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The PGA Tour is making the most sweeping changes to its eligibility in more than 40 years by eliminating 25 tour cards, along with shrinking the size of its fields. The all-exempt tour had been in place since 1983, meaning the top 125 players from the official money list — now the FedEx Cup standings — kept a full PGA Tour card the following season. That changes in 2026 after the PGA Tour policy board approved a new priority list on Monday. Only the top 100 players will earn full tour cards for the following year. The top 30 from the developmental Korn Ferry Tour used to advance to the PGA Tour. That number now goes to 20. Five players from qualifying school will get cards — it previously was the top five and ties. The tour also is doing away with 156-man fields except for two tournaments held on multiple courses. Most tournaments will have 120 players before Daylight Saving Time, then 132 players in spring and a maximum of 144 players in the summer months. Here's a look at what's behind the changes and what it means: The all-exempt tour led to a bloated membership in which nearly 200 players were on the membership rolls through one exemption or another, and those toward the bottom of the priority list could not get into all the tournaments they wanted to play. Those who graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour, for example, could only get in three or four tournaments over the first few months of the season, giving them a disadvantage. The PGA Tour believes that limited full status to the top 100 instead of the top 125 will give everyone who earns a card a fair chance at getting into regular tournaments. Priority to get into tournaments starts with winners of the majors and The Players Championship over the last five years; winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial and Genesis Invitational the last three years; tournament winners the last two years and career money leaders. Next are the top 125; players who have been given a medical extension; and then the 45 players who earned cards from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. After that are those who finished from No. 126 to No. 150 in the FedEx Cup. All of them have PGA Tour cards. But there's not room for them in every tournament. The most common refrain in golf is to play better to get better status. Those who perennially finish in the top 100 should have no trouble keeping their cards, and they will have fewer players to beat because the fields will be smaller. It also helps newcomers from the Korn Ferry Tour, European tour and Q-school. They can expect to get into every regular tournament, increasing their odds of getting into some of the $20 million signature events. The PGA Tour, already the strongest circuit in golf, is likely to be even more competitive with a greater chance of the top names in contention. The tour also hopes — this is still to be determined — it will improve the pace of play and keep rounds from spilling over into the next day. Players like Peter Malnati and Taylor Pendrith come to mind. Under the new system, neither would have had a full PGA Tour card this year and likely would not have been in the fields for the tournaments they won — Malnati at the Valspar Championship and Pendrith at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Those wins make them exempt through 2026. Players who have not performed consistently well, who seem to struggle each year just to finish in the top 125, will have to be at their best to stay on tour. The PGA Tour also is reducing the four spots from Monday qualifiers at open tournaments. Now there will only two spots for the 132-man fields and none for fields of 120 players. One of golf's charms is how one week can change a career. Then again, there has been only one Monday qualifier to win in the last five years — Corey Conners in the 2019 Texas Open. The new eligibility starts in 2026, so that puts a huge emphasis on playing well this year knowing that only the top 100 will keep full status. The four majors are not run by the PGA Tour. The Masters has the smallest field, typically fewer than 100 players. The U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship have 156-man fields. The Players Championship, the premier event run by the PGA Tour, is reducing its field from 144 players to 120. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfCelebrating, introspection, and, of course, making memories are all part of the New Year. Smartphones are now capable of shooting beautiful pictures thanks to developments in mobile photography. This post examines some of the top cellphones on the market right now, ideal for recording your New Year's celebrations. Also Read | Moto G85 to Poco X6 Pro: Top 5 best gaming mobile phones of 2024 under Rs 20,000 1. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple's most recent flagship has a strong camera system that is led by a 48MP quad-pixel primary sensor. Even in difficult low-light situations, this results in outstanding image quality with remarkable detail and dynamic range. You can now take beautiful close-ups of complex details and festive decorations thanks to the inclusion of a 48MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus and macro capabilities. While the sophisticated computational photographic technologies, such the Photonic Engine, guarantee breathtaking images in a variety of lighting conditions, the 5x telephoto lens (now available on both Pro versions) brings far-off fireworks and celebrations closer. Also Read | CMF Phone 1 to Redmi A4: 2024's best 5 budget smartphones under Rs 20,000 With support for 4K 120 frames per second, video recording has also greatly improved, allowing for fluid and dramatic footage of the New Year's festivities. Using spatial audio recording gives your films a more immersive quality and faithfully captures the atmosphere of the celebrations. 