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PEORIA — A lucky slot player was the second guest to take home big money this month from an East Peoria casino. A news statement from Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino said an unnamed slot player won $46,318 after placing a $9 bet Friday on the Light & Wonder's "Blazing 777 Triple Double Jackpot Wild Nudge." The statement added this guest "left feeling on top of the world" with the money. The casino also said the win is the second major jackpot in five days at Par-A-Dice, noting another guest won a $29,000 payday on Dec. 1. Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino features 26,000 square feet of casino gaming space with 500 slot and video poker machines and 18 table games at 21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria. For more information, go to www.paradicecasino.com . The Since U Been Gone star announced on Monday that she will perform 10 shows across July and August in support of her upcoming album Chemistry. "I am so excited for these shows and couldn't think of a better place to get back on stage than Las Vegas! The crowds in Vegas are such an amazing collection of people that simply want to have a great time and that's what we're going to do!” "So many of my musical idols have had, and still have, incredible residencies on The Strip, and I'm so excited to create my own!" In between Dave & Buster's screen-lit aisles and makeshift arenas, it's not unusual to see groups of friends competing with each other. At each of the arcade chain's more than 222 franchises throughout the country, there's just about every kind of friendly physical and virtual game—Hot Shots basketball, Skee-Ball, air hockey, billiards, virtual car racing, and shooting—to master. And that is just the beginning. ATS.io mapped how gambling is entering arcades across the United States and the implications for these two industries. In a partnership with technology company Lucra, Dave & Buster's announced in April 2024 that it plans to allow customers to bet on its arcade games through a social wagering channel on its app. The gamification software will accommodate peer-to-peer digital cash bets on "skill-based" games, otherwise defined as "recreational activities for which the outcome is largely or entirely dependent on the knowledge, ability, strength, speed, endurance, intelligence of the participants and is subject to the control of those participants," Lucra chief operating officer Michael Madding told the New York Times . In the process, loyalty members will be able to digitally wager on each other's recreational abilities, earn various rewards, and unlock exclusive perks, effectively merging sports betting and arcade fandom together. "This new partnership gives our loyalty members real-time, unrivaled gaming experiences, and reinforces our commitment to continuing to elevate our customer experience through innovative, cutting-edge technology," Simon Murray, senior vice president of entertainment and attractions at Dave & Buster's, said in the company's initial press release. The decision to enter the betting fray is the latest example of an arcade or casino investing in gamification to capitalize on the exponential growth of gambling. As of May 2024, close to 40 states have legalized sports betting, which achieved record revenues ($10.9 billion) in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association, thanks to maturation across existing and newer markets, such as Massachusetts and Ohio. In the same year, more traditional and regulated casino slots and table games at brick-and-mortar establishments grossed a record $49.4 billion in revenue. That doesn't even mention the soaring estimations for the fantasy sports market, which projects to reach $56.36 billion in 2030 , according to a report by Grand View Research. "A lot of these new skill games are riding the wave of the sports betting and fantasy sports boom," Daniel Wallach, a gaming law and sports betting attorney, told ATS.io. "If fantasy sports is a legal game of skill, and it falls outside the gambling prohibitions under state law, then that could potentially apply to myriad other skill games. That's what Dave & Buster's is banking on." Still, there are potential consequences and uphill battles. Over the last couple of years, numerous "adult arcades" attempting to circumvent state laws with gambling games have been raided by authorities—namely in Florida, where slot machines are illegal unless they're at casinos or pari-mutuels. Depending on the state and how Dave & Buster's plans to operate its social wagering, the chain may also face legal hurdles. But according to Wallach, as long as an arcade isn't acting as "the house" and setting odds, "in most jurisdictions, the peer-to-peer product is, legally, the path of least resistance." In a post-pandemic world, finding new ways to attract and retain customers has become paramount for big entertainment venues. Until about a decade ago, publications were still delivering eulogies for the arcade, which struggled to compete with home video game consoles. In a 2013 story for The Verge , author Laura June argued: "The economics aren't there anymore, the community support never was, and, of course, gaming companies make a killing in the home—almost none are even producing cabinets anymore." To reinvent themselves, many arcades have introduced more hospitality elements and virtual/augmented reality opportunities, hoping newer social technology might lure customers back. Along with casinos installing slots that incorporate video game elements like storytelling and competition, they've also taken hints from sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, gamifying their mobile experiences by presenting various "challenges" or "missions" or "bonuses" that can incentivize players to stay active on an app and increase their chances to win prizes. Some arcades, like Galloping Ghost Arcade, based in Brookfield, Illinois, have pivoted the other direction, leaning into nostalgia to fuel their niche customer