Barry Odom begins Purdue career with larger NIL budget and questions about payment dispute at UNLV
(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.Art has historically served as a salve for Black folks in times of despair. And for many of us, and removed its shoes following the Nov. 5 election of President-elect Donald Trump. Hence the impact of this now-viral image of a group of Black women watching the world burn against an orange backdrop, which has certainly been the talk of at least one of your group chats or social media feeds this week. The feedback — divided firmly by age group, which we’ll get into in a second — has ranged from “this is powerful” to “why is the cast of ‘Set it Off’ watching 9/11 happen?” The image, created by Atlanta-based influencer and content creator Nikki Free, definitely evokes the frame of the “Set it Off” foursome . Flames and billowing smoke emerge from skyscrapers as the women sit on top of an American flag. One of them wears a shirt reading “92%,” which obviously represents the 92% of Black women voters who supported the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris. Created using AI, the image now sits in the pantheon of viral Black art, filed alongside . Free, a self-described “50+ fashionista,” , saying she had originally created the image with AI and posted in the comments of a friend “to represent how I and so many other are feeling. “Somehow, it struck a collective nerve, going viral in ways I didn’t foresee,” Free wrote. “Right now, many Black women are feeling exhausted—disappointed, let down, and tired of always being the moral compass for a nation that seems to reject us at every turn.” “As this country cracks under the weight of cruelty and chaos, we are choosing something different this time,” she continued. “We are stepping back, standing on the sidelines, and prioritizing ourselves. For once, we’re embracing the power of rest, healing, and self-preservation. It’s long overdue.” What’s notable about the women sitting on the skyscraper is who’s praising it and who’s not. On Facebook — the domain of social media users over age 50 — our moms and aunties are loving the image....share the same fed-up sentiment about the election results that the art is meant to convey. X, on the other hand , questioning and the notable omission of any of the women wearing Harris’ signature silk press. Collectively, after repeatedly being called on to save the country from political turmoil, only to have mud thrown in their face every time. They came out to vote for Harris at a rate that trounced every other demographic — and yet they’re still forced to endure Trump for another four years. How Black women want to communicate that frustration may be the root of this divide: Older folks want to make that intention loud and clear, including viral imagery as part of their ministry, while the younger folks probably want no response as their response. Regardless of how they choose convey it, one thing is certain: Black women — of all ages — are tired.
TORONTO — When Geoffrey Hinton strode across the Stockholm Concert Hall stage Tuesday to receive his Nobel Prize for physics from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, he was beaming. It has taken decades for many beyond the science community to realize the British Canadian computer scientist's life's work was so significant it eventually formed the foundation of artificial intelligence. But on Tuesday, as he accepted the Nobel diploma and its accompanying gold medal with co-laureate John Hopfield, there was no question about the importance of Hinton's discoveries nor how he has shaped history. Instead, there was only pride for the affable 77-year-old, often called the godfather of AI — and that pride stretched from Stockholm to Toronto. A crowd of about 100 students and colleagues at the University of Toronto, where Hinton is a professor emeritus, gathered at the school's downtown campus to watch the Nobel ceremony. Two other watch parties took over the school's Mississauga and Scarborough campuses. Any mention of physics or a sighting of Hinton, clad in a dark suit and white bow tie, generated rousing applause at the Toronto gathering. When the man of the hour headed to retrieve his accolade from the King, a few former students and colleagues wiped tears from their eyes. "There is, at least for me, this sense that Prof. Hinton created the whole ecosystem here, where there are thousands of people who are working on his ideas," Michael Guerzhoy, one of Hinton's former students who went on to teach a course Hinton had once led at the university, said before the ceremony began. The idea that earned Hinton the Nobel dates back to the 1980s, when he was working at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and AI was far from the buzzy technology it is today. It was then that Hinton developed the Boltzmann machine, which learns from examples, rather than instructions, and when trained, can recognize familiar characteristics in information, even if it has not seen that data before. "It was a lot of fun doing the research but it was slightly annoying that many people — in fact, most people in the field of AI — said that neural networks would never work," Hinton recalled during a press conference on the October day he was named as a Nobel laureate. "They were very confident that these things were just a waste of time and we would never be able to learn complicated things like, for example, understanding natural language using neural networks — and they were wrong." Neural networks are computational models that resemble the human brain's structure and functions. When Nobel physics committee chair Ellen Moons presented Hinton to receive his award, she said these networks are good at sorting and interpreting large amounts of data and self-improve based on the accuracy of the results they generate. "Today, artificial neural networks are powerful tools in research fields spanning physics, chemistry and medicine, as well as in daily life," she said. John DiMarco wasn't surprised that Hinton's work paved the way for such possibilities, but the IT director for U of T's computer science department was taken aback that Hinton's Nobel came in the unlikely physics category. DiMarco met Hinton roughly 35 years ago in a job interview and quickly took note of his proclivity for humour and the quirks in how his mind works. "He is quite insightful and he