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Left-hander Max Fried agrees to $218 million, 8-year contract with Yankees, AP source says DALLAS (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Max Fried and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $218 million, eight-year contract, the largest deal for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history. New York made the move two days after outfielder Juan Soto left for a pending $765 million, 15-year contract with the rival Mets. Fried, who turns 31 in January, gets the fourth-highest contract among pitchers behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and Washington’s Stephen Strasburg. Fried broke the mark for lefties set by David Price at $217 million. Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham on target as Real Madrid beats Atalanta 3-2. Liverpool wins again Real Madrid’s big stars turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering Champions League title defense. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in a 3-2 win at Italian league leader Atalanta. It was only Madrid’s third win in the competition’s revamped league phase and leaves the 15-time champion in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. In contrast Liverpool leads the way after maintaining its perfect record in Europe this season after a 1-0 win against Girona. Mohamed Salah scored his 50th Champions League goal to seal it for Liverpool. Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter, with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that’s the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. The way it’s going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn’t seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro-athlete home invasion ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S. Authorities said Tuesday no one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked. Deputies weren’t immediately able to determine what items were stolen. Both the NFL and NBA issued alerts to players following prior break-ins, urging them to take precautions. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. had their homes broken into. Scottie Scheffler in a landslide to win PGA Tour player of the year for third straight time Scottie Scheffler is the PGA Tour player of the year in a vote that had about as much drama as some of his victories. Scheffler earned 91% of the vote in winning the Jack Nicklaus Award for the third straight season. He joins Tiger Woods as the only players to win three straight times. Woods won it five times in a row, and three straight times on another occasion. Scheffler won seven times on the PGA Tour against only the strongest fields. He also won the FedEx Cup. He also won the Masters green jacket and an Olympic gold medal. MLB investigated to ensure no early Sasaki deal in place, pitcher likely to pick team mid-January DALLAS (AP) — Major League Baseball investigated to ensure no team had an advance deal in place for Roki Sasaki, and the agent for the Japanese pitcher says picking a club will be “like the draft in reverse.” On the first day of Sasaki’s 45-day window to sign with an MLB team, agent Joel Wolfe says the 23-year-old right-hander likely will sign shortly after the 2025 international signing pool window opens on Jan. 15 and wouldn’t wait until the Jan. 23 deadline. Sasaki helped Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic and has a fastball clocked at 102.5 mph. Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg says cancer has returned, spread CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg says the prostate cancer he thought had been eliminated by radiation has returned and spread. The Chicago Cubs great made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday. Sandberg announced in January that he had metastatic prostate cancer and in August said he was cancer-free after chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Sandberg was the National League MVP in 1984 and a 10-time All-Star during 15 seasons for the Cubs from 1982 to 1997, with 282 home runs and 344 stolen bases. After his playing career, he served as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013 to 2015, going 119-159. Nolan Arenado open to switch from third base to first and leaving Cardinals for a team he approves DALLAS (AP) — Nolan Arenado is open to a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, at age 33 wanting to be on a World Series contender. Agent Joel Wolfe says “it’s like his biological clock is ticking and if the team’s not winning it’s driving him crazy every day.” An eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove third baseman, Arenado is open to a switch to first base. He hit .272 with 16 homers and 71 RBIs this year, his poorest season in a decade. St. Louis acquired Arenado from Colorado ahead of the 2021 season. Washington Nationals win lottery for No. 1 pick in next amateur baseball draft, Angels No. 2 DALLAS (AP) — The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer. The Nationals won the draft lottery through a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings in Dallas. Unlike last year, when the Nationals were ineligible after initially coming out with the top spot, they will get to make the first pick in July in Atlanta during All-Star Game festivities. The Los Angeles Angels got the second overall pick for next summer. Seattle, Colorado, St. Louis and Pittsburgh round out the six lottery picks. Athletes in $2.8 billion college lawsuit tell judge they want to create a players' association The athletes whose lawsuit against the NCAA is primed to pave the way for schools to pay them directly also want a players’ association to represent them in the complex contract negotiations that have overtaken the industry. Grant House, Sedona Prince and Nya Harrison wrote to the judge overseeing what’s known as the House Settlement, saying that although they are generally happy with the terms of the proposed settlement “there still remains a critical need for structural changes to protect athletes and prevent the failures of the past.”EXCLUSIVE Would you pay a $100 first date deposit? Single woman, 30, proposes charging time-wasting Aussie men cancellation fee after splashing out 'hundreds' on makeup and petrol for Tinder no-shows READ MORE: This Aussie city is the WORST place to date if you want to find a decent man: 'Big noters, liars, never pay' By MIKAELA WILKES FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 16:09 EST, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 16:42 EST, 10 December 2024 e-mail 24 shares 66 View comments Melbourne singleton Maddy Carty has doubled down on her controversial take that men should have to pay a first date deposit to put a stop to last minute cancellations on dating apps. 