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Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed. The results came after an exit poll, released immediately after the polling stations closed, showed that Milanovic, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, had scooped more than 50 percent of the first round vote and would thus avoid the January 12 run-off. Milanovic won 49.11 percent of the first round vote and Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative HDZ party, took 19.37 percent, according to results released by the state electoral commission from nearly all of the polling stations. Such a strong lead for Milanovic, whom surveys labelled a favourite ahead of the vote, raises serious concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ. The election comes as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, widespread corruption and a labour shortage. Among the eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed the two main rivals, the exit poll showed. They each won around nine percent of the vote. Croatia's president commands the country's armed forces and has a say in foreign policy. But despite limited powers, many believe the office is key for the political balance of power in a country mainly governed by the HDZ since independence in 1991. "All the eggs should not be in one basket," Nenad Horvat, a salesman in his 40s, told AFP. He sees Milanovic, a former leftist prime minister, as the "last barrier to all levers of power falling into the hands of HDZ", echoing the view of many that was reflected in Sunday's vote results. The 58-year-old Milanovic has been one of Croatia's leading and most colourful political figures for nearly two decades. Sharp and eloquent, he won the presidency for the Social Democrats (SDP) in 2020 with pledges to advocate tolerance and liberalism. But he used the office to attack political opponents and EU officials, often with offensive and populist rhetoric. Milanovic, who condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has nonetheless criticised the West's military aid to Kyiv. That prompted the prime minister to label him a pro-Russian who is "destroying Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU". Milanovic countered that he wanted to protect Croatia from being "dragged into war". "As long as I'm president no Croatian soldier will wage somebody else's wars," he said this month. Milanovic regularly pans Plenkovic and his HDZ party over systemic corruption, calling the premier a "serious threat to Croatia's democracy". "I'm a guarantee of the control of the octopus of corruption... headed by Andrej Plenkovic," he said during the campaign. For many, the election is a continuation of the longstanding feud between two powerful politicians. "This is still about the conflict between the prime minister and president," political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. "All the rest are just incidental topics." Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism. "Croatia needs unity, global positioning and a peaceful life," he told reporters after casting his ballot in Zagreb, adding that he would later attend a mass. Primorac repeatedly accused Milanovic of "disgracing Croatia", a claim that resonated with his supporters. ljv/bc
Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?NORTH VANCOUVER, BC , Nov. 22, 2024 /CNW/ - The past few years have been challenging. It feels like the price of everything has gone up. And while inflation is back to the 2 per cent target and interest rates have been cut four times this year, we know that Canadians aren't yet feeling that in their household budgets. Our government can't set prices at the checkout, but we can give Canadians more money in their pockets – to help them afford the things they need and save for the things they want. Today in North Vancouver , Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, visited local restaurant Akbar Joojeh 16 th to highlight the government's plan to put more money in Canadians' pockets. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on November 21 , starting December 14 , we're giving a tax break to all Canadians . With a GST/HST exemption across the country, Canadians will be able to buy essentials like groceries, snacks, children's clothing, and gifts – all tax-free. This new tax break will apply to: Prepared foods, including pre-made meals and salads, vegetable trays, and sandwiches. Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars. Beer, wine, and cider. Children's clothing, footwear, car seats, and diapers. Children's toys, such as board games, dolls, and video-game consoles. Books, print newspapers, and puzzles, for all ages. Christmas trees. This tax break is projected to last until February 15 th . This will deliver meaningful savings for Canadians by making essentially all food GST/HST free, providing real relief at the cash register. Working Canadians will also get some cash back. We're doing this by providing a new Working Canadians Rebate . That means, Canadians who worked in 2023 with net earnings up to $150,000 , will see a $250 cheque in their bank account or mailbox, starting early spring. With the Working Canadians Rebate, we are putting money directly into the pockets of the middle-class – those who have worked so hard to beat inflation. This will give 18.7 million Canadians that extra help to buy what they need. We encourage Parliament and all parties to get this legislation passed quickly and unanimously, so workers and working families get more money in their pockets. Families will be spending quality time together over the coming weeks. Some will light Christmas trees for Santa to put gifts underneath. Some will share meals with family and friends. Some might just make hot chocolate, order some take out, and stay in for a movie night. With today's announcements, we're making the holidays easier and helping Canadians start the new year with a little more in their pockets. Quote "The holiday season is when expenses are highest for many families in North Vancouver—even with inflation back down to 2 per cent and interest rates being cut four times this year. With new tax relief on groceries and holiday essentials, plus a $250 rebate for working Canadians, we are reducing costs when they are highest for Canadians. This means you can focus more on celebrating with family and friends, and start the new year off with a little extra money in your bank account." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Quick Facts The GST/HST would be fully relieved on the supply or importation of qualifying goods for a period beginning on December 14, 2024 , and ending on February 15, 2025 . Further details on the qualifying goods are available here . A family spending $2,000 on qualifying goods, such as children's clothing, shoes and toys, diapers, books, snacks for the house, or restaurant meals would pay $100 less GST over the two-month period. Canadians who have claimed tax credits for Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan contributions or for Employment Insurance (EI) or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) premiums, and those who reported income from EI or QPIP benefits, with individual net income below $150,000 in 2023, would be eligible for the Working Canadians Rebate. Eligible Canadians would begin receiving the payments starting in early spring 2025. The government is focused on making life more affordable for Canadians, with actions that are already saving families and individuals thousands of dollars a year, including: A new National School Food Program , with $1 billion over five years to provide meals for up to 400,000 more kids each year, ensuring all children have the food they need to have the best start in life, regardless of their family circumstances. The Program is expected to save the average participating family with two children $800 per year in grocery costs, with lower-income families benefitting the most. More money through the Canada Child Benefit , to help with the costs of raising children and make a real difference in the lives of children in Canada . The Canada Child Benefit, which is providing up to nearly $8,000 per child in 2024-25, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty since its launch in 2016. Saving families up to $14,300 per child, per year with the Canada -wide $10 -a-day child care system , which has already cut fees for regulated child care to an average of $10 -a-day or less in over half of all provinces and territories and by 50 per cent or more in all others. Saving families about $730 per year with the Canadian Dental Care Plan , which is already available for children under 18, with family incomes under $90,000 , because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids' teeth and putting food on the table. Related products News Release: More money in your pocket—A tax break for all Canadians and the Working Canadians Rebate Backgrounder: A Tax Break on Groceries and Holiday Essentials SOURCE Natural Resources Canada View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/22/c4318.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Alyssa Naeher ended her national team career with one last win. The stalwart goalkeeper made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Tuesday. “I definitely wasn’t thinking about it during the game, just wanted to win the game and do what I could to come away with the ‘W’ for us to close out the year,” Naeher said. Lynn Williams scored the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute for the U.S., which won its fifth Olympic gold medal in France this summer and wrapped up the year on a 20-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were coming off a scoreless draw with England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Naeher announced two weeks ago that the European exhibitions would be her final matches. The 36-year-old goalkeeper played in 115 games for the U.S., with 111 starts, 89 wins and 69 shutouts. Naeher is the only U.S. keeper with shutouts in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. She was in goal when the United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 Women's World Cup final . “I feel like in my heart I would love to keep going. In my head, in my