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Indiana coach Mike Woodson is happy that his team has won three straight games but concerned that it's committing too many turnovers. Limiting miscues is at the top of his wish list for Monday night's Big Ten Conference opener against visiting Minnesota in Bloomington, Ind. While the Hoosiers (7-2) shot 53.8 percent and dominated Miami (Ohio) 46-29 on the glass during a 76-57 win at home Friday night, they also had more turnovers (16) than assists (15). Having played for Bob Knight at Indiana, Woodson is fanatical about his team executing its offense without making mistakes. "We were taking chances on passes that weren't there," Woodson said. "We have to fix it. If we start Big Ten play like that, it puts you in a hole." In between careless mistakes, the Hoosiers got a huge game out of Oumar Ballo, the Arizona transfer who had 14 points, 18 rebounds and six assists. It was his 35th career double-double but his first at Indiana. Ballo (12.7 points per game, 9.3 rebounds) is one of four players averaging double figures for the Hoosiers. They're led by Malik Reneau, who's hitting for 15.4 ppg on 58.9 percent shooting. While Indiana tries to fine-tune its game, the Golden Gophers (6-4, 0-1 Big Ten) aim to get to the .500 mark in conference play after absorbing a 90-72 beating Wednesday night against visiting Michigan State. There was good news for Minnesota in that game. Mike Mitchell Jr. returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a high ankle sprain and drilled 5 of 9 3-pointers in a 17-point performance. Mitchell's shooting should aid an attack that ranks 311th in Division I in 3-point percentage at 29.7 percent as of Sunday. "He's a difference-maker in terms of being able to space the floor," Gophers coach Ben Johnson said of Mitchell. "He provides offensive firepower and a guy who can make shots and take pressure off our offense." Dawson Garcia leads the team at 19 ppg, while Lu'Cye Patterson and Mitchell are scoring 10 ppg. The Hoosiers own a 109-69 lead in the all-time series. --Field Level Media

The Foothill League soccer season is in full swing after the second round of league games on Tuesday. Both Hart teams had their league byes while both Saugus squads eked out narrow victories to remain perfect in league on the young season. Here’s what happened for both boys’ and girls’ soccer as teams battled it out on a windy Tuesday in the Santa Clarita Valley. Boys’ soccer Saugus 3, Valencia 2: Saugus won by a one-goal margin Tuesday for the second time in as many league games, taking down Valencia on the road, 3-2. Lincoln Fritz, Santiago Veizaga and Colby McKelvey got the goals for Saugus (2-1, 2-0). Valencia (2-2, 0-2) will look to bounce back on Thursday when it travels to Castaic. Saugus has a road matchup at West Ranch on Thursday. Golden Valley 7, Castaic 2: After sitting out the first round of Foothill League games, Golden Valley opened up with a 7-2 home win over Castaic on Tuesday. Will Flint scored four of Golden Valley’s goals. Anthony Padilla had two and Brandon Arietta had one. Golden Valley (3-3, 1-0) travels to Hart on Thursday. West Ranch 3, Canyon 0 : The Wildcats of West Ranch got over their scoreless draw to start off league play with a 3-0 shutout on the road at Canyon on Tuesday. Logan Bates, Logan Sanchez and Jason Kaufman each scored once to give West Ranch the win. Canyon (1-4, 0-2) has its league bye on Thursday. Girls’ soccer West Ranch 7, Canyon 1 : Five different Wildcats scored as West Ranch beat Canyon at home on Tuesday, 7-1. Savannah Tiskos hit the back of the net twice, while Calista Imperial Pham, Isabella Bruno, Natalie Ramos and Sofia Forbes each scored once. Isabella Lopez provided two assists for West Ranch. Tiskos, Savannah Patton, Melody Canton and Isabella Ruiz also handed out assists. West Ranch (1-1, 1-1) travels to Saugus on Thursday while Canyon (0-3-1, 0-2) has its league bye. Castaic 6, Golden Valley 1 : Four girls scored for Castaic Tuesday as the Coyotes won at home over Golden Valley, 6-1. Pyper Ormes and Leila Sadra each scored twice for Castaic. Kennedy Crone and Clair Silvestro added a goal each. The loss for Golden Valley came a day after a 12-1 thrashing of Vasquez at home. Seven Grizzlies got on the score sheet on Monday, including four goals from Audrey Tait, two from Emilie House and two from Aubrey Esqueda. Tait and House also recorded assists. Castaic (3-0, 2-0) has a road meeting at Valencia on Thursday. Golden Valley (4-5, 0-1) is scheduled to host Hart. Saugus 1, Valencia 0 : Only one goal was needed for Saugus to take down Valencia (1-3, 0-2) at home on Tuesday. Makea Leonard got the goal as Makenna Blum set her up to keep Saugus (3-0, 2-0) perfect in league play in the early going.

