CHICAGO — Scotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching his Hall of Fame father at the United Center. He added one of his own Saturday night. Pippen, son of former Bulls great Scottie, scored a career-best 30 points, added 10 assists and shot 13 of 16 to lead the Memphis Grizzlies past the Bulls, 142-131. “It’s a dream come true. It’s crazy to say I put up 30 and 10 in the gym where my dad had played,” he said after scoring 26 points in the first three quarters to help Memphis win its second straight. “It means everything to me and my family. I talked to my dad tonight about coming in here and playing. He just told me to go out there and kill it, so that’s what I tried to do.” The elder Pippen wasn’t in the building Saturday night but was in Memphis on Nov. 8 when his son finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. It made the father and son the only such duo to each record triple-doubles. Two-time All-Star Ja Morant’s absence with a hip injury – he missed his eighth straight game – has certainly helped Pippen find his niche during his second season in the NBA. On Saturday, he was effective from the perimeter, in transition and finding space in the paint. “Scotty Pippen was phenomenal tonight,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. Memphis Grizzlies' Scotty Pippen Jr. posts up on Chicago Bulls' Jalen Smith as Coby White handles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast The younger Pippen started the night averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 assists in the team’s first 17 games.Manchester City's crisis continued with a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Pep Guardiola's old club Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund to clinch a spot in the knockout stage of Europe's elite club competition. Arsenal, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Lille, Feyenoord and Stuttgart were also victorious, but City's latest loss in a miserable run will dominate the headlines. The 2023 European champions succumbed in Turin as Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus ahead early in the second half when goalkeeper Ederson was unable to keep out his header. Ilkay Gundogan was denied an equaliser by a fine Michele Di Gregorio save, before Weston McKennie made it 2-0 with a fine acrobatic finish in the 75th minute. The result leaves Juventus on 11 points with two games left, a tally that is expected to be enough to guarantee them at least a place in the knockout phase play-offs. City, meanwhile, have now won just once in 10 in all competitions, with seven defeats in that time. With just eight points, they currently sit 22nd in the standings, in which the top 24 advance to the knockouts. Their next game will be crucial, as they travel to a Paris Saint-Germain side who sit a point beneath Guardiola's men. "We have to get points, we'll go to Paris to try and do that and the same goes for the final match at home (to Club Brugge)," Guardiola told Amazon Prime in Italy. Barcelona are second in the standings with 15 points, behind only Liverpool, after beating Dortmund 3-2 in a thriller in Germany, with Ferran Torres their hero. Raphinha fired Barca ahead with his 17th goal of the season, early in a remarkable second half. Serhou Guirassy equalised with a penalty on the hour mark, but substitute Torres put Barca back in front on 75 minutes, converting the loose ball after Fermin Lopez's shot was saved. Guirassy scored again for a quick equaliser, only for Torres to strike once more and win the game for Barca with five minutes left. Barcelona's tally leaves them, like Liverpool, ideally placed to finish in the top eight, which means direct progress to the last 16 without having to go through the play-offs. Arsenal are third in the standings on 13 points after easing to a 3-0 win over Monaco in London. Bukayo Saka scored twice, putting the Gunners ahead in the first half and making it 2-0 on 78 minutes as the hosts pounced on disastrous Monaco defending. Saka then turned provider for the late third, with substitute Kai Havertz credited with the final touch. Mikel Arteta's team are one of six sides on 13 points, with Lille also on that tally after edging Sturm Graz 3-2 in France thanks to a fine late winner from Hakon Haraldsson. Lille were 2-0 up through Osame Sahraoui and Mitchel Bakker, only for goals by Otar Kiteishvili and Mika Biereth to bring the Austrian champions back level. However, Icelandic midfielder Haraldsson secured Lille's fourth win of the campaign. Atletico eased to a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, with Antoine Griezmann scoring twice after Julian Alvarez had opened the scoring with an excellent strike. David Strelec pulled one back for the Slovaks, who are one of three teams already eliminated having lost six games out of six. The others are RB Leipzig and Young Boys. Milan defeated Red Star Belgrade 2-1 at San Siro with Tammy Abraham grabbing the winner three minutes from time. Rafael Leao had put Milan ahead only for Nemanja Radonjic to equalise for the Serbian side, who have lost five of their six games and are surely heading out. Benfica edged closer to a play-off spot with a 0-0 draw at home to Bologna of Italy, who have scored just one goal in six games and will go no further. Feyenoord stayed on course to go through after beating Sparta Prague 4-2 in Rotterdam, with Gernot Trauner, Igor Paixao, Anis Hadj Moussa and Santiago Gimenez netting their goals. Stuttgart kept alive their hopes of progress by coming from behind to beat Young Boys 5-1. Lukasz Lakomy put Young Boys ahead but Angelo Stiller levelled before Enzo Millot, Chris Fuehrich, Josha Vagnoman and Yannik Keitel all scored in the second half. The next round of Champions League games is scheduled for January 21 and 22, with the league phase concluding the following week. as/jc