body and mind, I feel like it’s the right time. And I think it’s the right time with this team as well as it builds towards the future and towards 2027,” Naeher said. “This environment, this team, is an incredible team to be a part of, but it’s also really hard and really challenging in a lot of ways as well. “I feel like I’ve given everything I have to give for this team and that’s why I feel at peace with that.” The Netherlands took the lead on center back Veerle Buurman's header off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Naeher prevented a second goal when she punched away Dominique Janssen's shot in the 38th. The United States drew even at the end of the first half on an own goal that deflected off Buurman and past Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Naeher slid to stop Danielle van de Donk's shot in the 69th minute before Williams, a second-half substitute, scored her fourth goal of the year and 21st of her career. “I wouldn’t say that this was our prettiest game of soccer ever. And sometimes that’s how games go. You can talk about tactics, you can talk about formations, you talk about everything, but the biggest thing was matching their intensity. Getting to the second ball, getting to the first ball. That was the shift that needed to happen,” Williams said about the team's second-half mindset. Naeher finished with six saves. She is not quite finished with soccer yet: She will continue playing next season for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. “She’s been consistent again and again. Even when she’s been questioned at times in her career, she’s always found the answer,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Not only has she been a great player in this program, but let me tell you, she’s so loved by everyone, players and staff alike. She is the best teammate you could ask for and that just speaks volumes to the person that she is.” Lily Yohannes came in as a substitute in the second half. Yohannes, who has dual citizenship, opted to play for the United States over the Netherlands last month. She plays professionally for the Dutch club Ajax. The U.S. finished the year without the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, who were left off the roster for the final two matches to rest and heal nagging injuries. The U.S. is unbeaten in 15 matches under Hayes, who took over in May. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press
Acuity Brands to Announce Fiscal 2025 First-Quarter Results on January 9, 2025
Ustby, Donarski lead No. 16 North Carolina women over Villanova 53-36 in Battle 4 Atlantis semifinalPresident-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair 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. Trump, once a crypto skeptic, had pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. Money has poured into crypto assets since he won . Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, is now above $95,000. And shares in crypto platform Coinbase have surged more than 70% since the election. Paul Grewal, chief legal officer of Coinbase, congratulated Atkins in a post on X. “We appreciate his commitment to balance in regulating U.S. securities markets and look forward to his fresh leadership at (the SEC),” Grewal wrote. “It’s sorely needed and cannot come a day too soon.” Congressman Brad Sherman, a California Democrat and a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, said he worries Atkins would not sufficiently regulate cryptocurrencies as SEC chair. “He’d probably take the position that no cryptocurrency is a security, and hence no exchange that deals with crypto is a securities exchange,” Sherman said. “The opportunity to defraud investors would be there in a very significant way.” 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. His work as an SEC commissioner started in 2002, a time when the fallout from corporate scandals at Enron and WorldCom had turned up the heat on Wall Street and its government regulators. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative member of the SEC during his tenure at the agency and known to have a strong free-market bent. As a commissioner, he called for greater transparency in and analysis of the costs and benefits of new SEC rules. He also emphasized investor education and increased enforcement efforts against those who steal from investors over the internet, manipulate markets, engage in Ponzi schemes and other types of fraud. At the same time, Atkins objected to stiff penalties imposed on companies accused of fraudulent conduct, contending that they did not deter crime. He caused a stir in the summer of 2006 when he said the practice of granting stock options to executives before the disclosure of news that was certain to increase the share price did not constitute insider trading. U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said Atkins has the experience needed to “restore faith in the SEC.” “I’m confident his leadership will lead to clarity for the digital asset ecosystem and ensure U.S. capital markets remain the envy of the world,” McHenry posted on X. Atkins already has some experience working for