goes straight to the core of things," DiMarco said. "He would sometimes come out of his office and share some new idea. We didn't always understand what he was sharing, but he was very excited about it." Many of those ideas required lots of computing power the school's systems didn't have, so DiMarco's team patched together a solution with graphics processing units from video game consoles. DiMarco brought one of Hinton's GPUs to the watch party, which was also attended by Joseph Jay Williams, the director of U of T's Intelligent Adaptive Interventions Lab. Williams took one of Hinton's classes and said the Nobel winner "changed the course of my life" by encouraging him to go to grad school, which then led him to win the XPRIZE Digital Learning Challenge, a global competition aimed at rewarding people who modernize learning tools and processes. Other notable mentees and alumni of Hinton's classes include OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and Cohere co-founders Nick Frosst and Aidan Gomez. With his Nobel win and so many esteemed protege, Williams said Hinton has become a "reluctant celebrity" who is hounded for photos every time he's on campus. Hinton, however, has taken a much more humble approach to his recent win, which he learned of on a trip to California. He initially thought the call from the academy that gives out the Nobel was "a spoof," but later realized it had to be real because it was placed from Sweden and the speaker had a "strong Swedish accent." The award the academy gave him comes with 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1.4 million) from a bequest arranged by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Hinton and Hopfield will split the money, with some of Hinton's share going to Water First, an Ontario organization working to boost Indigenous access to water, and another unnamed charity supporting neurodiverse young adults. Hinton has said he doesn't plan to do much more "frontier research." "I believe I'm going to spend my time advocating for people to work on safety," he said in October. Last year, Hinton left a role he held at Google to more freely speak about the dangers of AI, which he has said include bias and discrimination, fake news, joblessness, lethal autonomous weapons and even the end of humanity. At a Stockholm press conference over the weekend, he said he doesn’t regret the work he did to lay the foundations of artificial intelligence, but wishes he thought of safety sooner. “In the same circumstances, I would do the same again,” he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women's volleyball program will again be faced with the decision whether to play the school , this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. Wyoming, Nevada and Southern Utah — which is not a Mountain West member — also canceled regular-season matches, all without explicitly saying why they were forfeiting. Nevada players cited fairness in women’s sports as a reason to boycott their match, while political figures from Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada suggested the cancellations center around protecting women’s sports. In a lawsuit filed against the NCAA , plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. A judge on Monday rejected a request made by nine current conference players to block the San Jose State player from competing in the tournament on grounds that she is transgender. That ruling was upheld Tuesday by an appeals court. “The team looks forward to starting Mountain West Conference tournament competition on Friday,” San Jose State said in a statement issued after the appeals court decision. “The university maintains an unwavering commitment to the participation, safety and privacy of all students at San Jose State and ensuring they are able to compete in an inclusive, fair and respectful environment.” Boise State did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. “Utah State is reviewing the court’s order," Doug Hoffman, Aggies associate athletic director for communications, said in an email. "Right now, our women’s volleyball program is focused on the game this Wednesday, and we’ll be cheering them on.” San Jose State, which had a first-round bye, would be sent directly to the conference title game if Utah State or Boise State were to forfeit again. If the Spartans make the title game, it's likely the opponent would not forfeit. They would face top-seeded Colorado State, No. 4 Fresno State or No. 5 San Diego State — all teams that played the Spartans this season. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sportsThe price of gold rose dramatically in 2024, eventually reaching $2,790 per ounce in October before moderating slightly. This consistent uptick in price has sparked new interest in gold investing, with some people considering the addition of gold jewelry to their investment mix. But turning gold jewelry into a smart investment isn't as simple as it might seem. Below, industry experts discuss what makes jewelry different from other gold investments, and add insight into whether it can be a worthwhile portfolio addition. Find out more about the benefits of gold investing . Is gold jewelry considered an investment? Experts weigh in Many serious investors prefer gold bars and coins. But gold jewelry may offer unique potential — provided that you have careful buying strategies and realistic expectations. "Gold [jewelry] can be a great investment if you buy it for the right price," says Matt Harris, a consignment jewelry and gem expert at Curated Fine Jewelry. He recommends looking for plain gold pieces such as chains, rings and bracelets through consignment shops, private marketplaces and pawn shops. You may find prices just slightly above gold's spot price. Unlike standard gold bars and coins , jewelry offers potential value beyond its metal content. "The design, craftsmanship quality and brand name can influence the value of gold jewelry," says Ashleigh Trent, personal lines director and co-founder of Tower Street Insurance. Well-made pieces from respected designers may appreciate even if gold prices stay flat. Add gold to your investment portfolio today . It's common for retail stores to mark up gold pieces by 100% over wholesale costs, according to Harris. This means gold would have to double in value just for you to break even. And the challenges continue when selling. For example, the "we buy gold" shops