2. Oppo Find X8 Pro The Oppo Find X8 Pro places a strong emphasis on display quality and zoom capabilities. It has two periscope telephoto lenses with Sony LYT-600 and Sony IMX858 sensors and a quad 50MP back camera system with up to 6x optical zoom. Because of these features, it's a great option for taking remarkably clear pictures of far-off objects, such fireworks on New Year's Eve. It also has a 50MP ultra-wide camera with a Sony LYT-808 primary sensor and a Samsung S5KJN5 sensor, which produces amazing group photos and outstanding low-light performance. The smartphone has a 6.8-inch 1.5K 120Hz LTPO micro-curved AMOLED display from BOE, which improves the viewing experience of images and movies with its rich colors and fluid scrolling. With its potent MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC, 5910mAh battery, and 80W rapid charging, it offers smooth performance for simple photo capture and editing. Also Read | Realme 14x 5G vs Poco M7 Pro 5G: Which budget smartphone is better? 3. Vivo X100 Ultra The Vivo X100 Ultra has an innovative camera setup that includes a 200MP ISOCELL HP9 periscope camera for remarkable zoom capabilities and a 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor on the primary camera for unmatched image clarity. It has Vivo's in-house BlueImage algorithm, which produces beautiful backlit and low-light images that are ideal for documenting nighttime events and New Year's Eve fireworks. With support for Dolby Vision and 4K 120 frames per second, the Vivo X100 Ultra is also an excellent video recorder. The phone could only be available in specific areas, though. Also Read | Xiaomi 14 to Poco F6: Top 5 mid-range smartphones offering premium features of 2024 4. Xiaomi 14 Ultra A very complete camera system is provided by the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. A 1-inch Sony LYT-900 primary sensor with a variable aperture is part of the quad rear camera arrangement, giving you more control over depth of field. This offers remarkable adaptability for a range of shooting situations when paired with a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 50MP 3.2x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens, all of which include Leica Summilux optics. Top-tier performance is guaranteed by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and you are kept energized all day long by the large battery that charges quickly. Its attractiveness is further increased by its sturdy construction and IP68 rating. Also Read | GOOD news for WhatsApp users! You can now scan documents with your phone’s camera; Here’s how 5. Vivo X200 Pro With its 50MP Sony LYT-818 primary sensor, 1/1.28-inch size, and sophisticated picture processing, the Vivo X200 Pro is a flexible option for New Year's photography. It has a 200MP telephoto lens with a 3.7x optical zoom to take close-up pictures of fine details. For superior visibility, the smartphone has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a remarkable peak brightness of 4500 nits. It has a fast Dimensity 9400 CPU with up to 16GB of RAM, and it supports Dolby Vision for better video quality and 4K illuminated portraits. The Vivo X200 Pro's powerful 6000mAh battery and quick charging guarantee continuous operation for recording priceless moments. Also Read | Elon Musk’s X HIKES subscription prices in India by 35%: Here’s how much it will cost you
Martin Earwicker will take up the role in January 2025 after being selected following a "rigorous recruitment process". He will take over the role from Steve Erskine, who will step down at the end of the year having served the maximum six-year term. Hampshire Hospitals said it is grateful to Mr Erskine for his exemplary and steadfast leadership during his tenure. Mr Earwicker is currently chair of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, but has also held several other board-level roles. These include serving as chief executive of the Ministry of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, chief executive of the Science Museum and vice chancellor of London South Bank University. He has also been a non-executive director at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Alex Whitfield, Hampshire Hospitals' chief executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Martin as the new chair of Hampshire Hospitals. "His exceptional leadership experience across diverse sectors, along with his understanding of health and social care, will be invaluable to our staff and the communities we serve. "Martin’s visionary approach and values-driven leadership will help guide the trust as we continue to deliver outstanding care and navigate both the opportunities and challenges ahead." Mr Earwicker will also continue in the role as chair of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for a few months to ensure a smooth handover to his successor. Speaking about his new role, Mr Earwicker said: "I’m really looking forward to joining Hampshire Hospitals at the start of 2025. "Hampshire Hospitals is a brilliant organisation, and I understand the vital role it plays in providing essential services to local communities, as well as specialist care to patients from further afield. "This is an exciting time to join the trust as it looks to the future, working with partners to modernise healthcare for the benefit of the communities it serves." Mr Earwicker is said to have a proven track record of delivering "transformational change", fostering positive organisational cultures, and working with partners to drive improved outcomes for patients. He is deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and is passionate about ensuring that patients remain at the heart of decision-making. Over the coming months, Mr Earwicker and Mr Erskine will work together to ensure a 'smooth and seamless transition'.NoneThe picture shows arrive in Fiji