Trump. During Trump's first term, Atkins was a member of the President’s Strategic and Policy Forum , an advisory group of more than a dozen CEOs and business leaders who offered input on how to create jobs and speed economic growth. In 2017, Atkins joined the Token Alliance, a cryptocurrency advocacy organization. Crypto industry players welcomed Trump’s victory in the hopes that he would push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for. Trump himself has launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his pride in the progress India has made in the health and fitness sectors, highlighting various government initiatives promoting wellness and sports. Addressing the 117th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat,' PM Modi said, "In this winter season, several activities related to sports and fitness are being organised across the country. I am happy that people are making fitness a part of their daily routine." He noted the growing enthusiasm for sports across India, citing examples like skiing in Kashmir and kite flying in Gujarat . He also praised campaigns such as 'Sunday On Cycle' and 'Cycling Tuesday,' which are encouraging more people to adopt cycling as a fitness activity. Highlighting a unique initiative, PM Modi spoke about the first-ever Bastar Olympics, describing it as a revolution in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, an area once plagued by Maoist violence. "A new revolution is taking shape in Bastar through the Bastar Olympics. It is a matter of great joy for me that this dream has come true. The mascot of the Bastar Olympics, the 'Wild Water Buffalo' and 'Hill Myna,' reflects the rich culture of Bastar. The defining mantra of this sports Mahakumbh is 'Karsay Ta Bastar Barsaye Ta Bastar,' which means 'Bastar will play, Bastar will win,'" he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the participation of 1.65 lakh players from seven districts in the Bastar Olympics, calling it "a proud story of the resolve of our youth." He mentioned the wide range of sports featured, including athletics, archery, badminton, football, hockey, weightlifting, karate, kabaddi, kho-kho, and volleyball, where young players have showcased exceptional talent. PM Modi also shared inspiring stories from the Bastar Olympics of participants, including -- Kari Kashyap, a silver medalist in archery; Payal Kawasi, who won a gold medal in javelin throw; Punem Sanna, a wheelchair racer from Dornapal in Sukma who transitioned from being under Naxal influence to winning medals; Ranju Sori, an archer from Kodagaon and the chosen 'Bastar Youth Icon.' "The Bastar Olympics is not just a sports event. It is a platform where development and sports are merging, where our youth are honing their talent and building a new Bharat. I urge all of you to encourage such sports events in your area, share stories of local sports talent using 'Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat,' and give young players the opportunity to progress," he said. Turning to the health sector, PM Modi highlighted two significant achievements that have drawn global attention. "Both these successes have been achieved in the field of health. The first is in the fight against malaria, a challenge humanity has faced for over 4,000 years. At the time of Independence, malaria was one of our biggest health concerns. It ranks third among infectious diseases killing children between one month and five years of age. Today, I can proudly say that India has collectively and strongly fought this challenge," he said. Quoting a World Health Organization report, he stated, "India has seen an 80 per cent reduction in malaria cases and deaths between 2015 and 2023. This achievement is significant and a result of everyone's participation. From every corner of the country, people contributed to this success." He cited examples of community-driven efforts, such as the tea garden workers in Jorhat, Assam, who successfully used technology and social media to combat malaria, and the public campaigns in Haryana's Kurukshetra, where street plays and radio messages educated people about mosquito breeding prevention. The Prime Minister also highlighted progress in the fight against cancer, referencing a study by the medical journal The Lancet. "The chances of starting cancer treatment on time in India have increased significantly. Timely treatment, which means starting treatment within 30 days, has been greatly supported by the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. This scheme has enabled 90 per cent of cancer patients to start treatment on time," he said. He explained that financial barriers previously discouraged poor patients from seeking timely cancer diagnosis and treatment. "Now, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has become a pillar of support, reducing financial problems in cancer treatment and encouraging people to come forward for timely care," he added. PM Modi emphasised the role of increased awareness, timely action, and assurance in battling cancer. "This achievement is a collective effort of our healthcare system, doctors, nurses, technical staff, and