usually buy gold jewelry for 30% to 50% below its spot value. They offer considerably less because they need to refine the piece, and of course, profit. These markups and resale difficulties make gold jewelry a complicated investment choice. What to look for in gold jewelry as an investment How can you tell whether a piece of gold jewelry holds investment value? Trent and Ruhee Rathod, director of finance and operations at Bario Neal, break down five characteristics to look for: Higher purity levels: Look for 18K gold (75% pure) or higher. The purer the gold content , marked by higher karat numbers, the more valuable the piece. Avoid gold-plated (GP) or gold-filled (GF) items. Classic designs and brand reputation: Choose timeless styles over trendy pieces. Traditional designs from prestigious brands hold value over time. Proper documentation: Seek certificates proving the gold's purity and the piece's authenticity, especially for designer jewelry. Solid construction: Heavier, denser pieces contain more gold by weight. Since gold is usually valued by the gram, substantial pieces often make better investments than delicate ones. Clear origins: Traceable jewelry with documented sources tend to command higher prices. Other smart ways to invest in gold Besides jewelry, Bario Neal's Rathod highlights several gold investment options worth weighing: Gold IRAs: Roll over an existing 401(k) into a gold IRA to diversify your retirement savings. These accounts offer secure storage in guarded facilities and often include insurance protection. Gold ETFs and mutual funds: Buy shares in gold-focused funds for an affordable investment method without storing physical gold. These options work well when gold prices are high but you want smaller investment amounts. Physical gold: Purchase gold coins or bars through authorized dealers. This traditional approach gives you direct ownership of the metal. Physical gold is one of the best inflation hedges . The downside is you'll need to arrange secure storage. Precious metal certificates: Get certificates from trusted bullion banks representing gold ownership. You can exchange these for physical metals later, avoiding immediate storage concerns. Mining company stocks: Invest in gold mining companies for indirect exposure to gold prices. This option can offer higher returns but comes with more market risks than owning physical gold. The bottom line Gold jewelry can offer beauty and value. But before buying gold in any form, know the risks that could affect your investment. Rathod advises consulting a financial advisor first to determine whether jewelry fits your portfolio goals. While gold jewelry might not match the investment potential of bars or coins, choosing well-documented pieces from reputable sources can provide financial and personal value. Just remember to keep detailed records and focus on the long term — gold jewelry works best as a slow, steady investment you can also enjoy wearing. Sharon Wu, a senior writer with over a decade of experience, specializes in consumer-focused content covering home and finance topics such as insurance, investments, credit, debt, mortgages and home security.
No compromise on nuclear programme: PM Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, says FO ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, terming the imposition of US sanctions on the National Defence Complex (NDC) and other entities as unjustified, on Tuesday maintained that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister maintained that there was no justification for imposition of sanctions on the NDC and other entities as Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country. He said that Pakistan has no intentions for aggressive use of the nuclear programme rather it is deterrence, and meant for defence of the country and nothing else. “This is only for defence of the country if God forbids there is any aggression against Pakistan,” he said. He also made it clear that not only he himself and the federal cabinet owns the nuclear programme but it also belongs to 240 million people of the country which is dearer to them and close to their heart. “The whole nation is focused and united on country’s nuclear programme,” the prime minister reiterated. Meanwhile, Foreign Office stated in very clear terms that it is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations and explained that the recent military court verdicts have been made under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Foreign Office was reacting to comments from the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States who in their reactions had criticised the military courts trials and verdicts, as ones which lacked transparency and were inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” explained the Foreign Office. Last Saturday the DG ISPR had announced the sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts to periods of two to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” in connection with attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023. It had called the verdicts a milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation. The reaction of the Foreign Office was mainly directed at the European Union which under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), offers “special trade incentives and grants Pakistan zero-rated or preferential tariffs on nearly 665 of tariffs lines, enhancing the country’s ability to export to EU markets”. Reaching out to the EU, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” it added. The EU in reaction to the military trials and verdicts of civilians had reminded Pakistan that said “in line with Article 14 of ICCPR every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation”. It reminded Pakistan that the EU’s GSP+ beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, have voluntarily agreed to implement effectively 27 international core conventions - including the ICCPR - in order to continue benefiting from GSP+ status. The Foreign Office also stated that it was reaching out to its other international partners including the EU and assured to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards.West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski alert and conscious after being taken off on a stretcher