base. According to owner Doc Mack, the venue—which hosts about 80,000 customers a year—doesn't supply any food or beverage service, has close to 900 different games, and charges a $25 flat rate so customers don't pinch their quarters. "We have tried to really go with an old-school approach to it. Our games kind of speak for themselves," Mack told ATS.io. "You don't have to pitch anything else to make these games iconic or make people want to play them." Unlike Dave & Buster's, he says, which phases old games out, Galloping Ghost prides itself on classic arcade options that don't cater to online opportunities. Considering the scope and intention of his business, gamification only makes sense for a certain size operation looking to draw in more casual customers. "I think it's great to try to innovate and bring new things to it," Mack said. "If you operate that big at this point, maybe you just try to do anything you can to figure out a new revenue opportunity." Considering Dave & Buster's is one of many arcade entertainment franchises that cater to families, underage gambling has become a concern. Legislators such as Illinois state Rep. Daniel Didech have spoken out about the lack of safeguards preventing kids and teenagers from betting themselves. Lucra says its betting services are only intended for adults 18 and up, and that the average contest size is around $5 or $10. But without being regulated—a reason the American Gaming Association declined to comment for this story—the chain opens itself up to more scrutiny. "State regulation can provide an important consumer protection element that would otherwise be missing from unregulated albeit legal activity," Wallach said. "Maybe the answer is to regulate rather than prohibit." Whether or not it finds initial success, Wallach believes this venture into arcade peer-to-peer betting is likely to gain imitators. Consider venues such as Topgolf and PingPod (a fully automated table tennis space), which have already gamified some of their experiences and contain inherent head-to-head competitions. Meanwhile, on Lucra's list of clients is a pickleball ratings system and a tennis app that allows players to compete against each other for real money. According to Lucra, its app has created 1 million unique contests and collected more than $20 million of handle. It seems like just the beginning. "There's much more skill gaming out there at commercial venues than you may even realize," Wallach said. "There's no reason why this concept can't be imported to those types of recreational activities." Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Breaking News Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Five years ago, the U.S. women's national team were being feted in Washington, D.C., one of several celebratory events to commemorate their fourth Women's World Cup title. The trophy offered a fresh reminder that they are one of most established teams in the broader sports landscape – they remained the gold standard in women's soccer, as well as one of the most dominant teams in American sports. In attendance that day was the equally impressive, if lesser-known, Cognosante founder and CEO Michele Kang. An immigrant from South Korea who moved to the U.S. as a student, she achieved one particular version of the varied American dream – joining the nation's billionaire class. In a nation that Forbes reports has a record 813 billionaires , one can get away with building a successful medtech company but otherwise keeping a low profile. One of the things that deep pockets can afford you, though, is the opportunity to change your professional interests in short order. "Other than [a] brief stint in the elementary school days, I was not really aware," she said at a press conference in New York on Tuesday. "I was not really a fan, but once I got exposed to women's soccer right after the 2019 World Cup, when the players came back and there was a celebration, I learned about the presence of the professional league and actually, the team in the D.C. area, and I was blown away. As I started getting involved, I just saw an incredible potential and where it was vs. where it could be and I was really very surprised that there was just so little investment appreciating the potential. So just like what I did in my other professional career, when I believe in something, I just jump in, so I did with my head first." Tom Daschle, the former Democratic senator from South Dakota who served as the senate minority leader from 2001 to 2003, introduced Kang to Steve Baldwin, a tech executive who was the Spirit's managing owner. Baldwin set up a dinner between Kang and Spirit players Andi Sullivan and Aubrey Kingsbury and by Dec. 2020, Kang had a 35% stake in the Spirit. It was one of the first meaningful investments in an NWSL team since the 2019 World Cup, which serves as the origin story of many of the league's owners, around two-thirds of whom have come on board in the last three years. That moment is also the start of Kang's origin story in sports, joining the ranks of visible billionaire owners, a legacy she can add to on Saturday as the Spirit chase their second NWSL Championship against the Orlando Pride (8 p.m. ET, CBS , Paramount+ ). Kang is doing so, though, as the first women's soccer mogul, boasting a multi-million dollar global portfolio that's emblematic of the rapid rise of women's sports as a whole. The battle for the Spirit Kang's initial investment in the Spirit marked her first venture in sports, but her stint as an unknown quantity was fairly short-lived. Eight months after she joined the Spirit's ownership group, The Washington Post published the first of several reports detailing abusive behavior from then-head coach Richie Burke that Baldwin turned a blind eye towards. As the NWSL underwent a reckoning on abusive behavior across the league , Kang launched a bid to take control of the Spirit. "I became aware of some of these issues starting in April of this year, as many staff and players approached me to confidentially share their own stories that