citizens. With everyone's support, our resolve to defeat cancer has become even stronger," he said. "There is only one mantra to fight cancer – Awareness, Action, and Assurance. Awareness means understanding cancer and its symptoms, action means timely diagnosis and treatment, and assurance means the belief that every possible help is available for patients," he concluded. ( With inputs from IANS) Ayushman Bharat scheme is godsend, says cancer-stricken family from Vadodara PM Modi, HM Shah, others pay tributes to former PM Manmohan Singh PM Modi takes stock of 8 big infra projects worth Rs 1 lakh croreThe Philadelphia Eagles ruled wide receiver DeVonta Smith out for Sunday night's game at the Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury. Smith did not practice all week and will miss his second game of the season and just the third of his four-year NFL career. He was inactive in a Week 4 loss at Tampa Bay due to a concussion. Smith, 26, leads the Eagles with 41 receptions and four touchdown catches ands ranks second with 516 receiving yards in nine starts this season. The former Heisman Trophy winner has 281 catches for 3,694 yards and 23 scores in 59 games (58 starts) since the Eagles drafted him with the 10th overall pick in 2021. NFC East-leading Philadelphia (8-2) takes a six-game winning streak to Los Angeles (5-5), which has won four of its last five games. --Field Level Media
Floyd Mayweather , 47, said he'd welcome a real fight with Jake Paul under one condition — it would have to be at his own weight, rather than Paul's, who recently took on Mike Tyson in a sad, heavyweight boxing spectacle. Floyd Mayweather & Jake Paul's pro records (as of 25/11/24) Floyd Mayweather Jake Paul Fights 50 12 Wins 50 11 Losses 0 1 Paul, 27, boxed for the 12th time of his burgeoning career when, on Friday the 15th of November, he went 8 x 2-minute rounds with a 58-year-old Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. During the fight, there were two rounds in which Tyson failed to land a single punch. Paul, by contrast, appeared to daze Tyson a couple times, before taking his foot off the gas, and coasting toward a decision win. Numerous boxers at the elite level, including Artur Beterbiev and Daniel Dubois , have sent fight offers to Paul should he take on a real boxer. And Mayweather, too, has seemingly gotten in line. Mike Tyson & Jake Paul have been suspended from boxing, as have Amanda Serrano & Katie Taylor. Floyd Mayweather Comments on Jake Paul Mayweather talked to TMZ Sports about Paul's rise, and a possible bout between the internet sensation, and boxing's pound-for-pound stalwart Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez . "If you go back, you’ve got to look on the internet and do your homework, I think [Jake] was doing a podcast one time, and he was talking about, 'I don’t want to do an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather,' he said'‘I’m only doing real fights'," said Mayweather. Mayweather commented on the significant weight differential between them now. Paul boxes between cruiserweight, which has an upper limit of 200 pounds, and heavyweight. Mayweather, meanwhile, fought at welterweight in his latter days, which has a limit of 147 pounds. "Of course, I can’t get high up in weight," he said. "I’d fight him in a real fight in the weight that I’m at." Mayweather continued: "But Jake Paul, I mean as of right now, for what he’s doing, it’s good for what he’s doing, but once he fights a real actual fighter, it’s gonna be bad. One thing I do like about him, he’s selling it and he’s making good money and he’s entertaining, I like it." It is unclear who Paul could fight next, but he's had call-outs from numerous big name boxers — both active, and retired. There are fighters who Paul has spoken of frequently in the past, including Conor McGregor and Canelo. And Mayweather believes if ever Paul and Canelo did fight, the result would be clear. "He’d get f***** up by Canelo. There’s no way [that he’d win] he’d get demolished." Mayweather and Paul have history as Floyd boxed Paul's brother Logan in an exhibition in Miami Gardens in 2021. As it was an exhibition, no official winner could be declared. The build-up to Floyd and Logan's exhibition, though, was marked by a confrontation when Jake snatched Mayweather's hat from his head, and said: "Gotcha hat," before running away. Mayweather could then be seen and heard storming the hallways of the Hard Rock Stadium and made threats when searching for Paul.VSDCA North-East: Topp destruction, Bullants bite
