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234xl Muscat: The highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of OQ Base Industries (OQBI) (Under Transformation) began on Sunday and will remain open for five days for retail investors and eight days for institutional investors. This Islamic Sharia compliant IPO, that marks a pivotal milestone in OQBI’s journey, offers approximately 1.7 billion shares, representing 49% of OQBI’s total issued share capital, with a projected value exceeding OMR180 million. OQ Base Industries is the fourth company from OQ Group to launch an IPO, transitioning into a publicly-listed company. This initiative is part of the group’s broader strategy to support Oman’s economic diversification, attract investment, and advance Oman Vision 2040 goals. The plan focuses on converting state-owned assets into publicly traded companies, fostering private sector participation, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing the capital market by boosting liquidity and investor appeal at both local and international levels. Engineer Ali Mohammed Al-Lawati, Chief People & Technology Officer of OQ Group and Chairman of OQBI, emphasised the offering’s importance, stating, “This IPO reflects our commitment to enhancing Oman’s economic policies and solidifying the Muscat Stock Exchange as a dynamic emerging market attractive to global investors.” He further highlighted that, with this IPO, OQ Group has completed the divestment of four companies over the past two years, transitioning them into publicly- listed companies. Al Lawati also noted that OQBI plays a vital role in enhancing Omani exports and supplying essential raw materials to global industries, adding that the IPO positions the company for future growth, aligned with OQ Group’s vision for the energy sector. Building on this, Khalid Khalfan Al-Asmi, CEO of OQBI, described the IPO as a unique opportunity. “Investors are being offered a chance to participate in a company with robust foundations and a proven track record of success,” he said. To familiarise the public with the IPO, OQBI is organising six roadshows in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ahmed Suleiman Al-Kindi, International Cooperation Expert at Muscat Clearing and Depository Company (MCDC), highlighted MCDC’s role in supporting OQ Base Industries’ IPO roadshows across various governorates. He emphasized the importance of obtaining an investor number as a prerequisite for participating in subscription and investment activities on the Muscat Stock Exchange. Al-Kindi noted that the roadshows play a key role in raising awareness about the registration process and empowering investors with the knowledge required to navigate equity investments effectively. These sessions, scheduled from Sunday, November 24, to Thursday, November 28, are designed to provide a detailed overview of the public offering. The schedule includes: Sunday: South Al Batinah Governorate at Rustaq OCCI Monday: Ash Sharqiyah North Governorate at Ibra’s OCCI, and in Muscat Governorate at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tuesday: Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate at Nizwa OCCI, Wednesday: Al Batinah North Governorate at Sohar OCCI Thursday: Dhofar Governorate at Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah. These meetings underscore OQBI’s commitment to transparency and engaging potential investors from across Oman, paving the way for an inclusive and impactful IPO process.With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is back on the chopping block. By Phil Galewitz , for KFF Health News More than 3 million adults in nine states would be at immediate risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that’s enabled states to widen eligibility, according to KFF , a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families . That’s because the states have trigger laws that would swiftly end their Medicaid expansions if federal funding falls. The states are Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. The 2010 Affordable Care Act encouraged states to expand Medicaid programs to cover more low-income Americans who didn’t get health insurance through their jobs. Forty states and the District of Columbia agreed, extending health insurance since 2014 to an estimated 21 million people and helping drive the U.S. uninsured rate to record lows. In exchange, the federal government pays 90% of the cost to cover the expanded population. That’s far higher than the federal match for other Medicaid beneficiaries, which averages about 57% nationwide. Conservative policy groups, which generally have opposed the ACA, say the program costs too much and covers too many people. Democrats say the Medicaid expansion has saved lives and helped communities by widening coverage to people who could not afford private insurance. If Congress cuts federal funding, Medicaid expansion would be at risk in all states that have opted into it—even those without trigger laws—because state legislatures would be forced to make up the difference, said Renuka Tipirneni, an associate professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Decisions to keep or roll back the expansion “would depend on the politics at the state level,” Tipirneni said. For instance, Michigan approved a trigger as part of its Medicaid expansion in 2013, when it was controlled by a Republican governor and legislature. Last year, with the government controlled by Democrats, the state eliminated its funding trigger. Six of the nine states with trigger laws—Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, and Utah—went for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. RELATED STORY: Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too Most of the nine states’ triggers kick in if federal funding falls below the 90% threshold. Arizona’s trigger would eliminate its expansion if funding falls below 80%. Montana’s law rolls back expansion below 90% funding but allows it to continue if lawmakers identify additional funding. Under state law, Montana lawmakers must reauthorize its Medicaid expansion in 2025 or the expansion will end. Across the states with triggers, between 3.1 million and 3.7 million people would swiftly lose their coverage, researchers at KFF and the Georgetown center estimate. The difference depends on how states treat people who were added to Medicaid before the ACA expansion; they may continue to qualify even if the expansion ends. Three other states—Iowa, Idaho, and New Mexico—have laws that require their governments to mitigate the financial impact of losing federal Medicaid expansion funding but would not automatically end expansions. With those three states included, about 4.3 million Medicaid expansion enrollees would be at risk of losing coverage, according to KFF. The ACA allowed Medicaid expansions to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $20,783 for an individual in 2024. Nearly a quarter of the 81 million people enrolled in Medicaid nationally are in the program due to expansions. “With a reduction in the expansion match rate, it is likely that all states would need to evaluate whether to continue expansion coverage because it would require a significant increase in state spending,” said Robin Rudowitz, vice president and director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF. “If states drop coverage, it is likely that there would be an increase in the number of uninsured, and that would limit access to care across red and blue states that have adopted expansion.” States rarely cut eligibility for social programs such as Medicaid once it’s been granted. The triggers make it politically easier for state lawmakers to end Medicaid expansion because they would not have to take any new action to cut coverage, said Edwin Park, a research professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. To see the impact of trigger laws, consider what happened after the Supreme Court in 2022 struck down Roe v. Wade and, with it, the constitutional right to an abortion. Conservative lawmakers in 13 states had crafted trigger laws that would automatically implement bans in the event a national right to abortion were struck down. Those state laws resulted in restrictions taking effect immediately after the court ruling, or shortly thereafter. States adopted triggers as part of Medicaid expansion to win over lawmakers skeptical of putting state dollars on the hook for a federal program unpopular with most Republicans. It’s unclear what Trump and congressional Republicans will do with Medicaid after he takes office in January, but one indicator could be a recent recommendation from the Paragon Health Institute, a leading conservative policy organization led by former Trump health adviser Brian Blase. Paragon has proposed that starting in 2026 the federal government would phase down the 90% federal match for expansion until 2034, when it would reach parity with each state’s federal match for its traditional enrollees. Under that plan, states could still get ACA Medicaid expansion funding but restrict coverage to enrollees with incomes up to the federal poverty level. Currently, to receive expansion funding, states must offer coverage to everyone up to 138% of the poverty level. RELATED STORY: Americans without health insurance surged with Trump—and plummeted under Biden Daniel Derksen, director of the Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona, said it’s unlikely Arizona would move to eliminate its trigger and make up for lost federal funds. “It would be a tough sell right now as it would put a big strain on the budget,” he said. Medicaid has been in the crosshairs of Republicans in Washington before. Republican congressional leaders in 2017 proposed legislation to cut federal expansion funding, a move that would have shifted billions in costs to states. That plan, part of a strategy to repeal Obamacare, ultimately failed. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF . Subscribe to KFF Health News' free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Paul Dickenson dead at 74: BBC commentator who covered Jessica Ennis-Hill’s iconic gold at London 2012 dies

