Belichick's new team in his old backyard. Mel Brown rushed for 96 yards for UConn and Skyler Bell caught three passes for 77 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown that gave the Huskies a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Chris Culliver returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but that would be Carolina's only production in the first half. TCU 34, LOUISIANA 3: Josh Hoover passed for four touchdowns as the Horned Frogs (9-4) routed the Ragin' Cajuns (10-4) in Albuquerque. Hoover was 20 for 32 for 252 yards with an interception. Eric McAlister had eight catches for 87 yards and a TD for the Horned Frogs. TCU's defense also had a solid day, holding Louisiana-Lafayette to 209 yards, including 61 on the game's final possession. LATE FRIDAY LAS VEGAS BOWL USC 35, TEXAS A&M 31: Jayden Maiava threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Ford with eight seconds left to give Southern California the victory over Texas A&M (8-5) in the Las Vegas Bowl. A graduate of Liberty High School in nearby Henderson and a transfer from UNLV, Maiava helped the Trojans (7-6) overcome a 17-point deficit. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
One important metric to look for in a stock is an 80 or higher . ( ) now clears that threshold, with a jump from 77 to 81 Monday. This proprietary rating tracks market leadership by showing how a stock's price movement over the last 52 weeks measures up against that of other stocks on the major indexes. Decades of market research reveals that the best stocks often have an 80 or better RS Rating as they begin their biggest runs. Is Roku Stock A Buy? Roku stock broke out earlier, but has fallen back below the prior 80.77 entry from a . If a stock you're watching clears a buy point then retreats 7% or more below the original entry price, it's considered a failed base. It's best to wait for the stock to form a new base and breakout. Also understand that the most recent consolidation is a later-stage base, which makes it riskier to establish a new position or add shares to an existing one. The smart tv operating system company showed 0% earnings growth last quarter. Sales gains came in at 16%. Roku stock holds the No. 2 rank among its peers in the Leisure-Movies & Related industry group. ( ) is the No. 1-ranked stock within the group.The market of robotics is expanding steadily. Moderate estimates suggest that revenue in the robotics market will cross US$46 billion in 2024 . In this market, service robotics dominated the space by going past a volume of US$36 billion. The annual growth rate of the robotics market, despite being a mature space by now, is close to 10%. At this rate, the field of robotics will be responsible for a market volume of more than US$73 billion by 2029. This staggering growth rate of robotics suggests that its presence has been widespread. Initially, people believed that robotics would mostly aid industries that involve heavy types of machinery and equipment. However, in reality, it has spread over to many sectors initially thought to be highly unlikely to adopt robotics. The latest update from a team of researchers working at the Technical University of Munich tells us about the curious innovation of robotic trousers. What are these trousers, and how do they work? Let us see in the next segment. Robotic Shorts: Supporting People When Walking The Technical University of Munich researchers have come up with robotic trousers for people to walk more comfortably while spending measurably less energy. The end goal is to empower frail individuals and keep the elderly mobile and healthy for a long time. While summarizing the uniqueness of the invention and helping us better understand its purpose, Lorenzio Masia, a professor from TUM, said the following: “We have developed a system that makes people want to move around more. It's the same concept as the electric bike, but for walking.” The invention was driven by a vision. While we would discuss the context of it in greater detail, we must know that the research involved a group of ten, and the detailed scientific study was published in Nature Machine Intelligence, 2024, under the title, ‘ Soft robotic shorts improve outdoor walking efficiency in older adults. ‘ And finally, the robotic trouser solution was named ‘WalkON.' What Inspired WalkON? It started with the somewhat common observation that we all know of. People's walking efficiency declines as they grow older. Mobility gets constrained, hampering independence and quality of life. Outside the controlled laboratory setup, there was hardly any wearable assistive technology that could prove effective as