Participants in the MarsCode AI Programming Challenge will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and creativity through a series of coding tasks that leverage the latest AI technologies. From developing AI-powered applications to designing cutting-edge algorithms, contestants will be challenged to think outside the box and push the limits of traditional programming.
Chiefs edge Panthers, Lions rip Colts as Dallas stuns WashingtonTitle: The Much-Awaited Launch: Server Overloaded by Global Users
( MENAFN - PR Newswire) LONDON, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global IPO market recorded 1,215 deals, raking in US$121.2b in proceeds for 2024, falling slightly behind 2023 levels. The second half of this year had a stronger performance compared with the first half, with the fourth quarter outperforming the three preceding quarters. These and other findings are available in the EY Global IPO Trends 2024 . India, for the first time, has risen to the number one position globally in IPO volume, listing nearly twice as many IPOs as the US and two-and-a-half times as many as Europe. Meanwhile, the US reclaimed the top spot globally for IPO proceeds for the first time since the 2021 peak, continuing to stand out as the most dynamic and attractive market for global investors. The US stock market's valuation also reached unprecedented levels, outpacing all other markets. In addition, a historic high of 55% of US public listings in 2024 were foreign issuers. Tightened regulations in the Chinese mainland contributed to its weakest IPO performance in a decade by number. Australia faced its sharpest decline in volume in more than 20 years. And Malaysia achieved a 19-year record high for number of IPOs, fueled by increased interest to its valuation and liquidity. In 2024, public listings of private equity- (PE) and venture capital- (VC) backed portfolio companies generated 46% of total global IPO proceeds, highlighting their substantial contribution to global IPO activity and reinforcing the critical role of PE and VC firms in shaping the IPO landscape. Out of the 20 mega IPOs in 2024, 12 were PE-backed, a significant increase from the two listed last year. There were also 18 unicorn IPOs listed in 2024, half of which were launched by VC firms, up from just three in 2023. Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), industrials and consumer sectors dominated global IPOs, with an approximately combined 60% share across all sectors by both number and proceeds. Cross-border listings continued to increase in 2024 with a total of 113 listings compared with 83 in 2023. The US remained the leading destination for IPOs, while mid-to-large cap deals demonstrated a solid after-market performance. 2024 regional performance EMEIA emerged as the leader in both volume and proceeds among the regions, with 522 deals raising US$53.2b. The region contributed six of the top 10 largest public offerings, with three of them PE-/VC-backed. The Americas saw a strong recovery, reaching its highest IPO activity since 2021, in both volume and proceeds, with 205 IPOs raising US$33.1b. IPO activity in the Asia-Pacific region continued its downward trajectory that began in 2021, declining 35% in deals and 51% in proceeds year-over-year (YOY), although the second half of the year had a greater performance compared with the first half. AI companies continue to attract investors; crypto-focused firms gain momentum There are currently more than 600 artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-related public companies and nearly half of them have gone public in the past four years, many with VC backing, demonstrating how IPOs can help overcome funding challenges while driving innovation and growth. Approximately, 60 AI companies are currently in the process of IPO registration, with more than 400 in the pipeline, indicating continued investor interest and VC support in AI-driven innovations. If the AI vertical establishes a benchmark in successful IPOs, it could encourage other high-growth verticals to pursue IPOs, fueling broader market momentum in future years. The approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the US this year has enhanced the legitimacy of digital assets, which provides greater access for institutional investors and improved market liquidity, potentially driving a wave of IPO filings from crypto-focused firms. The success of these IPOs, however, also hinges on navigating regulatory challenges and showcasing robust compliance structures. Impact on IPOs post US election Historically, IPO activity has typically risen in the years following the US presidential elections, regardless of which party controls the majority. There's usually a certain amount of uncertainty in the lead up to an election, but, post-election, there is generally greater clarity in terms of policy direction and economic initiatives. This tends to stabilize market sentiment, creating a more favorable environment for IPOs. First-movers in a post-election year tend to include industrials, TMT and financials. However, nearly all sectors experience growth. 2025 outlook and beyond Mega trends, including shifting fiscal and monetary policies, geopolitical tensions and global supply chain, AI and digital transformation, new environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities and the influence of the new US administration are reshaping the global IPO market. Despite these transformative forces, the IPO market remains on track for a strong performance in 2025, supported by a cautiously optimistic economic environment, increasingly favorable monetary policies and heightened liquidity and valuation levels. Simultaneously, the traditional global IPO market is evolving into interconnected, yet distinct regional ecosystems with their own sector specializations and growth drivers. The success of each sector is increasingly influenced by the economic conditions of its local market and the strategic priorities of the region. George Chan, EY Global IPO Leader, says: "Business transformation requires funding, and an IPO offers a powerful