Canada ordered to address Jordan's Principle backlog, find new solutionsDeclan Gallagher revealed Dundee United were not for dwelling on their encouraging goalless draw against Celtic as they turned attention immediately to St Johnstone on Boxing Day. Jim Goodwin’s side kept the Scottish Premiership leaders at bay at Tannadice on Sunday with a well-organised performance, becoming only the second side to take points off the league leaders this season. Gallagher played his part at the heart of the Terrors’ defence but admitted the focus soon moved to McDiarmid Park on Thursday. He said: “The protein bars were brought out in the changing room. That’s the first time I’ve seen them this season. So we are definitely concentrating on the St Johnstone game. “The recovery starts now and it’s a good group of boys in there. They know now that they have to go home, rest and recover. Read more: Aberdeen FC's vision for a 'community' stadium faces political hurdles Dundee aim for competitive edge with Monterrey collaboration “We are in a good place for the games coming up, absolutely. If you looked at this game most people would say it’s a free hit and they were coming here to run over the top of us. “But the fact that we started well and took a point is excellent for us. “Now we just need to look forward and try and pick up as many points as we can in this tough period. “At the end of the day it’s still a draw. I know it’s against Celtic but it’s still a draw and only a point. “We just want to kick on and try and get another three points against St Johnstone. So it all has to be fully focused on that. It was a great result and we know that. But we don’t get too carried away with it. “After last weekend (4-3 defeat by Motherwell), it was basically about getting back to basics. But it’s hard to get back to basics when you’re playing a team with such movement. “You need to be mentally on your game and physically on your game. But the boys were excellent. It was good to get another clean sheet and to get it against a team that have scored against everybody this season was pleasing.”
MOLLY-MAE Hague has shared a brand new update about her fashion brand Maebe. The social media star faced major backlash recently after fans were left disappointed at failing to get their hands on the pieces amid with Molly herself admitting stock issues were "frustrating". 3 Molly-Mae Hague has shared a brand new Maebe update Credit: Instagram 3 The star is launching three brand new T-shirts after facing backlash over stock Credit: Instagram It caused her to tell her fans that she would be working hard to improve the brand's stock levels in the New Year but it appears as though the mum-of-one has managed to sort it earlier. In a new update on the Maebe Instagram account, it was revealed that the brand had THREE brand new T-shirts available for sale. The Power Tee comes in three different colours - Black, White and Wine , a deep red colour. The T-shirts are already available to purchase with Molly's fans likely desperate to get their hands on the garments amid the recent issues. Read More on Molly-Mae Family Time Molly-Mae reveals how she co-parented Bambi with Tommy Fury over Christmas all change Molly-Mae reveals she’s having Botox again - two years after ‘make-under’ The Love Island alum, 25, launched Maebe - her quality range of staples including boxy jackets, adjustable-waist jeans and short-sleeve knit tops - earlier this year. Huge fan demand saw the garments sell-out completely in 24 minutes - while others took aim at the price point and quality. Molly recently took to her Instagram comments section as fans talked of their struggles to get their hands on the garments , which combine comfort with style. One potential buyer put: "I've never been interested quite frankly. Most read in Celebrity baby joy Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan announce she's pregnant with first baby NEIL BY MOUTH Moment Rangers hero says he needs RESCUED on live TV during Motherwell clash GER OUT Moment raging Rangers fans BOO their own players and say 'go away' at Motherwell WELL 2 GERS 2 Shambolic display leaves Clement on brink as horror Christmas week continues "It's very over-priced for what it is, but I genuinely just liked the set! "It's a rubbish experience, it's just a game of whoever can type the fastest or who has their details saved, most shops allow you a bit of time to check out." Molly Mae says Bambi cried for two days straight and ‘hated’ lapland UK The YouTube star - who already owns fake tan brand Filter - then directly commented underneath. In a candid reply she wrote: "I couldn't agree with you more on the stock front, it's really frustrating. "Unfortunately I just didn't back myself enough when we planned these quantities a very long time ago. "I promise you this is something I am in total agreement with you on and it's something that in the New Year we will improve upon now that we have an understanding of the demand. "I'm really sorry you feel let down - I'm learning as I go and will make this a better buying experience for you as soon as we can." A Molly-Mae fan's opinion on the Maebe range, and its prices EVER since Molly-Mae Hague, 25, walked into the Love Island villa back in 2019, I’ve always been a mega fan. After hearing the news that she was coming out with a fashion brand, of course I was excited. But as much as I hate to admit it, I’m disappointed. I understand that she’s launched Maebe as a more high class brand. I know it’s not going to be Shein quality. But with prices varying from £35 to £140, I’m definitely not impressed. Maebe’s “ultimate blazer” is priced at an eye-watering £140, whilst a very simple, plain white tee is a whopping £35. Not only this, but the “contour popper top” is £50, and a seemingly boring white shirt will set you back a whopping £65. And if that wasn’t bad enough, £90 for a pair of jeans? I understand paying £50 for a pair of good quality denims, but £90?! That’s incredibly steep considering you can get Levi’s, a well-established brand that’s been going for donkey