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zbet casino MAI Capital Management lowered its position in shares of Centene Co. ( NYSE:CNC – Free Report ) by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,659 shares of the company’s stock after selling 788 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Management’s holdings in Centene were worth $426,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Swedbank AB bought a new position in Centene in the 1st quarter worth $914,080,000. Boston Partners grew its position in shares of Centene by 0.4% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 8,652,177 shares of the company’s stock worth $678,033,000 after purchasing an additional 32,427 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Centene by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,491,968 shares of the company’s stock valued at $364,117,000 after purchasing an additional 25,595 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its holdings in Centene by 14.2% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 5,113,759 shares of the company’s stock worth $339,042,000 after purchasing an additional 636,683 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Centene by 8.9% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,707,648 shares of the company’s stock worth $312,150,000 after purchasing an additional 385,426 shares during the period. 93.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Centene from $91.00 to $90.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 4th. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Centene from $96.00 to $88.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Centene from $80.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Centene from $83.00 to $66.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on Centene from $110.00 to $95.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $83.92. Insider Activity at Centene In related news, CFO Andrew Lynn Asher bought 17,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $58.14 per share, with a total value of $1,000,008.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 486,847 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,305,284.58. This trade represents a 3.66 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, CEO Sarah London purchased 4,117 shares of Centene stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $60.80 per share, for a total transaction of $250,313.60. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 667,229 shares in the company, valued at $40,567,523.20. This trade represents a 0.62 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . 0.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Centene Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:CNC opened at $60.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $30.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.48, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.49. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $66.68 and its 200 day moving average is $70.50. Centene Co. has a 12 month low of $57.20 and a 12 month high of $81.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Centene Company Profile ( Free Report ) Centene Corporation operates as a healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to under-insured and uninsured families, commercial organizations, and military families in the United States. The company operates through Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial, and Other segments. The Medicaid segment offers health plan coverage, including medicaid expansion, aged, blind, disabled, children’s health insurance program, foster care, medicare-medicaid plans, long-term services and support. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Centene Co. ( NYSE:CNC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Centene Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centene and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Big North Freedom Division: Fair Lawn, Hackensack, Northern Highlands, Ridgewood, River Dell Liberty Division: Clifton, Lakeland, Pascack Valley, Passaic, Passaic Tech National Division: Demarest, Indian Hills, Mahwah, Ramapo, Ramsey Patriot Division: Old Tappan, Paramus, Tenafly, Wayne Hills, Wayne Valley United Division: Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, Paramus Catholic Cape-Atlantic American Division: Egg Harbor, Mainland, Ocean City, St. Augustine, Vineland National Division: Absegami, Atlantic City, Cedar Creek, Holy Spirit, Middle Township, Oakcrest United Division: Buena, Cape May Tech, Lower Cape May, Millville, Pleasantville, Wildwood Catholic CVC Colonial Division: Hightstown, Hopewell Valley, Lawrence, Notre Dame, Princeton, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, West Windsor-Plainsboro South Valley Division: Ewing, Hamilton West, Nottingham, Robbinsville, Steinert, Trenton GMC Blue Division: Colonia, Edison, Iselin Kennedy, Perth Amboy, Wardlaw-Hartridge, Woodbridge Red Division: East Brunswick, Monroe, Old Bridge, South Brunswick, St. Joseph (Met.) 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Former Nebraska head coach Scott Frost has landed his first college job since his time with the Huskers, and it's a familiar location. Frost is set to take over at UCF, the program he coached from 2016-17 before heading to Nebraska, according to multiple reports. 247Sports and The Orlando Sentinel reported the news Saturday. Previous reported indicated that UCF was down to two candidates, Frost and UNLV head coach Barry Odom, in its quest to replace the fired Gus Malzahn. The Knights chose to reunite with Frost over the 48-year-old Odom, who led UNLV to a 10-win season this fall. Frost rebuilt a UCF football program coming off a winless season into a six-win squad, then a 13-0 team during the 2017 season which stands as the best in UCF's program history. Frost had been out of the college game since his firing at Nebraska in September 2022. He compiled a 16-31 record at his alma mater, completing four losing seasons before being fired three games into the 2022 campaign. The former Nebraska head coach's first job since was with the Los Angeles Rams this fall, where he briefly worked as an analyst. Having failed to rebuild at Nebraska, the 49-year-old Frost now returns to the school where he thrived as an up-and-coming offensive coach. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Why Republicans think their Senate majority could last the decade: From the Politics Desk

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Arts & Culture, Juwon Demas Olorunnipa, is one of the arrow heads of the Kogi International Carnival, slated for the first week of December. In this interview with JOSEPHINE AMAOLE, he speaks on the importance of the carnival and the uniqueness of Kogi State. Between December 1 and 7, Kogi State will be hosting millions of people from Nigeria and people in the Diaspora who will be participating in the Kogi State International carnival; what informed the carnival? Generally speaking, you will agree with me that Carnival is an important platform for a society to showcase its culture and allow an opportunity for tourists to be immersed in various traditions. The Kogi International Carnival is long overdue because Kogi State has a rich cultural heritage and a lot of potential to put Nigeria on a global map if well harnessed. All over the world, carnivals contribute a lot of cultural and economic derivatives to a nation. In line with the drive of the current Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, we see the need to organise the carnival and make it a yearly event to tell the world the untapped resources in Kogi. Historically, Kogi is one of the most relevant states to Nigeria’s political and social development but only a few people