a potential solution for age-related movement challenges. To address these challenges came the WalkON robotic shorts. They work as a pair of soft robotic shorts designed to enhance walking efficiency for older individuals by assisting with hip flexion. The system benefits immensely from a well-thought-out, compact, and lightweight tendon-driven design that uses a controller based on natural leg movements to autonomously assist leg propagation. The researchers tested the impact of WalkON by conducting a technology assessment with young adults on a demanding outdoor uphill 500 m hiking trail. Next, they validated their findings with a group of older adults walking on a flat outdoor 400 m track. Click here to learn how new additive manufacturing help soft robotics go real. The Impact of WalkON The impact of WalkON was evident. It reduced the metabolic cost of transport by nearly 18% for young adults. Participants reported a high perceived control, with a mean score of 6.20 out of 7 on a Likert scale. For older adults, the metabolic cost was reduced by nearly 10.5%. How Does WalkON Work? In transitioning from standing to walking, two artificial tendons extending from the thigh to a waist belt are pulled upwards, relieving the hip flexors of some of their load. To determine the hip angle and velocity, a measuring device is attached to the tendons. This device sends a signal to the motors precisely at the transition point to the swing phase of walking. According to researcher and doctoral student Enrica Tricomi: “The system recognizes how fast or slowly the person is moving, adapts to the respective weight of the legs, and provides individual support accordingly.” This happens regardless of who is wearing the shorts – an old person or a fit and sporty teenager. The Future Vision for WalkON While the researchers have firmly established the impact of WalkON, the vision for the future goes far beyond what it has achieved today. Lorenzo Masia believes that the impact on metabolism has long-term positive implications for health. “Walking helps them to improve their metabolism, which in turn may have a positive effect on their illness.” – Masia The design of the solution is such that it creates a category for itself. Unlike the already available exoskeleton systems, WalkON does not have a rigid frame. It is rather a soft garment that works more like clothing. Talking about the potential of the solution, Prof Lorenzo Masia said: “In a few years, you will buy a pair of shorts, attach a motor to them, and plug in two cables. The system will then be ready to take you into the mountains.” Robotic shorts point towards something larger: a trend suggesting that robotics could become ubiquitous across various fields—from textile to health and the combination of it. In the coming segments, we look at three companies that are doing stellar work in the field of robotics. Click here to learn how robotics can take a cue from nature. 1. NVIDIA ( NVDA -3.22% ) NVIDIA stands out in merging AI with robotics, recognizing the growing demand for autonomous machines and AI-enabled robots. Industries are increasingly looking to improve operational efficiency, combat workforce shortages, optimize repetitive tasks, and manage dangerous tasks or environments. Realizing the potential of AI robots to easily adapt, learn, and perform complex tasks with precision, the company has come up with NVIDIA Robotics for developers to leverage full-stack, accelerated cloud-to-edge systems. Moreover, the company offers acceleration libraries, optimized AI models, and robot-optimizing systems and software. The AI robot development platform of NVIDIA is known as Isaac. It has AI models and application frameworks that help accelerate the development of AI robots, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), manipulators, and humanoids. The Isaac Manipulator workflow, for instance, helps build AI-enabled robot arms—or manipulators—that can seamlessly perceive, understand, and interact with their environments. The Isaac perceptor helps quickly develop autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that can perceive, localize, and operate in unstructured environments like warehouses or factories. Project Groot is an exciting initiative that helps build a general-purpose foundation model for humanoid robots that inputs multi-modal instructions and past interactions and outputs robot actions. To give an insight into how robotics companies use NVIDIA's expertise to build robotic solutions, we can look at the example of Galbot , a robotics company that used NVIDIA Isaac Sim, a reference application for robotics simulation. Galbot used it to validate