years, for just a tenner more. So, will I be buying anything from Maebe? The only thing I can say to that is Maebe (definitely) not. by Abigail Wilson, Senior Digital Writer 3 She launched the brand earlier this year Credit: instagram/maebeBy Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to Kuwait on the invitation of the Emir. It was a historic event inasmuch as the Indian Prime Minister was visiting the country after a long gap of 43 years; Indira Gandhi was in Kuwait in 1981. Second, during this visit, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a strategic partnership. Third, the Indian Prime Minister was conferred with the highest honour of Kuwait, ‘The Order of Mubarak AL-Kabeer’. A visit by the Head of State to a country indicates the importance attached to the host country by the visiting Head. The visit by Modi was significant as it came after 43 years by his predecessor. And it’s like the Prime Minister visiting Poland after a gap of 45 years that showed the priority India attaches to Poland. The strategic heft of Warsaw grew considerably after it joined the European Union and NATO. Poland was under the ‘Soviet/Russian sphere of influence’ and it borders Ukraine and Russia. Now it assumes the Presidency of the European Union, which, of course, is a rotating position. Likewise, Kuwait holds the Chair of six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). India is negotiating an FTA Agreement with GCC. Modi impressed upon the Emir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait for moving towards an early conclusion of an FTA with GCC. Notably, GCC countries hold 1/6th of India’s total trade, one third of India’s Diaspora, about 9 million Indians. A close cooperation with GCC is essential for India’s growth. Among GCC countries, Kuwait has been friendly with India, barring a downturn in ties during the Gulf War, to be more precise, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. More on that, a bit later. Kuwait remains important to India. It has 6.5 per cent of world oil reserve, sixth largest crude oil and LPG supplier to India, meeting 3.5 per cent of India’s energy needs. Indians constitute 21 per cent of Kuwait’s population and 30 per cent of its work force. Indians are the largest expat group in Kuwait. While meeting with the Indian Diaspora in Kuwait, Modi lauded their contribution in talent, technology and traditions to the growth and development of Kuwait. He called them a ‘mini Hindustan’. In addition to one-to-one meeting with the Emir and at a delegation level with the Kuwait Prime Minister, he attended the inauguration of the Arabian Gulf Club football tournament. This was part of a cultural diplomacy allowing time for informal exchange of pleasantries between Heads of States. It is a popular tournament among eight countries, Kuwait having won the trophy more than any other teams. People-to-people exchange and cultural diplomacy enrich bilateral relations. Also, an MoU was signed for 2025-28 to promote cooperation in sports between the two countries. The strategic partnership, signed during the visit, aims at enhancing bilateral relations in all possible and potential sectors. This includes defence, wherein it would translate into joint military exercises, training of defence personnel, coastal defence, maritime safety, and joined development and production of defence equipment. It will also include counter terrorism operations, sharing of intelligence and information, anti-money laundering and drug-trafficking. The cooperation will deepen in pharmaceuticals, IT, Fin-tech, infrastructure, solar energy, health, digital, innovation, and textiles etc. It was decided to gradually move the focus from fossil fuel to trading in renewable energy, wherein it will be easier to step up cooperation as Kuwait is a member of the International Solar Alliance. Prime Minister Modi appreciably noted that ‘Made in India’ products were finding their way into Kuwait including automobiles, electrics, mechanical and telecom etc. He suggested that the petrochemical sector could be another big trade bridge between both countries as it is likely to grow up to 300b USD by 2025. The leadership of both countries agreed to promote business delegations from both countries and greater institutional linkages. Kuwait could explore more opportunities for investment in India. At the same time, Modi stressed that India has the technology and skills to contribute to making of a New Kuwait. On international politics, both leadership discussed Gaza and Ukraine. Modi reiterated his commitment to finding a negotiated solution to the war. On Gaza, he reaffirmed India’s commitment two-state solution by recourse to dialogue and diplomacy. He said ‘No’ to terrorist action that provokes retaliation causing deaths and destruction. It is necessary to recall that relations between India and Kuwait go back to millennia, as evidenced by discovery of the artifacts of pottery and jewellery from the Kuwait Island of Failaka. Before the oil was found in Kuwait, trade between India and Kuwait consisted of dates and pedigreed horses. After trading on horses stopped at the end of the Second World War, Pearls and teak wood were the items traded. As Kuwait got independence in 1961, India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic contacts. In 1962, Kuwait supported India in its war with China. Ever since, the relations between both countries remained friendly. Kuwaitis concentrated in Bombay for their trade and commerce. Emir of Kuwait even had a house in Marine Drive in Mumbai. The bilateral relations plummeted by India’s pro-Iraq stance during Gulf War. New Delhi refused to condemn Iraq for invading and annexing Kuwait. India was the first country to shift her embassy from Kuwait to Basra, Iraq. It was surly bad diplomacy by New Delhi. It has often fumbled in condemning the aggression in balancing the principle of international law and national interest. It faltered in condemning