avenue to raise the capital needed to drive growth and innovation. After a period of slower activity, the global IPO market is regaining its momentum, supported by more favorable market conditions. The outlook for 2025 appears increasingly optimistic, with a strong pipeline of companies across sectors looking to capture the opportunities presented by this renewed market strength." Notes to editors About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitiousTM, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey/private . About EY IPO services Going public is a transformative milestone in an organization's journey. As the industry-leading advisor in initial public offering (IPO) services, EY teams advise ambitious organizations around the world and helps equip them for IPO success. EY teams serve as trusted business advisors guiding companies from start to completion, strategically positioning businesses to help achieve their goals over short windows of opportunity and preparing companies for their next chapter in the public eye. ey/ipo About the data The data presented here is available on ey/ipo/trends . Q4 2024 refers to the fourth quarter of 2024 and covers completed IPOs from 1 October to 9 December 2024, plus expected IPOs by 31 December 2024 (forecasted as of 9 December 2024). Q4 2023 refers to the fourth quarter of 2023 and covers completed IPOs from 1 October to 31 December 2023. H1 2024 refers to the first half of 2024 and covers completed IPOs from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024. H2 2024 refers to the second half of 2024 and covers completed IPOs from 1 July to 9 December, plus expected IPOs by 31 December 2024 (forecasted as of 9 December 2024). 2024 refers to the full calendar year and covers completed IPOs from 1 January 2024 to 9 December 2024, plus expected IPOs by 31 December 2024 (forecasted as of 9 December 2024). 2023 refers to the full calendar year and covers completed IPOs from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. All data contained in this document is sourced from Dealogic, Mergermarket, PitchBook, S&P Capital IQ, LSEG (Refinitiv) and EY analysis unless otherwise noted. The Dealogic data in this report are under license by ION. ION retains and reserves all rights in such data. SPAC data are excluded from all data in this report, except where indicated. Lauren Mosery EY Global Media Relations +1 732 977 2063 [email protected] Logo - MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109004789 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Google Faces EU Investigation Demanding Disclosure of Secret Advertising Collaboration with MetaHome entertainment holiday gift ideas at a discount
Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Global Payments Inc. ( NYSE:GPN – Free Report ) by 71.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,116 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 15,244 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Global Payments were worth $626,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Empirical Finance LLC grew its position in shares of Global Payments by 1.8% during the third quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 9,222 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $945,000 after buying an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in Global Payments by 19.6% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 50,848 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,208,000 after acquiring an additional 8,320 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Global Payments by 93.5% during the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,582 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,596,000 after acquiring an additional 7,529 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Global Payments by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 7,015 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $718,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 8,257 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.76% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes GPN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Global Payments from $126.00 to $122.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. William Blair downgraded Global Payments from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. KeyCorp decreased their target price on Global Payments from $145.00 to $135.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. B. Riley dropped their price target on shares of Global Payments from $204.00 to $194.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Global Payments to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $136.57. Global Payments Stock Performance Shares of GPN opened at $117.08 on Friday. Global Payments Inc. has a 12-month low of $91.60 and a 12-month high of $141.77. The stock has a market cap of $29.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.05, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a 50-day moving average of $105.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $103.50. Global Payments Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 13th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.85%. Global Payments’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.83%. Global Payments Company Profile ( Free Report ) Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Global Payments Inc. ( NYSE:GPN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Global Payments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Payments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Mbappe's problem is Real Madrid's problem, says AncelottiNone
NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. Related Articles “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to $13.7 billion in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Trump hosted Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Neither Apple nor the Trump transition team has commented on the nature of their discussions. Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.