reflected how toxic our workplace culture had become," she wrote in a statement that September . "Over the past five months, I have worked very hard to convince my co-owners that fundamental changes were needed to provide a safe and professional workplace for our players. Those efforts were met with denial, evasion, and outright hostility. ... It is time for the Spirit to turn the page on this sad chapter in its history and bring in new leadership to chart a new path." Kang then became locked in a months-long battle to control the Spirit with Baldwin, who agreed to sell the club as part of the NWSL's investigation into Burke, but was dragging his feet doing so. He resigned as the Spirit's managing partner and CEO within days of Kang's statement, but the players called upon him to sell the club to Kang just hours after his announcement. "The person we trust is Michele," the players said in a statement . "She continuously puts players' needs and interests first. She listens. She believes this can be a profitable business. ... Please sell to Michele at a reasonable price." The power struggle continued as the Spirit won their first NWSL Championship in 2021 and through the winter. Baldwin tried to sell to billionaire Todd Boehly (yes, THAT Todd Boehly ) and retail executive Jennifer Tepper Mackesy, who reportedly bid $25 million to acquire the club, forcing Kang to increase her offer to $35 million. She then led what Baldwin described as a "coup" and Sports Business Journal called the deal of the year , converting non-voting, non-equity investors into full shareholders that formed a new majority ownership group that supported her campaign. By Feb. 2022, Baldwin agreed to sell to Kang, who became the first woman of color to serve as the majority owner of an NWSL club. It marked an impressive first impression from someone who was once an unknown quantity in women's soccer, which had long been a sport where players advocated for themselves but had few allies in leadership positions. Kang's leadership is one reason why the experiences of the Spirit's up-and-coming stars vary greatly from the squad's veterans, staying true to her promise about putting the players first three years ago. "I was actually talking about this to Brit [Ratcliffe] and Aubrey [Kingsbury] today, about how different things were when they were rookies – like, completely different," rookie Hal Hershfelt said on Thursday. "They were still living with host families. ... I feel like being a part of this club that pushes the agenda of how important women's sports should be and how much we should be rewarded for the work that we put in is just something so special and it's so cool that that's honestly all I know as a rookie. It kind of puts things into perspective that our older players, our veteran players didn't always have. That's what makes me feel extra grateful when we have an owner like this now – it's the reason that me, Croix [Bethune] and Makenna [Morris], all of our rookies, that's all we know right now." Kang has spent the years since living up to the beliefs the Spirit players said she had, including a transformative one – that women's soccer could be a profitable business. Kang's women's soccer empire Kang's first acts as the Spirit's majority owner focused on obvious upgrades like moving into the training facilities and stadium owned by MLS' D.C. United on a full-time basis, but the team continued to make splashes. They landed a front-of-jersey sponsorship deal with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 2022 season, with Kang previously serving on the center's International Committee of the Arts. In May 2022, Trinity Rodman was rewarded for her rookie of the year campaign by becoming the first NWSL player to sign a contract worth $1 million. She took another bold step over the last year by landing UEFA Women's Champions League winner Jonatan Giraldez as the head coach, reportedly quintupling his Barcelona salary to get the deal done. "I first had to fly to Barcelona and I spent like, I don't know, six hours in Barcelona with, actually, my general manager [Mark Krikorian] and others," Kang told CBS Sports Golazo Network 's Morning Footy on Tuesday. "We started from the vision. We started from the day-to-day operations and we started on how we can do this together and why somebody like Jona, who's already so established and so successful, should come to the U.S. – very different, no family and all that. It was a very long process, but it took several months, it took visits and it took sharing and debating the vision and the future of women's sports and I'm just very grateful that he took the pledge. He had faith in us, not only just me but the club and the NWSL and the U.S. women's game." Kang's outlook on women's sports is unflinchingly ambitious, to the point where she's building a women's soccer empire at what feels like breakneck speed. Her big splashes over the last year and change include launching Kynisca Sports International, the first multi-team ownership group dedicated specifically to the women's game and includes France's Olympique Lyonnais and England's London City Lionesses. She launched an innovation hub in August that is dedicated to expanding sports science research on female athletes and has invested in the U.S.' Olympic bronze medal winning rugby team, women's athletic footwear brand IDA Sports and media company Just Women's Sports. Most recently, she made a $30 million donation to U.S. Soccer that is dedicated to fueling development for young female athletes, as well as resources for women in coaching, refereeing and technical staff roles. The billionaire's empire is a long list of first-of-its-kind investments but as much as Kang can be commended on her ingenuity, she is remarkably clear-eyed about how her plans just make plain business sense. "I think that at the end of the day, it's not any different from any other businesses, right?," Kang said at a press conference on Tuesday. "Any particular business or industry can't be successful just focusing on only one part of the value