Winners awarded in ISR sport competitions, para-sports events of 5th National Sports FestivalMarkey, local lawmakers and union leaders call out USPS for poor service to Boston

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was suspended for next year's Arizona Complex League season on Wednesday following a positive test for boldenone and nandrolone under baseball's minor league drug program. The 21-year-old Hernandez hit .302 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 26 games this year for the ACL Dodgers. The Venezuelan agreed to a contract with the Dodgers in 2019 that included a $10,000 signing bonus. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The National President of Moro’a (Asholio) Development Association in Kaduna state Northwest Nigeria, Dr. Joshua Laah, said his people have stemmed the tide of insecurity in the communities by living peacefully with other ethnic nationalities. Dr Laar stated this Saturday when the Asholio people marked their second edition of their cultural day and 2024 thanksgiving in Abuja. He also said Asholio people had witnessed peace for encouraging their citizens, especially, the young ones to imbibe moral values and regard people of other ethnic stock as friends instead of seeing them as enemies. “What we are doing as an association is to encourage mediation, is to encourage people to live together, to be patient. Whatever we have, come from God. You know, the issue of craving for wealth, especially, among the young ones. “But if we can imbibe moral values, culture and live peaceful with everybody, you discover that instead of looking at somebody as an enemy, you look at him as a friend. You discover that through that process, he will give you peace and that is one of the strategies we have adopted, especially, with the Fulanis living in our midst. “And through them we get those that are really bad because in every tribe, we have people that are bad. So we try as much as possible to ensure people volunteer information about bad people and when we get such people, we hand over to the security agencies for proper action”, Dr Laah said. He urged them to invest in human capital development and also commended the people of Asholio nation to be resilient. The Chairman of the Asholio Moro’a Development Association, Mr. Kaboshio Dauda, Abuja Branch, urged the people to come together, and appreciate the need to foster unity among one another. Mr. Dauda said, “we are not merely marking a cultural tradition—we are also recognizing the significance of what it means to be part of something greater than ourselves—a community united by shared values and a common purpose.” He also said that the event “holds a deeper meaning, as we celebrate not just the beauty of our culture but the strength and resilience of our people.” He noted that “As we reflect on the value of unity, we see that it is more than just a word—it is the foundation upon which we build everything else.” He reiterated that “Unity brings us together in times of joy and sorrow, in moments of triumph and in times of challenge. It is through our culture and our unity that we find our identity and strength.” The Chairman of the Occasion Mr. Thaddeus Ibrahim said the Asholio are great and resilient people across the globe. He noted that the indigenous people of Kaduna state “are diligent in everything” they “are do.” Other speakers also admonished the Asholio people and the entire indigenous people of Kaduna state to continue to be good ambassadors wherever they are no matter the challenges. This occasion was marked to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural values of the people which serve as a vital reminder of their unity, peace, and progress that it fosters.OK, let’s talk about those dronesSolana blockchain's popular web3.js npm package backdoored to steal keys, funds