know this and the time to bring what we have to the fore is now. Growing up and till date, we hear, read and watch on television about Notting Hill Carnival, a yearly Caribbean Carnival that has taken place in London since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill of Kensington. It is led by members of the British Caribbean community and attracts around two million people yearly, making it one of the world’s largest street festivals, and a significant event in the British African Caribbean. In 2006, the UK public voted it onto a list of icons of England. In Nigeria, there is the popular Calabar Carnival that has become a popular platform for tourists all over the world to explore Nigeria during the yuletide period. In the last 10 to 15 years, the carnival had featured distinct themes and remains one of the best platforms for acquiring education and dissecting cultures across Nigeria and the world. What should participants be looking forward to? With the theme, “Come, Experience, Explore, and Invest in the Confluence State,” the Kogi International Carnival is designed to show to the world through a week-long celebration of culture, tourism, and community development, potential in the Confluence State. Scheduled to run from December 1 to December 7, 2024, the carnival will be held across four cities, namely Lokoja, Kabba, Okene, and Ayingba. In all the cities, visitors should be looking forward to new experiences and opportunities as we determine to use the carnival to promote unity, celebrate Kogi’s rich cultural heritage, and drive economic growth through tourism and entertainment. Succinctly speaking Kogi International Carnival (KIC) 2024 is more than just a celebration because it’s meant to fostering cultural exchange, community bonding, and global recognition of Kogi State’s unique offerings. It’s a celebration of our shared humanity, and showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world. Visitors will have a unique experience that highlights our state’s beauty, talent, and investment potential. To this end, we invite everyone to join us for this unforgettable experience. Do you think Kogi State has the expected infrastructure and facilities to host such a huge crowd or what measures are the team putting in place to make sure attendees are secured and comfortable? Let me start by stating that Kogi’s geographical location is a blessing. It’s common to hear our people describing their state as a gateway to Nigeria because of its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory and by extension to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. From Abuja Airport to Kogi State is a journey of less than three hours and this will be a great advantage to people flying in through Abuja Airport and people who are resident in Abuja and want to participate in the carnival. In the area of security, Kogi is one of the safest states in Nigeria because the government has invested so much to tackle insecurity. Till date, Kogi remains the only state where kidnappers, regardless of their status in the society, are not pampered. Through the drastic intervention of the government in this regard, kidnapping has been reduced to the barest minimum and this is commendable. In the area of accommodation, Kogi has a lot of international standard hotels that are currently underutilised. From Lokoja, to Kabba, Ida to Ayingba, there are hotels that tourists will find attractive and comfortable. Can you speak on the economic benefits of this carnival to the people of the state? I just mentioned that we have many good hotels that are under utilised. With thousands of visitors around for the one week of the carnival, there will be a boost in the hospitality sector in the state. Naturally, there is always boost in business during festivities; given that the influx of people into the area tends to boost the local economy. This is so because there is increasing demand for accommodation; increasing demand for food; increasing demand for transportation and other facilities and businesses. From the feedback so far, can you say the carnival has got the buy-in of stakeholders? Surprisingly, yes. In fact, it’s like Kogi people within and outside were waiting for the whistle to be blown because since we muted the idea of the carnival, it has attracted huge support from Kogi indigenes all over the world. Don’t forget, Kogi is blessed with many successful men and women; in business, politics, entertainment and in other various endeavours. One of such people is our son, the immediate past President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, who has identified with us fully and given us necessary support. Like him, many others are doing the same so that we can have a robust carnival. Today, we are all speaking with one voice; the Kogi International Festival must be held to showcase Kogi State to the world.Frida Formann finding her groove, leads CU Buffs into matchup with Tennessee Tech

School ends on a high note! The annual awards day and graduation ceremonies concluded the 2024 academic year. Journalists from The Fiji Times were busy travelling around the country taking pictures and reporting success stories from this special day. Ana Madigibuli and her team did a marvellous job as they reported on the prizegiving ceremonies that were carried out. I could imagine the excitement and sheer delight within those who walked away with a prize. Their hard work and struggles ended as they celebrated their success with loved ones. Nabua Secondary rewarded their students on Thursday, and I thank Wanshika Kumar and The Fiji Times for the coverage. The emotions on the faces of the day scholars and Matua students spoke about their struggles and how they brandished them to achieve excellence. The prize getters journey to achieving this feat has been through hard work and perseverance. These students organised and managed their time effectively. Their success demonstrates that with balance, and support, success is achievable. We must encourage young people to sacrifice and struggle to strive for their goals. They must be encouraged to set their priorities right and manage their time wisely. Parental support plays a vital role in the child’s success. With the changing tide and impact of drugs, technology and social media, parents need to step up and spend quality time with their children. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Yaqona thieves On Taveuni, as with most areas throughout our beloved nation, the place is small enough that the people know more than those who are supposed to know! Just ask the people! They know who the culprits are! And you better start eradicating the freebies now because the words of warning out on social media for the culprits is most certainly not sounding good! On an island where the authorities have lost the plot, and the history of theft amounts to years and millions of dollars in heartbreak and losses, retaliation escalates to a peak where the outcome will most certainly not be pleasing! Noleen Billings Savusavu Bill to protect kids It’s good the parliamentarians have passed new legislation for the care and protection of children in need or at risk and Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is waxing lyrical about it (FT 7/12). But I wonder how many of them had actually read the Juveniles Act, the Probation of Offenders Act and the Adoption of Infants Act which had provided the legal framework for the care and protection of children with their best interest and welfare as paramount? Rajend Naidu B Sydney, Australia Game changer The planned, game-changer $1.5billion tourism development on the Wailoaloa Nadi foreshore augurs well for Fiji’s employment, economy and the country’s inherited debt repayments. This is truly a massive investment. We trust all authorities will rise to the occasion with their vetting and due diligence. I wish to sincerely congratulate the Hong Kong based investors for their confidence in choosing Nadi for their bold initiatives. May every success and good fortune be bestowed upon them, Nadi and Fiji, as a whole. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi The horse has bolted The drug problem has gotten out of hand in the past two years since the election of this government. There appears to be a perception in high places that once a Commissioner of Police is confirmed the drug problem will suddenly disappear. I think these people believe in Santa Claus as well. All the chiefs are talking about making up their own laws about this problem as they go – just like the government has been making up laws as they go. The reality is, while everyone does not want vulagi things permeating the culture in Fiji, they simply cannot stop these things. It is like trying to stop a vulagi religion permeating every aspect of life in Fiji. The horse bolted a long time ago. Jan Nissar Osaka, Japan Supply and demand chain Honourable Naupoto mentions the need for a major Supply and Demand chain check in the country to assist in countering drug activities. This is best addressed by much more intensive investigation into the contents of shipping containers at wharfs, and further checks during unstuffing of containers at the point of delivery, e.g wholesalers, retailers, vehicle importers etc. Anecdotal advice suggests that the port of Suva is used as a major transit hub for precursors, at least one instance has been uncovered. In England, $200million worth of drugs was shipped in over four years hidden in consignments of garlic, onions and ginger which naturally cannot be detected by sniffer dogs. These items are plentiful imports into the country. Are these shipments ever thoroughly checked? Stashing drugs into large electrical items such as fridges, washing machines et cetera, is another favourite method which could be detected when containers are unstuffed at points of destination. It doesn’t need me to tell the authorities how proper checks can be implemented, it can be done but the “secrecy” is always a problem. Allan Loosley Tavua 2013 Constitution So much had been said and heard during the 26th Attorney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort at Denarau in Nadi but with very little being accomplished as far as the Changing of the 2013 Constitution is concerned and rightly so because of the major hurdles of requirements of the majority numbers in Parliament and of course the unpredictable public referendum. Digesting the many issues that were the highlights of constitutional and prominent Suva lawyer Jon Apted (F/T 07/12), it is obviously clear and plain that the 2013 Constitution was engineered by its authors with all the intention of permanent subjection of all people of this small, tiny country with autocracy and subserviency control under the covering of ‘democratic’ principles. Now, we must bear in mind that as we currently live under this 2013 documents, we are actually living and conducting all our civil and democratic principles unlawfully since the coup-de tat of 2006 was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court ruling in April 2009 with the Qarase case judgement. Aren’t we conscious of our total illegality? So, the only possible path way forward without too many hurdles is for this country to allow the Court system to decide on that 2009 Supreme Court ruling on the Qarase case and remove this controversial and illegal document and believe me – there is no other way. MELI BOGILEKA Natabua, Lautoka Walking the talk You raise a number of pertinent questions in The Fiji Times editorial on who is responsible and accountable for the “over 8000 illegal immigrants in Fiji” (FT 7/12). One thing for sure is that it’s not the ordinary citizens. Could this have been a post coup phenomenon when democratic governance was weakened because those in power could not be held to standards of transparency, accountability and scrutiny expected? One other very important question we must not shy away from is what part official corruption played in the influx of illegal immigrants in the country? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Lack of trash bins! I commend the trusted brand and the people’s newspaper for highlighting Fiji’s political, social and environmental issues in an ethical and professional manner. Littering has become a nemesis, an eyesore and an issue affecting our municipal councils and the residents alike. While the municipalities are pointing fingers at the residents for illegal rubbish and white goods dumping, fingers are also pointing at the municipalities for their failure to collect white goods on time and for the lack of trash bins, as pointed out by The Fiji Times (05/12). According to Jake Wise, municipalities across Fiji were grappling with a shortage of rubbish bins, leaving many towns and cities unable to effectively manage the growing waste generated by their growing populations. It’s sad to note that there is a shortage of rubbish bins along footpaths in the Capital City. With rising urban population, the demand for proper waste management systems, including the provision of sufficient rubbish bins, is more urgent than ever. We need to keep our environment clean. It cannot be done by an individual but by everyone! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Cause and effect Drugs have silently eroded the moral and physical stature of the people of our beloved nation. I note that the second Speaker’s Debate touched on Drugs while the slogan on the banner that late afternoon cried ‘The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention’. Sadly, the reality of our solutions are targeted more at fixing the effects of drugs while we tend to shy away from treating the cause which is the heart and heat of the matter! And despite the fact that we have national security planners and are spending ‘every which way’ as us kailoma like to put it, somehow our borders remain open and defenceless to all forms of criminal activity. So how about instead of bringing in the huge boats that get stuck on reefs, we decentralise our Customs Department, set them up on the furthest of our islands in our group of islands including Rotuma, build the right infrastructure on them, equip them with the right communication and surveillance equipment, get them say 40 boats and a bunch of armed policemen and service them with our government barges and island freighters! We can bet our bottom dollar that our weak and vulnerable points has been studied to the letter! Noleen Billings Savusavu English and the vernacular OK, I get it. Children taught in their vernacular, as Prof. Paul Gerahaty (FT 29/11) is suggesting, might help improve some of the academic results attributed to a better comprehension in their own language. But jeez, Prof, how on Earth do you teach a myriad of subjects in the vernacular that require English as a basis of learning and understanding? If we were to take a step back, could the problem be how teachers are conveying the message of the subject so it’s a communication based teaching style issue that needs looking into? Or, could it be a lack of adequate teaching materials and technological support? Could it be a lapse and focus on the part of pupils who’re failing because of the challenges of home life where there are serious financial constraints or even domestic violence issues? Could the problem be related to nutrition where a child is not getting adequate nutrients in their everyday meals because of the financial struggles in the home? Could it be linked to problems with alcohol, drugs, porn and the lure of digitised games on the internet because of plain boredom? Is the curriculum relevant or appropriately structured to meet the needs and standards of the