Hill: High school rivals reunited as Raiders running backs
NoneJudge to hear arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google are set to make closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia come as Google is already facing a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. 'Buy now, pay later' is more popular than ever. Experts warn shoppers not to overdo it NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Stock market today: Wall Street rises near records as Treasury yields ease NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising near records and adding to last week’s gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday and was just below its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 395 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Bessent has advocated for reducing the U.S. government’s deficit, which could soothe some worries that had been building on Wall Street. Judge in Alex Jones' bankruptcy case to hear arguments on The Onion's bid for Infowars A federal judge in Texas is set to hold a hearing on whether the satirical news outlet The Onion made a valid bid for the Infowars platforms of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who alleges a bankruptcy auction was marred by fraud and collusion. The hearing is set for Monday afternoon. It's not clear how soon the bankruptcy judge will rule. He could allow The Onion to move forward with its purchase, order a new auction or even name the only other bidder as the winner. Jones filed for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits by families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. As Amazon expands use of warehouse robots, what will it mean for workers? Amazon has introduced a handful of robots in its warehouses that the e-commerce giant says will improve efficiency and reduce employee injuries. Two robotic arms named Robin and Cardinal can lift packages that weigh up to 50 pounds. Sparrow transfers items from bins to other containers. The company says it's already seeing benefits, such as reducing the time it takes to fulfill orders and helping employees avoid repetitive tasks. However, automation also carries drawbacks for workers who might need to be retrained for new positions. The Associated Press recently spoke with Julie Mitchell, the director of Amazon’s robotic sortation technologies, about where the company hopes to go from here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that Constitution is the guiding light of the nation and stated that it is a matter of great honour that the Indian Constitution is completing 75 years on 26th January next year. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Mr Modi said the Constitution has stood the test of time in every sense of the term. The Prime Minister noted that on the occasion of Constitution Day this year, many activities have commenced that will continue throughout the year. He mentioned that a special website constitution75.com has been created to connect citizens with the legacy of the Constitution. Prime Minister urged the listeners of Mann Ki Baat, children and youth to visit the website. People can read the Preamble of the Constitution and upload their video in the website. The website also offers the opportunity to read the Constitution in many different languages and ask questions pertaining to the Constitution. The Maha Kumbh is going to be held in Prayagraj from the 13th of January. Prime Minister highlighted that mammoth preparations are going on at the banks of Sangam in Prayagraj. He shared that he went to Prayagraj a few days ago and viewed the entire Kumbh area from a helicopter. Prime Minister exuded pride that the speciality of Maha Kumbh is not only in its vastness, but also in its diversity. He underscored that crores of people congregate for this event, including lakhs of saints, hundreds of sects and many Akharas. He said no discrimination is done and such unity in diversity is not witnessed anywhere else in the world. He stated that Kumbh is also the Maha Kumbh of unity. Mr. Modi urged people to embrace the spirit of unity while participating in the Maha Kumbh. He also called upon them to pledge to annihilate the feelings of division and hatred in the society. Giving the slogan of Mahakumbh Ka Sandesh, Ek Ho Poora Desh, he expressed hope for an undivided society, just like the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga. The Prime Minister highlighted that this time in Prayagraj, devotees from the country and the world will also be witness to the digital Maha Kumbh. With the help of digital navigation, people will be able to reach different ghats, temples, and akharas of sadhus. The same navigation system will also help people reach parking spaces. Mr Modi said that for the first time, an AI chatbot will be used in the Kumbh event. All kinds of information