Additionally, monetary policy measures have been implemented to maintain a stable financial environment. The People's Bank of China has carefully managed interest rates and liquidity in the financial system to control inflation and ensure financial stability. These measures have helped to prevent overheating of the economy and have supported sustainable economic growth.In a dramatic turn of events, the South Korean National Assembly recently passed a resolution calling for the swift arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol. This unprecedented move has plunged the country's political landscape into chaos and uncertainty, as lawmakers and citizens alike grapple with the implications of such a decision.
WITH the Christmas party season in full swing, smelling sweet is a top priority. More than a third of us have popped perfume on our Christmas wish list, but with some designer brands costing upwards of £100, some fragrances are well out of reach for many of us. So could budget perfume dupes be the answer? With a huge range available on the high street for a fraction of the price of top brands, Fab put some of the most affordable alternatives to the test. But how did they fare when it came to long-lasting wear? And do they really smell just like the designer originals they are emulating? Emma Lazenby sniffs out the best dupes, revealing which ones are worth splashing out on and giving them all a mark out of five. IF there was ever a winter evening fragrance that’s as warm as it is luxurious, then I think M&S’s Midnight Blossom is up there. It’s perfect for the party season and smells remarkably like YSL’s Black Opium. With its musky, velvety notes and subtle floral undertones, it holds its weight against its designer rival. The simple purple packaging is cute, giving Parma violet vibes, but as it looks quite basic, I’d put it in the stocking-filler category, rather than the main gift. Having said that, Midnight Blossom is possibly the perfect perfume present to yourself. Granted, Black Opium was still bold after eight hours of wear. But M&S’s winter fragrance wasn’t far off. My wrist was still smelling lovely – if a little faint – well into the afternoon. 5/5 LIDL’S Suddenly Femelle fragrance bears a striking resemblance to the vanilla, iris and patchouli notes of Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle. It’s a warm scent and looks very expensive with its apothecary-style bottle and pretty pink packaging. One of the cheapest of the bunch, it packs a surprising punch. If you’re after a cosy, winter fragrance, Suddenly Femelle could be the perfect choice for you. It has a whiff of maturity about it, adding to its classic fragrance feel, but if long-lasting wear is one of your perfume priorities, sadly it falls short. There were still subtle hints after three hours, but it’s another dupe that’ll need regular respraying. That said, it’s a great fragrance that’d make a lovely gift for older friends and relatives. 3/5 ALDI’S Lacura perfume offerings are on fire this year, earning rave reviews for their designer dupes. Its Burberry Goddess copycat certainly looks expensive. Its pretty pink and gold packaging and sturdy glass bottle would look classy on any dressing table. It’s slightly sweeter than the Burberry original, with notes of vanilla, ginger, cacao and lavender, but this is the only notable difference when you spritz both scents. It smells unbelievably similar, with some TikTok fragrance fans even saying they prefer Radiant Majesty to the £135-a bottle real deal. But in our “length of wear” test, Aldi’s offering unfortunately falls short, with barely a whiff remaining after just three and a half hours. In contrast, Burberry Goddess was still smelling bold at 10pm after a 9am spritz. But with a £128 price difference, it’s cheaper to top up through the day with Aldi’s dupe. 3/5 THIS Aldi fragrance boasts a gorgeous, diamond-inspired bottle, which you’d be proud to pop in your handbag. It looks expensive and just as pretty as the designer original. Scent-wise it smells very similar to Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb. I’d say Aldi’s Floral Love is a little heavier, so I had high hopes for its longevity. Sadly, the spritz on my wrist didn’t hold its fragrance weight for long and was fading fast after three hours. But with its bargain price tag, beautiful bottle and floral gorgeousness, I think we can forgive its lack of staying power . 