current crop of students? Could some of these students who’re not up to par have learning difficulties? Could some of these students have issues at home where they’re not receiving the love and support of their parents and/or guardians to help them overcome the hurdles and challenges of school life? Could it be because exams favour certain learning styles while they lose a significant proportion of pupils because they didn’t understand or grasp the message, context or concept of what was being taught? There could be a myriad of different reasons why certain children do well while others flop. So there needs to be a holistic approach to understand why so many children are struggling with school work and with their exams. I’m a fan of yours and have great respect for the work that you do. I know your heart’s in the right place. And I understand that you’re trying desperately to find a solution to help improve academic excellence and performance. However, the positive side to all of this is that your suggestion has started a dialogue deluge. And hopefully, there’ll be a host of solutions raining down to help fix the failure rate. So vinaka and good on you for sparking the discussion. Colin Deoki Australia

Dutton back in Lyons with more cashWinnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says new poll results show residents understand the need for the city to collect more money — either from other governments or new taxes. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says new poll results show residents understand the need for the city to collect more money — either from other governments or new taxes. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham says new poll results show residents understand the need for the city to collect more money — either from other governments or new taxes. The city-commissioned poll, by Probe Research, had 56 per cent of respondents agreeing with the idea that the city needs money from sources other than property taxes, fees and grants. About four in 10 respondents said extra funds from the provincial government is the best way to get new money, while about one in six respondents said new municipal taxes were the best option. Among the possible new taxes, the most popular items were vacant homes, liquor sales and commercial parking, while taxes on vehicle registration and online deliveries faced the most opposition. The poll included 480 adults from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, and cannot be assigned a margin of error because it involved an online panel. Gillingham is hoping further talks with the provincial NDP government will bear fruit. “We have a growing city ... and the demand for city services is only increasing,” Gillingham said Monday. “So we have to find ways to raise the revenue to provide those services.” The former Progressive Conservative government froze municipal operating grants for several years before boosting them by an average of 28 per cent in 2023. The NDP government, after winning last year’s election, has committed to annual increases of two per cent. Last week, the province announced an additional $62 million over five years for municipalities. It has also funded some additional policing costs to fight a surge in retail theft. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “I think we’ve demonstrated all along that we’re willing to collaborate and work with the City of Winnipeg and municipalities across Manitoba to make sure their needs are met,” Glen Simard, the minister for municipal and northern relations, said Monday. Any of the new taxes being floated by the city would need provincial approval. Simard was noncommittal when asked whether he would approve new municipal tax powers. “The more that we can work together in talking about the issues together is good for everyone,” Simard said. “That’s not a no or a yes,” he said when pressed again. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementAP News Summary at 4:03 p.m. EST

This bearded man with a $10 million bounty on his head could be the next trouble maker in the Middle east; who is he? Here's all about himM3 Group Joins MEDIROM Mother Labs’ Series A Financing Round at JPY9 Billion (as of December 1, ...PIAA football: Northwestern Lehigh’s Eli Zimmerman always was in the right place

The Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Arts & Culture, Juwon Demas Olorunnipa, is one of the arrow heads of the Kogi International Carnival, slated for the first week of December. In this interview with JOSEPHINE AMAOLE, he speaks on the importance of the carnival and the uniqueness of Kogi State. Between December 1 and 7, Kogi State will be hosting millions of people from Nigeria and people in the Diaspora who will be participating in the Kogi State International carnival; what informed the carnival? Generally speaking, you will agree with me that Carnival is an important platform for a society to showcase its culture and allow an opportunity for tourists to be immersed in various traditions. The Kogi International Carnival is long overdue because Kogi State has a rich cultural heritage and a lot of potential to put Nigeria on a global map if well harnessed. All over the world, carnivals contribute a lot of cultural and economic derivatives to a nation. In line with the drive of the current Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, we see the need to organise the carnival and make it a yearly event to tell the world the untapped resources in Kogi. Historically, Kogi is one of the most relevant states to Nigeria’s political and social development but only a few people know this and the time to bring what we have to the fore is now. Growing up and till date, we hear, read and watch on television about Notting Hill Carnival, a yearly Caribbean Carnival that has taken place in London since 1966 on the streets of the Notting Hill of Kensington. It is led by members of the British Caribbean community and attracts around two million people yearly, making it one of the world’s largest street festivals, and a significant event in the British African Caribbean. In 2006, the UK public voted it onto a list of icons of England. In Nigeria, there is the popular Calabar Carnival that has become a popular platform for tourists all over the world to explore Nigeria during the yuletide period. In the last 10 to 15 years, the carnival had featured distinct themes and remains one of the best platforms for acquiring education and dissecting cultures across Nigeria and the world. What should participants be looking forward to? With the theme, “Come, Experience, Explore, and Invest in the Confluence State,” the Kogi International Carnival is designed to show to the world through a week-long celebration of culture, tourism, and community development, potential in the Confluence State. Scheduled to run from December 1 to December 7, 2024, the carnival will be held across four cities, namely Lokoja, Kabba, Okene, and Ayingba. In all the cities, visitors should be looking forward to new experiences and opportunities as we determine to use the carnival to promote unity, celebrate Kogi’s rich cultural heritage, and drive economic growth through tourism and entertainment. Succinctly speaking Kogi International Carnival (KIC) 2024 is more than just a celebration because it’s meant to fostering cultural exchange, community bonding, and global recognition of Kogi State’s unique offerings. It’s a celebration of our shared humanity, and showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the world. Visitors will have a unique experience that highlights our state’s beauty, talent, and investment potential. To this end, we invite everyone to join us for this unforgettable experience. Do you think Kogi State has the expected infrastructure and facilities to host such a huge crowd or what measures are the