chain. There needs to be all the elements present, even though you may take up only part of the entire value chain. The other components of the value chain need to be there." A vision for the future Though Kang's empire is vast, it can be summarized quite simply. "What you see is what you get," U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone told CBS Sports on Tuesday. "This isn't a facade, this isn't a front. She truly cares and is so passionate about women's sports and specifically women's soccer." Kang has perfected the act of putting her money where her mouth is, as her commitment to the Spirit players in 2021 and her successful attempt to bring Girladez to the NWSL proves. The same is true for her recent gift to U.S. Soccer, which began with "what was supposed to be a short breakfast that turned into a very long breakfast" during the Paris Olympics, according to U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. "We started talking about the need to invest in the ecosystem to invest in all of the things that pay off, long term, and we outlined our plans at U.S. Soccer to do those things and shared that's not where people traditionally give money," Batson told CBS Sports. "She's like, 'But that's the important stuff,' so that's how this all came to be." By Kang's own admission, investing in the women's soccer pipeline does not just make business sense on its own – it also protects the initial investment she made in the Spirit nearly four years ago. "As an owner on a day-to-day basis, I experience what's needed for the team and the league and so forth," Kang said. "[NWSL owners] came in specifically to invest and grow this sport and we have been doing that. So the results, I have to say, [are] pretty spectacular in terms of viewership growing, the attendance growing, sponsorship and all the above so this is all great but this is not going to be permanent unless the pyramid structure and ecosystem is there. "I get the question: 'You're in England, you're in France. How do you compare those countries' soccer systems vs. the U.S.?,' and I have to say, one of the major differences is actually the youth system – youth academies, youth development. There [are] a lot more structured and well thought out programs, everything in Europe relative to the U.S. so I felt there was some need there. Also even in the NWSL, we're talking a lot about expansion and we want to give more opportunities but we don't want to lower the quality by just expanding and right now, one of the limiting factors is not even the players. It's really the number of coaches, the number of referees, preferably also but not exclusively female coaches and referees and I felt that it's about time that we paid attention to it otherwise collectively, we're not going to be able to maintain this momentum, let alone improving and creating even bigger momentum for all of us." Kang also described the donation as "deeply personal" for her, not only because she's become the type of die-hard soccer fan who wants to be left alone even as people try to network with her in a stadium suite, choosing instead to watch every moment of every game. Her growing women's soccer empire offers Kang a chance to pay it forward. "I'm an immigrant to this country and I feel very grateful that this country has given me an opportunity to pursue and achieve my dream," Kang said. "There are so many young girls and women whose passions are playing soccer and playing the game for their country, the teams and I want to make sure and I want to give back whatever I can to help those young girls and women in this country and around the world to have a shot at achieving their dreams. Soccer happens to be where my passion is right now and I want to do everything I can to provide that environment so that they can go for and pursue their dreams." Kang may still be a relative newcomer to women's soccer, but she has seemingly breezed through any learning curves that come with the territory. Along the way, she has earned the plaudits of mainstays like Parlow Cone, a youth international who went on to win a World Cup and Olympic gold as a player and an NWSL Championship as a coach before becoming the federation's president. "If you would've told me five years ago that being in this position would enable me to work with this team, to go and do what we're doing right now, I would've thought you were crazy," Parlow Cone said. "To have Michele doing what she's done today, impacting the lives of women and girls – it's really even hard to put into words and imagine that I live it every single day in the ecosystem but to really think about the impact, not only today but for years to come, long after my presidency is done, is honestly mind-blowing." Sandra Herrera contributed to this report.dragon link slot machine 。

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The Bipin Chandra Paul Seminar Hall at Assam University hosted the orientation program for Yuva Sangam Phase-V under the Government of India’s flagship initiative Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. This initiative aims to foster connections among youth through exposure tours highlighting tourism, traditions, development, people-to-people connections, and technology. For this phase, Assam and Chhattisgarh have been paired, with Assam University, Silchar, and IIM Raipur serving as the nodal institutions. Forty-five students selected from Assam will embark on a tour to Chhattisgarh on December 23, 2024, accompanied by five coordinators. The program at Assam University commenced with the unveiling of official jerseys and caps, distributed among the delegates. The orientation event featured eminent speakers, including: Prof. Chira Ranjan Bhattacharjee, Chairman, Yuva Sangam Program Committee Prof. Gangabhushan M. Molankal, Coordinator, Orientation Program Sub-Committee Prof. Shahin Ara Begum and Prof. Saugata Kumar Nath, Members, Orientation Program Sub-Committee Dr. Tapodhir Acherjee, Nodal Officer, Yuva Sangam Dr. Arnab Paul, Co-Nodal Officer, Yuva Sangam Dr. Tapodhir Acherjee welcomed