'If someone cancels a date within 24 hours, you should be able to charge a cancellation fee,' the 30-year-old said in a recent episode of her Mads World podcast . However, the proposal to pre-charge men $100 for a promised date resulted in swift backlash, with dozens of irate gents slamming the TikToker for her take on modern dating. 'And they wonder why relationships fail, great start indeed,' one man commented when Maddy shared a clip from the podcast to her social media. 'If you want to know why blokes are cancelling on you, then just re-watch your own TikTok ,' snapped another man. 'If we wanted the drama and the pageantry, we'd all just head to the Miss World contest.' 'Charging for a woman's time...Novel,' another commented sarcastically. Maddy Carty (pictured) has doubled down on her controversial take that men should have to pay a first date deposit to put a stop to last minute cancellations on dating apps This week, Maddy laughed at the heated online backlash she's received since floating the idea publicly. 'I said what I said,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, 'and I stand by it.' The TikToker explained that inspiration struck when she'd been talking to a guy 'on the apps' for a couple weeks, and he stood her up on a Friday night with less than half-an-hour's notice. 'We'd locked in a time and place for Friday night,' she said, noting that her commute into Melbourne's CBD is an hour drive from her home. 'I tanned the night before. I went into work that day when I could have worked from home. I did my make up. I styled my hair. I dressed up. I had a pre-drink with my workmates at the bar... and then got a text half an hour before we were meant to meet up.' 'It said: "Oh sorry, I've got to work late, I can't make it anymore".' Maddy said men flaking out on first dates at the last minute with 'lame excuses,' is all too common. 'It probably happens one out of two times. So many times,' she bemoaned. Maddy (left) and Natalie (right) discuss their controversial philosophy on the Mad's World podcast Read More I'm an American in Australia but no one wants to date me because I'm not thin or blonde 'Aussie men have this thing where they love to talk the talk, but they won't walk the walk.' She said many online conversations began positively, but ended with 'crickets' as the man failed to follow through. Maddy added that women often had to juggle multiple men at once, paying each enough online attention so that they could actually make it to a real world meetup. 'It's like having all these pen pals, like little Tamagotchi pets in my phone that I have to feed, and talk to them all so they don't die.' The blonde said she thinks $100 would be a fair rate to compensate for loss of time and also the funds which women invest in getting ready for those dates. 'You can't get back the time you invest in getting ready, getting excited,' she argued. 'I also then couldn't do anything else on that day. Friday night is prime real estate of the week. By 6pm, it's too late to organise another date, or for me to make other plans with friends. 'I had to go home, get un-ready and sit on my couch watching Netflix. It's a huge waste of time and effort.' @maddy_carty Dating in Australia is genuinley so bad #dating #australia #melbourne #datinginyour30s #datinginaustralia ♬ original sound - Maddy Carty However, the proposal to pre-charge men $100 for a promised date resulted in swift backlash Maddy pointed out that late cancellation fees are quite commonly used by salons and other businesses to prevent time wasting. 'It's not the same as being stood up because they're still communicating, but working late on Friday night? That's not an excuse. 'I'm someone who sticks to plans once I make them, out of respect for the other person. If you wouldn't cancel on your friend last minute, then what makes you think cancelling on someone you've been talking to online is okay?' In her podcast episode, Maddy and her friend said young women like themselves spend hundreds of dollars in preparation for first dates — something she's been ripped into for online. 'When I said it costs girls "hundreds of dollars" to get ready, I'm accounting for my make up and beauty products - they're expensive! - but for my time more than anything else. 'That's my hourly work rate, $200/hour, plus the cost of the Mac or Mecca products, how much it costs to maintain my hair, my tan, to fill my car with petrol to drive to the city, and make a trip to the office. It all adds up.' Her comments come as young daters are getting pickier about who they elect to meet in real life from dating apps. Nearly a quarter of singles surveyed by Tinder for their 2024 Year in Swipe report said they're choosing fewer, more meaningful connections going into 2025. 'Singles are embracing intentionality in their dating lives – being upfront about what they want and refusing to settle,' Tinder’s Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Hobley said, as she explained a trend they've dubbed 'loud looking.' People are being more vocal about what and who they want, and like Maddy, also being upfront about what they don't want. Tinder Melbourne TikTok Share or comment on this article: Would you pay a $100 first date deposit? Single woman, 30, proposes charging time-wasting Aussie men cancellation fee after splashing out 'hundreds' on makeup and petrol for Tinder no-shows e-mail 24 shares Add comment
Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirlingJonah Goldberg Among elites across the ideological spectrum, there's one point of unifying agreement: Americans are bitterly divided. What if that's wrong? What if elites are the ones who are bitterly divided while most Americans are fairly unified? History rarely lines up perfectly with the calendar (the "sixties" didn't really start until the decade was almost over). But politically, the 21st century neatly began in 2000, when the election ended in a tie and the color coding of electoral maps became enshrined as a kind of permanent tribal color war of "red vs. blue." Elite understanding of politics has been stuck in this framework ever since. Politicians and voters have leaned into this alleged political reality, making it seem all the more real in the process. I loathe the phrase "perception is reality," but in politics it has the reifying power of self-fulfilling prophecy. Like rival noble families in medieval Europe, elites have been vying for power and dominance on the arrogant assumption that their subjects share their concern for who rules rather than what the rulers can deliver. Political cartoonists from across country draw up something special for the holiday In 2018, the group More in Common published a massive report on the "hidden tribes" of American politics. The wealthiest and whitest groups were "devoted conservatives" (6%) and "progressive activists" (8%). These tribes dominate the media, the parties and higher education, and they dictate the competing narratives of red vs. blue, particularly on cable news and social media. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Americans resided in, or were adjacent to, the "exhausted majority." These people, however, "have no narrative," as David Brooks wrote at the time. "They have no coherent philosophic worldview to organize their thinking and compel action." Lacking a narrative might seem like a very postmodern problem, but in a postmodern elite culture, postmodern problems are real problems. It's worth noting that red vs. blue America didn't emerge ex nihilo. The 1990s were a time when the economy and government seemed to be working, at home and abroad. As a result, elites leaned into the narcissism of small differences to gain political and cultural advantage. They remain obsessed with competing, often apocalyptic, narratives. That leaves out most Americans. The gladiatorial combatants of cable news, editorial pages and academia, and their superfan spectators, can afford these fights. Members of the exhausted majority are more interested in mere competence. I think that's the hidden unity elites are missing. This is why we keep throwing incumbent parties out of power: They get elected promising competence but get derailed -- or seduced -- by fan service to, or trolling of, the elites who dominate the national conversation. There's a difference between competence and expertise. One of the most profound political changes in recent years has been the separation of notions of credentialed expertise from real-world competence. This isn't a new theme in American life, but the pandemic and the lurch toward identity politics amplified distrust of experts in unprecedented ways. This is a particular problem for the left because it is far more invested in credentialism than the right. Indeed, some progressives are suddenly realizing they invested too much in the authority of experts and too little in the ability of experts to provide what people want from government, such as affordable housing, decent education and low crime. The New York Times' Ezra Klein says he's tired of defending the authority of government institutions. Rather, "I want them to work." One of the reasons progressives find Trump so offensive is his absolute inability to speak the language of expertise -- which is full of coded elite shibboleths. But Trump veritably shouts the language of competence. I don't mean he is actually competent at governing. But he is effectively blunt about calling leaders, experts and elites -- of both parties -- stupid, ineffective, weak and incompetent. He lost in 2020 because voters didn't believe he was actually good at governing. He won in 2024 because the exhausted majority concluded the Biden administration was bad at it. Nostalgia for the low-inflation pre-pandemic economy was enough to convince voters that Trumpian drama is the tolerable price to pay for a good economy. About 3 out of 4 Americans who experienced "severe hardship" because of inflation voted for Trump. The genius of Trump's most effective ad -- "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you" -- was that it was simultaneously culture-war red meat and an argument that Harris was more concerned about boutique elite concerns than everyday ones. If Trump can actually deliver competent government, he could make the Republican Party the majority party for a generation. For myriad reasons, that's an if so big it's visible from space. But the opportunity is there -- and has been there all along. Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: thedispatch.com . Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
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The commissioning ceremony for cadets of the intake 26th from the Defence Services Technological Academy (DSTA) was held yesterday morning at the Academy’s Convocation Hall. Lt-Gen Lin Aung, Military Appointment- General of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), senior officers from the Commander-in-Chief Office, the DSTA commandant, and newly graduated cadets attended the event. During the ceremony, Lt-Gen Lin Aung together with senior Tatmadaw officers and the DSTA commandant took the stage. He presented commissioning certificates to each cadet individually. After the presentation, Lt-Gen Lin Aung delivered a speech to the cadets, marking the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony. — MNA/KZL"That's my husband," I said to my friend on a beautiful summer evening. We were having drinks at a bar when I spotted John for the first time. He was handsome and wore a blue golf shirt that brought out his blue eyes. "If he doesn't come over here, I'm going over there," I told my friend. John clearly felt the same energy as I did because he approached me shortly after. By the end of the night, we both knew we had something special. John and I spent the next four years together in a relationship I can only describe as a fairytale. Yes, we had disagreements and hurdles, but the love, attraction, respect, and adoration we had for each other always outweighed the bad. He had this way of looking at me that would instantly change my mood, even on the hardest of days. Just when we had picked out my engagement ring and talked about our timeline for children, everything changed. After experiencing some memory loss and vision impairment, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Five short weeks after sharing his first alarming symptom with me, he died. At 35, I was left to grieve my boyfriend , our love, and our future. Five years after his death, I'm now in a relationship with a great man. But grief made the dating stage extremely hard. Mainly because of all the deep emotions that come along with grieving a partner. When John first passed, I obviously wasn't looking for a relationship. How could I just start dating again, like we broke up and I could just jump right back into the dating pool? The man I loved was six feet in the ground; who would even compare? Months later, I still wasn't actively dating. I didn't download dating apps , pursue men at the bars, and I definitely wasn't asking friends to set me up. I was still so in love with John, I didn't think I could connect with anyone else. I also didn't really want to. But a little less than a year after John's passing, I reconnected with someone I had known years before. We had worked together previously and reconnected over Instagram. He was thinking about getting a dog, and since we had similar lifestyles, he reached out to me to ask about what it was like to have one. I offered for