Breakthroughs, starry transfers, scandal: For Jesse Marsch and the Canadian men's soccer team, life in the fast lane has only just begunIn the fast-paced world of marketing, Enfection is setting the bar high. Founded in 2017 by Saliya Withana and Lahiru Halkewela, this Sri Lankan tech-driven marketing company is all about blending AI with creativity to take businesses to the next level. Their mission is to bring science and technology to the field of marketing. With an impressive client list that includes MAS, Keells, CBL, and Rocell, Enfection’s impact stretches far beyond Sri Lanka, partnering with global ad networks like Dentsu Singapore, McCann Malaysia, and TBWA. They are all about helping businesses push the envelope through AI-based solutions and performance marketing. The secret to their success is their team that is obsessed with staying ahead of the curve. Whether it is AI marketing, AR, or 3D/CGI technology, Enfection has got it covered. One of their standout offerings is Momentro, a SaaS platform designed to give marketers, agencies, and content creators deep insights into audiences, brand positioning, and buyer intent. It is all about equipping brands with the tools to understand their customers better and create more targeted, effective strategies. On 11 November, they hosted the highly anticipated ‘Change the Convo 2024: Put AI to Work’ event at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, where they brought together CMOs and marketing heads from Sri Lanka’s largest corporations. The aim was to show these marketing leaders how they can use AI to stay ahead of the competition, improve ROI, and foster long-term innovation. Boston Consulting Group Global AI Marketing Lead Sanjay Nair opened the event with a compelling message about the transformative power of generative AI (Gen AI). Drawing from their extensive experience, they stressed that deploying AI within organisations is not merely a technological endeavour – it is a people-centric journey. He emphasised that positioning Gen AI as a tool for efficiency often raises fears about job security among employees. “It’s crucial to highlight the personal and organisational benefits,” they said, “focusing on how it can make day-to-day tasks more fulfilling, rather than solely as a productivity booster.” His advice underscored the importance of change management, advocating for transparency and clarity in communicating the why behind adopting Gen AI. The ‘Change the Convo 2024’ event was such a dynamic hub of innovation, with standout keynote speakers and panel discussions that explored AI’s impact on the marketing world. Nair kicked things off by outlining a clear roadmap for businesses to adopt AI smoothly. Aeos Labs CEO and Founder Harshavardhan Reddy followed with a deep dive into how AI is transforming everything from design to automation and personalisation in marketing. Enfection CEO and Founder Saliya Withana then shared his vision on building AI-ready teams, focusing on predictive and generative AI tools. The panellists – Asia Pacific COO Jeremy Seow, Ren CEO Rukmal Weerawarana, and Daraz Regional Head of Legal Mahela Liyanage covered hot topics such as ‘AI in PR’, where experts discussed how to manage user sentiment, the evolution of AI in marketing, and the tricky intersection of AI and copyright. It was a day packed with insights, all designed to help marketers get ahead in the AI-powered future. One of the most exciting moments was the launch of the AI Marketing Blueprint, an actionable guide designed to help CMOs and marketing teams navigate their AI journey. It covers everything from data infrastructure to leadership and team building, making it a must-read for anyone serious about transforming their marketing with AI. The event went beyond technical jargon, making AI accessible and engaging through real-world applications. Digital twins and AI-powered humour demonstrated the practical side of AI, blending functionality with entertainment. Interactive elements like QR codes enabled seamless audience participation, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and questions. Thematic booths offered hands-on exposure to cutting-edge AI solutions, inspiring attendees with practical innovations ready for immediate application in their own industries.
NoneWASHINGTON — The National Park Service is seeing a surge in private support bigger than anytime in its 108-year history as it also faces a maintenance backlog of more than $23 billion, made worse this fall by hurricane damage to its most popular location. Three years after setting a goal of raising $1 billion, the Park Service’s official charitable partner, the National Park Foundation, is almost there, having raised $840 million since 2021, the foundation’s outgoing president and CEO Will Shafroth said. That fundraising under the Campaign for National Parks is in addition to efforts of park partners across the country — such as the Trust for Public Land, American Battlefield Trust, Conservation Legacy and the Student Conservation Association — that collectively want to raise another $3.5 billion. Visits to national parks rose from about 275 million in 2010 to 325 million last year. Shafroth said many of these visitors, inspired by the beauty of places like Yellowstone National Park, say the parks and staff have “created an amazing experience for me and my family. I want to give back.” Hundreds of thousands more give back by volunteering, whether rebuilding trails, clearing trash, serving as docents or organizing special events. “National parks experienced substantially increased public interest over the past two years,” according to the 2024 Park Partners Report commissioned by the foundation. There are now at least 470 partner groups, many of them “Friends” organizations