a vast number of grasps to develop DexGraspNet, a comprehensive simulated dataset for dexterous robotic grasps that can be applied to any dexterous robotic hand. The volume of variations that could be achieved is mind-boggling , to say the least . DexGraspNet contains 1.32 million ShadowHand grasps on 5,355 objects—two orders of magnitude larger than the previous Deep Differentiable Grasp dataset. It covers more than 133 object categories and contains more than 200 diverse grasps for each object instance. Many such examples are available in the public domain, where NVIDIA's solution has helped significantly expedite and accelerate the process of building robotic solutions. NVIDIA Corporation ( NVDA -3.22% ) (function () { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://s3.tradingview.com/external-embedding/embed-widget-advanced-chart.js'; script.async = true; script.innerHTML = JSON.stringify({ 'autosize': true, 'width': '100%', 'height': '440', 'symbol': 'NVDA', 'range': 'YTD', 'timezone': 'Etc/UTC', 'theme': 'light', 'style': '3', 'locale': 'en', 'hide_top_toolbar': false, 'hide_legend': true, 'allow_symbol_change': false, 'save_image': false, 'calendar': false, 'hide_volume': true, 'withdateranges': true, 'support_host': 'https://www.tradingview.com' }); document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(script, document.currentScript); })(); On November 20, 2024, NVIDIA announced reported revenue for the third quarter ended October 27, 2024, of $35.1 billion, up 17% from the previous quarter and up 94% from a year ago. For the quarter, GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.78, up 16% from the previous quarter and up 111% from a year ago. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.81, up 19% from the prior quarter and up 103% from a year ago. Explaining the potential of robotics, Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, said: “Enterprises are adopting agentic AI to revolutionize workflows. Industrial robotics investments are surging with breakthroughs in physical AI. And countries have awakened to the importance of developing their national AI and infrastructure.” 2. Symbotic Inc. ( SYM +6.93% ) While NVIDIA is more focused on providing the foundational framework for AI-powered robotics to prosper, one company that has been doing stellar work in delivering such solutions is Symbotic. The company claims to have altered the way consumer goods move through the supply chain through its AI-powered robotic technology platform. The Symbotic solution also comes with intelligent software that can orchestrate advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system, leading to a reinvented warehouse automation paradigm, packed with increased efficiency, speed and flexibility. Despite being a specialized company, Symbotic is present across industries, including retail grocery, food wholesale, consumer-packaged goods, retail general merchandise, footwear and apparel, and food and beverage. The company keeps investing in innovation regularly. It has more than 275 patents awarded to its name with an R&D investment of US$600 million. The company has filed for more than 600 patents. The company was named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024. Symbotic is working vigorously in the field of Mobile Robotics which involves autonomous bots, machine learning solutions, self-driving vehicles, and many innovative applications of data science technologies. Symbotic's computer vision lab leverages technologies that improve the ability of its mobile robots to sense and manipulate, resulting in greater accuracy, resilience, and system performance. Symbotic Inc. ( SYM +6.93% ) (function () { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://s3.tradingview.com/external-embedding/embed-widget-advanced-chart.js'; script.async = true; script.innerHTML = JSON.stringify({ 'autosize': true, 'width': '100%', 'height': '440', 'symbol': 'SYM', 'range': 'YTD', 'timezone': 'Etc/UTC', 'theme': 'light', 'style': '3', 'locale': 'en', 'hide_top_toolbar': false, 'hide_legend': true, 'allow_symbol_change': false, 'save_image': false, 'calendar': false, 'hide_volume': true, 'withdateranges': true, 'support_host': 'https://www.tradingview.com' }); document.currentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(script, document.currentScript); })(); On November 18, 2024, Symbotic reported its fourth quarter and FY 2024 results. The company posted a revenue of $577 million, net income of $28 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $55 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. For the full fiscal year 2024, Symbotic reported revenue of $1,822 million, reflecting 55% growth year over year, a net loss of $51 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $96 million. 