team putting in place to make sure attendees are secured and comfortable? Let me start by stating that Kogi’s geographical location is a blessing. It’s common to hear our people describing their state as a gateway to Nigeria because of its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory and by extension to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. From Abuja Airport to Kogi State is a journey of less than three hours and this will be a great advantage to people flying in through Abuja Airport and people who are resident in Abuja and want to participate in the carnival. In the area of security, Kogi is one of the safest states in Nigeria because the government has invested so much to tackle insecurity. Till date, Kogi remains the only state where kidnappers, regardless of their status in the society, are not pampered. Through the drastic intervention of the government in this regard, kidnapping has been reduced to the barest minimum and this is commendable. In the area of accommodation, Kogi has a lot of international standard hotels that are currently underutilised. From Lokoja, to Kabba, Ida to Ayingba, there are hotels that tourists will find attractive and comfortable. Can you speak on the economic benefits of this carnival to the people of the state? I just mentioned that we have many good hotels that are under utilised. With thousands of visitors around for the one week of the carnival, there will be a boost in the hospitality sector in the state. Naturally, there is always boost in business during festivities; given that the influx of people into the area tends to boost the local economy. This is so because there is increasing demand for accommodation; increasing demand for food; increasing demand for transportation and other facilities and businesses. From the feedback so far, can you say the carnival has got the buy-in of stakeholders? Surprisingly, yes. In fact, it’s like Kogi people within and outside were waiting for the whistle to be blown because since we muted the idea of the carnival, it has attracted huge support from Kogi indigenes all over the world. Don’t forget, Kogi is blessed with many successful men and women; in business, politics, entertainment and in other various endeavours. One of such people is our son, the immediate past President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, who has identified with us fully and given us necessary support. Like him, many others are doing the same so that we can have a robust carnival. Today, we are all speaking with one voice; the Kogi International Festival must be held to showcase Kogi State to the world.Mumbai: The Maharashtra Chief Minister will be from BJP, said ally Ajit Pawar today saying that the two Deputy Chief Ministers will be from other Mahayuti constituents. The Mahayuti, which comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) headed by Ajit Pawar, registered a resounding victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. By winning 132 seats, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, while Shiv Sena and NCP won 57 and 41 seats respectively. However, government formation has been delayed and suspense over the next CM continues. Ajit Pawar was in the city to meet 95-year-old social activist Dr Baba Adhav, who held a protest against the alleged misuse of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the recent Maharashtra assembly polls. When asked who will be the chief minister of the state, Pawar said, "The state will have one chief minister from BJP and two deputies from other two parties of Mahayuti. Tentatively, the oath taking ceremony will take place on December 5. We have decided to move ahead with a strong vision." State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday evening that the new Mahayuti government would be sworn in at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on the evening of December 5 in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence. While there was no announcement yet on who would be the chief minister, BJP sources said Devendra Fadnavis, who has been chief minister twice and was deputy CM in the last Eknath Shinde-led government, was the frontrunner for the top post. Ajit Pawar was another deputy CM in the Shinde-led government. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry issues joint statement on Syrian crisis (PHOTO)Romania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu on Saturday urged voters to go to polling stations despite the country's top court having scrapped the presidential elections over alleged irregularities amid claims of Russian interference. The court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj

Ebuka Songs left before his contract ended — Moses Bliss

KUALA LUMPUR: Five years, five leaders. After a period of rapid government turnover from 2018 to 2022, many Malaysians see the current Madani administration’s two-year birthday as the mark of relative political stability. “If the government keeps on changing, how are policies going to stick? Who would want to invest in the country?,” said Mr Mohd Asrul Nizam. The 39-year-old automobile technician was speaking to CNA at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre this weekend, at an event to mark the government’s second anniversary. It has been two years since its leader, Mr Anwar Ibrahim, took the helm of the country in 2022. Thousands flocked to the event on Friday (Nov 22) where, as well as an opportunity to settle outstanding traffic fines issued by the police with a 60 per cent discount, there were booths promoting health screenings, a free helmet exchange programme, a job fair and sales of essential goods. Mr Asrul himself was there, not only to mark the political anniversary, but also to pay off his company’s eight summonses, most of them which were for speeding. He said that he is not surprised by the fact that the government is still intact. But given the country's recent history of political instability, some experts consider the administration reaching this two-year mark to be an achievement in itself. “When the unity government was formed, no one thought that it would be able to last this long. There are 18 parties in the coalition with different agendas, but it has held on,” said Dr Azmi Hassan, senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research. Some political analysts told CNA that Mr Anwar’s biggest achievement to date was to keep the government - made up of 18 different parties - running this long, adding that economic concerns were of a higher priority than institutional reform for most people. “For the majority, the main concern is economic related. Institutional reforms are a lower priority compared to livelihoods,” said Mr Ibrahim Suffian, co-founder and programs director of the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research. But there are some, especially those from civil society organisations, who are unhappy with the pace of reform and say that the government should not assume that it has the luxury of time to implement the reforms that were promised in their election manifestos. “D GRADE” IN REPORT, DESPITE NEW INITIATIVES Last month Mr Anwar told members of his PKR party that the unity government has helped the country to achieve political stability that enabled the federal administration to set clear policies on industry, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, green technology, and semiconductors. However, the CSO platform for reform - a coalition of 70 organisations – said that excitement for reform is fading as the pragmatism of realpolitik takes precedence. “Delays, excuses, and a slow pace hinder progress. It is essential to maintain a sense of urgency and not allow fear of identity politics or opposition pressures to derail the momentum for reforms,” said its chairman, Mr Jerald Joseph. He