A repeat disqualified driver caught by police while travelling to the West Albury shops has copped a fine on re-sentencing after failing to do community work. or signup to continue reading Kristian James Davie was supposed to 80 hours of unpaid work under as part of a 14-month community corrections order imposed on July 17, 2023. Davie's failure to do any of those hours had him front Albury Local Court on Monday, December 9. Magistrate Sally McLaughlin found Davie had breached the terms of his corrections order, then re-sentenced him with the imposition of a conviction and a $2000 fine. The court was told that Davie's breach was caused by his ongoing illicit drug and mental health issues. Ms McLaughlin said while the work wasn't done, it was notable that Davie had not committed any further driving offences since his arrest on May 11, 2023. It was on that day that Davie - who had pleaded guilty last year to the second-offence disqualified driving charge - drove a Mercedes-Benz from his house in Ringwood Crescent to the nearby West Albury shops to buy a packet of cigarettes. The court was told last year that about 10 minutes later, police in a fully marked NSW Highway Patrol car were in Pemberton Street when they saw Davie walk towards the driver's side of his car. Davie saw the officers, who knew he was a disqualified driver, and promptly changed direction Initially, he denied having driven to the shops, but then decided to instead tell the truth when police told him they would view CCTV footage from the shops. Davie's driver's licence had been marked as disqualified from November 14, 2022, to April 19, 2024. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Health experts call for a return of social distancing as cases surge across UK this ChristmasWhere to Watch Bengals vs. Broncos on TV or Streaming Live – Dec. 28
The extinction clock is accelerating on the Knott’s Xcelerator roller coaster that is quickly becoming an endangered species as the granddaddy of an aging class of thrill rides watches better-known kin drop like flies. Three rides similar to the 2002 Xcelerator , all of them younger than the Knott’s Berry Farm coaster, are currently out of commission: Top Thrill 2 (2003), Kingda Ka (2005) and Formula Rossa (2010). The first Intamin Accelerator coaster ever built, Xcelerator reopened in November 2023 after spending two years on the disabled list while getting a new hydraulic launch system installed. Xcelerator accelerates from zero to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds with the assistance of a hydraulic launch, according to Roller Coaster Database. The Xcelerator trains quickly transition into a 205-foot-tall vertical top hat element before sending riders plunging downward on a relatively short ride covering 2,200 feet of track in a minute. Over the past decade, three Intamin Accelerator coasters have been relocated, one has been closed and two are currently “standing but not operating” — Roller Coaster Database’s version of the disabled list. “Over time, I believe we’ve seen just about every one of these coasters shut down for an extended period of time to repair the launch systems,” according to Screamscape’s Lance Hart. ALSO SEE: Xcelerator coaster returns at Knott’s Berry Farm after two years on disabled list Six Flags announced in November that Kingda Ka would be removed from its Six Flags Great Adventure park in New Jersey and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. “Kingda Ka has delivered more than 12 million rides since 2005,” Six Flags said in a statement. “What was cutting edge roller coaster technology 20 years ago has been surpassed by more modern advancements.” Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa and Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 are both eventually expected to reopen. Formula Rossa has been closed since January to repair the launch system — a process that can take a year or more, according to Screamscape. Cedar Point closed Top Thrill Dragster for the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons after a metal piece flew off the ride and seriously injured a woman waiting in the attraction queue in 2021. The rechristened Top Thrill 2 replaced the Intamin hydraulic launch system with a Zamperla electro-magnetic propulsion launch system in May — but the ride only operated for about a week before the park closed the coaster again due to mechanical issues. ALSO SEE: 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster about to become a reality The Intamin Accelerator coasters employ a hydraulic launch system with a rapidly spooling cable that pulls the trains to speeds ranging from 80 mph to nearly 150 mph. Intamin produced 14 of the lightning fast rides between 2002 and 2010. “These systems were a bit finicky, heavy on the maintenance side,” according to Screamscape. “It was typically a matter of ‘when’ the launch system was going to crap out unexpectedly. The repair process was always a lengthy and expensive one, so it was no surprise when Intamin decided to retire the launch system for good.” Related links A few of the aging thrill rides have received new leases on life with state-of-the-art updates. Zamperla removed the old hydraulic launch systems and installed new magnetic launches on Top Thrill Dragster at Ohio’s Cedar Point and ThunderVolt at Canada’s Playland. Ferrari World removed the Formula Rossa hydraulic launch system over the summer, according to Screamscape. Screamscape estimates Xcelerator’s new hydraulic launch system should last 8 to 13 years. Knott’s paid $13 million for the Intamin extreme coaster in 2002, according to RCDB. Related Articles