3. iRobot ( IRBT +1.15% ) iRobot is in the field of consumer robotics . With over 30 years of experience in robotics, the company designs and builds innovative home robots, including the Roomba robot vacuum and the Brava family of mopping robots. iRobot has developed its exclusive operating system that lets users control where, when, and how their robots clean. iRobots most powerful Roomba Combo 10 Max + Autowash Dock, for instance, comes with a host of features, including a retractable mop arm, 100%-enhanced power-lifting solution, a smart scrub that can deliver 2X deeper scrubbing, an automatic dirt disposal system and more. Its smart features make these robots more convenient and seamless for daily, continuous use. For instance, it can start cleaning at the user's voice command, it is compatible with Alexa, Google, and Siri, and it can clean even when the user is away. Today, iRobot stands as a global enterprise that has sold more than 50 million robots worldwide. Its product portfolio features technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping, and navigation. Honoring this accomplishment, the company launched a new product line in April 2024. Barry Schliesmann, chief product officer at iRobot, marking the importance of this event, had the following to say: “As iRobot surpasses more than 50 million robots sold worldwide, we're honoring that legacy with the introduction of the affordable Roomba Combo Essential, which cleans even better and does more than its predecessor.” He added: “This robot makes the iRobot 2-in-1 cleaning experience more accessible to all, be it a recent graduate, a new homeowner, or anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of automated cleaning for the first time.” Essentially, the iRobot solution caters to a wide range of everyday users who are not working in a tech-intensive, industrialized setup. On February 26, 2024, iRobot published its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year on December 30, 2023. The quarterly revenue was US$307.5 million, while the yearly revenue was US$890.6 million. The Future of Robotics Robots are becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. There are several areas where robots are entering at a pace faster than anticipated. The emergence of AI has led to the development of sophisticated humanoid robots. However, experts believe that the future of robots and the field of robotics will thrive on collaboration. They will work hand-in-hand with humans and not replace them. The proponents of this belief cite the examples of cobots or collaborative robots to assist in factories, construction, hospitals, and even homes. These robots are specialized in design and form to seamlessly merge into existing infrastructure and human expertise to unlock true productivity gains. The global cobot market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. In 2023, the commercial service robotics market in Europe generated around 6.82 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, making it the leading region in the global commercial service robotics market by revenue. In the same year, North America also reported over 5.78 billion U.S. dollars in commercial service robotics revenue. A relevant study was conducted by Müller and Bostrom (2016) , who collected opinions from researchers in the field, including highly cited experts, to get their views on the future. The median estimate of respondents was that there is a one in two chance that high-level machine intelligence will be developed around 2040–2050. However, the chances rose to a 9 in 10 chance by 2075. These experts expected that systems would move on to superintelligence in less than 30 years thereafter. These estimates sound ambitious and exciting. But the more important question to ask is how near robots should come to humanity! While the ambit of robotics keeps growing, we must remember that the use of robotics has to be ethical. Its job is to make the lives of people easier. It can help improve healthcare, conduct delivery of essential services in remote areas, help disseminate knowledge, and leave a positive impact on many more essential areas. However, the rampant and abundant use of robotic applications without checks and balances might lead to unwarranted surveillance, data breaches, and the loss of privacy rights. Companies and researchers spending resources on the development of robotics must be driven by a greater purpose than just improving the bottom line. Click here for a list of top robotics companies.