acknowledged several reforms Mr Anwar’s government has initiated or pledged support for, such as the removal of the mandatory death penalty, the subsidy rationalisation of things such as petrol and education and the engagement over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which seeks to restore the rights of Sabah and Sarawak. He also said that several new initiatives were similarly promising, such as the vetting of high-profile appointments in government-linked companies (GLCs), forming additional Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSC), and raising the minimum salary to RM1,700 (US$380) a month. However, he said that comprehensive reforms in key governance areas are still lacking. “It is time to create a clear, public roadmap that conveys the urgency and scope of the institutional changes Malaysians need. Without this, the government risks eroding public trust and confidence,” he said. The executive director of the Coalition of Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) Mr Ooi Kok Him told CNA that there were two trains of thought when it came to the pace of reforms – some who said time was needed and others who were “impatient” for reforms. “We believe that time is running out. You may believe that you have three more years just like how Pakatan Harapan leaders believed they had more than 22 months to govern. So you cannot take time for granted and you must implement reforms when you have the opportunity to do so,” he said. BERSIH is well known for its organisation of protests against the government in the past. On Tuesday, it revealed its report card for the government, with the Madani administration getting 45.8 per cent or a D grade. BERSIH said the grade reflected significant gaps between its reform promises and actual implementation. Mr Anwar’s political secretary Kamil Abdul Munim said in a post on X on Wednesday that reforms as well as the political, economic and administrative change agenda were still ongoing. He also said that they should learn from their past experiences and that changes cannot be rushed. “They also have to be done based on priority according to the context and current situation,” he said. Their report card looked at three aspects – electoral reforms, institutional reforms, and civil liberties with the assessment looking at the fulfilment of manifesto commitments and a comparative evaluation of progress relative to previous administrations. It did not consider aspects such as the economy. The report said that when it came to electoral reforms there had been no meaningful progress on key issues such as constituency malapportionment, gerrymandering, or the introduction of absentee voting for outstation voters, despite campaign promises to address these. On institutional reforms, the report said the government achieved incremental progress, including passing the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act and strengthening Parliamentary Special Select Committees. It noted however that major reforms to safeguard institutional independence, such as separating the roles of the attorney general and public prosecutor, or institutionalising fair Constituency Development Funds (CDF), remain stalled or unfulfilled. It added that critical appointments, such as those of the attorney general and the heads of key institutions such as the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and Election Commission (EC), continued to lack parliamentary oversight. On civil liberties, BERSIH said that while the government had abolished the mandatory death penalty, it had failed to repeal or amend laws such as the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Peaceful Assembly Act. The Malaysian Cabinet agreed to review the Sedition Act last year so that it can only be applied to provocations towards the royal institution. In March this year, it agreed to start the process of amending the act. However, in the meantime, activists have still been arrested under the Sedition Act for incidents unrelated to royalty. “Activists and opposition figures continue to face harassment under these laws, contradicting the government’s reformist rhetoric,” said the report. The report even claimed that comparative analysis showed that Mr Anwar lagged behind his predecessors in implementing reforms within the first two years of coming into power, coming in third behind Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Muhyiddin Yassin and Najib Razak were ranked fourth and fifth respectively in the report. “Leaders such as Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahathir Mohamad made more substantial progress within similar time frames,” said the report, adding that Mr Anwar even underperformed compared to Najib in his first term, although Najib’s subsequent actions in undermining key institutions for his political benefit during his second term meant his administration ranked bottom. “The Unity Government’s cautious and incremental approach has slowed reform momentum and diminished public confidence,” added the report. Mr Ooi said that a post-election coalition government should not be an excuse to abandon all reform promises, pointing out that BN and PH shared four major promises that have not been fully implemented. He said that one of the common promises made by both coalitions in their manifestos was that major appointments at public institutions such as the MACC and EC would go through parliamentary scrutiny, but this has not happened so far. Mr Azam Baki was reappointed as the chief commissioner of MACC in May this year without undergoing parliamentary scrutiny. Economy minister Rafizi Ramli in Jan 2022 said that some of MACC actions against PH were political persecution and that he would be called up for questioning if they formed the government. “Election manifestos remain binding even when parties enter coalitions. Coalitions should be formed to advance and fulfil these agendas, not to set them aside,” said Mr Ooi. Mr Anwar was sworn in as prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, after the 15th General Election failed to produce a clear winner and resulted in a hung parliament. He leads a unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan (PH), previous ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Parti Warisan (Warisan) among others. The government has also faced criticisms over some of its plans and proposals. Ms Sophie Lemière, an adjunct fellow with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that several planned reforms, such as the Malaysian social media licensing plans, amendments to its citizenship bills and the “Mufti bill”, are stirring Malaysia “backward”. “The stability of the government and the current desperate need for economic recovery are the recurrent political arguments used to justify the necessity to cooperate with existing power structures while satisfying the most conservative sections of society even if that means compromising civil liberties,” she said in an article on Nov 1. The “Mufti Bill” aims to define the role and responsibilities of the Islamic jurors in the Federal Territories, which include Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya. In a response to BERSIH’s grading, Mr Anwar told the parliament on Thursday that the government was still new and could perform better over time. “About BERSIH's (rating), it's okay if they want to give us a 'D'. At least it's not an 'F'. (If in UPSR) we get a 'D', later during SPM we should get an 'A'. (Because) we are still very new,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini. The UPSR refers to the now discontinued public exam for primary students while the SPM is the equivalent of the O-levels examination taken by fifth year secondary school students. ANWAR “COMMITTED TO REFORMS” BUT MORE CHANGES NEEDED In a public forum held last week by the CSO