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NoneU.S. Energy Development Corporation (USEDC), an exploration and production company focused on the development of energy projects throughout North America, provides its outlook on the oil and gas markets in the wake of Donald Trump’s successful presidential bid and the Republican party securing control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. • Deal Flow: Evaluated over 800 oil and gas opportunities, with strong deal flow continuing into Q4. • Capital Deployment: On track to deploy 100% of the projected $750 million announced earlier this year. • Focus Areas: Continued investments in the Permian Basin, recognized as one of the premier regions for predictable productivity and returns. • Improved Efficiencies: U.S. Energy continues to see wells decrease in cost per lateral foot while maintaining productivity, driving margin expansion. Matthew Iak, USEDC Executive Vice President, provides the following insights: Despite the geopolitical uncertainty in the U.S. and the rest of the world in 2024, the energy markets have remained relatively stable, and deal flow has been strong. It is almost paradoxical that during a tumultuous year, globally and domestically, the energy market’s remarkable achievement has been its truly unremarkable stability. For USEDC, we continued to see a steady, attractive deal flow, many at advantageous price levels for companies with a solid capital structure and robust infrastructure. We anticipate that our teams will evaluate 800-plus deals of all sizes in 2024 and expect to deploy 100% of the projected $750 million announced earlier this year. We continue to actively pursue and invest in deals within the Permian Basin, recognizing it as one of the best areas for predictable productivity and returns. In our recent Oil & Gas Market Update, “‘Drill Baby Drill’: Breaking Down the GOP’s Plan for Oil & Gas Dominance,” we highlighted how the post-election political landscape stands to open significant doors for oil and gas companies. With that said, questions around the current rule-making and regulatory environment remain to be answered, and we will be watching potential changes in this space closely. Proposed Department of Labor regulations could pose challenges across various sectors, while potential tax changes, like the elimination of certain tax treatments by the IRS, such as the 1031 deduction, promise a chilling effect on the oil and gas and real estate markets. This administration could drive positive change in the energy sector if it is able to foster more peace in the Middle East, maintain a strong dollar which makes oil more affordable in the U.S. and increases revenue from international buyers, maintain competitive corporate tax rates and policies, and unlock federal oil leases to boost production. A certainty in the U.S. economy for the past several years was the explosion of energy demand for data centers in almost every major market in the U.S. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and the seemingly exponential increase in electricity demand driven by these technologies has completely changed the conversation around domestic natural gas production. For the U.S. to continue to be the world’s leader in AI, data centers, and digital currency production, we also must be the world’s leader in affordable energy and energy infrastructure. Other energy sources, such as nuclear, present compelling options for meeting these demands sustainably and reliably over the long term. However, in the near term, natural gas stands out as a highly viable fuel source due to its extensive reserves – estimated to last for centuries under current consumption rates – and strong pipeline infrastructure. In the upcoming term of the new administration and beyond, it is going to be critical that our government and industry be pro energy in all forms. Conversations in Washington, D.C., Austin and other state capitals should take a long-term view and embrace all energy sources, fossil, nuclear and renewable. Signaling a long-term commitment to a pro-energy economy could make energy companies open to larger, longer-term investments in generation, pipelines and infrastructure that keep us ahead of our international competitors. For now, industries seem to be returning to long-term plans knowing they have at least four years with a pro-energy, pro-business administration. USEDC looks forward to making the most of this opportunity on behalf of the company and our partners. Source: U.S. Energy Development Corporation

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Wolf Hall restores dignity to Anne of Cleves by flipping the script on Henry VIII in vital way

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. Takeaways South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. Key moment The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. Key stats The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. Up next South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballX Makes its Grok AI Chatbot Available to All Users