NEW YORK , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO)'s sale to Patient Square Capital for $31.35 in cash per share. If you are a Patterson shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . NeuroMetrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NURO)'s sale to electroCore, Inc. If you are a NeuroMetrix shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PWOD)'s sale to Northwest Bancshares, Inc. for 2.385 shares of Northwest common stock for each share of Penns Woods common stock. If you are a Penns Woods shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CARA)'s merger with Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, Cara shareholders are expected to own approximately 17.0% of the combined company. If you are a Cara shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llc-investigates-pdco-nuro-pwod-cara-on-behalf-of-shareholders-302338483.html SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP
President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping program to speed up approvals for anyone or any company committing $1 billion or more in the United States. The plan, outlined in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, promises “fully expedited approvals and permits,” including critical environmental clearances. But while the policy has generated interest in the business community, it also raises several unanswered questions. Trump’s statement was notably concise, without any concrete information related to the timeline or even with respect to the precise mechanisms by which this plan is to be executed. Even so, he ended it with a rallying cry: “GET READY TO ROCK!!!” That’s big talk, indicating significant reforms in U.S. investment policy, all designed toward bringing in more huge influxes of capital. Acquisition Approvals On Overdrive This new plan seeks to encourage billion-dollar investments in the U.S. by lifting bureaucratic tape and expediting the decision-making process. The listing of environmental clearances among the expedited procedure further suggests that it will reach industries that involve heavy regulations, such as construction, energy, and manufacturing, for investment opportunities. The promise of fast approval may attract international investors that want to capitalize on opportunities offered by the U.S. market. Experts have, however raised questions concerning the lack of specificity as to how the plan would be implemented, hence the uncertainty. Although the intentions of Trump are to encourage economic growth, it still remains to be known as to how fast such approvals will be made and if they will eventually result in a long-term loss to environmental and regulatory standards. Elon Musk Role In Shaping GOP Primaries As if this were not enough, Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), has committed to play a pivotal role in the Republican primaries alongside Trump’s investment policy. The billionaire indicated that his political action committee will target candidates in the Republican primary who are against Trump’s policies. His commitment to shaping the political landscape has drawn much attention, and he says, “There is no other way” when talking about his support for candidates challenging GOP House members who disagree with Trump’s vision. His collaboration with the businessman Vivek Ramaswamy on Capitol Hill also reflects his increasing strength. The two discussed an intention to cut the budget drastically while holding politicians liable for their voting records. This collaboration, which, among other things, would create a “nice list” and “naughty list” based on their votes on spending plans, reflects Musk’s proactive move in reshaping U.S. political and economic landscapes. Investment Banking Boom Trump’s expected return to the White House is likely to boost international investment banking and deal-making. Coalition Greenwich has forecast a 5.7% increase in global investment banking revenue by 2025, potentially reaching $316 billion. This would be the second-best year in two decades for investment bankers. With respect to pro-business policies-again, particularly with respect to merger and acquisition policy-this might actually yield $27.6 billion in consulting fees. That aside, it will undoubtedly spur cross-border investment flows, with European companies hoping to expand in the United States. All told, the impact of Trump’s economic policies might be highly significant for both the US economy and the global financial markets. The global investment banking industry has experienced choppy revenues in the past few years, mainly brought about by the pandemic’s effects, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. However, according to historical data, only five times in the last two decades has this income from global investment banking reached $300 billion. Analysts say that because of Trump’s pro-business policies, this trend would be reversed, creating fertile ground for high-value deals and stronger growth. Trump’s emphasis on deregulation and encouraging investment by businesses will spur a more competitive economic environment and attract domestic and foreign capital. This will further solidify the U.S. economy’s position as the world’s leading economic powerhouse. ALSO READ | Mitch McConnell Injured In Fall At Capitol, Sprains Wrist And Cuts Face
CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. The top US securities regulator, a skeptic towards cryptocurrency who was appointed by President Joe Biden, announced Thursday he will step down in January when Donald Trump takes office. Gary Gensler, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said he will resign on January 20, the same day Trump assumes the presidency. The move clears the way for the president-elect to pick Gensler's successor. The news comes as bitcoin hit a fresh record, trading above $99,000 and nearing the symbolic $100,000 level. Gensler's five-year term does not end until 2026, but agency chairs customarily step down when the party of presidential administration turns over. During the election campaign, Trump promised to fire him. Gensler took office in April 2021 shortly after the so-called "meme stock" frenzy in January 2021 prompted massive volatility in GameStop and a handful of other stocks. A former mergers and acquisitions partner at Goldman Sachs, Gensler led rulemaking proposals intended to improve efficiency in capital markets. Read also Stock markets retreat ahead of Nvidia earnings PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Needs Your Help! Take our Survey Now and See Improvements at LEGIT.NG Tomorrow But his future in Washington looked precarious in light of the SEC's confrontational approach to cryptocurrency throughout the Biden years. Gensler referred to crypto as "the Wild West." During the campaign, Trump