No. 25 Illinois rebounds in big way, blasts UMES 87-40Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, opposition activists and a rebel commander said Saturday. One resident told The Associated Press the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Elsewhere, Palestinian officials said at least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israel's war against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,600 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
'Democracy And Freedom': Jimmy Carter's Human Rights Efforts In Latin AmericaNew laws and rules coming to Ontario next yearFind the links between the words to win today's game of Connections. Looking for Thursday’s Connections hints and answers instead? You can find them here: Hey there, everyone! We’ve made it to the end of the week. I hope you’ve got some fun, relaxing or otherwise edifying plans in store. I could be attending a Santa Claus parade with my partner and her four-year-old. It should be enjoyable, but I’m mostly just hoping I make it out intact. Today’s NYT Connections hints and answers for Friday, November 22, are coming right up. How To Play Connections Connections is a free, popular New York Times daily word game. You get a new puzzle at midnight every day. You can play on the NYT website or Games app. You’re presented with a grid of 16 words. Your task is to arrange them into four groups of four by figuring out the links between them. The groups could be things like items you can click, names for research study participants or words preceded by a body part. iOS 18.1.1—Update Now Warning Issued To All iPhone Users Leak Reveals Trump Crypto Bombshell As Bitcoin Suddenly Surges Toward $100,000 Price Could Matt Gaetz Get His House Seat Back—Or Be Named Senator? What To Know After He Bails As Trump’s Attorney General Pick There’s only one solution for each puzzle, and you’ll need to be careful when it comes to words that might fit into more than one category. You can shuffle the words to perhaps help you see links between them. Each group is color coded. The yellow group is usually the easiest to figure out, blue and green fall in the middle, and the purple group is usually the most difficult one. The purple group often involves wordplay. Select four words you think go together and press Submit. If you make a guess and you’re incorrect, you’ll lose a life. If you’re close to having a correct group, you might see a message telling you that you’re one word away from getting it right, but you’ll still need to figure out which one to swap. If you make four mistakes, it’s game over. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen with the help of some hints, and, if you’re really struggling, today’s Connections answers. As with Wordle and other similar games, it’s easy to share results with your friends on social media and group chats. If you have an NYT All Access or Games subscription, you can access the Connections archive . This includes every previous game of Connections , so you can go back and play any of those that you have missed. Aside from the first 60 games or so, you should be able to find my hints for each grid via Google if you need them! Just click here and add the date of the game for which you need clues or the answers to the search query. What Are Today’s Connections Hints? Scroll slowly! Just after the hints for each of today’s Connections groups, I’ll reveal what the groups are without immediately telling you which words go into them. Today’s 16 words are... And the hints for today’s Connections groups are: What Are Today’s Connections Groups? Need some extra help? Be warned: we’re starting to get into spoiler territory. Today’s Connections groups are... What Are Today’s Connections Answers? Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Connections answers. This is your final warning! Today’s Connections answers are... I'm back to winning ways with a perfect game. A nice way to close out the week! Here's how I fared: 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟩🟩🟩🟩 I found this grid to be a pretty straightforward one. As much as I enjoy a little challenge, that’s always welcome after losing a streak. LENS, ZOOM, SHUTTER and EXPOSURE seem like they'd form a group, but it only took a second of looking around the grid to recognize that it was a clear red herring. ZOOM went with the blues, of course (I think about SLACK far too much already during my work day, thank you very much, Connections ). The yellows were easy to spot as well. I figured out the greens quickly, but I submitted the purples (after deducing that connection) beforehand. That’s all there is to it for today’s Connections clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog for hints and the solution for Saturday’s game if you need them. P.S. Love Island is... not for me, so let's go with a recommendation of Shutter Island. I haven't seen that thriller since it was in theaters, but I remember enjoying it very much. The trailer's great too. If you’re so inclined, please do follow my blog for more coverage of Connections and other word games and even some video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot!