participants, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and its role in promoting national unity. Prof. Chira Ranjan Bhattacharjee encouraged delegates to embrace the journey as an opportunity to represent Assam’s cultural richness and forge meaningful connections with Chhattisgarh. Prof. Gangabhushan M. Molankal offered practical guidance on delegation responsibilities, emphasizing adaptability, cooperation, and respect for cultural diversity. Prof. Shahin Ara Begum stressed sportsmanship and leadership, urging participants to maintain a positive digital presence and embody humility. Prof. Saugata Kumar Nath motivated the group to actively engage in cultural and sports exchanges, emphasizing the importance of learning from the experience. The orientation concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Arnab Paul, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders for their enthusiasm and support. The delegation will depart on December 23, flagged off by MP Shri Parimal Shuklabaidya. Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh team from IIM Raipur will travel to Assam on January 7, 2025, with their program at Assam University starting on January 10, 2025. The initiative promises to deepen cultural ties, foster unity, and create lifelong memories for the participants from both states.Xavier aims to rebound from a tough week and get one more critical tune-up for a rivalry matchup when it hosts Morgan State on Tuesday night in Cincinnati. The Musketeers (7-2) were ranked No. 22 in the AP poll two weeks ago but fell out after a 25-point loss to Michigan in the Fort Myers Tip-Off tournament final on Nov. 27. Xavier then barely escaped with a 71-68 home win over South Carolina State on Dec. 1 before losing 76-72 at TCU on Thursday. Dante Maddox Jr. came off the bench to score nine points in 20 minutes on three 3-pointers against the Horned Frogs. He also grabbed six rebounds before fouling out. The Musketeers have been waiting for the Toledo transfer to add a punch to an underwhelming bench cast that many thought would be a strength for Xavier coming into the season. "I really feel like you can almost be baited into a false sense of how deep your team is because you're around guys every day and have a good, older group, which we do," Musketeers coach Sean Miller said. "You see the good in a lot of different guys. It's not until you get 8 to 10, 10 to 15 games in when you truly understand how deep your team is." Maddox hit a 3-pointer and started a fastbreak with a steal that gave Xavier a 60-54 lead with 7:28 remaining, but the Musketeers faded down the stretch and lost for the second time in three games. Maddox is averaging 4.7 points per game, while Ryan Conwell leads the team with 16.6. Tuesday's game will be the last chance for Xavier to straighten up before visiting No. 22 Cincinnati on Saturday for the teams' annual intense crosstown showdown. Morgan State (5-7) is coming off a 102-81 road loss at Bowling Green on Saturday. Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection Will Thomas led the Bears with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, while Kameron Hobbs scored 12 points off the bench. Amahrie Simpkins made all five of his field-goal attempts to add 11 points and Wynston Tabbs had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists. Tabbs leads Morgan State in scoring this season at 16.8 points per game, while Simpkins (12.8) and Thomas (12.2) round out the Bears' double-digit scorers. The Bears have struggled away from home, losing all five road contests this season. --Field Level Media

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Oil prices have bounced around quite a bit this year. WTI, the primary U.S. benchmark price, rose to over $85 per barrel at one point. However, it's currently down modestly for the year and was recently just below $70 a barrel. Crude oil pricing has a significant impact on the cash flows of oil producers like Devon Energy ( DVN 0.82% ) . Here's a look at whether the current oil price affects the buy thesis for the oil stock . Offsetting the oil price decline Devon Energy generated $1.7 billion in operating cash flow during the third quarter, an 8% increase from the previous quarter. That uptick came even though the company realized an average of $74.26 per barrel of oil sold during the period , down from $78.95 in the previous quarter. Devon offset the decline in oil prices by producing more oil and gas (its companywide production rose 4%), thanks to the strength of its Delaware Basin position across Texas and New Mexico and its acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy, which closed right near the end of September. The company also benefited from a 7% decline in production costs. The timing of the Grayson Mill Energy deal is worth noting. The company didn't get the full benefit of that deal, which it expects will be highly accretive to its cash flow. Devon bought that company at a double-digit free cash flow yield. In addition, it expects to capture savings from cost synergies and benefit from Grayson Mill's midstream assets in the Williston Basin region of North Dakota and Montana, which provides options to capture higher pricing for its production in the area. So, while lower oil prices will act as a headwind for Devon, rising production, falling costs, and the accretive Grayson Mill Energy deal will help cushion the blow. Dirt cheap, and doing something about it Devon Energy expects to produce a lot of cash flow next year, even if oil prices continue to fall. It can generate about $1.5 billion in free cash at $60 oil and more than $2.5 billion if oil averages $70 a barrel. Given its current market cap , Devon trades at a 5% free cash flow yield at $60 oil and 9% if oil averages $70 a barrel. That's much cheaper than the broader market, which trades at a low-single-digit free cash flow yield. The company's relatively attractive valuation is driving it to use more of its excess free cash flow to repurchase shares . Devon produced $786 million in free cash flow during