platform for reform, Deputy Law Minister M. Kulasegaran said that he also wanted to see more changes in the country although there were many challenges they had to overcome, including pushback from the civil service. “I also want to see the changes (happening),” he said, giving the example of wanting more power to be given to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) which he described as being “toothless”. He also said that the appointment of the MACC chief for example was something that he believed should be brought to the parliament. “This is what we said when we were there (as opposition) ... We should empower it. If you refer to our speeches in parliament, many of us would have said that. I feel very wrong about it,” said Mr Kulasegaran. He however claimed that Mr Anwar is committed to reforms. “He has given a fair leeway to the ministries and ministers ... and that changes must come from within (the ministries). He has no time to look into any particular matter,” he said. Dr Wong Chin Huat, a political scientist from Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur told CNA that the government was stable and could complete its full term. He said that while it had delivered some reforms, he asked if they were trying to co-opt the opposition into the coalition. “This government claimed that it cannot implement a lot of reform for fear of backlash. That’s true when you look at certain things such as the Sedition Act but fair treatment of the opposition is certainly not something that will get you backlash anywhere. Not from the society or not from the opposition,” he said, in reference to the CDF. He said the reason why Malaysia ended up being embroiled in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal for instance was because there were not enough checks and balances. “Ultimately you don’t have opposition on the pretext of nation-building, stability and harmony but eventually what you are doing is undermining democracy,” he added. Dr Wong said that for some voters, the reforms mattered, and they used it to measure if the government kept to its promises. “If the government acts like these things didn’t matter, there is a section of voters who would simply not go out and vote and this government would pay the price heavily,” he said. He believes that even a 10 per cent drop of votes from non-Malays and liberals would be enough to see PH lose half of their seats. But he added that the vote drop would affect other parties and coalitions as well. “If PH goes down, BN probably wouldn’t be doing much better,” he said. KEEPING GOVERNMENT INTACT: THE BIGGEST REFORM In a press conference on Friday the Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government would examine the views of various parties and strive to improve the quality of services besides efforts to improve, change and make institutional reforms. He said that the Minister of Law and Institutional Reform Azalina Othman Said would be introducing several bills in the parliament soon, reflecting the Government's efforts and ideas to bring about reforms to the institutions. “Many bills are being planned and are in the process (of being introduced) including the Malaysian Media Council Bill. This is the government’s commitment to improvement, including the ecosystem for media practitioners,” he said to a question about BERSIH's views on the government when it came to reform. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said that he welcomed feedback from the different stakeholders and that as a cabinet member, he didn’t look at it negatively. “We need to find the most harmonised way to carry out these reforms,” he was quoted as saying by news platform Free Malaysia Today (FMT). “Some of the major reforms have been initiated, but it will take a while (for others),” he said on Wednesday when asked about the BERSIH report on the government. Dr Azmi told CNA however that Anwar’s biggest reform was to make sure there was political stability in the country and government. “Considering what we have been through over the past few years, it is the best reform for the last two years. I don’t think the opposition can topple the government,” he said. Since PH defeated BN in the 2018 general elections, there has been political instability in Malaysia, said Dr Azmi. In 2020, the “Sheraton Move” crumbled the Mahathir Mohamad administration from within. Part of this plot was reportedly hatched in the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya. The move saw more than 30 MPs in the ruling PH alliance defect, bringing it down after it had been in charge for just 22 months. This led to the appointment of Muhyiddin as prime minister, as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) and BN joined hands to form a new ruling coalition. However, Muhyiddin’s tenure only lasted until August 2021 when some MPs from BN’s main component party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) pulled their support for him and put forth party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob to replace Muhyiddin as prime minister. “When he formed the unity government, no one thought that he (Mr Anwar) would be able to last this long. There are 18 parties in the coalition with different agendas, but he has held on,” said Dr Azmi. Mr Anwar has served longer as prime minister than all three of his predecessors since the May 2018 general elections. Dr Azmi believed that Mr Anwar has been doing his best to rid the country of corruption and that reforms could come from this effort. He also pointed to the subsidy rationalisation plan as one of the toughest things any Malaysian prime minister could do. “That requires political will and is one of the most difficult and sensitive things to do,” he said. He said that most people were concerned with the high cost of living, but that problem was not unique to Malaysia and that Mr Anwar couldn’t be blamed for it. Mr Ibrahim of the Merdeka Centre said that while it has been a bumpy road so far with doubts about the government's ability to stay intact, how it is perceived has improved over time. “The government has proven itself to be stable and functional and people are appreciating efforts made by the government to to attract foreign investment. There has been a positive impact and the mood is changing gradually,” he said. When asked about the lack of institutional reforms, Mr Ibrahim said that it was understandable as the government was still trying to learn the lessons from before, citing the PH government that was brought down in 2020. “They want to address bigger concerns such as jobs, wages and government efficiency. That is needed to be addressed first to secure legitimacy from the majority of voters. They are aware that they didn’t get cross-cutting support (from voters) and the number one issue is the economy. “They have to seize on that first and the priority is bringing in investments and part of improving efficiency to approve applications and projects,” he said. He however said that certain things such as Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s acquittal from a corruption charge last year are hanging over Mr Anwar’s head. He added that those who cared about institutional reforms were from the upper middle-class group who would have voted for PH. Mr Ibrahim also said there were quiet reforms such as the civil service reforms where the position of Chief Secretary to the Government went to Mr Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, a low-profile civil servant. “The dissatisfaction remains but ultimately it is a smaller segment of the crowd that the government has to attend to,” he said. The stability of the government is the most important and people believe it is needed to create economic growth. The majority of people don’t want to go back to the volatile period between 2018 and 2022.”