Soviet occupation of Hungary in 1956, Afghanistan in 1979, Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait in 1990 and Ukraine in 2022. New Delhi gets away with such diplomatic faux pas as it has not attacked any country, nor has it incurred into territories of other countries. Talking of Kuwait, New Delhi almost repeated the mistake in Afghanistan. One statement, made during the Gulf War, indicates its confusion, “We regret that it had not been possible for Iraq and Kuwait to resolve their differences, we hope for Iraqi withdrawals (instead of calling for them)”. And in the same sentence, noted Iraqi statements in this connection. There was not a word of disapproval of Iraqi action. It is perhaps India’s policy of non-alignment in the past and strategic autonomy now that makes India tentative and vulnerable and thus New Delhi does not want to provoke enmity with anyone, even if it is an invader. The demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992 had thrown another spanner into the fragile relationship. However, that is history. Prime Minister Modi’s visit and Kuwait’s highest honour to him have put those two bad patches into the dustbin of history. Let it be said and realised that India, in quest for a world role and a big power status, should stand up for international law in keeping with her tradition for peace, non-violence, and non-aggression, unless it endorses a Darwinian world and lives by the logic of survival. —INFA
The cancellation of the unpopular deals with Indian multi-billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies has yet again exposed legislators' dereliction of duty for failing to oversight the government in executing mega deals. The parliamentarians, who are expected to be stewards and watchdogs for public resources, have recently come out as puppets and President William Ruto’s cheerleaders. They failed to reject the impugned Finance Bill 2024, and with the Adani deal’s cancellation, they have failed the second time. It’s instructive to note that when the President announced his decision to cancel the proposed deal owing to the “new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations” the same MPs and senators who had been cheering the multibillion shillings as Kenyans protested, gave him a standing ovation yet they never expressed any dissatisfaction with them. Now, a section of legislators who are President Ruto’s critics contend that Parliament lost its mandate and, as a result, MPs have lost favour with the electorate. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba says Parliament has been operating as an extension of the State and that the President has been using the MPs as a litmus paper for his intended projects so that when the public opposes his intention, he drops it to be seen as a listening and caring president at the detriment of the MPs. “He directed MPs to approve the Finance Bill 2024 and when the members of the public rejected the same, he conceded and refused to assent it into law. Ironically, the very same MPs who had defied public anger to pass the Bill, flanked the President while making his announcement and clapped for him. The President has indeed thrown the MPs under the bus for many times,” Wamuchomba said. The MP claims that as a result of the tight corner that the MPs had been pushed to by the President, the majority of them cannot visit their constituents freely as they have been labelled traitors for being loyal to the President instead of their bosses; the electorate. Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo believes that the legislators had forfeited their mandate to the Executive. He says Parliament has been captured by the Executive and Kenyans are on their own. Free country “The lawmakers are no longer free to carry out their duties without external influence. Their brains have been permanently deleted and replaced by only one person. We don’t have a parliament. What we have is just a majority group which unfortunately got a boost after the ODM MPs joined them,” Maanzo said. The senator says although Kenyans were under siege, they were not under capture like the MPs and they have the power to free Parliament in the 2027 general elections. “Kenyans are the only ones who have the ability to free the country by voting out MPs who have connived with the Executive to implement oppressive policies that are not pro-people,” he said. ALSO READ: Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani charged in US over massive bribery scheme Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, while accusing his colleagues in the National Assembly of ceding their power to State House over the division of revenue stalemate, called for the dissolution of Parliament. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter “There are things that are simply unacceptable to a person who understands the Constitution and believes in the purity of the doctrine of separation of powers. It cannot be possible that Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is the one telling MPs that the only money he can give county governments is Sh380 billion. Then what is the role of Parliament? We should dissolve Parliament, let Mbadi make all the decisions on the monies to be disbursed,” Sifuna said. He observed that MPs were subjecting themselves to an institution they are supposed to oversee, maintaining that the Budget is not prepared by the Executive, since the Executive is not a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly. “I want to challenge MPs because it can’t be that whenever the President says something is bad, we also say it is bad and when he says it is good, we all agree it is good. It makes us look very bad as though we don’t have a voice on our own,” Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia notes. However, government leaders welcomed the President’s decision noting that they support the President’s vision for the country. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who has been among the biggest defenders of the proposals praised President Ruto’s speech calling it a very powerful statement that addressed pressing concerns. He particularly lauded the President’s announcement cancelling the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the energy sector deals linked to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. “The President was very blunt and direct in the statement he made. It is a major sigh of relief to Kenyans and has set a new bar for those seeking partnerships with us. Any partners must come with clean hands and integrity,” Mudavadi said. “We supported the President but many Kenyans did not support Adani. So, we were in a bit of a problem. But now, the President has listened to Kenyans and cancelled the deals,” Matungu MP Oscar Nabulindo said. While a majority of MPs have been silent on the Adani deals while others have been supporting it, the Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy, chaired by David Pkosing (Pokot West), on September 25, directed the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to suspend all further engagements with Adani group until a special audit of the tender award process is conducted. “It is the advice of the committee that you don’t do anything with Adani until this committee reports this matter to Parliament,” Pkosing directed.49ers look to maintain "urgency" when they host Rams in Thursday night matchup
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Themus Fulks' 26 points helped Milwaukee defeat IU Indianapolis 88-81 on Sunday. Fulks also contributed five rebounds and five assists for the Panthers (10-4, 3-0 Horizon League). Kentrell Pullian scored 20 points while going 5 of 9 from the floor, including 4 for 7 from 3-point range, and 6 for 8 from the line. Erik Pratt shot 5 for 9, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. Sean Craig led the way for the Jaguars (5-10, 1-3) with 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Paul Zilinskas added 21 points and three steals for IU Indianapolis. Jarvis Walker finished with 12 points and four assists. Milwaukee's next game is Thursday against Oakland on the road. IU Indianapolis hosts Youngstown State on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Pune: Western Maharashtra witnessed major political upsets as Congress stalwarts Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat faced defeat in their strongholds, falling to candidates who strategically capitalised on local rivalries and shifting voter dynamics. In Sangamner, Congress heavyweight and eight-time MLA Thorat was unseated by Shiv Sena’s Amol Khatal, who made his electoral debut. Khatal, a former RTI activist, defeated Thorat by a margin of over 10,500 votes. The victory was backed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and his son Sujay, long-time rivals of Thorat in local politics. Khatal attributed his success to grassroots support. “This is a victory for the Mahayuti workers and the common citizens who stood up against a big leader,” he said. Sujay Vikhe Patil accused Thorat of “gundagardi” (strong-arm politics), adding, “The people saw through it and voted him out.” In Karad South, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan suffered a stunning defeat to BJP’s Atul Bhosale, ending a decades-long Congress dominance in the constituency. Chavan, seeking a third term, was unable to withstand BJP’s growing influence in the region. Bhosale, who has strong ties to local cooperatives through his control of two sugar factories, leveraged the BJP’s developmental narrative and criticised Chavan for “failing to deliver”. He also benefited from a decade of sustained support from BJP’s leadership, particularly Devendra Fadnavis, and the financial and social influence of his political family. “I thank the people of Karad South, the party workers, and Fadnavis for trusting me,” Bhosale said after his victory. Chavan, despite attempts to rally Maratha support, including his outreach to pro-quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, could not overcome the BJP’s consolidation of voters. Lack of cooperation from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) workers, stemming from strained ties with the party’s leadership, further weakened his campaign. In another surprising result, Babasaheb Deshmukh of the Shetkari Kamgar Party defeated Shiv Sena’s Shambhuraje Patil in Sangola. Patil, famous for his dialogue “Kay Zadi, Kay Dongar” (what beautiful trees, what beautiful hills) during Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, could not retain his seat. Deshmukh, grandson of veteran leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh, capitalised on strong rural voter base and discontent with Patil’s performance. The results underscore a significant shift in western Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the Mahayuti alliance capitalising on local issues, strategic alliances, and the erosion of Congress’s traditional strongholds.Southwest Airlines Co. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market