related to Kumbh will be available in 11 Indian languages through the AI chatbot. Prime Minister also said that the entire Fair area is being covered with AI-powered cameras. If someone gets separated from one’s kith and kin during the Kumbh, these cameras will help in finding them. Devotees will also get the facility of a digital lost and found center. They will also be provided information about government-approved tour packages, accommodation and homestay on their mobile phones. Prime Minister asked people to avail these facilities and upload their selfie with #EktaKaMahakumbh. Touching the topic of animation, Mr Modi was pleased to note that Krish, Trish and Baltiboy, KTB, is a superhit animation series among children. Prime Minister elaborated that these three animation characters tell people about the heroes and bravehearts associated with Indian freedom struggle who are not discussed much. Recently, its second season was launched at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. Mr Modi added that this series is broadcast not only in many Indian languages but also in foreign languages. It can be watched on Doordarshan as well as other OTT platforms. Prime Minister Modi said that the popularity of Indian animation films, regular films, and TV serials shows how much potential India’s creative industry has. He noted that this industry is not only contributing to the country’s progress but also taking the economy to new heights. He congratulated the film and entertainment industry because it has strengthened the sentiment of ‘Ek Bharat – Shreshtha Bharat’. In 2024, the nation is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of many great personalities of the film world. Prime Minister emphasised that these personalities have accorded recognition to Indian cinema at the world level. He said that Raj Kapoor introduced the world to the soft power of India through films, while Mohammed Rafi’s voice had that magic which touched every heart. Mr Modi said Akkineni Nageswara Rao has taken Telugu cinema to new heights and Tapan Sinha’s films gave a new vision to the society. He added that their films always carried the message of social consciousness and national unity, and these personalities are an inspiration for the entire film industry. Prime Minister was pleased to share that for the first time, the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit, WAVES Summit, is going to be organised in India next year. He said that during the WAVES summit, giants from the media and entertainment industry and people from the creative world will come to India. He said this summit is an important step towards making India a hub of global content creation. He expressed pride that young creators of the country are joining with full enthusiasm in the preparations for this summit. He stated that as India is moving towards a 5 trillion dollar economy, the creator economy is bringing in new energy. He urged the entire entertainment and creative industry of India to be a part of the WAVES summit. In this edition of Mann Ki Baat, Mr Modi highlighted two (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); big achievements of India in the field of health. He said the first achievement has been in the fight against malaria. Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the World Health Organization report mentions that there has been an 80 percent reduction in India in the number of malaria cases and deaths due to it between 2015 & 2023. He said that this is no mean achievement. He termed it heartening that this success has been achieved through everyone’s participation. Mr Modi mentioned that in the tea gardens of Jorhat in Assam, malaria used to be a major cause of concern for people until four years ago. But when the tea garden dwellers united to eradicate it, they started getting success to a great extent. Prime Minister also praised Kurukshetra district of Haryana for presenting a very good model for controlling malaria. In Kurukshetra, public participation for monitoring Malaria has been quite successful and street plays and radio helped in spreading awareness towards reducing the breeding of mosquitoes. The Prime Minister also shared a study of the world-renowned Medical Journal Lancet, which found that the chances of starting cancer treatment on time in India have increased a lot. He elaborated that timely treatment means starting the treatment of a cancer patient within 30 days and the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ has played a big role in this. Because of this scheme, 90 percent of cancer patients have been able to start their treatment on time. Mr Modi said the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has reduced the financial problems in cancer treatment to a great extent. He said that people have become more aware than ever before about timely treatment of cancer. He stressed that there is only one mantra to fight cancer – Awareness, Action and Assurance. Prime Minister noted that in this winter season, several activities related to sports and fitness are being organised across the country. He expressed happines that people are making fitness a part of their daily routine. He said that enthusiasm for sports can be seen everywhere, from Skiing in Kashmir to kite flying in Gujarat. He also took note of campaigns like #SundayOnCycle and #CyclingTuesday which promote cycling. Mr Modi shared that a unique Olympic has started in Bastar called Bastar Olympics. He expressed happiness that this is taking place in the region which was once a