Bengals keep confidence and playoff hopes high as they head for a showdown with Pittsburgh

Elon Musk calls Trudeau an ‘insufferable tool’ on his social media platformSaquon Barkley sets Eagles season rushing record and has Dickerson's NFL mark in his sights

Fears for Gaza hospitals as fuel and aid run lowFBI director Christopher Wray has said he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. At a town hall meeting with the bureau workforce, Mr Wray said he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought”. Mr Wray’s intended resignation is not unexpected considering that Mr Trump had picked Mr Patel for the role in his new administration. Mr Wray had previously been named by Mr Trump and began the 10-year term — a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations — in 2017, after Mr Trump fired then-FBI director James Comey. Mr Trump had demonstrated his anger with Mr Wray on multiple occasions, including after Mr Wray’s congressional testimony in September. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Mr Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” Mr Wray continued: “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me. I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Mr Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorised to discuss the private gathering and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Mr Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the weaponisation of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice” and saying that Mr Patel’s confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again”. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI’s Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators”, raising alarm that he might seek to wield the FBI’s significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Mr Trump’s perceived enemies. Mr Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to “a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one”.SAN FRANCISCO: US auto giant General Motors announced Tuesday it will abandon its robotaxi development efforts after a highly publicized incident last year stymied its progress in the autonomous vehicle field. The Detroit-based manufacturer plans to merge the Cruise robotaxi vehicle unit with GM’s technical teams to concentrate on developing advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles, a statement said. The company said it abandoned the Cruise project “given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market.” It marks a major turnaround for GM, which bought the Cruise startup in 2016 and has since spent billions of dollars to make the operation viable. “A robotaxi business is not General Motors’ core business,” said GM CEO Mary Barra in a call with analysts. But Barra said GM’s commitment to autonomous technology “is unwavering.” Honda, an investor in Cruise, had planned to launch a robotaxi service in Japan in 2026, but the Japanese group will now “reassess the project’s future and make necessary adjustments, including potential cancellation, once Cruise finalizes its restructuring,” Honda’s US subsidiary told AFP. The halt of operations comes a year after Cruise was forced to suspend all operations in San Francisco after one of its self-driving cars dragged a woman who had first been hit by a hit-and-run driver in the city. Cruise lost its operating permits from regulators, paused expansions into other states and laid off 900 employees - a quarter of its workforce. Shortly before the incident, California authorities had allowed for expanded driverless taxi services in San Francisco, giving the go-ahead for Alphabet-owned Waymo and Cruise. Cruise’s exit confirms Waymo as the dominant player in the business, which was valued at $45 billion after a fundraising round in October, according to Bloomberg. The company has been expanding its reach and currently runs robotaxi fleets in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. And in a team-up with Uber, the company is planning to offer Waymo robotaxi rides in Atlanta and Austin. Amazon’s Zoox meanwhile is conducting robotaxi testing in California and Las Vegas, while Elon Musk recently unveiled what he said was a robotaxi capable of self-driving, predicting it would be available by 2027. GM’s strategic pivot comes as embattled automakers worldwide face mounting pressure to balance investments in emerging technologies with near-term profitability. The auto giant said that the restructuring is expected to generate annual savings exceeding $1 billion once completed in the first half of 2025. GM’s share price was up by more than three percent in after hours trading on Wall Street. — AFP

New Google app feature injects search links into third-party websitesHighlights MONTREAL, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announces its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024, which ended October 27, 2024. "Once again, we posted solid quarterly results and therefore ended the fiscal year on a strong note," said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "I am very pleased with the excellent results for fiscal 2024 and would like to thank our teams for their disciplined work in reducing costs and improving profitability. "In our Packaging Sector, despite the ongoing pressure on our medical market activities, we reported a 6.5% increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for the quarter, mainly as a result of our cost reduction initiatives. For the fiscal year 2024, our adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization amounted to $262.2 million, up 14.2% compared to the prior year. "In our Retail Services and Printing Sector, we recorded an increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for a second consecutive quarter. The actions taken to improve our cost structure, a more favourable product mix, including the roll-out of raddar TM , as well as growth in our in-store marketing activities, continue to show results. For fiscal 2024, our adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization stood at $201.0 million, an increase of 2.1% compared to the prior year. "Mainly as a result of the implementation of the program aimed at improving our profitability and our financial position, we posted a solid performance for fiscal 2024," added Donald LeCavalier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TC Transcontinental. "In addition, we generated significant cash flows in fiscal 2024 which, combined with the monetization of some real estate assets, enabled us to improve our balance sheet by reducing our net indebtedness ratio to 1.71 times the adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization while allocating $32.3 million to our share repurchase program." Financial Highlights in % 2024 2023 in % Revenues decreased by $30.4 million, or 3.9%, from $779.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $749.3 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to lower volume in the Retail Services and Printing Sector and the Packaging Sector, partially mitigated by the favourable effect of exchange rate fluctuations. Operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $8.6 million, or 7.0%, from $123.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $131.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives and the decrease in asset impairment charges, partially offset by lower volume and the rise in restructuring and other costs. Despite an increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization in the two main operating sectors, consolidated adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization decreased by $3.3 million, or 2.3%, from $145.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $142.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to the unfavourable effect of the change in the incentive compensation expense, including the stock-based compensation expense. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $6.2 million, or 14.9%, from $41.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $47.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.48 to $0.57, respectively. Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation decreased by $4.5 million, or 6.3%, from $71.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $67.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to the previously explained decrease in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization and higher income taxes, partially mitigated by the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses. On a per share basis, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.83 to $0.79, respectively. Results for Fiscal Year 2024 Revenues decreased by $127.7 million, or 4.3%, from $2,940.6 million in fiscal year 2023 to $2,812.9 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to lower volume in the Retail Services and Printing Sector as well as in the Packaging Sector. Operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $25.1 million, or 6.3%, from $399.6 million in fiscal year 2023 to $424.7 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives and the decrease in asset impairment charges, partially offset by lower volume and the rise in restructuring and other costs. Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $22.9 million, or 5.1%, from $446.5 million in fiscal year 2023 to $469.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by lower volume. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $35.5 million, or 41.4%, from $85.8 million in fiscal year 2023 to $121.3 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.99 to $1.41, respectively. Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $25.4 million, or 14.4%, from $176.0 million in fiscal year 2023 to $201.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $2.03 to $2.34, respectively. For more detailed financial information, please see the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended October 27, 2024, as well as the financial statements in the "Investors” section of our website at www.tc.tc . Outlook In the Packaging Sector, our investments, including those related to sustainable packaging solutions, position us well for the future and should be a key driver of our long-term growth. In terms of profitability, we expect to generate organic growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. In the Retail Services and Printing Sector, we are encouraged by the roll-out of raddar TM and growth opportunities in our in-store marketing activities. Despite a decrease in revenues resulting from lower volume in our traditional activities and the roll-out of raddar TM , we expect adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for fiscal 2025 to be stable compared to fiscal 2024, excluding the impact of the labour conflict at Canada Post. Lastly, in addition to the amount received for the sale of our industrial packaging operations, we expect to continue generating significant cash flows from operating activities, which will enable us to reduce our net indebtedness while continuing to make strategic investments and return capital to our shareholders. Labour Conflict at Canada Post On November 15, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers initiated a national strike. As of December 11, 2024, this labour conflict at Canada Post, which remain unresolved, is disrupting the distribution services of flyers, including the raddar TM leaflet. As a result, the Corporation is incurring revenue losses in regions where raddar TM is not distributed through alternative networks, as well as additional costs, including the printing costs of undistributed flyers and the establishment of alternative distribution networks in certain regions of Quebec. As of December 11, 2024, the revenue losses, and consequently the profit losses, along with the additional costs, are estimated at approximately $7.0 million. Non-IFRS Financial Measures In this document, unless otherwise indicated, all financial data are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and the term "dollar", as well as the symbol "$" designate Canadian dollars. In addition, in this press release, we also use certain non-IFRS financial measures for which a complete definition is presented below and for which a reconciliation to financial information in accordance with IFRS is presented in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and in Note 3, "Segmented Information", to the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024. Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures The financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. However, financial measures used, namely adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted income taxes, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation per share, net indebtedness and net indebtedness ratio, for which a reconciliation is presented in the following table, do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and could be calculated differently by other companies. We believe that many of our readers analyze the financial performance of the Corporation's activities based on these non-IFRS financial measures as such measures may allow for easier comparisons between periods. These measures should be considered as a complement to financial performance measures in accordance with IFRS. They do not substitute and are not superior to them. The Corporation also believes that these measures are useful indicators of the performance of its operations and its ability to meet its financial obligations. Furthermore, management also uses some of these non-IFRS financial measures to assess the performance of its activities and managers. 2024 2023 2024 2023 (2) Depreciation and amortization excludes the amortization of intangible assets arising from business combinations. 2024 2023 2024 2023 (2) Depreciation and amortization excludes the amortization of intangible assets arising from business combinations. 2024 2023 2024 2023 (2) Depreciation and amortization excludes the amortization of intangible assets arising from business combinations. 2024 2023 2024 2023Is The Outlook For The Global Economy Still Bullish?Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted on Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Storm inundates Northern California with rain, heavy snow. Thousands remain in the dark in Seattle HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rain from a major storm prompted evacuations from communities near a Northern California river that forecasters say could break its banks Friday, as the storm keeps dumping heavy snow in the region's mountains where some ski resorts opened for the season. The storm reached the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands before moving through Northern California, where several roads were closed due to flooding and strong winds toppled some trees. Forecasters are warning about the risk of flash flooding and rockslides in areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by this season’s strongest atmospheric river. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. State officials have said the child lives in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attends day care, but released no other details. Brazilian police formally accuse former President Bolsonaro and aides of alleged 2022 coup attempt SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup to keep him in office after his electoral defeat in the 2022 elections. The findings are to be delivered Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put the former president on trial or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then.

The 1970S Revisited?Penn State-SMU: How good are the Mustangs, the Lions’ first-round opponent in the playoffs?The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose to record closing highs on Friday following upbeat forecasts from Lululemon Athletica and other companies and as US jobs data fuelled expectations the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates this month. The Dow finished lower, as a 5.1 per cent drop in UnitedHealth Group shares weighed on the index. The S&P 500 consumer discretionary index rose 2.4 per cent to hit an all-time closing high. It led gains among sectors, boosted by Lululemon. Shares of Lululemon Athletica jumped 15.9 per cent after the sportswear maker increased full-year forecasts. Also in the consumer discretionary space, shares of cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty advanced 9.0 per cent after the company raised its annual profit forecast. The US Labor Department report showed job growth surged in November, but an increase in the unemployment rate to 4.2 per cent pointed to an easing labour market. "It does support the case for the Fed to continue to cut rates in the December meeting and into the first quarter," said Bill Northey, senior investment director at US Bank Wealth Management in Billings, Montana. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 123.19 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 44,642.52, the S&P 500 gained 15.16 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 6,090.27 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 159.05 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 19,859.77. The S&P 500 registered its 57th record closing high for 2024, while the Nasdaq Composite posted its 36th record high close for the year. For the week, the Nasdaq gained 3.3 per cent, the S&P 500 rose about 1.0 per cent and the Dow fell 0.6 per cent. Following the data, US rate futures were pricing in roughly a 90 per cent chance the Fed will lower interest rates by 25 basis points at its Dec. 17-18 policy meeting, according to LSEG calculations which previously saw just a 72 per cent chance. The Fed has lowered rates by 75 basis points since September, when it launched its easing cycle. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said inflation risks remained, which augured caution with rate decisions. Shares of health insurance companies including UnitedHealth extended declines from the previous session, two days after Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealth's health insurance unit, was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel. The shooter remained at large and his motive has not been determined. The death sparked comments on social media over frustrations with the US health insurance system. Among other stock moves, shares of Facebook-owner Meta Platforms were up 2.4 per cent after a US appeals court upheld a law requiring China-based ByteDance to divest its popular short video app TikTok by early next year or face a ban. The Cboe Volatility Index, Wall Street's fear gauge, ended down 0.77 points at 12.77 in its lowest finish since mid-July. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 354 new highs and 98 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, 2,610 stocks rose and 1,678 fell as advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.56-to-1 ratio. Volume on U.S. exchanges was 12.99 billion shares, compared with the 14.5 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.

Coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes will face BYU in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Dec. 28, creating an all-Big 12 Conference matchup between two Rocky Mountain teams that haven’t played each other in 36 years . The matchup became official Sunday after the College Football Playoff made its selections , leaving the Alamo Bowl to pick which remaining teams it wanted from the Big 12 and former Pac-12 conferences. The Alamo Bowl then selected the Buffs (9-3) with the first pick of eligible teams from the former Pac-12 . They will play a prime-time game against the Cougars (10-2), the first non-playoff team taken from the Big 12. Both teams were part of a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12 this year but haven’t played each other since the Freedom Bowl in 1988, when BYU won 20-17, despite two touchdowns from Colorado running back Eric Bieniemy. Why is Colorado playing a Big 12 team in the Alamo Bowl? Several bowl games still have contracts with the Pac-12 to select teams from that league even though the conference collapsed this year and only has two current members . Colorado rejoined the Big 12 this year and was one of 10 teams that left the Pac-12 for other conferences. Instead of redoing the contracts to reflect conference realignment, the Alamo Bowl still will select the first non-playoff teams from each of those two pools of candidates in 2024 and 2025. Oregon, a former Pac-12 team, won a spot in the 12-team playoff as the Big Ten champion. So did former Pac-12 member Arizona State, which won the Big 12 championship Saturday against Iowa State. That left Colorado as the most attractive choice among former Pac-12 teams – not just because of its record but especially because of its ability to sell tickets and attract viewers on television. The Buffs have played in front of sold-out crowds in 20 of 24 games under Sanders. They also ranked 11th nationally in average television viewership through Week 11 (3.64 million), according to CU. BOWL GAME SCHEDULE: Entire postseason lineup through College Football Playoff The Alamo Bowl used its first pick on the Big 12 side to select BYU over Iowa State (10-3), which was coming off a 45-19 loss in the Big 12 championship game Saturday. Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU and Colorado all tied for first place in the Big 12 with 7-2 league records. But league tiebreakers determined Arizona State and Iowa State would play for the Big 12 championship Saturday, not BYU or Colorado. Will Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders play in the bowl game? Yes, according to Deion Sanders. Both are expected to be top picks in the NFL draft in April. Playing in a non-playoff bowl game like this could risk an injury that would damage their draft stock and earnings potential. That’s why many college players opt out of playing in games like these. But Sanders is not having that. “Our kids are gonna play in our bowl game, because that’s what we signed up to do and we’re gonna finish,” Sanders said after his team beat Oklahoma State in its regular-season finale . Having both players play will be a viewership boon for the Alamo Bowl, which will be televised by ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET on a Saturday night. Hunter, the cornerback-receiver, is the leading candidate to win the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 14. Shedeur Sanders also is a possible Heisman finalist and has already won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top quarterback. He will face a BYU team that is tied for No. 1 nationally with 20 interceptions. What is the Alamo Bowl payout? It's $9.8 million combined, but since both of these teams are from the Big 12, that money would all go to the Big 12. That and other money from postseason games is later distributed to league members through revenue sharing. Buffaloes have been here before The Buffs’ last two bowl games were in the Alamo Bowl – 2016 and 2020. Both were blowout losses to Big 12 teams. Some Colorado fans might not be thrilled to be returning to San Antonio for that reason and might not have minded dropping to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego instead – which has the next pick among former Pac-12 teams. “That is something to consider but in 2020 our attendance was capped at 11,000 so very few fans made that trip,” Alamo Bowl Vice President Rick Hill told USA TODAY Sports. “Plus, we think our Saturday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m. (Central time) kickoff is ideal for travel and both teams will appreciate the opportunity to play in front of 60,000+ fans on ABC in the conference’s top non-CFP bowl.” This will be the first major college bowl game for Sanders as coach after the Buffs finished 4-8 last year in his first season. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer . Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.comCollege Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out

FBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s termFor beauty buffs looking to create, longer, thicker and fluffy lashes without having to book in for a LVL lash lift or extensions, Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is a go-to. Since its launch in 2021, the mascara has become a firm favourite among professional MUAs, beauty experts and makeup fans alike. The mascara earned its cult-following partly due to going viral on TikTok, and now its new sister product is also doing the rounds online. Costing £12.99 at Boots, the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Space Diamond is a glitter top coat that's perfect for Christmas parties. Space Diamond is the perfect way to add extra sparkle to your makeup look this festive season. It can be worn on its own for a more subtle vibe or on top of a mascara for a full glam, glitzy effect. READ MORE: Debenhams drops £60 chic makeup box to £16 that'd look special in any bedroom READ MORE: Tom Ford fans race to buy bottles of perfume for just £11 each while they're in stock Like its predecessor, the mascara features a bendable flex tower brush that 'reaches every lash' for full coverage, defining and curling them. Maybelline recommends using an eyelash curler and eyelash primer before applying the mascara from root to tip in zig-zag motions. While it doesn't have any reviews at Boots yet because it is so new, it has gone absolutely viral on TikTok. Beauty and lifestyle influencer, @ zoeilanahill , tried out the mascara and was blown away by the results. In her TikTok video, she said: "Everyone and their mum has seen this all over their for you page, so we're going to give this a go. This is the Maybelline Sky High Mascara Space Diamond Mascara . It is this gorgeous, glittery, iridescent mascara topper." She added: "I am going to add this to my bottom lashes to see what they look like. Stop, that's so cute. Look at that gorgeous, subtle shimmer. I'm not going to lie, I kind of love it." Another TikTok user, @ NaomiMizrahi, also loved the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Space Diamond . In her video, she said: "Collectively we are all obsessed with Maybelline's mascaras in Burgundy and Black. But they've come out with two new shades in Plum Twilight and Space Diamond. It is the same formula that we all know and love. As it is sparkle season, I am going to apply a little bit of of Space Diamond on top. The way it sparkles is so pretty. You don't know how obsessed I am." Elsewhere, Amazon stocks this glitter mascara for £4.79 and a set of three glitter mascaras , including a gold, silver and bronze shade - for £9.99. At Superdrug the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Space Diamond is also available for £13.99 and you can get the Collection Glam Crystals Gel Glitter Eyeliner for £3.99.