that coordinate volunteer work with superintendents of individual parks. That community provided nearly 1 million volunteer hours in the park system last year, the equivalent of 122,500 days or 471 full-time employees, according to the report. One of those groups is Friends of the Smokies, which has about 2,000 members who volunteer for projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the most popular of the 63 national parks with 13.3 million visitors in 2023. The park, which stretches over 816 square miles, sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Helene in late September, and many roads and trails are still closed to the public, said Dana Soehn, president of Friends of the Smokies. But the group is eager to get to work when the Park Service completes its assessments and makes restoration plans, she said. “We stand at the ready to really push and raise funds,” Soehn said. “The public-private partnership in helping meet these challenging times is something that’s critically needed. Our organization is able to provide $2 million to $4 million of funding each year to help support the national park.” Funding needs The private funding goes a long way to help the cash-strapped National Park Service, with an operating budget of $3.3 billion in fiscal 2024, which supports about 20,000 full-time employees. The Senate’s Interior-Environment Appropriations bill would provide $3.5 billion in fiscal 2025, as the Biden administration requested, but the House version would cut the funding to $3.1 billion. The Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress in 2020 provided up to $1.3 billion per year for five years through 2025 to help reduce $23.3 billion in deferred maintenance projects. Private donations won’t do much to reduce the maintenance backlog because most people aren’t interested in funding infrastructure projects like roads and bridges that are the government’s responsibility, Shafroth said. “We’re never going to be very effective at convincing donors to pay for pothole repair and water systems and things like that,” he said. “So we really need to focus on the things that are resonant to donors and also are a high need for the parks.” When Lilly Endowment Inc. announced a $100 million contribution in August, Shafroth’s foundation said the funds would go toward four priorities: creating environmental stewardship opportunities for young people, protecting fragile ecosystems and diverse species in the parks, developing new technologies to improve visitor experiences, and providing “a more comprehensive historical narrative” about national parks and the communities around them. Many donors to the park system, especially corporate givers, are also motivated by the knowledge that public lands used for recreation are an economic driver. Outdoor recreation generates $1.2 trillion in annual economic activity and supports 5 million jobs, according to a report released in November by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable using data from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. The ORR is a coalition of more than 110,000 businesses in the sector. The Interior Department reported last year that visitor spending in communities near national parks totals more than $50 billion a year, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs. Other legislation Advocates for the parks are urging Congress to rev up this economic engine by passing a package of bills that would overhaul how public land agencies distribute passes and permits, encourage technology to improve visitor experiences, restore campgrounds and address housing shortages near outdoor recreation areas, among other things. The House passed the legislation sponsored by Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., in April by voice vote under suspension of the rules. Dozens of groups are urging the Senate to pass the measure in the lame-duck session. “Despite the profound and widespread benefits that parks and outdoor recreation offer, they are chronically underfunded with many systems facing a significant backlog of capital improvement projects,” more than 50 organizations said in a Nov. 12 letter to Senate leaders urging them to prioritize the legislation. Aside from their economic importance, Shafroth noted that national parks play a role in uniting Americans. “You know, our country just feels so divided in so many ways, especially politically,” he said. “It feels like those divisions just dissolve when people enter a national park. They’re just citizens of the United States. They’re just lovers of the outdoors, appreciators of America’s story.” Shafroth announced this fall that he plans to step aside as president and CEO of the National Park Foundation and turn over the reins to Park Service veteran Jeff Reinbold, most recently the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington. The pair will work together on the transition in December and January, then Shafroth said he plans to develop a new program at the foundation addressing issues facing the park system, including climate change, housing shortages near parks and development of new technologies.