LeBron James At 40: A Milestone Birthday Arrives Monday For The NBA's All-Time Scoring Leader
NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law
Investing in high-quality growth stocks can help you generate above-average returns over time. Therefore, adding stocks with and high growth potential could be a smart strategy to diversify your portfolio and enhance the overall returns. One of the most appealing aspects of investing in growth stocks is that you don’t need to make a large financial commitment to get started. In fact, with an investment as modest as $500, investors can tap into some of the top growth stocks in Canada. Against this background, here are four with strong growth prospects to buy and hold. ( ) is a top Canadian growth stock with promising potential. The company is strategically positioned to benefit from the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) investments, mainly through its focus on hardware platform solutions for AI/ML systems. As demand for customizable AI silicon grows, Celestica’s advanced networking switches, servers, and storage solutions are set to thrive, especially with rising data centre investments. Beyond AI, the recovery in the Advanced Technology Solutions sector, including aerospace, defence, and industrial markets, will likely accelerate its growth and diversify its revenue streams. Celestica is optimistic about growth in its Industrial and Smart Energy segments in 2025, fueled by increased demand. Overall, with strong prospects across multiple industries, Celestica is poised for sustained growth. Investors seeking high-quality growth stocks could also consider ( ) for its ability to consistently deliver sales and earnings growth at a double-digit rate and generate higher returns over time. Shares of this clothing retailer have risen over 92% this year. The momentum is poised to sustain and on the back of stellar growth in its financials. Notably, Aritzia’s top line has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% since fiscal 2016. At the same time, its bottom line increased at a CAGR of 13%. The company will likely continue to deliver stellar financials, thanks to its exclusive mix of fashion brands, wide product offerings, and improvement in the supply chain. Moreover, the company is expanding its store presence in prime retail spaces across Canada and the U.S., which will likely boost revenues, increase brand awareness, grow its customer base, and generate steady growth. Aritzia is also enhancing its omnichannel capabilities, improving operational efficiency, and reducing warehousing costs, which will likely boost its profitability and support its share price. ( ) is an to buy and hold. The financial services company is consistently growing its revenue and earnings at a double-digit rate. Thanks to its stellar financials, goeasy stock has gained substantially in value over the years and outperformed the Canadian benchmark index by a wide margin. Further, it has enhanced its shareholders’ value by increasing dividends for 10 consecutive years and has delivered a higher return on equity (ROE). The subprime lender will benefit from high-quality loan originations and solid credit performance, which will drive its top and bottom lines at a solid double-digit rate. Further, goeasy’s focus on credit adjustments, an improved product mix, and efficiency savings will enhance its margins and profitability. Thanks to its solid financials, goeasy will likely hike its future dividends, while its stock could deliver above-average returns. Moreover, the stock offers significant value near the current price levels and is trading cheap on valuation. ( ) is another compelling growth stock to buy now. This manufacturer of dry-type transformers and power-quality products is witnessing significant demand, led by advancements in AI and vehicle electrification. The company’s exposure to high-growth end markets such as data centers, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and renewable energy, as well as its established presence in industries like utilities, oil and gas, and mining, provide stability. Hammond’s focus on innovation, product expansion, and strategic acquisitions positions it for sustained growth. Further, with improved efficiency and a favourable product mix boosting profitability, Hammond Power is well-placed to enhance shareholder value and sustain its rally.
EPA lays charges over asbestos-tainted mulch in SydneyJohnson 3-8 6-8 12, Kidd 5-6 0-0 10, Blackmon 2-8 2-2 7, Cleveland 4-11 3-4 11, Pack 7-14 2-3 20, Djobet 3-3 3-4 10, Staton-McCray 1-4 0-0 2, Ugochukwu 1-1 0-0 2, Bethea 0-2 0-0 0, Johnson-Arigu 0-1 0-0 0, Swartz 0-0 0-0 0, Basa-Ama 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-58 16-21 74. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
OASIS, Coldplay and Dua Lipa will help drive a predicted £7billion into the UK economy next year. The British acts’ huge tours are contributing to what people in the industry are dubbing the biggest year ever for live music. The massive appetite for tickets means concerts in the UK will help trounce the £6.1billion brought to our economy in 2023. And it is even ready to top the boost given to Britain by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour this summer, which is now the highest-grossing tour of all time. Leading talent manager Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, whose company Chosen Music has worked with many international artists, said: “People are embracing the live music experience more than ever before. “With the rise of social media, many younger people are spending more time online and less time together in person. “As a result, the demand for shared, memorable, communal experiences, such as live concerts, has never been higher. “The UK’s 2025 live music calendar is already packed with huge names such as Dua Lipa , Oasis, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Coldplay, Gracie Abrams, Teddy Swims and Billie Eilish , all contributing to the anticipation for what will surely be a landmark year for live music. “Moreover, record companies are recognising the power of live shows to boost music sales by offering bundled concert tickets with album purchases, catering to passionate fans eager for exclusive experiences. “With so much competition in the market, artists are being forced to be more creative with their offerings and their performances, ensuring their live shows are an unforgettable experience.” Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, 50 Cent , Sam Fender and Iron Maiden have already helped drive huge revenues with their shows for 2025. R&B stars including Nelly , Sean Paul, Ashanti and Eve will also be helping to boost takings with nostalgia-driven shows. A music industry source said: “Billions have already been generated in ticket sales, but there will be even more added from hotels, travel, food and drink. “It is becoming an increasingly lucrative market and 2025 will be the biggest year ever for live music. “The industry is braced for a bumper year.” THE Piano Man will play his only Europe shows of 2025 in Edinburgh on June 7 and in Liverpool on June 21 – his first appearances in both cities for 46 years. MARKING 50 years as a group, Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives world tour includes shows in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Glasgow in June. TOURING the nation in July for the Hit Me Hard And Soft tour, beginning at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro. Her final night is at Dublin’s 3Arena on July 27. SEVEN years after her last arena tour, she is back here in October for the Lifetimes Tour, hitting Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. ONE of the most popular pop-rock bands around, they will bring their LOOM World Tour to London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for two nights in July, with support from Declan McKenna. CELEBRATING the 21st anniversary of their self-titled debut album, the American Take Your Mama group will reunite for a UK tour in May. June 20 – 27 SHE sold out her Future Nostalgia arena tour last year and this time is upgrading to stadiums. Dua has two nights at London’s Wembley Stadium and will play a further two dates at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, plus another at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. It follows her Glasto headline performance this summer. Aug 22–Sep 8 THEY are the first band ever to sell out ten nights at Wembley Stadium in a single year – and they follow six sold-out shows there in 2022 on the same tour. Coldplay will kick off the final swansong of their Music Of The Spheres world tour with two nights at Hull’s Craven Park, before their residency in London. The tour has grossed more than £1billion. Jun 24–Jul 1 SHE only completed the Guts World Tour in October, but Olivia will now keep the party going into 2025. As well as two rescheduled shows in Manchester, she will top the bill at Dublin’s Marlay Park and is heavily rumoured to be a headliner at Glastonbury. The singing sensation, who has had hits including Deja Vu, Vampire and Drivers License, will also headline her own day at BST Hyde Park in London. May 31–Jun 14, Aug 23 ROBBIE will be embarking on a huge tour, 30 years after his departure from Take That. Fresh from his biopic Better Man hitting cinemas, he will headline Newcastle’s inaugural Come Together Festival on June 4. Then there will be two nights at London’s Emirates Stadium and concerts in Manchester, Bath and Dublin. March 3 -14, Jul 5 AFTER an incredible 21 weeks at number one this year, Sabrina is ready to take the UK by storm with her Short 'N' Sweet tour. She sold out all eight arena shows in Dublin, Birmingham, London Glasgow Manchester as well as a 65,000 ticket headline concert at BST Hyde Park in July. The Espresso singer's tour which began in the states in September has received rave reviews. Jun 23-Jul 4 THE brooding American will play her first stadium tour here in the UK. She will start in Cardiff, before shows in Glasgow, Liverpool and London, most of which has sold out. Fans will also get to hear new music from the six-time chart-topper as she will release her record, The Right Person Will Stay, in May before hitting the road. Jul 4-Aug 17, Sep 27-28 IT is the reunion that no one thought would ever happen. Noel and Liam Gallagher have put aside their 16-year rift to kick off Oasis’s comeback at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4. They then play shows in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin, and return to London in September for two more shows following a stint in the US. May 14-20 and Jun 4, 7 HE has been in music for more than 50 years and The Boss will continue to bring in the crowds. Hundreds of thousands of fans are ready to turn out for three shows at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena and a further two nights at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium. Bruce will be accompanied by his E Street Band for the shows. THE American R&B superstar will play ten nights at London’s O2 Arena between March and May as part of his Past Present Future tour. THE two Noughties pop-rock groups will go head-to-head on a 32-show tour across the UK and Ireland, kicking off in September. SIX years after her last tour, the Aussie pop princess will return to the stage for her Tension Tour, in the UK from May to early June. JEFF LYNNE’s Electric Light Orchestra will bow out of music for ever in July, with gigs in Birmingham and Manchester and their final show at BST Hyde Park on July 13. X FACTOR’s cheeky chappy will tour the length and breadth of the country from April to May before a packed schedule of summer shows from June to August. HIS album People Watching will be out in February, which gives fans plenty of time to learn it before he headlines London Stadium on June 6, and three nights at Newcastle’s St James’ Park later in the month.S&P 500 closes at record high after strong US jobs report