witness to Maoist violence. The mascot of the Bastar Olympics is – ‘Wild Water Buffalo’ and ‘Hill Myna’. Prime Minister said this reflects the rich culture of Bastar. In the first edition of Bastar Olympics, one lakh 65 thousand players from 7 districts participated. Mr Modi said that the youth of Bastar displayed their talent in every sport, be it Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Karate, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho and Volleyball. Kari Kashyap, who won a silver medal in archery, shared that Bastar Olympics has given them an opportunity to move ahead in life. Payal Kawasi from Sukma, who won a gold medal in Javelin Throw, said that no goal is impossible with discipline and hard work. Prime Minister said the story of Punem Sanna from Dornapal in Sukma is an inspiring tale of New India. Punem, who was once under Naxal influence, is today winning medals by racing on a wheelchair. Archer Ranju Sori from Kondagaon has been chosen as the ‘Bastar youth icon’. She believes that Bastar Olympics is giving the youth from remote areas an opportunity to reach the national stage. Prime Minister hailed the Bastar Olympics as a platform where development and sports are merging together. He urged listeners to encourage such sports events in their areas and share stories of sports talents with #KhelegaBharat – JeetegaBharat. Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the radiance of Indian culture is spreading to every nook and corner of the world today. He spoke about students from Egypt who have made paintings of Indian Gods and Goddesses, dance forms and great personalities. A painting of Taj Mahal has been made by a 13 year old Divyang girl. Mr Modi said that a few weeks ago, around 23 thousand students from Egypt participated in a painting competition, depicting Indian culture and historical relations between the two countries. He appreciated all the youth who participated in this competition. Prime Minister spoke about the Ayurveda Consultation being offered by Erica Huber at the Indian Embassy in Paraguay. He said that a large number of local people are reaching out to her to get Ayurveda based advice. Prime Minister also expressed pride that a Tamil Teaching Programme was started in Fiji with the support of the Indian Government. He added that this is the first time in the last 80 years that trained Tamil teachers are teaching the language in Fiji. Speaking about success stories, Mr Modi mentioned the vegetable revolution in Kalahandi, Odisha. He said the Golamunda block of Kalahandi has become a vegetable hub. A small group of 10 farmers established a Farmers Producer Organisation, FPO, called ‘Kisan Utpad Sangh’ and started using modern technology in farming. Today, their FPO is doing business worth crores, and more than 200 farmers are associated with this FPO, including 45 women farmers. Prime Minister Modi said that 2025 is knocking at the door, and extended best wishes to everyone. He exuded pride that India will touch new heights in the coming year. He urged listeners to keep sharing the unique efforts around them with #Mannkibaat.Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Takes Position in Astrana Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTH)
Regina chiropractor accused of sex assaults tells jury he asks patients for consentChannel Seven Gold Coast News presenter Steve Titmus has wasted no time finding a new job with the veteran broadcaster set to slip into the sports chair for the station’s statewide bulletin. Titmus, who spent the past three years hosting the network’s 5.30pm Gold Coast news alongside Amanda Abate before the shock decision by station management to pull the plug this week , will take over next month from Shane Webcke who has decided to step away from the full-time duties. Titmus said it was sad to say goodbye to Seven’s Gold Coast bulletin, which went head-to-head with rival Nine for almost a decade. Many staff who worked on the Gold Coast team have been offered positions as part of a streamlined Glitter Strip bureau or at the station’s Queensland headquarters in Brisbane, but there were some casualties, following on from a round of job cuts in July, which included popular weather presenter Paul Burt and a number of news production staff. “It was tough and it is sad any time people lose their jobs,” he said. “It was an absolute pleasure to present the Gold Coast news but we need to be realistic about the way the media and television industries are changing and how do we get the maximum impact out of our resources. “The television industry is going through an enormous amount of change ... but for us, we will still be telling Gold Coast stories and they will get a greater audience during the 6pm bulletin.” Despite a 40-year career in journalism, Titmus is perhaps best known as the excitable dad of Queensland Olympic swimming champ Ariarne and he said he would bring his trademark passion and enthusiasm to the Brisbane sports desk. “I’m very excited about the new role,” he said. “I started my journalism career covering sport and even earlier than that I was calling greyhound racing in Launceston when I was 14, so sport has played an enormous part in my working life. “I have also been very active as a sportsperson, playing cricket and state volleyball in Tasmania, so I’m very familiar with sport both at the grassroots and at the highest level. “What viewers will get is someone who is a passionate and enthusiastic sports person. “I will bring a lot of energy to the desk.” As to whether he will be able to secure