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered blows in court in its effort to get favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough legitimate votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey, a stalwart of Pennsylvania’s Democratic establishment and the state’s longest serving Democrat ever in the Senate, said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. More election coverage Police report reveals assault allegations against Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary Republicans on House Ethics reject for now releasing report on Matt Gaetz Trump’s incoming chief of staff is a former lobbyist. She’ll face a raft of special interests Casey’s campaign said the last of the ballots cast before polls closed on Nov. 5’s Election Day had finally been counted Thursday. What to know about Trump’s second term: Staffing the administration: Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far. Plus, a look at recess appointments and how could Trump use them to fill his Cabinet. Follow all of our coverage as Donald Trump assembles his second administration. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt Casey a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Casey in the meantime had won efforts to get counties to tabulate thousands of provisional ballots that might otherwise have been thrown out because of an error by an election worker. That included voters whose registrations hadn’t been properly processed, the campaign said. But the campaign lost other efforts to get counties to count ballots that were disqualified over garden-variety errors that voters made, like not signing a provisional ballot in two places or not putting the ballot into an inner “secrecy” envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. McCormick, 59, recaptured a GOP seat in Pennsylvania after Republicans lost one in 2022, paying off a bet that party brass made when they urged McCormick to run and consolidated support behind him. It was McCormick’s second time running, after he lost narrowly to Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022’s GOP primary. McCormick, the former CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund , drew on tens of millions of dollars in campaign cash from allies from across the worlds of hedge funds and securities trading to help make the race the nation’s second-most expensive in the campaign cycle. ___ Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriterNEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global non- fungible token (NFT) market size is estimated to grow by USD 68.16 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.23% during the forecast period. Increasing demand for digital art is driving market growth, with a trend towards growing interest in nfts among major brands. However, uncertainty in nfts poses a challenge. Key market players include AirNFTs Platform, Asynchronous Art Inc., Binance Holdings Ltd., Blockchain App Factory, Celer Network, Chaincella, Decentraland Foundation, Enjin Pte. Ltd., Foundation Labs Inc., Funko Inc., Gemini Trust Co. LLC, Mintable.app, Ozone Networks Inc., Out The Mud Ventures Inc., Rarible Inc., Sky Mavis , SuperRare Labs Inc., Tiki Labs Inc., Yellowheart LLC, Axie Infinity.Cloudflare, Inc.; PLBY Group, Inc.; Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.; Takung Art Co., Ltd.; Dapper Labs, Inc.; Onchain Labs, Inc Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Non- fungible Token (NFT) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 30.23% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 68.16 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 23.27 Regional analysis APAC, North America, South America, Europe, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 39% Key countries US; Canada; Thailand, China; Brazil, U.K.; Germany; France; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Australia; Mexico; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); UAE; South Africa Key companies profiled AirNFTs Platform, Asynchronous Art Inc., Binance Holdings Ltd., Blockchain App Factory, Celer Network, Chaincella, Decentraland Foundation, Enjin Pte. Ltd., Foundation Labs Inc., Funko Inc., Gemini Trust Co. LLC, Mintable.app, Ozone Networks Inc., Out The Mud Ventures Inc., Rarible Inc., Sky Mavis, SuperRare Labs Inc., Tiki Labs Inc., Yellowheart LLC, Axie Infinity, Cloudflare, Inc.; PLBY Group, Inc.; Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.; Takung Art Co., Ltd.; Dapper Labs, Inc.; Onchain Labs, Inc Market Driver NFTs, or Non- Fungible Tokens, have taken the art, athletes, and celebrities worlds by storm. These digital assets, representing unique items like artworks, collectibles, and even virtual real estate, are creating buzz in various industries. Blockchain technology powers NFTs, ensuring transparency, ownership, and scarcity. The gaming industry and media & entertainment sector are leveraging NFTs for tokenizing games, trading cards, and virtual items. Artists and athletes are minting NFTs of their digital artworks and collectibles, offering fans exclusive ownership. Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) are enhancing the NFT experience, making it more interactive. The NFT community is growing, with online platforms enabling easy buying, selling, and trading. However, regulatory considerations, consumer protection, and legal frameworks are crucial. Fraud and taxation are concerns, with securities laws and intellectual property rights coming into play. Blockchain networks like Ethereum and proof-of-work/stake mechanisms ensure secure transactions. The NFT market is evolving, with potential applications in decentralized finance, music, and even virtual vehicles. The future looks promising, with the metaverse and virtual reality (VR) offering new possibilities. The White House and third parties are exploring NFTs, signaling mainstream adoption. Big brands, such as Visa Inc. And Budweiser, are increasingly exploring the Non- Fungible Token (NFT) market for potential earnings. In August 2021 , Visa Inc. Made a significant investment by purchasing a CryptoPunk NFT for approximately USD165,000 . This acquisition expanded Visa's historic commerce artifacts collection. The primary motivation for these corporations is the opportunity to generate additional revenue. Furthermore, they are focusing on utilizing NFTs as incentives for consumers. For instance, NFTs can serve as innovative rewards, offering exclusive gifts to loyal customers. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Non- Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have disrupted the art, collectibles, and entertainment industries by allowing unique digital assets to be bought and sold as property. Artists, athletes, celebrities, and even the White House have joined the NFT community, creating digital artworks, collectibles, and virtual items backed by blockchain technology. NFTs provide proof of ownership, scarcity, and authenticity, making them attractive to investors. However, challenges persist, such as regulatory considerations under securities laws, consumer protection, and fraud . Distributed networks like Ethereum facilitate NFT trading, but logistical issues and taxation remain unclear. The gaming industry, media & entertainment, and decentralized finance are exploring NFTs for tokenization of games, virtual items, and digital property. Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) are expected to enhance the NFT experience. However, legal frameworks and regulatory considerations need to address intellectual property, third-party rights, and securities laws. Ultimately, NFTs offer a new way to monetize and trade digital assets, but careful planning and regulation are crucial to ensure a fair and secure marketplace. The Non- Fungible Token (NFT) market presents both opportunities and challenges for sellers. Valuation of NFTs is uncertain due to the difficulty in determining future demand and pricing. Factors such as scarcity, uniqueness, and buyer perception play a significant role in determining NFT value. New sellers face challenges in anticipating buyer identity and purchase drivers. As the market continues to evolve, predicting future trends in NFT pricing remains difficult for new investors. The value of NFTs is subjective and dependent on buyer perception, leading to price fluctuations. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This non- fungible token (nft) market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Collectibles 1.2 Sports 1.3 Arts 1.4 Others End-user 2.1 Personal 2.2 Commercial Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 South America 3.4 Europe 3.5 Middle East and Africa Type 1.1 Collectibles- Non- Fungible Tokens (NFTs) refer to unique digital collectibles, minted on the Blockchain. These collectibles are limited-edition and cannot be exchanged or replicated. Vendors offer online platforms for buying and selling NFTs. Key features include the owner's exclusive right to sell, royalty payments on future sales, and protection against unauthorized use or copying. The NFT market's expansion is fueled by the increasing demand for digital assets worldwide. Industries are going digital, and the Internet's ubiquity, along with rising usage, encourages investments in digital assets. Tokenization, which creates digital tokens representing asset ownership, further boosts market growth. These factors are expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the global NFT market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The Non- Fungible Token (NFT) market is revolutionizing the way we buy, sell, and own digital assets. This innovative technology allows for the unique representation and ownership of electronic artworks, gaming items, and collectibles on the blockchain. The gaming industry has embraced NFTs, enabling tokenization of in-game items and creating new revenue streams. NFTs on Ethereum network provide scarcity and ownership, making digital artworks valuable and collectible. Legal frameworks are evolving to accommodate this new asset class, while AR, VR, and XR technologies enhance the NFT experience. Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies power the NFT market, with Web 3 enabling decentralized finance and creating new distribution networks. Fraud prevention is crucial in this market, with NFT suppliers ensuring authenticity and ownership. The NFT market offers a new frontier for creators, collectors, and investors, with Magic Eden and other platforms serving as marketplaces for these unique digital assets. The Non- Fungible Token (NFT) market is a revolutionary digital ecosystem where Art, Digital Artworks, and Collectibles come to life as unique, verifiable, and tradable assets on the blockchain. This decentralized platform allows Artists, Athletes, and Celebrities to monetize and showcase their Intellectual Property in the form of NFTs, including Painting, Music, and even Virtual Real Estate. Blockchain technology enables Ownership and Transfer of these Digital Assets with transparency and Security. NFTs are not limited to the Art World but extend to Gaming Industry, Sports Collectibles, Trading Cards, and Virtual Items. The market also includes Decentralized Finance, Cryptocurrencies , and Cryptocurrencies /assets. Regulatory considerations and Consumer Protection are essential aspects of this emerging market, with legal frameworks and Taxation being crucial. NFTs can be traded on various Online Platforms, and the market is expanding into Extended Reality (XR) and Metaverse, offering new opportunities for creators and investors. However, Fraud and Scam risks exist, highlighting the need for careful consideration and due diligence. NFTs represent a new frontier in the Digital Economy, with potential applications in various industries, including Media & Entertainment, Logistics, and even House and Vehicle ownership. Smart Contracts and Proof of Work or Stake are essential components of the NFT market, enabling seamless Transactions and Distribution Networks. The NFT community continues to grow, with various Third Parties offering services and solutions to facilitate the creation, trading, and management of NFTs. The NFT market is a dynamic and evolving space, offering endless possibilities for creators, investors, and consumers alike. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Collectibles Sports Arts Others End-user Personal Commercial Geography APAC North America South America Europe Middle East And Africa Type 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/non-fungible-token-nft-market-to-grow-by-usd-68-16-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-digital-art-demand-and-ai-powered-market-evolution---technavio-302327902.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

EXCLUSIVE SNP in 'secret talks' over lifting freeze on their crisis-hit Ministers' salaries Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By GEORGIA EDKINS SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Published: 20:34, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 20:34, 23 November 2024 e-mail View comments The SNP is in talks about the prospect of lifting the pay freeze on Ministers’ salaries, The Mail on Sunday can disclose. Discussions to end the pay cap imposed by Alex Salmond 15 years ago are taking place within the party’s Holyrood group. Former SNP chief whip George Adam and MSP Kenny Gibson have raised the idea at meetings in recent weeks, insiders report. It comes just days before the Scottish Government is expected to announce a raft of cuts at the Holyrood Budget on December 4. Scandal continues to mire Ministers as Neil Gray this month became the second Health Secretary appointed in as many years to face questions over his alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded perks. Health Secretary Neil Gray could benefit from a possible end to the ministerial pay freeze Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton says public would be 'furious' if freeze lifted One SNP insider, who confirmed talks had taken place, said: ‘It’s not about the money, but when you’re having a really rough time, it’s hard not to think “I’m getting about £30 a week extra for this”.’ Critics last night reacted with fury at the suggestion Ministerial salaries could be boosted while ordinary Scots battle a cost of living crisis. Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘The record of SNP Ministers is one of incompetence, mismanagement and abuse of taxpayers’ money. ‘And that’s just those who have not had to resign in disgrace for flagrant breaches of the rules. ‘Scottish households, who pay the highest taxes in the UK under the SNP’s watch but get less and less in return, will be furious at the idea Nationalist politicians plan to feather their own nests while their policies have left hard-working taxpayers worse off.’ SNP insiders fear that Scottish Ministers do not earn enough compared to their backbenchers John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Taxpayers north of the Border are faced with a government that imposes a higher tax burden and more nanny state policies than in England. Yet its politicians are now seeking to fill their pockets. ‘Pay rises for Ministers should be linked to clear performance metrics, such as an increase in GDP or a fall in the tax burden.’ In 2009 former First Minister Mr Salmond froze Ministerial pay due to ‘fiscal pressures’. It has stayed at the same threshold ever since. The freeze means that despite being eligible for an extra £33,989 on top of their £72,196 MSP salary, Ministers actually get £81,449, according to Holyrood officials. More than £20,000 is taken off their gross pay and funnelled back into the public finances to help bolster budgets. Cabinet secretaries – including embattled Mr Gray, who has been criticised for using taxpayer- funded limos to see his favourite football team play – are entitled to an extra £54,256, bumping their net pay to £126,452. But once the salary ‘sacrifice’ is made in line with the 2009 rule, Mr Gray and his senior cabinet colleagues actually get £96,999. The freeze is also in place for the First Minister, the Solicitor General and the Lord Advocate. If the pay threshold was lifted First Minister John Swinney would earn £176,780, £10,000 more than Sir Keir Starmer gets to run the whole of the UK. Currently, Mr Swinney receives £135,605. Holyrood records show that since 2009, Ministers have made £1.94 million available for public spending from their pay packets. As of next year, the contribution is expected to stand at £2.23 million. Discussions about ministerial pay come despite extreme pressure on the public finances However, in recent weeks Mr Adam and Mr Gibson have raised the prospect of an end to the freeze amid claims some Ministers are barely earning more than backbenchers once pension contributions, student loans and tax is taken off their gross pay. A source said: ‘The level of work of a Minister is huge. Some are only earning around £200 a month more than MSPs and that is ridiculous for what they give up.’ But one senior SNP insider slapped down the suggestions and said: ‘Even to consider awarding themselves higher salaries at this time shows breathtaking arrogance and an extraordinary lack of political nous.’ The discussions are taking place despite extreme pressures on Scotland’s public finances. In August, SNP Ministers imposed emergency spending controls and £500 million of cuts in a bid to balance the Scottish Government’s budget. The SNP was approached for comment. SNP Alex Salmond Share or comment on this article: SNP in 'secret talks' over lifting freeze on their crisis-hit Ministers' salaries e-mail Add commentA landmark $600 million deal for a Papua New Guinea team to enter the National Rugby League comes with an escape clause allowing the Australian government to immediately terminate the agreement if PNG strikes a security or policing pact with China or other rival nations over the next decade. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced at a joint press conference in Sydney that a Port Moresby-based team will enter the NRL from 2028. The PNG team is likely to want Xavier Coates to be its inaugural marquee signing. Credit: Getty “Australia and PNG are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends,” Albanese said. “We are bound by a history of shared sacrifice and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific. And we are united of course by a love of rugby league. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the Australian government is supporting a PNG team to join the NRL competition from 2028.” “Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and PNG deserves a national team. The new team will belong to the people of PNG and it will call Port Moresby home. It will have millions of people barracking for it from day one.” The leaders hailed the deal as a historic milestone for the PNG-Australia relationship that will bond the nations together and provide a major economic boost to the Pacific’s most populous nation as it seeks to lift much of its population out of poverty. There’s no questioning Papua New Guinea’s passion for rugby league. Credit: Getty “What this is about, isn’t just the elite level,” Albanese said. “This is about the grassroots level. It’s about economic development. It’s about the relationship between our peoples. It provides, as sport often does, an opportunity for people to succeed, not just in sport but in life. “That is why this partnership isn’t just about Papua New Guinea, it’s also about our relationship with the Pacific.” Australian taxpayers will provide $600 million over the next 10 years to help establish the team, with $120 million coming from existing Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding. The PNG government has committed to building compound-style accommodation for players and offering tax-free salary benefits to lure star players to its capital, Port Moresby. The Australian and PNG governments have signed a separate agreement on “shared strategic trust” that sits beside the franchise agreement between the NRL, Australia and PNG. The exact terms of the strategic trust agreement are confidential and will not be released to the public. “Today also confirms ... our bilateral security agreement, which was signed just over a year ago in Canberra,” Albanese said. “Since signing that agreement, we’ve made real progress with Australia providing tangible support to PNG’s internal security priorities ... I think that today is a day where people will look back in five years, 10 years, 20 years and see that this was a day where the relationship between our nations was cemented even further into a new level.” Loading While there is no explicit clause granting Australia veto rights over security deals between PNG and other countries, government sources said the NRL agreement was “contingent” on PNG continuing to support the principle that security and policing arrangements are handled by Pacific nations including Australia. The sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said the agreement allows the Australian government to withdraw financial support for PNG’s NRL team without supplying a reason until 2035. The NRL would be required to terminate the PNG team’s franchise if the Australian government removes its support under the terms of the agreement. “This is about diplomacy, this is about making Australia safer, this is about securing our status as the security partner of choice in the Pacific,” a senior government source said. The government announced a new treaty earlier this week with Nauru that allows it to block China and other countries from striking any security or telecommunications deals with the tiny Pacific nation in exchange for $140 million in financial support from Australian taxpayers. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told this masthead last week that the agreement has “nothing to do with China” but Australian government officials have insisted there was a security element to the agreement. A separate clause prohibits the NRL from asking the Australian government for more money within or after the 10-year funding period. The logo, colours and name of the PNG team are yet to be determined. One option is for the club to be called the PNG Hunters, the name given to the team that has been playing in the Queensland Cup competition since 2014. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG counterpart James Marape discussed PNG’s NRL bid while walking the Kokoda Track in April. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer “I want to indicate to everyone here in Australia and back home, we’re not just filling the numbers for Anthony [Albanese] and James [Marape] to feel good,” Marape said. “Far from it. We want to win the competition. Just like the Dolphins did in their first year of entry [in 2023], we will field a very strong team in the first game in 2028. “As South Sydney lives on 100 years on from its birth, this one will live on way after you [Albanese] and me are gone. Our people forever bound in not only a shared love for rugby league, but a shared love for each other.” It remains unclear whether PNG will be the NRL’s 18th or 19th team, given there is a desire to add another side as early as 2027. The NRL remains in negotiations for a Perth-based franchise, which are continuing directly with the WA government after a consortium bid was rejected. Sources said negotiations over the PNG team were up in the air until the May NRL “magic round” in May, when Pacific Minister Pat Conroy and Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys struck an in-principle agreement for a team to enter the competition. One of the likely signing targets for the franchise is Xavier Coates. The Melbourne, Queensland and Australian star was born in Port Moresby, has previously represented Fiji and, given he is only 23 years old, will likely be in his prime when the team enters the NRL. His younger brother, Phillip, is also a rising star who represented the PNG Junior Kumuls in their recent draw with the Australian Schoolboys team. As a sweetener to sign with PNG, players and staff will be granted tax-free status. That will allow a marquee signing on a $1.2 million deal to save up to $550,000 a year. The expansion of the NRL competition is expected to bring more money into the game and the existing clubs have argued for a share. They have been placated by the division of a $60 million license fee, which will come out of the $600 million Australian government payment. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article PNG NRL 2024 NRL 2025 Foreign relations China relations China More... Matthew Knott is the foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Connect via Twitter or Facebook . Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Michael Chammas is a sports reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Sport LoadingCollege Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

With 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. last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday’s National Women’s Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta’s first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for,” Marta said. “Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. “Let’s see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better,” Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I’ve ever witnessed, hands down.” Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women’s soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. “I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them.” Marta’s club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women’s leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit’s roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer:Global Neurofeedback System Market To Reach $2.14 Billion By 2028 With A Growth Rate Of 10.7%MITCHELL — The Mitchell Board of Education will consider changing the district Begindergarten program from a half-day to a full-day program when it meets Monday in regular session. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at Longfellow Elementary School. ADVERTISEMENT According to the agenda packet for the meeting, Joe Childs, superintendent for the Mitchell School District, will ask the board to change the program from running half-days to full-days at the beginning of the 2025 school year. “In response to growing research on the developmental needs of young learners, I am asking you to support the transition from a half-day Begindergarten program to a full-day program at all three of its elementary schools beginning fall of 2025,” Childs writes in his notes on the agenda item. “This change will complement the district’s full-day kindergarten program, which will remain in place.” Begindergarten is a program for children who are ready to start kindergarten but may not be academically, socially or emotionally prepared to make the full transition. It helps children understand what school is and how it works as well as prepares them for success in kindergarten and beyond. The change to a full-day program should enhance the effectiveness of that transition, Childs said. “The new full-day Begindergarten program is designed for students who will benefit from additional time to develop social, emotional and academic skills before moving on to kindergarten. The focus of the Begindergarten program is on preparing students for kindergarten by addressing key developmental milestones, including early literacy, numeracy and social-emotional growth.” The board will also review class size guidelines at the meeting. The board instituted class size recommendations in February 2024, and as part of that approval also established that the class size recommendations would be reviewed annually. ADVERTISEMENT The guidelines, which were brought to the board by an advisory committee and the district administration team went into effect for the 2024-25 school year, set a recommended class size for the elementary, middle school and high school levels. They set various recommended class sizes, leaning smaller with younger classes and those that may need more one-on-one attention and ranging higher for older students and for classes like vocal and instrumental music. “Nearly a year ago, the district reviewed the concept of class size recommendations in K-12 classrooms. After such, guidelines were developed in a way that organized decision-making processes for adding or eliminating FTE throughout the district attendance centers,” Childs said in his agenda notes. “I will recommend approval at this time.” The class size guidelines to be reviewed can be found in the agenda packet for the Dec. 9 meeting. Mitchell Board of Education... by inforumdocs The board is also expected to consider the following personnel moves: Also at the meeting, the board is expected to: The Mitchell Republic will livestream the meeting on its website.