drew heavy financial support from cryptocurrency backers, some of whom are also close to the Republican's close ally, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In the absence of clear regulations, Gensler took an aggressive stance toward digital currencies, treating them like traditional financial securities such as stocks and bonds. The approach has prompted SEC lawsuits against major trading platforms including Binance , Coinbase, and Kraken, along with various smaller startups. Legislation currently in Congress would shift oversight of cryptocurrency supervision to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, known for its lighter-touch approach to regulation. Gensler thanked Biden and fellow commissioners, saying in a statement, "The SEC has met our mission and enforced the law without fear or favor." Read also Asian markets struggle as traders weigh geopolitical tensions But the SEC's announcement drew cheers from the crypto industry . The Blockchain Association posted a waving hand emoji on X in response to Gensler's impending exit, while its CEO, Kristin Smith, noted the announcement came the same day as a favorable US court ruling in Texas for cryptocurrency. The Texas ruling constitutes "a fitting turning point of the SEC's harassment campaign of the crypto industry, and the beginning of a new era," Smith said on X. Smith warned Gensler against "sneak" last-minute enforcement and called for a "better-functioning" SEC that avoids overreach and is willing to work "with industry to find fit-for-purpose solutions." Hailey Lennon, a partner at law firm Brown Rudnick who was formerly general counsel at Coinbase, said the SEC under Gensler "played gatekeeper and stalled innovation." Citing Gensler's departing comments, she wrote on X that "saying the SEC has regulated without fear or favor is insane gaslighting." PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: AFP
Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trollingTravel Trends 2025: Why Caribbean Nations Support Nature Travel with Multi Destinational Tourism ?The transition to lower-carbon energy will require a massive investment. According to Goldman Sachs , the world needs to invest an estimated $3 trillion annually through the end of the decade to support its goals of reaching net zero carbon emissions in the coming decades. That massive investment spans multiple opportunities, including renewable energy, electricity grids, and increased electrification. One company that is absolutely critical to building this infrastructure is Quanta Services ( PWR -2.26% ) . It's the industry leader in providing specialized infrastructure solutions. Here's a closer look at this crucial infrastructure stock . Digging into Quanta Services Quanta Services provides specialized infrastructure solutions to the utilities , renewable energy , technology, communications, pipeline , and energy industries. Its client list is a who's who of industry leaders in those respective sectors, including Duke Energy , NextEra Energy ( NEE -0.36% ) , Verizon , and Enbridge . It helps these companies design, install, repair, and maintain their infrastructures. While the company's services span several infrastructure assets, about three-quarters of its revenues come from utilities and renewable energy developers. That puts it in a strong position to capitalize on the growing total addressable market opportunity for infrastructure related to the transition to lower-carbon energy. For example, investor-owned U.S. electric utilities (e.g., Duke Energy and NextEra) expect to incur $186.4 billion in capital expenses to maintain and expand their electricity transmission and distribution systems and power-generating capabilities this year. They will spend $51 billion on power-generation projects, with 65% of that capital going toward renewable energy. That number should rise significantly in the coming years. Forecasters estimate that the U.S. will deploy 375-450 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable and storage capacity over the next seven years. That's three times more capacity than the country deployed over the last seven (140 GW). Customers like NextEra Energy are driving this acceleration (it expects to more than double its renewables and storage capacity from 38 GW today to 81 GW by 2027). NextEra Energy is also investing capital to build out transmission lines and maintain and expand its electric utility operations in Florida. That's just one opportunity in one country. Quanta Services operates across multiple industries and countries, providing customers with a growing array of services . The strong performance should continue Increasing infrastructure investment is driving strong growth for Quanta Services this year. It delivered another quarter of double-digit growth in the third quarter. Its revenue rose from $5.6 billion to $6.5 billion, while its adjusted earnings increased from $2.24 per share to $2.72. It also generated $539.5 million in cash flow, pushing its year-to-date total to nearly $1.4 billion (with almost $980 million in free cash). That strong performance has helped drive a more than 50% increase in its stock price this year. Quanta Services is in a strong position to continue growing. It ended the third quarter with a record $34 billion of projects in its backlog. That gives it a lot of confidence in its continued growth. "We believe we are well positioned to achieve another year of double-digit earnings-per-share growth in 2025 due to increasing demand for our services, strong execution of our strategic plan and capital deployment opportunities," stated CEO Duke Austin in the third-quarter earnings press release. The company has been enhancing its ability to continue growing and capture a greater share of the massive opportunity it sees ahead for energy transition investments. Quanta has made several acquisitions and investments over the past year to bolster its capabilities, including acquiring Cupertino Electric (a premier electrical infrastructure solution provider) and investing in Hybar (a company building a technologically advanced scrap metal recycling rebar mill ). It has also invested capital back into its business to drive additional organic growth. The company believes these investments will enable it to deliver solid revenue and earnings growth over the long term. A potentially compelling way to invest in this massive megatrend The world will invest trillions of dollars in building lower-carbon energy infrastructure in the coming years. That trend plays right into the strengths of Quanta Services, which is a leading provider of specialized infrastructure solutions to utilities and renewable energy developers. It should drive continued healthy growth for the company, making it a potentially compelling way to invest in this massive megatrend.