NoneNew Syria PM calls for 'stability and calm'Many people long involved in global climate negotiations see the annual United Nations COP climate talks as fundamentally flawed. That includes me. On Sunday, the 29th round of talks finished in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was likely my 25th COP. I have attended these talks in many different roles, but largely as a climate negotiator for the Australian government. These days I attend in my academic capacity. COP29 did not achieve a breakthrough. It led to a modest increase in climate finance for developing nations and agreement on carbon market rules. But many issues were kicked down the road . COP talks are slow. And the once-a-year meetings are seen as “win or lose” moments, which complicates the dynamics. Oil states and lobbyists work to avoid mention of quitting fossil fuels. Host nations need a win, leading to “commitments” which may not lead to substantive change. Ahead of this year’s talks, major climate figures called once more for reform to the COP process. But however flawed, COP meetings are the only way to get the world’s nations in the same room to hash out what to do about climate change. In recent years, global leaders have been distracted by COVID, the Ukraine-Russia war and now the Middle East. But climate change is only worsening. It won’t be long before real world events pull our attention back to the single largest threat we face. Why do these talks matter? Since 1995, the COP talks have acted as the main driver of global action on climate change. These talks will continue to matter until the transition to clean energy is complete and the burning of fossil fuels is no longer routine. Climate change has a one-word solution: investment. Every day, companies and governments invest money. They either invest it in status quo technologies which make carbon pollution worse, or they invest in cleaner alternatives. What the COP talks do is help change the direction of investment. You can see this working very clearly in how much is now being invested in green energy, electricity grid upgrades and energy efficiency – double that for new fossil fuels. (Unfortunately, if you include fossil fuel subsidies , the picture is very different.) Last year, nations finally included text about the need to transition away from fossil fuels. It was hard-won. But this year, diplomats from Saudi Arabia and petrostate allies were able to block any mention of this. The text on fossil fuels was not binding. But it was influential in boardrooms where decisions on investment are made. Process over progress? The way the COP talks are set up are not ideal. A new country is chosen every year to take on the presidency role and host the summit. The talks run for a fortnight and the agenda is vast. This year, the hosts, Azerbaijan, struggled to keep control of the agenda. As a result, issues such as the Global Stocktake – which included the calls to quit fossil fuels – were kicked down the road to COP30 in Brazil in a year’s time. Because these talks are just once a year, everything crowds into them. It is very messy. Every June, climate negotiators meet for an inter-sessional meeting before the next COP talks in Bonn, Germany, where the UN Secretariat on Climate Change has its headquarters . At these meetings, we often see efforts to walk back announcements made at the formal COP talks. Sometimes these are successful. Every delegate sent to COP talks has two reasons for going. The first is because their government is to some extent committed to solving the great problem of climate change. Five or six nations might not be, but that leaves over 190 who are. The second reason is to protect their national interests. You can, of course, do both. But this brings up a hidden issue. Many people who attend become, in my view, focused on the process, not the outcome. Twice a year, they travel to the COP itself and the Bonn intersessional, where they will meet friends and colleagues. It has become routine. The process has become, for some, the point. Every year, a new nation hosts the COP talks. This year, thousands of delegates headed to Baku, Azerbaijan. Milosz Maslanka/Shutterstock Five ideas for change COP talks are flawed but necessary. Could we improve them? Here are five ideas: 1. Break up the negotiating process Meetings of COP subsidiary bodies in cities where most nations have established diplomatic missions. These bodies could meet more regularly, creating pressure and momentum for more speed and outcomes. 2. Change COP presidency arrangements At times, the nation hosting the talks tries to control outcomes as much possible. But this is an all but impossible task. A better option might be to rely on the negotiators from each nation who do most of the work – and make them accountable for achieving outcomes. 3. Make regional meetings more important COP is big. Hundreds of countries, thousands of delegates, and many from civil society and business. It’s very difficult when everyone tries to talk to everyone. Much better progress would come if the thrust of COP talks was devolved to smaller, more regular regional meetings. 4. Gather more ambitious countries There have been several gatherings of nations wanting to do more, faster on climate change, such as the High Ambition Coalition . These gatherings can help stimulate action among like-minded leaders. But they need sustained leadership to be effective. 5. Direct action by the largest emitters In 2015, the Paris Agreement set a joint goal of keeping climate change below 2°C. It was the high water mark for COP talks. Before this agreement was signed, top emitters China and the United States found common ground on climate in direct talks, despite intensifying geopolitical jostling. This helped Paris succeed. In 2025 under President Donald Trump, the US will walk off the climate action stage again. But China is now feeling more confident in shouldering a climate leadership role. What about preventing oil states from hosting these talks, as prominent climate movers and shakers have called for ? You can’t easily shut out countries who have signed treaties and agreements. The solution here is to organise better. Oil-state pressure doesn’t have to win. While oil rich Azerbaijan’s presidency of COP29 drew scepticism, there was no sign that its leaders wanted the process to fail. Needed: renewed political will Ten years ago, it felt like the world was largely united on climate. But while the Paris Agreement has helped avert the worst emissions scenarios , it has not yet led to a single year of declining emissions. Climate change has, by any measurement, slipped down the global list of urgent issues. That will change as more calamitous impacts arrive. Howard Bamsey has attended many COP talks in Australian government, United Nations and non-government roles
Heavy equipment operators from more than 40 countries compete to claim worldwide title in largest challenge to date IRVING, Texas, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today launched its third Global Operator Challenge, inviting thousands of machine operators worldwide to put their agility, resilience and versatility to the test on a wide range of construction equipment and technology. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.
EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coastal Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CCB) (“Coastal” or the “Company”), the holding company for Coastal Community Bank (the “Bank”), today announced the launch of a proposed underwritten public offering of shares of its common stock, no par value. Coastal expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of shares of its Common Stock sold in this offering at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, supporting investment opportunities and the Bank’s growth. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel company , is serving as the lead bookrunning manager, Hovde Group, LLC is serving as a joint bookrunning manager and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Stephens Inc. are serving as co-managers for the proposed offering. The shares of common stock will be issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-279879) filed by Coastal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2024. A preliminary prospectus supplement related to the offering has been filed with the SEC and a final prospectus supplement relating to this offering will be filed with the SEC. Prospective investors should read the preliminary prospectus supplement, the final prospectus supplement, when available, and other documents Coastal has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Coastal and the offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the final prospectus supplement, when available, and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 787 Seventh Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10019, attention: Equity Capital Markets, or by calling toll free at (800) 966-1559 or emailing USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com. This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Coastal Financial Corporation Coastal Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CCB) (the “Company”), is an Everett, Washington based bank holding company whose wholly owned subsidiaries are Coastal Community Bank (“Bank”) and Arlington Olympic LLC. The $4.07 billion Bank provides service through 14 branches in Snohomish, Island, and King Counties, the Internet and its mobile banking application. The Bank provides banking as a service to broker-dealers, digital financial service providers, companies and brands that want to provide financial services to their customers through the Bank's CCBX segment. Member FDIC. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance and statements regarding the proposed offering. Any statements about our management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “predicts,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “intends” and similar words or phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be inaccurate. The inclusion of or reference to forward-looking information in this press release should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. We have based these forward- looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent period filed, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the most recent quarter, and in any of our other filings with the SEC. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Contact: Joel Edwards CFO 425.357.6987 Jedwards@coastalbank.comThe Canadian stock market continues to deliver for investors, and 2024 has undoubtedly been a strong year for those who have remained fully invested. continue to outperform, and there’s no shortage of investors who think this trend can continue into 2025. With the Bank of Canada and other central banks around the world in cutting mode, there’s a lot to like about investing in companies with market-beating growth rates right now. For those bullish on the future of higher-growth companies in this market, here are three top Canadian stocks to consider adding in December. w ( ) is a Toronto-based software company renowned for its acquisition-driven growth strategy. The company offers a combination of stability, resilience, and long-term capital appreciation. Constellation Software has delivered exceptional growth over the past few years, making it one of the best stocks to invest in on the TSX. The company’s long-term compounded annual growth rate in revenue, stock price and earnings has consistently exceeded 20% over the last 10 years. In addition, the company has traditionally focused on North American and European markets, but its recent efforts indicate an increasing focus on global expansion. It helps Constellation mitigate regional economic risks and opens up new opportunities in underpenetrated markets. While Constellation Software is best known for its acquisitions, the company has focused on doubling down on its organic growth initiatives. This strategy strengthens the company’s ability to drive sustainable revenue increases without over-reliance on external deals. Moreover, post-acquisition, Constellation emphasizes integrating acquired businesses to maximize efficiencies, reduce redundancies, and improve profitability. Shopify ( ) offers a compelling opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on the growth of e-commerce, digital payments, and innovative technologies. As a global leader in commerce solutions, Shopify has established itself as a transformative force in the retail and technology sectors. Shopify is a key enabler of the e-commerce industry, providing tools to all businesses to establish and grow their online presence. In addition, the global e-commerce market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7% through 2030. This growth is expected to be driven by increased internet penetration, mobile commerce, and consumer preference for online shopping. Shopify has showcased remarkable revenue scalability through diverse revenue streams. These business lines span Subscription Solutions, which generates predictable income from recurring merchant fees to Merchant Solutions such as Shopify Payments, Shopify Shipping, and fulfillment services, which now contribute over 70% of total revenue with faster growth than subscriptions. In addition, Shopify’s investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technology enhances merchant capabilities, optimizes sales strategies, and improves operational efficiency, solidifying Shopify’s position as a leader in the e-commerce space. Boyd Group ( ) is one of North America’s largest operators of non-franchised collision repair centers, with a strong presence in both Canada and the United States. The company benefits from the essential nature of its service, as collision repair is a necessity and is largely unaffected by economic cycles. Boyd’s strategy of acquiring smaller collision repair shops to integrate the acquired companies into its network has allowed this auto body giant to grow consistently. Moreover, as the auto repair industry remains fragmented, Boyd has ample opportunities for continued consolidation and growth. It has successfully added new locations through acquisitions and organic growth, increasing its market footprint. Boyd’s business is characterized by predictable demand and recurring revenue, which make it an excellent choice for investors seeking exposure to a defensive growth stock. The company’s ability to maintain profitability during economic downturns adds to its appeal. In addition, the company has demonstrated strong financial discipline and consistently generates free cash flow to support its expansion and shareholder returns.