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AMMAN — Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Head of Government of Economic Team Muhannad Shehadeh stressed that the government has a realistic economic programme and a clear vision, and its decisions aim at achieving growth to be reflected on improving the quality of life and generating job opportunities, and sustainability based on the strategic approach of Economic Modernization Vision (EMV). The meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance Abdul Hakim Shibli, and Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesman Mohammad Momani, in addition to economic programmes' presenters, heads of economic departments and economic news editors, from various media outlets. During the meeting, Shehadeh reiterates that economic measures and decisions, taken by the government since its formation of about 60 days, aim to stimulate economic growth and overcome the consequences of the political situation in the region and the world. Shehadeh stressed that the government is also committed to overcoming all obstacles and bureaucratic complications, while balancing expenditures and money collection on one hand, and moving forward with major investment projects on the other hand, to reach the desired economic growth. He pointed out that in order to reach that, it must be in line with the vision, which includes eight engines, 35 sectors and 360 economic measures related to its aspects and sectors. He explained that achieving economic growth requires the government to facilitate indirect spending, reduce the trade balance deficit, attract investments and support the purchasing power of citizens, thus contributing to increasing the GDP, which currently amounts at JD36 billion. He also pointed out that the government has already begun to facilitate spending through a number of measures and decisions it has taken related to customs, tax and princely funds, in order to provide indirect financial liquidity for citizens that can be injected into the local market to contribute to the revitalisation of economic activity. He pointed out that the funds pending today with the customs and related customs revenues exceed JD300 million, stressing that the settlement of these issues will reflect on the money circulation in the economy. He explained that the government's decision regarding medical tourism, whether in terms of allowing nationalities to enter the Kingdom, or the opening of direct airlines, came with the aim of restoring momentum to this important service sector, calling on the private sector to exploit these facilities and work to attract expatriates for treatment purposes in the Kingdom. He pointed out that the government's decision to exempt fees and fines on vehicles which their licenses have expired for more than a year amounting to more than 550,000 unlicensed vehicles, entailing JD332 million as fees. Shehadeh also noted that the government's decision on the amended bylaw of exempting profits, of exports of goods and services, from income tax for the year 2024, came in line with the EMV to ensure the continued growth of the service sectors, especially the information technology sector, which represents one of the main drivers of the vision. He stressed that the decision will also contribute to the revival of other service sectors, especially for engineers, lawyers, consultation, the information technology sector and others, and it is also part of the EMV to generate more job opportunities for Jordanians, explaining that the services sector constitutes 60 per cent of GDP. He also praised the banking sector's step toward reducing interest by 4.99 per cent on housing loans for 3 consecutive years, after the government's decision, describing it as positive as it will stimulate other economic sectors. He pointed to the major investment projects that will be implemented as part of the EMV, foremost of which is the "National Carrier", where the financial closure of the project during the next year will contribute to activate several economic sectors throughout the Kingdom and reflect on the development aspect. He pointed out that the other project is the "Railway from Aqaba to Shidia and Ghor Al-Safi", which will contribute to reducing transport fees, raising the competitiveness and level of services and improving the performance of companies, in addition to being an integrated solution for the truck sector, expecting that the first quarter of next year will witness the signing of final agreements related to it. He also addressed the issue of "indebtedness", stressing that the government is committed to manage the internal and external debt in "the best way", and there are many scenarios in this regard, including replacing part of the debt with soft loans and lower interest rates through the Kingdom's close and strong relationships with countries, in addition to the low interest rates in the world. He stressed that His Majesty King Abdullah's recent meeting with Arab and foreign investors sends a strong message that investment in Jordan reflects high confidence in monetary policies, which are the backbone of investment and employers. Finance Minister Abdul Hakim Shibli stressed that the budget is realistic, and the government is determined, despite the hard region circumstances, to reduce the deficit in the public budget as well as the public debt, in addition to securing budget allocations for the implementation of major projects, such as the national carrier and the railway. He explained that the current budget has maintained all guarantees that concern citizens, especially with regard to subsidising bread, barley and gas cylinders. Shibli added that the current budget increased the share of capital projects to JD1.469 billion. He pointed out that the draft budget law estimated public revenues at about JD10233 million, of which JD9498 million are local revenues and JD734 million are external grants, indicating that the draft budget has set realistic estimates of revenues in a way that contributes to managing the development process efficiently. Shibli explained that the budget draft included an increase in allocations for the National Aid Fund's (NAF) social protection network, and a 50 per cent increase in allocations for the University Student Support Fund, in addition to securing necessary allocations to support strategic food commodities, as well as indirect support for essential services and facilities in the fields of water, electricity, and health. He pointed out that the government relied on a "Real Economic Growth Rate" of 2.5 per cent for the next year and a "Nominal Economic Growth Rate" of about 4.9 per cent during the formulation of the current budget, while maintaining moderate inflation rates, which would contribute to enhancing financial and monetary stability. Regarding the "expenditure Items" in the general budget, Shibli indicated that the budget allocated at approximately JD1,1042 million, and capital expenditures at approximately JD1,468 million, with an increase of 16.5 per cent compared to its re-estimated level for the current year 2024.