him to come meet her and spend some time getting to know what it was like to have a dog, and we enjoyed each other's company. I wasn't looking for a relationship when it all happened, but it's as if we just seemingly fell into one. We didn't even have a first date , and I'm grateful for that because I didn't have to worry about the stress of formally dating again. But it still didn't make it easier. In the early stages of our relationship, I had to work through complex emotions that only one who has lost a deep love could understand. I felt crushed by the weight of having someone's love in my hands when I wasn't sure I was ready to give it back. I felt everything . I felt guilty for moving forward. I felt sadness and happiness all in the same moments. I felt awkward around my friends and family for dating again. I felt angry at John for leaving me, but I also felt angry at myself for dating someone new. When my new boyfriend told me loved me for the first time, all I could say was "thank you." Then, I excused myself to the bathroom and cried. I cried a lot in those days. I felt crushed by the weight of having someone's love in my hands when I wasn't sure I was ready to give it back. I felt guilty because I still loved someone else. For something that should have made my heart flutter, it was a very heavy moment. "Did I love John less?" and "How does this look to other people?" were thoughts that crossed my mind on a regular basis. I tried to put all of it out of my head. I even spoke with other widows on what it was like to start dating again for reassurance. "I thought you might have started dating again too soon," a friend recently said to me. And she may have been right. But dating after loss is a no-win situation. No matter when I started dating, it would be too soon for some and not long enough for others. I just had to go with my gut. Eventually, I learned that I could love two people. Each love was different, but both were (and are) incredibly fulfilling and unique. I learned to manage and channel my emotions with the help of a good therapist. I also had to remember that my new boyfriend had never suffered the kind of loss I had, so sometimes I have to step back and process before reacting. I learned to give him the kind of grace he gives to me. The loss of John is a void that has never gone away. Some days, the grief feels like a pinhole. Other days, it feels like a black hole. But no matter how big or small, I feel grief every day. When you lose a partner you are still in love with, the love doesn't die, disappear, or lessen. I just had to learn to live differently with it — and eventually, to love again, too. I Took My Mom on a Birthday Trip After My Dad Died, and It Was Cathartic Emily Cappiello is a writer, editor, social media maven, and digital media specialist. She believes in true love, is a serious foodie, and has a penchant for adult beverages and Britney Spears. She loves coffee, her husky, and her camera — all three a little too much.
Super Micro executives sound upbeat but the stock is still a sell, analyst saysIn a civil lawsuit, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z have been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. In an amended civil complaint, a woman identified as Jane Doe alleges she was raped by Combs, 55, and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, during the party at a New York City residence. The accuser is now in her late 30s. The complaint, which was obtained by The Post, also claims the assault happened while an unnamed female celebrity watched. According to the document, the accuser was invited to the after-party by a limousine driver who claimed to work for the artist and told Jane Doe that the mogul liked younger girls and “fit what Diddy was looking for.” Prior to their interaction, she claimed she had been standing outside of Radio City Music Hall trying to get inside the VMAs and walking up to limousines that were dropping guests off at the venue. The plaintiff, who was 13 at the time of the alleged incident, alleged that she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement when she arrived at the after-party and alleges she was later given a drink that she believes was drugged. The plaintiff claimed she was approached by Combs during the party, and he had a “crazed look in his eyes” as he allegedly told her, “You are ready to party!” according to the complaint. The accuser further alleged that Combs threw her toward a wall, where she fell down. She got up and “stumbled,” at which point Combs allegedly grabbed her again and “threw her on the bed,” the complaint states. The plaintiff claims that Jay-Z removed her clothes, held her down and raped her while Combs and an unidentified female celebrity watched. She alleged Combs also raped her as Jay-Z and the female celebrity watched. Jane Doe is seeking unspecified damages. Her attorney, Tony Buzbee, previously announced that he was representing more than 100 people accusing Combs of misconduct. The amended complaint was filed on Sunday and named Jay-Z, despite the initial complaint, filed in October, not referencing Jay-Z by name. Jay-Z’s lawyers have filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the claim. He also wants the identity of the anonymous accuser to be “disclosed immediately” to the public. The Roc Nation founder, 55, defended himself against the allegations in a statement posted to social media on Sunday. Jay-Z, who has Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, 7, with Beyoncé, vehemently denied the claims and said his “only heartbreak is for my family.” “My wife and I will have to sit our children down , one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of young people,” his statement, posted on Roc Nation’s X account , read in part. “I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,” the statement continued. A day later, the record executive stepped out alongside his wife and oldest daughter for the red carpet premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” In the Disney film, Beyoncé is the voice of Nala while Blue Ivy voices lioness cub Kiara. Even his mother-in-law, Tina Knowles , attended the event and posed with the rapper. Hours earlier, Knowles claimed her social media account — which “liked” a post about the Jay-Z and Combs lawsuit — was hacked. Following the family’s night out, 50 Cent went online to troll Jay-Z for his attendance at the red carpet. The rapper, 49, posted pictures of the famous family at the event to his Instagram, writing , “Jay said they said I rapped [sic] a kid, everybody get dressed we going to see Mufasa LOL.” He has since deleted the post. Over the years, 50 Cent has notoriously trolled Combs and is now making a Netflix documentary about the sexual assault allegations against the disgraced mogul. Combs was arrested in September on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking and has been denied bail three times. He’s behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn while awaiting his May 2025 trial.