A FORMER flight attendant has revealed the crucial travel accessories she never flies without, and the one thing she always leaves behind. When it comes to packing for flights, cabin crew members are pros and plenty have offered advice on what is and isn't essential for a trip. Advertisement 2 Arina recommends bringing inflatable neck pillows onto planes Credit: Getty Ex-flight attendant Arina Bloom used to have to pack and unpack her suitcase three times a week. In an article for Insider, she explained what items she considered vital for her carry-on and the items she never brought on board the plane. Neck Pillow Arina recommends packing an inflatable neck pillow for flights of any distance, especially if you're going to be sat in the middle seat. But her big tip was to brig an inflatable pillow instead of the bulky ones they sell in airport shops, as it's easier to carry around. Advertisement Read more on flight attendant NOT IM-PRESSED Flight attendants reveal common passenger behaviour that they hate MORE TUI IT TUI flight attendant reveals activity that makes travelling with kids easier Neck pillows can be expensive, although both Amazon and Shein have versions for around £3. Phone Charger Planes increasingly have charging points on board, under or between seats. By bringing a charger into the cabin, passengers can make sure they have full charge when they arrive at their destination. Phone charger wires can be found for as little as £1.10 on Amazon. Advertisement Most read in News Travel ROUTE FOR THE STARS Historic Route 66 through New Mexico is a highway to holiday nostalgia FOG CHAOS Dozens of flights from major airports axed & hundreds delayed as fog shrouds UK ALL GO IN 2025 Best 2025 destinations to visit for every month of the year FESTIVE FUN Keep the good times rolling - EIGHT amazing Twixmas activities across Scotland Snacks Different airlines have different policies on food on board . Some will charge for food, some will provide free snacks, while others might not have anything at all. Arina recommends coming prepared with your own food to prevent hunger from ruining your journey. One in three travellers admit they have no idea how to pack a suitcase efficiently A pack of cereal bars wont cost you much, with most being around £2, or instant noodle pots for a similar price. Then there were the items that she'd never include in her luggage - nothing sharp. Advertisement She said: "Sharp knives, box cutters, and large scissors (nail scissors are usually fine) are prohibited in carry-on luggage, but you can typically pack them in a checked bag. "The only knife you can bring in your carry-on is a round-bladed butter knife, which may come in handy if you travel with homemade food." She previously shared some of her other top tips that she learned about the way. One of those was only upgrading your ticket at the airport as this can save money . Advertisement She explained: "Just be extremely nice to the staff, and arrive early so business seats are still available. "But don't wait until you get on the plane — flight attendants don't usually have that much power ." Arina also explained why you should avoid the window seat. She said: "Up in the sky , the sun that comes through the window is very powerful, which can lead to you getting exposed to more UV light than normal." Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW END Exact date snow storms to hit Scotland as weather map reveals Arctic freeze on way UGLY SCENES Fife derby chaos as seats damaged & fans arrested after missiles aimed at stars Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: “My girls are getting older, they’re 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say ‘this is what you need’ and they follow the list. “And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them ‘you can have whatever you want in there as long as it’s not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that’s their ‘home away from home’ items.” 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you’ve just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you’re trying to get a lot of items into your case, it’s a space saver. “Packing cubes are great - for example, I’m going on holiday with my three kids and we’re all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we’ve arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: “When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. “Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don’t leave it." Meanwhile, this flight attendant revealed the three things cabin crew members are banned from doing on the plane Another explained how to avoid getting bad service during flights. 2 Breakables, sharp objects, liquids and lighters are all things the former flight attendant never brings in her carry on (stock image) Credit: Getty
Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Hezbollah fires more than 180 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7 BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah has fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding seven people in the militant group's heaviest barrage in several days. The attacks in northern and central Israel happened Sunday in response to deadly Israeli strikes in central Beirut on Saturday. Meanwhile, negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Lebanon's military says an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center in the southwest killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. Israel's military has expressed regret and said its operations are directed solely against the militants. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister condemned the latest strike as an assault on the U.S.-led cease-fire efforts. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.CHLOE Brockett has brutally dumped Jack Fincham again with an Instagram post - before deleting it. The TOWIE stunner took to social media to announce their breakup to fans, before she quickly pulled it down. Advertisement 2 Jack Fincham and Chloe Brockett have split up again Credit: Instagram 2 Chloe announced their breakup in a now-deleted Instagram story Credit: Instagram Chloe, 23 , said: "Me and Jack are no longer in a relationship, carrying the weight of a 32 year old who refuses to pay any bills has become somewhat tiresome. "Girls, remember to never settle. Always bites you in the backside." The reality star has also removed snaps with former Love Islander Jack, 33 , from her Instagram page. Meanwhile, Jack - who has not yet addressed their split - posted a sizzling topless snap, showing off his toned physique. Advertisement more on chloe and jack STRONG AS ONE Jack Fincham & Chloe Brockett reveal the real reason they got back together ringing the changes Towie's Chloe Brockett and Jack Fincham 'to get engaged' say pals Just last month the on-and-off couple announced their reunion , despite Chloe insisting it was "for her own sanity" that they split up. During a Q&A with fans Chloe,was asked if they'd rekindled their romance. She replied: "Yes... remind me not to post stories in anger again guys." Chloe and Jack's romance first started in 2019 but in March this year they decided to take the plunge and move in together . Advertisement Most read in Celebrity BIG BLUNDER Hearts launch investigation after image of notorious UDA member beamed to fans STREETS OF CHAOS Westminster Bridge closed as 'hundreds' of cops swarm scene with four held 'HE GOT IT WRONG' The TWO major tactical mistakes Philippe Clement made against Dundee Utd COUGH UP Motorhome park owner shuts after guests leave without paying using shock trick At the time they joked: "Don't worry we won't split up this time." Chloe Brockett and Jack Fincham Move In Together Earlier this year The Sun told how Jack and Chloe had discussed getting engaged after moving in together. An insider said: “Jack and Chloe have been on and off for years. Their relationship has been going from strength to strength since they decided to give it a proper go and now they’re head over heels. "After moving in, getting engaged feels like the natural next step. She’s told him she wants to be engaged by the end of the year." Advertisement Chloe Brockett's deleted split announcement "Me and Jack are no longer in a relationship, carrying the weight of a 32 year old who refuses to pay any bills has become somewhat tiresome. "Girls, remember to never settle. Always bites you in the backside."2025 Grammy Nominations: A Year of Milestones and Surprises
TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must “wind down” its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister’s decision was “unreasonable” and “driven by improper purposes.” The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address “specific national security risks,” though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne “failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)” The company argues the government ordered “measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies.” It says the reasons for the order “are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies.” The company’s law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would “eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian PressAmesite Releases End of Year Video Shareholder Update