Ilona Maher, and “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up, has waltzed herself over to the United Kingdom to play for the Bristol Bears. Maher announced the move on her TikTok account Monday, Dec. 2 after months of speculation as to whether she might join the Premiership Women’s Rugby league. Rumors began to circulate in October that she was in talks with the Bristol or Gloucester teams, but the season started while Maher was competing on the popular reality series “Dancing With the Stars.” The show, which films in Los Angeles, ended Nov. 26 with Maher — and her partner, Alan Bersten — . She added to the speculation that her playing career was headed across the pond when she posted the weekend before her announcement from an airport on her way to London. But Maher finally put the rumors to rest in on her social media, saying, “The Eagle has landed.” “I’m looking forward to calling Bristol home as we gear up for the Rugby World Cup 2025 played here in England,” Maher said. She went on to ask if she could “get a roast” after filming the video, joking that it was a big reason she was there. Bears head coach Dave Ward described Maher’s signing as a “coup” in a Dec. 2, adding that her style offers the team “a new dimension.” “She is one of the biggest names in women’s sport, let alone rugby, and we believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field,” Ward said. According to the team, Maher will train with the Bears before spending the holidays in the U.S. and is set to return for a three-month deal starting in January. The league final is scheduled for mid-March. Maher has amassed more than 3 million TikTok followers and another 4 million on Instagram. The 28-year-old athlete in 2021, posting hilarious TikToks from the Olympic Village as the COVID-19 pandemic restricted fans and family members from in-person spectating. Her star has only brightened since the Tokyo Games, as Maher was part of the 2024 Paris Olympics team that brought the U.S. its first rugby title in 100 years. Fans diligently followed her posts this summer. The U.S. women’s team , the furthest the team has ever gotten at the Games. Upon returning home, Maher took on yet another challenge by joining “Dancing With the Stars.” She described it as a show she used to watch with her family and something that was outside her comfort zone. “I think I’m also doing it again to show that rugby players are so multidimensional,” Maher told ABC’s “Good Morning America” in September. “We go out there on the field and we’re beasts, but I can be a beauty, I can dance, I can do all these things.” Throughout the competition, Maher occasionally struggled, and at one point even But fans praised the Olympian for her vulnerability and determination, voting for her week after week. She also became the first female celebrity on the show to lift her partner in a dance. Maher’s followers were thrilled to hear the news that she’s joining the Bears, and among those cheering her on were her “DWTS” cast mates. “Let’s go!!!!!!! I’m so proud of you. And can’t wait to see you kill it,” Bersten commented on . The Premiership Women’s Rugby league is going to be a slight change in format from what many are used to seeing Maher play in. She typically plays rugby sevens — with seven players per team, as is the style at the Olympics — but the league plays 15s, with 15 players per team. The 15s not only has more players, but the matches are also significantly longer. The smaller squad is on the field for two 7-minute halves, whereas the traditional rugby 15s is played in two 40-minute intervals.Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in India’s economic resilience, attributing the Q2 GDP slowdown to election-related lag effects while reaffirming the strength of the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change Speaking at CNBC TV18’s Indian Business Leader Awards (IBLA) 2024, he stated, “The Indian economy doesn’t operate from quarter to quarter like stock markets. All macro data suggests the economy’s basic strength remains intact.” Addressing the slower 5.4% GDP growth in Q2, Goyal explained that temporary factors, such as election spending disruptions, influenced the numbers. However, he assured that the economy remains on track for robust growth, “By the end of the year, we expect to grow quite decently and continue to be the world’s fastest-growing economy.” Goyal pointed to promising signs of capex recovery in the third quarter. “Green shoots of greater capex spending are already visible in Q3. The Prime Minister himself is monitoring large projects through the Pragati initiative, ensuring that any obstructions to investments are addressed promptly,” he noted. He emphasised the government’s focus on maintaining ease of doing business and strengthening economic fundamentals to sustain growth. Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed scepticism about the connection between interest rates and food inflation, stating that he finds it difficult to understand how changes in interest rates affect the demand for essentials like onions, tomatoes, and pulses. He suggested that economists should evaluate the impact of high interest rates on food inflation and consider whether this traditional approach to inflation management remains effective in today’s context. Goyal also credited the government’s focus on long-term investments in infrastructure and public welfare as key drivers of economic stability. “In the past 10 years, we have set India’s macroeconomic fundamentals right, made massive infrastructure investments, and ensured public welfare initiatives like free food grains and healthcare reach the most vulnerable.” Reiterating India’s global leadership in growth, Goyal said, “The world recognises India as the growth engine of the global economy. We will stay the course, focusing on strong fundamentals while addressing emerging challenges.”

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise.

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