BARCELONA, Spain — Robert Lewandowski converted a first-half penalty kick to become the third player to score 100 goals or more in the Champions League, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Lewandowski calmly sent a low shot into the net from the spot in the 10th minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead against Brest. Lewandowski trails the 129 goals of Messi and the 141 of Ronaldo, according to UEFA. Lewandowski needed 125 games to reach his milestone — two more games than Messi and 12 fewer than Ronaldo. It was Lewandowski’s sixth Champions League goal this season. It’s the ninth season in which the Poland striker has scored six or more goals. The 36-year-old Lewandowski is having a standout campaign, having scored 21 goals for Barcelona in 19 appearances. He is the Spanish league’s scoring leader with 15 goals from 14 matches. He scored 14 goals in the team’s last 10 matches in all competitions. Source: APBritish Distorted India's History, Teachers To Play Vital Role In World Of Google And AI: RSS ChiefWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) FLORIDA, N.Y., Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Remee Wire & Cable, a leading manufacturer of electronic wire and cable, announced the installation of their PowerPipeTM Class 4 Fault-Managed Power (FMP) Cabling System in a large-scale warehouse expansion project at Mouser Electronics, one of the industry's largest global distributors of electronic components. Mouser incorporated the Class 4 FMP system to control its expansive LED lighting system, believed to be the largest Class 4 LED lighting system of its kind. This system will save energy, add flexibility to control lighting spaces, and reduce the materials footprint. Sinclair Digital Services, Inc. was chosen to provide and commission all the equipment for this project, including headends, distribution enclosures, VoltServer equipment, and lighting fixtures. They specified Remee Wire & Cable's PowerPipeTM hybrid distribution cable for all data and power connectivity. Hannah Walker, Chief Operating Officer, Sinclair Digital Services, explained why Remee Wire & Cable was awarded this project.“We chose Remee to supply the quality cable we needed because they were at the forefront of Class 4 FMP technology and have been doing this longer than anyone else. In addition to providing us with a custom cable design, they helped us reduce labor costs and waste by providing a hybrid cable with fiber optic strands and copper cable pairs under one jacket, requiring only one cable pull.” The new Mouser facility features a connected Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lighting system, with a single Remee PowerPipeTM Class 4 FMP Ethernet cable providing low voltage DC power and enabling network communication to each lighting fixture and control center. The DC power infrastructure eliminates losses associated with AC-to-DC conversion, reducing Mouser's carbon footprint while improving lighting control and lowering operational costs. While many PoE lighting systems connect to AC-powered PoE switches, Mouser's new warehouse deploys a DC powered infrastructure using Class 4 fault-managed power (FMP). This further reduces energy, material and labor costs while maintaining centralized control. Mouser's new PoE lighting system uses approximately 60% less copper and 100% less steel. Remee's PowerPipeTM hybrid cable is part of its larger line of ActivateTM Power Distribution Cables . PowerPipeTM cables meet the new UL 1400-2 standard for Class 4 FMP systems and are rated CL4P or CL4Z. ActivateTM PowerPipeTM cables are suitable for many indoor and outdoor applications, such as: Remee's PowerPipeTM Cable Solutions Remee's new line of PowerPipeTM Cables expands the offering of their ActivateTM Powered Cable Solutions, which includes: Download the Mouser Class 4 FMP LED Lighting Case Study . Get more details about Activate Powered Cable Solutions including spec sheets. Learn more about Remee Wire & Cable . About Remee Wire & Cable Remee Wire & Cable is a world class manufacturer of electronic wire and cable, both copper and fiber optic cable, as well as electrical power cables and hybrid constructions. The company is headquartered in Florida, New York, where its corporate offices, engineering and manufacturing facilities are all located. Since the company's start in 1972, personal attention and care have been the hallmarks of the family-run company. Remee's engineering and manufacturing expertise has enabled the growth of the company's product offering and custom capabilities, now at a level that rivals some of the largest cable manufacturers. The vast selection of standard cable offerings at Remee, along with expert capabilities to modify any standard cable and manufacture complex and custom-made cables, are proof of our significant industry stature. Remee features quick decision-making, special customer care and access to executives, which are strong attributes for a family-run company. Yet, Remee also offers a wide selection of cables and expert capabilities that rival the largest cable manufacturers. So, at Remee, customers enjoy our“dual personality” and the best of both worlds. For more information about Remee Wire & Cable, please visit our website or email us at ... , or call 1-800-431-3864. Press Contact: Steven Bork ... 847-778-6468 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN26122024004107003653ID1109033355 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.Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s chief of staff denies that she recommended using a “peace circle” to address allegations of sexual harassment or misogyny against former communications director Ronnie Reese, saying that recommendation was made to address other issues Reese was facing in the office. In an interview with WBEZ, Cristina Pacione-Zayas defended the actions she took in response to three complaints made against Reese but said the “peace circle” idea was meant to address other broader communication and management issues that Reese faced. She said those broader issues put Reese on a performance improvement plan, and Pacione-Zayas indicated those issues predated the allegations of misogyny or sexual harassment. “I did not and would not have ever offered [a peace circle] for a serious allegation like sexual harassment,” Pacione-Zayas said. Pacione-Zayas was made aware July 30 of three complaints, including one from a press office staff member that included allegations of misogyny and an alleged inappropriate incident where Reese told a staffer “Love you” after an unwanted hug, according to documents WBEZ obtained. Pacione-Zayas received an email from the city’s human resources department, in which an HR staffer described the allegations generally but did not attach the 29-page complaint. The next day, according to Pacione-Zayas’ email response to the HR department, Pacione-Zayas held a previously scheduled meeting with members of the mayor’s press office. It was there she said she referenced a “restorative justice” model for Reese. A restorative justice “peace circle” is a process where a group can attempt “to restore ‘the peace’ or repair relationships. There’s usually an acknowledgment of harm, and then from there, there is a shared responsibility for repairing the harm,” Pacione-Zayas said. But the suggestion was opposed by staffers who were “unanimously against [Reese’s] inclusion due to the shared fear of retaliation,” the 29-page complaint detailing allegations of misogyny and sexual harassment notes. The suggestion of “peace circles” became a flash point in a budget hearing last week, in which some alderpersons pressed the human resources department commissioner on whether it’s a recommended tool to address sexual harassment complaints. Despite being aware of the general complaints of misogyny at the time she suggested the peace circle, Pacione-Zayas insisted to WBEZ that the suggestion was “separate and apart” from those allegations and meant to address broader management issues he faced. Pacione-Zayas did not provide details on the broader performance issues. She also stressed a need for “due process” around allegations of sexual harassment. “Any type of sexual harassment is not at all tolerated. But again, these were allegations. There did need to be due process,” Pacione-Zayas said. “There is another opportunity for somebody to give ‘Hey, this is my side of the story,’ and you then monitor and check for any changes or any other complaints. So that was one track, and then I was dealing with the writ large general concerns.” In response to the formal complaints of misogyny and more, the city’s human resources department recommended Pacione-Zayas provide coaching to Reese, in addition to him enrolling in two training courses, according to emails obtained by WBEZ via an open records request. The HR department stressed that “Reese should also be informed that as a higher-level supervisor with public-facing duties, he is also held to higher standards and may be subjected to a higher level of discipline, including discharge.” When asked whether she felt training and coaching was sufficient in the face of allegations of misogyny and homophobia, Pacione-Zayas said she followed the recommendations of the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, including meeting with Reese on Aug. 5, less than a week after being notified of the complaints. “I followed the EEO policy. They were allegations, and, you know, they did provide me with alternative action to address [them], which I followed all those things,” Pacione-Zayas said. On Aug. 5, Pacione-Zayas also began a performance improvement plan, she said to address the broader management and communication issues. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said that plan had a Sept. 27 deadline, which Reese failed to meet. Reese asked for an extension and still did not complete the goals of the plan, a spokesperson said. At that point, the process of termination began. The mayor’s office declined to provide copies of the plan, stating it was protected for privacy. Reese did not respond to a request for comment. When asked whether there was anything Pacione-Zayas withheld from the mayor throughout the entire process, she said she informed the mayor of the formal HR complaints against Reese, how she was addressing them and “generally what I was doing across the entire office.” But Pacione-Zayas echoed Johnson’s explanation that neither she nor the mayor were aware of more specific details of the sexual harassment allegations until the complaints were made public a month after Reese was fired. Though Johnson denies finding out the specifics of the allegations against Reese until they were made public by the Chicago Tribune in late November, on Oct. 19, Johnson sent a cryptic text to Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates, Reese’s longtime colleague, stating “Ronnie!” and “Call me,” The Chicago Tribune reported . Johnson has declined to say what the message was in reference to. He was made aware of Reese’s impending termination after Reese failed to meet the performance plan goals, Pacione-Zayas said. That would have been sometime between Sept. 27 and Oct. 22. Reese was put on paid administrative leave on Oct. 23 and officially fired Nov. 5. Reese has since been placed on the city’s do-not-hire list in the wake of the complaints’ release, Pacione-Zayas said. Pacione-Zayas said for the last several months, she has been working with the city’s law and human resources departments to review the city’s personnel rules, which were last updated in 2014 . “With the recent news, people are asking if we’re living up to our values, and you know, I want them to know that I am forcing that question in every single aspect of the infrastructure throughout the city,” Pacione-Zayas said. When asked if the process for reporting complaints needed to be reformed, Pacione-Zays said the process “is what it is.” “It’s what we have to abide by,” Pacione-Zayas said. Alds. Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward, and Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward — who employs one of the former mayor’s office staffers who was terminated after raising issues under Reese — have called for the city’s do-not-hire policy to be reformed after former mayor’s office staffers believe they were placed on the list in retaliation. Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg cover city politics and government for WBEZ.