Julia Wick | (TNS) Los Angeles Times As California politicos look ahead to 2025, the biggest question looming is whether Vice President Kamala Harris — a native daughter, battered just weeks ago by presidential election defeat — will enter the 2026 California governor’s race. Related Articles National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump National Politics | What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP-NORC poll National Politics | Trump is named Time’s Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell Harris has yet to give any public indication on her thoughts and those close to her suggest the governorship is not immediately top of mind. But if Harris does ultimately run — and that’s a massive if — her entrée would seismically reshape the already crowded race for California’s highest office. Recent polling suggests Harris would have a major advantage, with 46% of likely voters saying they were somewhat or very likely to support her for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey co-sponsored by The Times. “If Vice President Harris were to choose to run, I am certain that that would have a near field-clearing effect on the Democratic side,” Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, said during a recent UC Irvine panel interview . Porter, a high-profile Democrat who has been eyeing the wide-open governor’s race, has yet to say whether she plans to run. Porter’s point was broadly echoed in conversations with nearly a dozen California political operatives and strategists, several of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Most speculated that a Harris entry would cause some other candidates in the race to scatter, creating further upheaval in down-ballot races as a roster of ambitious politicians scramble for other opportunities. “In politics, you always let the big dogs eat first,” quipped Democratic political consultant Peter Ragone. The current gubernatorial field is a who’s who of California politicians, but lacks a clear favorite or star with widespread name recognition. The vast majority of California’s 22 million voters have yet to pay attention to the race and have little familiarity with the candidates. The list of Democratic candidates includes Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in more than a century ( Antonio Villaraigosa ); the first female and first out LGBTQ leader of the state Senate ( Toni Atkins ); the sitting lieutenant governor and first woman to hold that post ( Eleni Kounalakis ); the state superintendent of public instruction ( Tony Thurmond ) and the former state controller ( Betty Yee ). Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is serving his second term as California governor, meaning he is ineligible to run again. Several other Democrats, including Porter, outgoing Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta have also publicly toyed with the idea of a run. They could be less likely to enter the fray should Harris decide to run. What the billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso — who has also been exploring a run — would choose to do is an open question, as Caruso might contrast himself with Harris as a more centrist candidate. The real estate developer was a registered Republican until November 2019. It’s unlikely that Harris will proffer a public decision in the immediate term, leaving plenty of time for political insiders to game out hypotheticals in the weeks and months to come. Harris’ office did not respond to a request for comment. “I think every candidate for governor is trying to get some kind of intel,” Mike Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based Democratic political consultant and former Villaraigosa staffer, said of a potential Harris run. Trujillo speculated that Harris’ current state was probably similar to Hillary Clinton’s hiking sojourns in the Chappaqua woods after losing to Donald Trump in 2016, or Al Gore growing a beard in the bruising aftermath of his 2000 defeat. “The first thing she’s probably thinking about is, ‘Well, can I run again for president in four years?’ Not, ‘Do I run for governor in two years?’” said one political operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. Harris maintains a home in Brentwood and previously served as California’s senator and attorney general. A successful run for governor in 2026 would almost certainly impede a grab for the presidency in 2028. (Though if history is any guide, an unsuccessful run for California governor does not definitively preclude a bid for the Oval Office: Two years after losing the White House to John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon lost the 1962 contest for governor to Pat Brown . The Yorba Linda native became the nation’s 37th president in 1969.) As the chief executive of a state that doubles as the world’s fifth-largest economy, Harris would have more power to steer policy and make changes as a California governor than she did as vice president, where her job required deference to President Biden. But leading a state, even the nation’s most populous, could feel like small potatoes after being a heartbeat (and a few dozen electoral votes) from the presidency. The protracted slog to November 2026 would also be a stark contrast to her ill-fated 107-day sprint toward the White House, particularly for a candidate whose 2020 presidential primary campaign was dogged by allegations of infighting and mismanagement. “I don’t think Kamala Harris has a deep psychological need to be governor of California, or to be in elective office in order to feel like she can contribute to society,” said the operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. “I think some of these people do, but she’s somebody who has enough prominence that she could do a lot of big, wonderful things without having to worry about balancing California’s budget or negotiating with Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel,” the Encino Democrat who chairs the Assembly’s budget committee. Technically, Harris has until March 2026 to decide whether she enters a race. But political strategists who spoke to The Times theorized that she probably would make a move by late spring, if she chooses to do so. “People will be more annoyed if she drops in in June,” a Democratic strategist involved with one of the gubernatorial campaigns said. Sending a clear signal by February would be more “courteous,” the strategist continued, explaining that such a move would give candidates more time to potentially enter