the third quarter. The company used its excess cash (free cash flow and balance sheet cash) to pay its quarterly dividend, retire $472 million of debt at maturity, and repurchase $295 million of its stock. Devon elected not to pay a variable dividend in the quarter, -- which used to be its hallmark -- opting instead to strengthen its balance sheet following the Grayson Mill Energy deal and repurchase shares. Going forward , Devon expects to return 70% of its free cash flow to investors (retaining the other 30% to strengthen its balance sheet). Paying a growing fixed dividend remains its top priority. After that, given its currently attractive valuation, it intends to prioritize repurchasing its shares over paying a variable dividend. Devon has now repurchased $3 billion of stock since launching its current program in late 2021. In conjunction with the Grayson Mill Energy deal, the oil company boosted its share repurchase authorization to $5 billion, which it expects to complete by the middle of 2026. That bigger buyback showcases its conviction that buying back its shares is a wise use of capital in the current environment. Devon is still a deal below $70 a barrel Devon Energy expects to continue producing a gusher of free cash flow over the next year, even if oil prices continue to weaken. Because of that, it will still trade at a relatively attractive value even if oil falls below $60. That's why it's prioritizing repurchasing shares at the moment. So, if you're seeking a value play in the oil patch, Devon still looks like an attractive buy, even with crude prices slipping below $70 a barrel.Are prices actually lower on Black Friday? Report indicates not everything is on saleCHATSWORTH, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. TOL , the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, today announced the final opportunity to own a new home at Verona Estates , an exclusive gated community in Chatsworth, California. Only a few homes remain available for sale in this prestigious community, including the professionally decorated Siena Modern Farmhouse model home. The intimate gated enclave of Verona Estates is a rare find showcasing award-winning architecture and innovative home designs. Nestled in an established Chatsworth neighborhood south of the Santa Susana Mountains and adjacent to the Vineyards at Porter Ranch, this exceptional community offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere with the convenience of nearby shopping and easy access to freeways, entertainment, and recreation. Toll Brothers residents in Verona Estates will enjoy distinctive architecture, quality craftsmanship, luxurious home designs with open floor plans, expansive home sites, and proximity to the future 50-acre Porter Ranch community park. Verona Estates offers generous two-story home designs ranging from 4,700 to 6,000+ square feet, with 5 to 6 bedrooms, 4.5 to 6.5 bathrooms, and 3-car garages. The homes also feature popular floor plan options including prep kitchens, guest suites, floating staircases, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and more. Move-in ready homes in the community are priced from $1,979,995. "We are thrilled to offer the final opportunity to own a home in the exclusive Verona Estates community," said Nick Norvilas, Division President of Toll Brothers in Los Angeles. "The Siena model home is a showcase of luxury and design, and we encourage interested home buyers to visit and experience this exceptional home along with the final few quick move-in homes remaining in the community firsthand." The Siena Modern Farmhouse model home features designer upgrades throughout, including fully landscaped and furnished interiors, offering an unparalleled living experience. The professionally decorated model home is priced at $2,999,995. For more information, call 844-700-8655 or visit TollBrothers.com/LA . The Sales Center for Verona Estates is located at 20508 Edgewood Court in Chatsworth and is open by appointment only. About Toll Brothers Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 57 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL." The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. In 2024, Toll Brothers marked 10 years in a row being named to the Fortune World's Most Admired CompaniesTM list and the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com . From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | ameck@tollbrothers.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cbb8cf4a-a018-4df0-955e-3cf4ab63edeb Sent by Toll Brothers via Regional Globe Newswire (TOLL-REG) © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.KSE-100 posts third-highest gain of 3,370 points KARACHI: Stocks witnessed the third highest gain on Thursday with the KSE-100 surging by 3,370 points amid a significant decline in T-bill cut-off yields. The benchmark index recorded a remarkable increase of 185 per cent; from 40,000 to 112,000 in just 18 months. The KSE-100 index surged by 3,370.29 points or 3.04 per cent to 114,180.51 points against the 110,810.22 points recorded in the previous session. The highest index of the day remained at 114,408.62 points while the lowest level was recorded at 111,308.66 points. CEO of Topline Securities Muhammed Sohail said, “[The KSE-100’s gain of over 3,000 points] marks the best comeback in the Pakistan Stock Market’s 75-year history, tripling in value and showcasing unmatched resilience. He said the KSE-100 index posted its third-highest gain ever, soaring 3,370 points to close at 114,181. “Remarkably, nine of the top 10 largest gains have been recorded in 2024.” he said. Muhammad Awais Ashraf, director research at AKD Securities, said, “A significant decline in T-bill cut-off yields in Wednesday;s auction, ahead of the monetary policy announcement, has further strengthened investor confidence amid an improving macroeconomic outlook.” Companies offering higher dividend yields and benefiting from structural reforms and policy rate cuts are contributing the most to the index’s gains,” he said. The KSE-30 