Images points to Assad regime's involvement in large-scale trafficking of illicit drugsThe Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), Abdel- Razak Yakubu, has implored graduates of the foundation’s Community Apprenticeship Training Programme (CATP) to fully utilise their tools and skills for the socio-economic development of their communities. “Last year, we seized two sewing machines and knitting machines from beneficiaries who, after eight months, had not used them and could not provide any tangible reason. Our plan is to give such tools to others who are willing to use them,” he revealed. Speaking at the graduation ceremony for 33 trainees at Bompieso in the Prestea -Huni Valley municipality of the Western Region, on Friday, Mr Yakubu encouraged students to approach their career paths with seriousness, change their attitude, and make the most of opportunities at their disposal. He stressed the value of acquiring practical skills and what the training they have gained could play in fostering their long-term career development. The GFGF Executive Secretary recounted instances where past beneficiaries failed to put their equipment to use, leading to the foundation reclaiming the tools for redistribution. Mr Yakubu emphasised the importance of the programme, saying, “We have invested several hundreds of thousands of cedis in startup tools for these graduates to open their own small businesses.” CATP, he explained, was a community-oriented initiative designed to provide skills training and employment opportunities to basic school leavers, who were unable to pursue secondary education in communities where Gold Fields operated. CATP, a GFGF collaboration with the Garages Association, supported by the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), trained 48 participants, with 33 successfully completing the two-year programme. “This initiative is designed to empower them and reduce unemployment in our communities,” he told the graduands. So far, Mr Yakubu said, GFGF had spent approximately US$3.6 million on training programmes such as the Graduate Training Programme, Host Community Apprenticeship Training Programme, Mine Apprenticeship Training, Heavy-Duty Equipment Programme, and Precision Welding Training Programme. The programme, he stated, was part of Gold Fields’ broader commitment to community development, corporate social responsibility, improve the livelihoods of host communities and foster a positive relationship between the company and the communities. The foundation also partnered with the Business Advisory Unit of the Municipal Assembly to provide entrepreneurship training, book-keeping, and guidance on accessing loans. The Obaahema of Bompieso, Abena Kunantwiwa, commended GFGF for their efforts, but, however, appealed for an extension of the two -year duration of training to four years, to help the trainees to fully grasp the skills. The Queenmother of Wassa Subri, Nana Ama Sarquah I,who chaired the ceremony, also harped on the critical importance of instilling a positive attitude in trainees, urging graduands to approach the job market with determination, confidence, and a commitment to excellence. The Western and Western North Regional Coordinator of TVET, Madam Ivy Yeboah, underscored the significance of technical and vocational education in combating poverty and unemployment. FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, BOMPIESONEW ORLEANS (AP) — Aidan O'Connell passed for two touchdowns, tight end Brock Bowers broke two rookie NFL records , and the Las Vegas Raiders won for just the fourth time this season, 25-10 over the struggling New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Bowers' seven catches for 77 yards gave him 108 receptions for 1,144 yards this season, eclipsing Mike Ditka's 1961 rookie tight end mark of 1,067 yards receiving and Puka Nacua's 2023 mark of 105 catches by a rookie at any position. Bowers also surpassed Darren Waller's franchise mark of 107 receptions in a season, which had stood since 2020. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 115 yards for the Raiders (4-12) — the journeyman running back's first 100-yard game in his 10 NFL seasons. O'Connell finished with 242 yards passing, including a 3-yard TD pass to Jakobi Meyers and an 18-yarder to Tre Tucker. Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals — his longest from 54 yards — for the Raiders, who didn't look fazed by flight delays on Saturday that got them into their hotel after midnight, less than 12 hours before kickoff. With former Raiders QB Derek Carr unable to suit up for the Saints (5-11) because of his injured left, non-throwing hand, rookie Spencer Rattler received his fifth career start. He remained winless as a starter after completing 20 of 36 passes for 218 yards and one TD with two interceptions. Rattler also rushed for 46 yards to finish as New Orleans' leading rusher for a second straight week. The Saints used trickery to take an early 7-3 lead . Running back Kendre Miller took what looked like a toss sweep to the right before throwing a lateral back to his left, where Rattler caught it and threw 30 yards downfield to wide-open tight end Foster Moreau in the end zone. Las Vegas moved in front for good on O'Connell's short scoring pass to Meyers with a minute left in the second quarter. Saints: Miller left the game with concussion symptoms in the second quarter. LB Jaylan Ford appeared to suffer a serious lower right leg injury on punt coverage in the fourth quarter. DE Payton Turner left with an ankle injury. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling was treated on the field late in the game — but walked off on his own — after a hard collision over the middle. Raiders: Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Saints: Visit Tampa Bay on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflChandigarh, Dec 30 (IANS): Farmers have announced a 'Punjab Bandh' on Monday leading to the expected closure of all shops across the state and disruptions in road and rail services. However, emergency services will continue to operate. There will also be no supply of milk, fruits, and vegetables until the protest ends on Monday evening as several trade organisations lent their support to the bandh. "Farmer union leaders will enforce a chakka jam on roads and rail lines from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Government and private institutions are requested to stay closed. Only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, marriage vehicles, or anyone in a dire emergency, will be allowed to pass," reports quoted a senior farm leader as saying. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Sarwan Singh Pandher -- who happens to be the coordinator of both forums -- said traders, transporters, employees unions, toll plaza workers, labour, ex-servicemen, Sarpanches and teachers' unions, social and other bodies, and some other sections have lent their support to the bandh. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. With Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike entering its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri said they have been following the Gandhian way to continue their protest and it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to use force to evict their senior leader. He further said the farmers wanted to make it clear that whatever situation arises the responsibility will lie with the Centre and the constitutional bodies. Rail movement and road traffic will remain closed on Monday. In support of the farmers' Bandh call, bus services in Punjab will remain suspended on Monday. While the PRTC bus services will be shut for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the private bus operators have announced their full support, thus declaring the suspension of services across the state from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday. Besides a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands. This bandh, the farmer leader said, will force the Centre to accept the demands of farmers. He slammed the Union government for failing to accept the demands of farmers. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after security forces stopped their march to Delhi. A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8, and again on December 14. Security personnel in Haryana prevented them from proceeding. There will be a complete bandh on December 30, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said. However, emergency services will remain operational. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the call for a 'Punjab bandh' on December 30 is getting good support from various sections. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. To ensure the success of the bandh, SKM (Non-political) and KMM convened a meeting of transporters, employees, traders and others at the Khanauri protest site last Thursday.
Trending News Today Live Updates on December 24, 2024 : Chicago Pizzeria delights dogs with walk-up 'Treat window' decorated for ChristmasNEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global insurtech market size is estimated to grow by USD 77.41 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 42.35% during the forecast period. Increasing need to improve business efficiency is driving market growth, with a trend towards investors collaborating with insurtech firms. However, high cost of investment poses a challenge. Key market players include Acko Technology and Services Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Charles Taylor Ltd., Cuvva Ltd., Cytora Ltd., DeadHappy Ltd., Flock Ltd., Friendsurance, Kin Insurance Technology Hub LLC, KYND Ltd., Laka Ltd., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milvik AB, Nimbla Ltd., Quantemplate Technologies Inc., simplesurance GmbH, Slice Insurance Technologies Inc., Uinsure Ltd., Urban Jungle Services Ltd., Wrisk Ltd., ExtraCover Ltd., and F2X Group Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF InsurTech Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 42.35% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 77.41 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 40.22 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 51% Key countries US, China, India, UK, and France Key companies profiled Acko Technology and Services Pvt. Ltd., Allianz SE, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Charles Taylor Ltd., Cuvva Ltd., Cytora Ltd., DeadHappy Ltd., Flock Ltd., Friendsurance, Kin Insurance Technology Hub LLC, KYND Ltd., Laka Ltd., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milvik AB, Nimbla Ltd., Quantemplate Technologies Inc., simplesurance GmbH, Slice Insurance Technologies Inc., Uinsure Ltd., Urban Jungle Services Ltd., Wrisk Ltd., ExtraCover Ltd., and F2X Group Ltd. Market Driver InsurTech, the fusion of Insurance and Technology, is creating waves in the industry. This innovation is revolutionizing the creation, distribution, and administration of insurance products. From social insurance to life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance, InsurTech is transforming business lines and product lines. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are driving personalized solutions for niche customers. Real-time tracking and monitoring information enable better risk monitoring and decision making. Customer data is the new currency, with predictions based on purchase quantity and consumer needs. Cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, and digital solutions are the new norm. InsurTech is transforming insurance planning with big data, chatbots, and on-premise solutions. Insurance carriers are embracing digital transformation, leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. The future of InsurTech lies in continuous innovation and meeting evolving customer needs. Investors are showing heightened enthusiasm towards partnering with InsurTech firms, as evidenced by the recent conference where 1,500 investors, entrepreneurs, and insurance executives convened. The primary objective of the event was to explore how technology is revolutionizing the insurance sector. Technological advancements have significantly impacted the insurance value chain, streamlining costing processes, enhancing consumer experience, increasing transparency, reducing fraud through data analysis, and simplifying claims for customers. InsurTech companies are prioritizing the growing consumer demand for tailored insurance products and personalized services. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The InsurTech market is revolutionizing the insurance industry by creating and distributing innovative insurance products using technology. Challenges in insurance creation and administration are being addressed through the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Social insurance and customer data analysis help insurers make accurate predictions and personalized decisions for insurance planning. Real-time tracking and monitoring information are crucial for risk monitoring and customer satisfaction. Insurance carriers are embracing digital solutions to meet consumer needs, including cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain. Business lines and product lines are catering to niche customers with specific risk profiles. Machine learning algorithms help insurers assess purchase quantity and make informed decisions. Big data and chatbots streamline customer interaction and improve decision-making processes. Solutions providers are leading the digital transformation in insurance, offering cloud-based and on-premise solutions for life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance. IoT devices provide real-time data for dwelling coverage, contents coverage, and risk monitoring. The integration of technology in insurance is a game-changer, enabling insurers to provide customized solutions and improve overall customer experience. Insurance firms are embracing the sale of products through the latest technology, known as InsurTech. However, this new approach necessitates specialized training for insurance staff to effectively use the technology and understand the insurance offerings. Retraining is essential to ensure that employees can provide clients with suitable insurance solutions. Many firms are integrating technology with banking and broking services, but managing these systems effectively requires technical expertise, which some firms may lack. Therefore, investing in trainers for staff and brokers is crucial for successful implementation of InsurTech solutions. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This insurtech market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Marketing and distribution 1.2 IT support 1.3 Claim management 1.4 Policy administration and management 1.5 Others Deployment 2.1 On-premises 2.2 Cloud Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 Marketing and distribution- The InsurTech market's marketing and distribution segment is poised for significant growth during the forecast period. The widespread use of smartphones and easy internet access have fueled digital marketing and distribution of insurance policies through advanced technologies. Regulations mandating electronic promotion system certifications ensure security. Mobile point-of-sales in e-retail is gaining acceptance, providing insurance companies with opportunities to cater to busy customers. InsurTech platforms offer chatbots for live customer interaction and resolution of queries, enhancing the digital experience. Customer-centricity and high ROI are driving segment growth. InsurTech startups disrupt traditional financial services with increased access, transparency, and lower costs. Automation through pattern recognition algorithms and predictive coding reduce industry overheads and improve process efficiency. Deregulation of equity crowdfunding and private startup investments attract investors, further fueling market growth. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Insurance Technology, or InsurTech, refers to the use of technology to create, distribute, and administer insurance products. This innovative sector is revolutionizing the industry by enabling the creation of ultra-customized policies tailored to individual needs. Social insurance, life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance are just a few areas benefiting from InsurTech. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are key technologies driving personalized offerings. Customer data is analyzed to provide accurate risk assessments and pricing. Cloud computing and deployment models allow for flexible and scalable solutions. Blockchain ensures secure and transparent transactions. Business analytics and IoT devices provide real-time data for risk assessment and claims processing. InsurTech is transforming various insurance sectors, including life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and home insurance. Dwelling coverage and contents coverage are now offered with greater precision and efficiency. The future of insurance is technology-driven, offering customized policies and improved customer experiences. Market Research Overview The InsurTech market refers to the use of technology to create, distribute, and administer insurance products. This includes social insurance, life & health, auto, marine, liability, buildings, and commercial buildings insurance. Customer data is a crucial element, with machine learning and artificial intelligence used for predictions based on consumer needs, purchase quantity, and decision making. Real-time tracking and monitoring information are essential for insured parties, and businesses are leveraging digital solutions to streamline insurance planning. Cloud computing, blockchain, IoT, and big data are transforming the industry, with solutions providers offering digital transformation through on-premise and cloud-based platforms. Chatbots and insurance carriers are also part of this landscape, enhancing customer experience and enabling efficient claim processing. Overall, InsurTech is revolutionizing the insurance industry by providing innovative digital solutions for various business lines and niche customers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Marketing And Distribution IT Support Claim Management Policy Administration And Management Others Deployment On-premises Cloud Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insurtech-market-to-grow-by-usd-77-41-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-business-efficiency-needs-and-ai-impacting-market-trends---technavio-302328190.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. 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