other races. Kounalakis is a longtime friend and ally of Harris’ , and the vice president also has long-term relationships with some of the other candidates and potential candidates. California has eight statewide elected offices and campaign finance laws allow candidates to fundraise interchangeably for them, meaning money already raised for a candidate’s gubernatorial campaign could easily be redirected should they decide to run for, say, lieutenant governor instead. There are already a number of candidates running for lieutenant governor, including former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, former state Sen. Steven Bradford and former state Treasurer Fiona Ma. But that office probably would see even more interest should Harris enter the gubernatorial race. It’s a largely ceremonial position, but one that has served as a launching pad for the governorship. Still, even if Harris does enter the race, Republican political strategist Mike Murphy threw cold water on the idea that she would have an automatic glide path to the governor’s office. “It’s like Hollywood. Nobody knows anything. She’s famous enough to look credible in early polling. That’s all we know for sure,” Murphy said. “Does that predict the future? No. Are there a lot of downsides (to a potential Harris candidacy)? Totally, yes.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ace's innovative modular battery recycling platform is designed to minimize battery waste and retain critical battery materials of strategic importance. Ace, with commercial operations in Asia , is focused on global expansion and plans to develop a flagship battery recycling plant in Texas for lead and lithium-ion batteries. Ace believes that it is uniquely positioned to commercially recycle both lead and lithium-ion batteries using fully electrified processes that produce zero Scope 1 emissions, zero toxic water and zero solid waste. Ace has established a robust network of supply chain partners, including a 15-year offtake agreement with Glencore, one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a leading company in the recycling industry. Ace is assigned an equity value of $250 million in the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025. HOUSTON , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ace Green Recycling, Inc. ("Ace" or the "Company"), a leading provider of sustainable battery recycling technology solutions, and Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II ("ATAC II") ATEK , a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATAC II will merge with and into Ace, with Ace becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATAC II and Ace's operations becoming the operating business of the combined entity. Ace's revolutionary battery recycling technology focuses on recovering critical battery materials from both lead and lithium-ion batteries. The Company's innovative and modular technologies are fully electrified, producing zero Scope 1 emissions, zero toxic water and zero solid waste. These capabilities position Ace as a provider of hydrometallurgical recycling solutions without any smelting or thermal processes for both lead and lithium batteries. Ace currently operates commercial facilities in India (lithium-ion; since 2023) that it owns and has licensed its technology to ACME Metal in Taiwan (lead; since 2024), with advanced plans to deploy its technology by building its own plant in the United States . The Company has proven its technology's commercial credentials by enabling processing of more than three million pounds of lead and lithium batteries in India and Taiwan. The Company's LithiumFirstTM technology is capable of commercially recovering up to 75% of lithium with a purity exceeding 99% from lithium iron phosphate ("LFP") and Nickel Manganese Cobalt ("NMC") batteries. In addition to recovering Lithium, the Company's LithiumFirst TM technology also recovers NMC salts, graphite, iron phosphate and other materials such as plastics, steel, aluminum and copper by utilizing a closed-loop hydrometallurgical process that avoids pyrometallurgical operations and produces no liquid waste or Scope 1 carbon emissions. Ace's GREENLEAD® Recovery Technology is a fully electric process that produces zero Scope 1 emissions and is capable of recovering up to 99% of battery-grade lead with more than 99.98% purity. Ace's process is designed to replace legacy smelting operations, which are detrimental to the environment, as well as human health due to potential lead poisoning, and is expected to facilitate a more streamlined permitting process. Ace's expansion strategy centers on the development of battery recycling plants in the U.S., creating centralized hubs for the sustainable recovery of valuable materials from end-of-life batteries. These plants are expected: Drive domestic job creation: Generate high-quality manufacturing jobs in the U.S., stimulating local economies and strengthening America's workforce. Enhance critical battery material security: Reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and lead, bolstering domestic supply chains and supporting the growth of the U.S. electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. Promote renewable energy partnerships: Develop partnerships for renewable captive power with distributed power generators, further minimizing the environmental impact of operations. Key Investment Highlights Commercial Stage/Revenue Generating: Ace operates commercial facilities in India (since 2003) and Taiwan (since 2024), with planned project development in the U.S. ( Texas ), Europe , and Israel , along with complimentary supply chain operations. The Company is currently generating approximately $23 million in annual revenue. Large Target Markets: Ace's market strategy targets immense opportunities across two core sectors: the mature lead battery recycling market, valued at over $20 billion in 2024, and the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery recycling market, projected to exceed $35 billion by 2040. Anticipated Profitability in 2026: Unique modular, cost-effective deployment strategy allows for high margins and an efficient CapEx and OpEx model. Diversified Business Model: The Company monetizes considerable opportunities in battery recycling through owned and operated facilities, joint venture and licensing agreements, and supply chain and services contracts. Differentiated and Superior Proprietary Green Technology: Already approved by regulators in key global markets, Ace's electrified process eliminates the typical toxic waste and carbon emissions that have forced the shutdown of peer facilities. Additionally, Ace is differentiated in its ability to process both lead and lithium batteries, including LFP, as its competitors are generally