index increased by 1,272.1 points or 3.69 per cent to 35,701.35 points against 34,429.24 points. Traded shares increased by 389 million shares to 1,469.558 million shares from 1,080.023 million shares. The trading value rose to Rs67.278 billion from Rs47.139 billion. Market capital expanded to Rs14.517 trillion against Rs14.151 trillion. Of the 464 companies active in the session, 299 closed in green, 132 in red and 33 remained unchanged. Analyst Maaz Mulla at Topline Securities said the stock market extended its historic rally as euphoria gripped investors following a significant decline in T-bill auction yields. This development fuelled aggressive buying across the board, driving the market to new heights. The remarkable performance highlights sustained optimism, with the market now rallying an astounding 185 per cent over the past 18 months. “Today’s broad-based buying saw blue-chip and growth stocks in key sectors like fertiliser, E&Ps, and technology leading the charge, reflecting robust investor confidence amid a shifting macroeconomic environment.” Top contributors to the index’s rise included FFC, MARI, PPL, PSO, Engro, and OGDC, collectively adding 2,028 points to the benchmark index. The highest increase was recorded in Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs199.92 to Rs7,355.19 per share, followed by Rafhan Maize Products Limited, which increased by Rs149.12 to Rs8,750 per share. A significant decline was noted in Macter International Limited, which fell by Rs30.16 to Rs424.69 per share; Hallmark Company Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs24.24 to Rs800.53 per share. Ahsan Mehanti, an analyst at Arif Habib Corp, said, “Stocks closed to a new all-time high after short term government bonds yields slashed up to 100bps at 11.99 per cent in SBP auction.” This big drop in interest rates suggests, according to him, that the central bank might soon lower its main interest rate. Easing political noise on the possible government-PTI patch up and the receding geopolitical tensions led positive sentiments. Surging global crude oil prices, upbeat data on POL sales -- up by 15 per cent YoY -- car sales up by 62 per cent YoY and cement dispatches up by 5.0 per cent YoY for November and the ADB raising its growth forecast to 3.0 per cent for FY25 played a catalyst role in the record surge at the PSX, he said. WorldCall Telecom remained the volume leader with 232.925 million shares which closed higher by 14 paisas to Rs1.79 per share. Cnergyico PK with 80.186 million shares followed it, which closed higher by 10 paisas to Rs7.21 per share. Other significant turnover stocks included Pak Int. Bulk, K-Electric Ltd., Fauji Foods Ltd, Lotte Chemical, Sui South Gas, Treet Corp, Hascol Petrol and Symmetry Group Ltd. In the futures market, 306 companies recorded trading, 226 of which increased, 77 decreased, and 3 remained unchanged.

( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Egypt's petroleum Minister, Karim Badawi, attended the signing of two strategic agreements between ABB Egypt, a leader in energy and technology solutions, and key stakeholders in Egypt's industrial sector. These agreements aim to improve energy efficiency and promote sustainability within Egypt's industrial landscape. The first agreement was signed by Ahmed El-Sherbini, Vice President of ABB Egypt's Cluster for Energy Industries, and Abed Ezz El Regal, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Qir Fertilizers and Chemicals Industries Company (AFC). The agreement focuses on the installation of an advanced automation control system at Abu Qir Ammonia Plant (1). This system is designed to optimize steam utilization, resulting in a reduction of natural gas consumption for steam boilers by 2% to 4% in the initial phase. The project will also enhance the plant's overall operational efficiency. El-Sherbini emphasized the importance of the project, stating,“At ABB, we are committed to providing advanced solutions that support efficiency and sustainability across various industrial sectors.” He added,“This project represents a crucial step in enhancing sustainability and maximizing energy resource use at Abu Qir Fertilizers.” Looking forward, the project includes plans to expand the automation control system to Abu Qir Plants (2) and (3). This expansion will further improve operational performance and generate additional energy savings. Such initiatives align with ABB's long-standing commitment to supporting Egypt's Vision 2030, ensuring sustainable growth and environmental responsibility in the country's industrial sector. In addition, a second agreement was signed between El-Sherbini and Bjorn Q. Aaserod, CEO of the U.S. company MPS, in the presence of Eng. Ibrahim Meki, Chairman of the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM), and Moataz Atef, Undersecretary of the Ministry for the Affairs of the Minister's Office, Technical Office, and official spokesperson. This agreement focuses on ABB's role in providing advanced technical solutions-encompassing electrical systems, automation control, and digital technologies-for a green hydrogen project. The initiative will partially replace natural gas in production processes, significantly reducing both natural gas consumption and carbon emissions. El-Sherbini commented:“At ABB, we are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in advancing Egypt's transition to sustainable energy. We strive to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive operational efficiency across diverse industries, ensuring a future of enhanced sustainability and innovation.” MENAFN22122024000153011029ID1109022277 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.As New York City prosecutors worked Thursday to bring murder charges against Luigi Mangione in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , supporters of the suspect are donating tens of thousands of dollars for a defense fund established for him, leaving law enforcement officials worried Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Several online defense funds have been created for Mangione by anonymous people, including one on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo that as of Thursday afternoon had raised over $50,000. The GiveSendGo defense fund for the 26-year-old Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day Mangione allegedly ambushed and gunned down Thompson in Midtown Manhattan as the executive walked to his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel. "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the anonymous group said in a statement. The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from more than 1,500 anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation." The GiveSendGo fund for Mangione appeared to be briefly taken down before it was restored on Thursday. GiveSendGo did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment. Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have also taken down campaigns soliciting donations for Mangione's defense. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the crowdfunding website said in a statement. "The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded." Amazon and Etsy have removed from their websites merchandise featuring Mangione, including T-shirts and tote bags reading "Free Luigi" and the phrase "Deny, Defend, Depose," words police said were etched in the shell casings discovered at the scene of Thompson's homicide. "Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. It's deeply disturbing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told ABC News senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky in an interview Wednesday night. "And what I would say to members of the public, people who as you described are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable. We are at the ready." Prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorney's office have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury as they work to try to secure an indictment against Mangione, sources told ABC News on Thursday. Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested Monday following a five-day manhunt, said his client is presumed innocent and will plead not guilty to any charges filed against him. Mangione is contesting extradition to New York. Asked about people contributing to Mangione defense funds that have popped up, Dickey said, "People are entitled to their opinion and, like I said, if you're an American and you believe in the American criminal justice system, you have to presume him to be innocent and none of us would want anything other than that if that were us in their shoes. So, I'm glad he had some support." But law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Someone this week pasted "wanted posters" outside the New York Stock Exchange naming other executives. A bulletin released Wednesday by the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, a multi-agency law enforcement intelligence-sharing network based in Philadelphia, included a photo of a banner hanging from an overpass reading, "Deny, Defend, Depose." "Many social media users have outright advocated for the continued killings of CEOs with some aiming to spread fear by posting 'hit lists,'" the bulletin, obtained by ABC News, reads. Meanwhile, New York Police Department investigators continue to build a murder case against Mangione, who is being held in Pennsylvania on charges stemming from his arrest there, including illegal possession of ghost gun and fraudulent identification. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the three shell casings recovered at the scene of Thompson's shooting matched the gun found in Mangione possession when he was arrested. She also confirmed that Mangione's fingerprints were recovered from a water bottle and the wrapper of a granola bar found near the crime scene.Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record

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The Wanted star Max George has said he will be spending Christmas in hospital after doctors discovered “some issues” with his heart. The singer, 36, provided the health update in an Instagram post alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up while lying in a hospital bed. He revealed he is awaiting more tests to determine the extent of the issues and what surgery he may need, but said he is expecting it to be a “difficult few weeks/months”. He wrote: “Hey everyone, yesterday I felt really unwell and was taken in to hospital. Unfortunately after some tests they’ve found that I have some issues with my heart. “I have a lot more tests to determine the extent of the problems and what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet. “It’s gonna be a difficult few weeks/months... and Christmas in a hospital bed wasn’t exactly what I had planned.” The singer said he is “surrounded with love and support” from his “wonderful” partner, actress Maisie Smith, as well as his family and friends. He added: “Although this is a huge shock and no doubt a set back, it’s something I’ll take on with all I’ve got. “I count myself very lucky that this was caught when it was.” Friends and famous faces were among those to offer their support including his bandmate Siva Kaneswaran who said: “Here for you brother. Rest up and get well soon.” JLS stars JB Gill and Marvin Humes also commented. Gill wrote: “God bless you bro, wishing you better soon. Sending lots of love”, while Humes added: “Sorry to hear you’re not well geezer, you’re strong and will fight through. Big love mate.” George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low and Heart Vacancy. His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life. Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House of Games. Earlier this year he made his stage debut in the theatrical adaption of a BBC TV show about a lottery syndicate by Kay Mellor titled The Syndicate. George and soap actress Smith first met when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing, but have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022.