exclusive interviews with his superstar daughter? “That’s going to be my first challenge,” he said. “Getting an exclusive interview with Arnie.” Webcke has previously confirmed his intention to step away from full-time presenting to focus on his family business, but will remain part of the network’s stable of experts during the NRL season. Originally published as Veteran news presenter Steve Titmus finds new job after Gold Coast bulletin axed QLD News Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories QLD News Tammy Hembrow ties the knot in glam Byron ceremony Fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow and Matt Zukowski have officially tied the knot, saying ‘I do’ in Byron Bay on Saturday. Read more Regional News ‘I’ve got other plans’: Makeup queen vows to defy death sentence Aglamorous Qld mum and successful TV and wedding makeup artist refuses to accept an incurable cancer diagnosis, enduring endless gruelling surgeries and staying strong despite another devastating blow. Read moreLos Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Chargers by 1 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 8-4. Against the spread: Chargers 7-3-1, Falcons 5-6. Last meeting: Chargers beat Falcons 20-17 on Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. Last week: Ravens beat Chargers, 30-23; Falcons had bye week following 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17. Chargers offense: overall (21), rush (13), pass (20), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (13), rush (10), pass (10), scoring (13). Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (14), pass (5), scoring (16). Falcons defense: overall (25), rush (19), pass (26), scoring (26). Turnover differential: Chargers plus-8, Falcons minus-3. Chargers player to watch RB Gus Edwards will move up as the lead back for Los Angeles after J.K Dobbins (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Edwards was activated from IR earlier this month following an ankle injury and had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown in Monday night's 30-23 loss to Baltimore. Falcons player to watch WR Drake London has 61 catches, leaving him four away from becoming the first player in team history to have at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. London has 710 receiving yards, leaving him 140 away from becoming the first player in team history with at least 850 in each of his first three seasons. Key matchup Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Chargers' run defense. Robinson was shut down by Denver, gaining only 35 yards on 12 carries, and the Atlanta offense couldn't recover. The Chargers rank 10th in the league against the run, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to find a way to establish a ground game with Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A solid running attack would create an opportunity for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to establish the play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Key injuries Besides Dobbins, the Chargers also placed S Alohi Gilman (hamstring) on injured reserve. CB Cam Hart (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (groin) also have been ruled out. ... The Falcons needed the bye to give a long list of injured players an opportunity to heal. WR WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. WR Darnell Mooney (Achilles), CB Kevin King (concussion), DL Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) were hurt in the 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17 and were limited on Wednesday. CB Mike Hughes (neck), nickel back Dee Alford (hamstring), ILB Troy Andersen (knee), TE Charlie Woerner (concussion) and ILB JD Bertrand (concussion) also were limited on Wednesday after not playing against Denver. C Drew Dalman (ankle) could return. Series notes The Chargers have won the past three games in the series following six consecutive wins by the Falcons from 1991-2012. Los Angeles took a 33-30 overtime win in Atlanta in 2016 before the Chargers added 20-17 wins at home in 2020 and in Atlanta in 2022. The Falcons won the first meeting between the teams, 41-0 in San Diego in 1973. Stats and stuff Each team has built its record on success against the soft NFC South. Atlanta is 4-1 against division rivals. Los Angeles is 2-0 against the NFC South this season. The Chargers have a four-game winning streak against the division. ... Atlanta is 0-2 against AFC West teams, following a 22-17 loss to Kansas City and the lopsided loss at Denver. The Falcons will complete their tour of the AFC West with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 16. ... The Falcons are the league's only first-place team with a negative points differential. Atlanta has been outscored 274-244. Fantasy tip The loss of Dobbins, who has rushed for eight touchdowns, could put more pressure on QB Justin Hebert and the passing game. Herbert's favorite option has been WR Ladd McConkey, who has four TD receptions among his 49 catches for 698 yards. McConkey, the former University of Georgia standout who was drafted in the second round, could enjoy a productive return to the state against a Falcons defense that ranks only 26th against the pass. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS): The share of Ola Electric fell around 3 per cent on Monday after some fresh high-level exits at the company, including its Chief Marketing Officer Anshul Khandelwal and Suvonil Chatterjee, Chief Technology and Product Officer. On Monday, the share was trading less than Rs 86 apiece, after falling nearly 3 per cent. Khandelwal and Chatterjee stepped down from their roles at the company, effective December 27, citing personal reasons. Both executives initially joined Ola's ride-hailing business before transitioning to Ola Electric Mobility. Several top executives of the company have tendered their resignations this year as the company faces mounting pressure. N Balachandar, Group Chief People Officer, left the EV company in November after overseeing HR for Ola Electric, Ola Cabs, and Krutrim AI. In October this year, Ravi Jain, Business Head of Krutrim AI, and Sidharth Shakdher, CBO of Ola Mobility, left the company. After a blockbuster sales figure in October due to the festive season, Ola Electric vehicle registrations dropped by 33 per cent in November. According to Vahan portal data, the number of registrations of Ola Electric vehicles in November fell by 33 per cent on a month-on-month (MoM) basis to 27,746 units. In October last year, this figure was more than 40,000 units. Due to fewer registrations, the company's market share dipped to 24 per cent in November, which was 30 per cent in October. However, the company still maintains the first position in the electric two-wheeler market by sales. Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric has seen volatility in sales in recent months. The reasons for this were attributed to increasing competition in the market and poor service and product quality.No. 14 ASU, No. 17 Iowa State front-runners for possibly wild Big 12 finishTransMedics Group ( TMDX 3.03% ) was a top-performing stock that more than doubled in value during the months between the end of 2023 and late August. Unfortunately, shares of the healthcare stock have collapsed more than 60% from their previous peak. The stock had already been beaten down this year, but management recently incited another round of losses by announcing a new chief accountant and lowering its revenue guidance range. Recent announcements might not bode well for TransMedics, but its proprietary organ care system (OCS) has been generating tremendous sales growth. In the first half of 2024, total revenue rocketed about 125% higher year over year. Let's look at what's gone wrong to see if this stock could be a bargain buy on the dip. Why TransMedics stock was beaten severely On Dec. 2, TransMedics said the revenue guidance it had already lowered on Oct. 28 was no longer valid; management lowered the midpoint of its revenue guidance range to $430 million from $435 million. The difference was minor, but the stock fell hard . The small guidance reduction had an outsized impact on the stock because American businesses rarely need to walk back revenue guidance in between the quarterly reports they issue every three months. Reminding investors that its growth rate is rapidly decelerating as the CFO departs probably should make investors nervous. TransMedics has attracted some downgrades from sell-side analysts who have noticed intensifying competition for transplant organ preservation services. For example, OrganOx is a privately held British company that markets a similar device called Metra. In late 2021, the OrganOx Metra system earned approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to transport livers. OrganOx is a privately held company that doesn't have to report sales, but we know that liver transplants are responsible for 70% of TransMedics Group's total revenue. In 2023, TransMedics acquired an aviation company, its fleet of jets, and a lot of maintenance expenses. If it's passing those expenses on to transplant centers that don't appreciate the extra service, they'll beat a path to OrganOx's door. Paragonix is another organ transport and preservation business that could apply more pressure on TransMedics' growth rate. In 2023, the Massachusetts company reported just $43 million in sales -- but this September it was acquired by Getinge, an international healthcare giant with over 12,000 employees. Not a bargain Shares of TransMedics have been beaten way down, but I wouldn't say they're in bargain territory. The stock is still trading for 71 times trailing-12-month earnings, or 5.9 times trailing-12-month sales. This rich valuation is only appropriate for businesses you can expect to grow at a double-digit percentage for many years. I recently trimmed my TransMedics position because intensifying competition has slowed sales growth to a trickle, but the stock is still richly valued. Management's new guidance range implies $110 million in revenue during the fourth quarter, which is only slightly more than the $109 million it reported in the third quarter. But I didn't close my position, because the results from the OCS DCD Heart trial could give TransMedics a durable advantage and allow for many years of steady growth. In the study, hearts donated after cardiac death (DCD) and maintained with a TransMedics OCS led to significantly improved survival odds compared to cold-stored hearts that were donated after brain death (DBD). This is a big deal, because most surgeons won't touch cold-stored DCD hearts. Paragonix's SherpaPak produces similar results with DCD hearts but keeps them at a lower temperature. As a warmer device, the TransMedics OCS can carry hearts longer distances than the SherpaPak, which makes it easier to find a matched recipient. Intensifying competition might slow TransMedics Group's growth rate. Still, I expect it to continue growing, albeit at a much slower rate than investors have gotten used to over the past couple of years.