unable to process LFP batteries and are able to process either lead or lithium batteries, but not both. Superior Supply-Chain Expertise : Ace believes that it is poised for global expansion, supported by a robust network of supply chain partners across the U.S., Europe , Asia and Africa . Anchored by Marquee Customers: Global offtake agreement with Glencore, one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a leading company in the recycling industry, underpins the high demand for low-cost feedstock to enable the electrification of vehicles, solar energy and the transition to green energy solutions. Supportive Global Tailwinds: National security, economic and sustainability initiatives have globalized the refining of feedstock and battery production away from traditional sources. U.S. Focus: We believe that Ace's planned facility in Texas and anticipated U.S. footprint will support the U.S. in safeguarding its critical battery metals supply chain. Additionally, Ace is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory for advanced research on recycling of LFP batteries and upcycling of spent graphite to battery grade. Leading IP Portfolio: Executing customized IP strategies in the lithium and lead recycling spaces, Ace has developed an industry-leading IP portfolio consisting of utility patents, stealth patents and trade secrets supported by more than a decade of research and development ("R&D"). Ace also collaborates with R&D institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology and Singapore Polytechnic on battery recycling topics. Management Expertise: Ace's team of industry leaders brings together diverse expertise in battery recycling, green energy, business development and global strategy. Backed by Seasoned Industry Investors: Ace's current investors have deep expertise in the metals and recycling sectors, including Claude Dauphin Family Office, former executives at Trafigura, Circulate Capital, and the Francis Family Fund ApS. Management Commentary "Ace is advancing electrification by building a global recycling technology to create sustainable supply chain solutions for critical metals that will enable next-generation technologies," said Nishchay Chadha, CEO of Ace. "Compared to other recyclers, we employ a modular, fully electrified, low CapEx strategy, addressing two distinct and sizeable markets in lead and lithium-ion batteries. We believe that this approach will allow us to rapidly achieve commercial scale while diversifying both our feedstock and end-markets. Our planned focus on the U.S. market makes listing on a U.S. exchange a strategic move that better aligns our goals with our core stakeholders." Transaction Overview The proposed business combination (the "Proposed Business Combination") is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory, court and shareholder approvals. Concurrently, Ace expects to complete a financing from existing insiders and various strategic and fundamental investors. Advisors Chardan is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Ace Green Recycling Inc. Lucosky Brookman LLP is serving as legal counsel to Ace Green Recycling Inc. Latham & Watkins LLP is serving as legal counsel to Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II. About Ace Green Recycling Ace Green Recycling, Inc., incorporated in Delaware , is an innovative battery recycling technology platform offering sustainable end-of-life solutions. It has deployed modular, Scope 1 emissions-free recycling plants for Lithium (NMC & LFP) and Lead batteries used in various industries including electronics, automotive and energy storage. Ace is founded by Nishchay Chadha, who serves as its Chief Executive Officer and is a veteran in recycling, mining and global supply chain industries and Dr Vipin Tyagi as Chief Technology Officer, who is an accomplished scientist with extensive experience in battery materials recycling technology. For more information, please visit https://www.acegreenrecycling.com/ . Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the Proposed Business Combination, ATAC II and Ace are expected to prepare a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by ATAC II, which will include preliminary and definitive proxy statements to be distributed to ATAC II's shareholders in connection with ATAC II's solicitation for proxies for the vote by ATAC II's shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to Ace's shareholders in connection with the completion of the Proposed Business Combination. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, ATAC II will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. ATAC II's shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, once available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and any amendments thereto and, once available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, in connection with ATAC II's solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the Proposed Business Combination, because these documents will contain important information about ATAC II, ACE, and the Proposed Business Combination. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, or any other document that ATAC II will send to its shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of the preliminary or definitive proxy statement, once available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the Proposed Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by ATAC II, without charge, at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II, Attn: Isabelle Freidheim , 442 5th Avenue, New York, NY . INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES TO THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION . Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC free of charge at www.sec.gov . The definitive proxy statement/ prospectus (if and when available) will be mailed to shareholders of ATAC II as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination. Shareholders of ATAC II will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement/prospectus without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Participants in the Solicitation ATAC II, Ace and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from ATAC II's shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. Information about ATAC II's directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in ATAC II and with respect to the Proposed Business Combination and any other matters to be acted upon at the ATAC II shareholder meeting will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Proposed Business Combination and be available at the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov ). Information about Ace's directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in Ace and with respect to the Proposed Business Combination will also be included in such registration statement. No Offer or Solicitation This press release relates to a proposed transaction between ATAC II and Ace. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any offer, sale or exchange of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements include the statements regarding the expected timing for completion of the Proposed Business Combination, Ace's U.S. development plans and global expansion plans, the expected impact of Ace's planned battery recycling plants in the U.S., and Ace's expectation that it will be profitable in 2026; in some cases you can also identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are based on ATAC II's and Ace's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties, or other factors that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements included in this press release. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Business Combination, including the adoption and approval of the Business Combination Agreement, the Proposed Business Transaction, the intended financing and other related matters by ATAC II's shareholders, (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, (iii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed Business Combination on Ace's business relationships, operating results and business generally, (iv) risks that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts Ace's current plans and operations, (v) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against ATAC II or Ace related to the Business Combination Agreement or the Proposed Business Combination, (vi) the risks that the consummation of the Proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur, including prior to the date on which ATAC II is required to liquidate under the terms of its charter documents (as may be amended) and the potential failure to obtain an extension of its business combination deadline in ATAC II's upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (vii) costs related to the Proposed Business Combination and the failure to realize anticipated benefits thereof or to realize estimated pro forma results and underlying assumptions, including with respect to estimated shareholder redemptions, (viii) the risk that Ace and its current and future collaborators are unable to continue to successfully develop and commercialize Ace's products and services, or experience significant delays in doing so, (ix) the risk that Ace may need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, (x) the ability of ATAC II to maintain the listing of its securities on a U.S. exchange before the closing of the Proposed Business Combination and following the Proposed Business Combination, and (xi) the risk that the post-transaction company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of the registration statement on Form S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus discussed above and other documents filed or to be filed by ATAC II and/or or any successor entity thereof from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and ATAC II and Ace assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contacts: Media Media@acegreenrecycling.com Investors Investors@acegreenrecycling.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ace-green-recycling-a-global-leader-in-battery-recycling-technology-to-become-a-public-company-302323175.html SOURCE ACE Green Recycling © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Employers should prepare for sickest month of the year, says HR software firm Employers should be clear about sick day policies and encourage flu vaccinations, says BrightHR Adam Campbell Dec 12, 2024 12:04 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message For 2023-24, a Statistics Canada survey revealed only 42 per cent of respondents received a flu vaccination, one per cent less than last year Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Listen to this article 00:02:44 Employers should have clear sick-day policies and encourage vaccinations to prevent impacts to productivity and bottom lines, according to human resources software company BrightHR. The company, which monitors more than 7,000 companies and 65,000 employees in Canada, revealed in a Nov. 22 release that 34 per cent of all sickness absences from the flu or colds typically occur between November and January. December is the third “sickest” month of the year, followed by November in second and January in first. Industries heavily reliant on temporary contractors or shift work could be impacted the most by absences this year, BrightHR chief international growth and marketing officer Thea Watson told BIV . She said sectors like education, retail and hospitality could be left with fewer people to do their jobs, which can increase burnout for other employees. For flu-related absences, November and December 2023 tied in second place with the most sick days – each at 131 per cent above last year’s monthly average, according to data from BrightHR. A spokeswoman for BrightHR did not provide BIV with this year's data by publication time. However, Watson says employers can take action and minimize impacts. “One of the first things they [companies] can do is ensure that they're communicating their policies,” she said. This includes being clear about sick days and remote work policies. Flu absences have continued to become more frequent across the country, said Watson, adding this has significant effects on worker productivity and business costs. “It takes anywhere from two to five minutes to process any sick leave,” she said. “You could be spending thousands [of dollars] on just processing sick leave ... depending on your business size.” BrightHR CEO Alan Price said in the release encouraging employers to stay home if they’re feeling unwell could prevent losing other workers to sickness. However, encouragement should also be given for flu vaccinations. Flu vaccinations for adults 18 and older have slightly decreased over the past year, from 43 per cent in 2022-23 to 42 per cent in 2023-24, according to Statistics Canada’s vaccination coverage survey . Among respondents, the most common reason for not getting the flu shot was thinking the vaccine was not needed (31 per cent), with 15 per cent stating they encountered difficulties scheduling an appointment. [email protected] See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Economy, Law & Politics S&P/TSX composite down nearly 250 points, U.S. stock markets also fall Dec 12, 2024 1:46 PM Vancouver Island First Nation whose ex-chief met Capt. Cook files claim against B.C. Dec 12, 2024 12:26 PM Border officials, RCMP to testify on impact of Trump's plans for border security Dec 12, 2024 9:21 AM