4/5 WITH the smallest price difference between dupe and designer, let’s not do Next’s Cashmere a disservice. Its resemblance to Estee Lauder’s classic is pretty damn good. And if you like a softer, subtle fragrance that you can wear all year round, then Next’s Cashmere is the perfect perfume. It is floral, yet woody, and could be a great gift for someone who’s not a “perfume person”. And as for longevity, four hours later, it was holding on – just. Although Estee Lauder’s Sensuous was smelling strong after ten hours, weighing up the similarity of both, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra cost. 4/5 MOVING on to the slightly higher end high street perfumes, Zara’s Red Temptation is tricky to get hold of right now (more stock is arriving soon) and for good reason. It has a cult following on social media due to its remarkable similarity to Baccarat Rouge 540. Red Temptation is just as heady as its very pricey designer counterpart, with its spicy combination of saffron, bitter orange and coriander. It’s a classic scent that’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you like punchy “occasion” perfumes, this is the one for you. It’s also one of the strongest contenders when it comes to its length-of-wear. While the Baccarat Rouge 540 lasted a whole day, Red Temptation was still holding its own after five hours. And the price difference is staggering. 5/5 WE can all channel our inner Rihanna with Zara’s Wonder Rose, which smells very similar to the superstar-fronted Dior classic, albeit not as weighty. It’s a huge hit with the teens and rightly so. It’s wonderfully floral, but manages to be quite light, too – meaning we’re not venturing into headache territory. Wonder Rose combines fruitiness with flowers, coconut and vanilla. It’s lovely. And it definitely works for the festive period. With its mid-level price tag and cool packaging, it would make a great gift. Yes, we see a pattern emerging when it comes to length-of-wear, with Dior’s J’Adore lasting in excess of nine hours. But, Zara’s offering is pretty strong and I could still smell it after more than four hours. With the saving against its designer equivalent, it is pretty impressive. 4.5/5 WE can all channel our inner Rihanna with Zara’s Wonder Rose, which smells very similar to the superstar-fronted Dior classic, albeit not as weighty. It’s a huge hit with the teens and rightly so. It’s wonderfully floral, but manages to be quite light, too – meaning we’re not venturing into headache territory. Wonder Rose combines fruitiness with flowers, coconut and vanilla. It’s lovely. And it definitely works for the festive period. With its mid-level price tag and cool packaging, it would make a great gift. Yes, we see a pattern emerging when it comes to length-of-wear, with Dior’s J’Adore lasting in excess of nine hours. But, Zara’s offering is pretty strong and I could still smell it after more than four hours. With the saving against its designer equivalent, it is pretty impressive.
WesBanco, Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. Announce Shareholder Approvals of Merger AgreementScrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” 'I'm a travelin' dog and I've made a lot of stops/All over this town...' Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. '...And at every stop I own the heart, of at least one lovely...' People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. Neighbor Tammy Murray had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues van toward reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim came to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter for stealth. '...If you're ever in the 9th Ward stop and see/My cute little mini poodle...' Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something," she said. "He's doing that, too.” Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” '...and my Shar-Pei doll down in old Treme/Waits for my return...' Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.”One of the key points emphasized by experts is the need to align financial and monetary policies with market dynamics to ensure a harmonious relationship between policy actions and market reactions. By closely monitoring market trends and investor sentiments, policymakers can make informed decisions that are not only timely but also effective in achieving desired outcomes. This proactive approach can help prevent market disruptions and instill confidence among investors, leading to a more stable and sustainable economic environment.
The audience sat in stunned silence as the comedian painted a vivid picture of Lady Tiana’s twisted antics, each more horrifying than the last. From psychological manipulation to physical violence, Lady Tiana seemed to embody the very essence of fear itself, preying on those who dared to cross her path.
A United Kingdom television host has accidentally announced he was “bisexual” in an awkward on-air blunder when he meant something entirely different. Channel 5′s Jeremy Vine was interviewing etiquette expert William Hanson about politeness when the conversation very quickly derailed after he got confused during the discussion. Hanson began the interaction describing how etiquette has changed over the years, saying: “I think that etiquette has to evolve. It would be ridiculous if people like me were to try and get people to do really antiquated things”. Turning to Vine, he explained: “You are left handed. (I) noticed when you were doing your drawing.” But that’s when the host dropped a clanger and hilariously confused his words.Why Requirements Traceability Matters, and How Tools Can Help