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Anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania on Saturday expressed shock over the clean chit given to Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in an alleged Benami property case. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has cleared Ajit Pawar and his family members of the Rs 1,000 crore benami property allegations. Ms. Damania alleged that it was yet another classic example of misuse of government machinery by the BJP. The appellate tribunal’s order came a day after Mr. Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister on December 4. “First they start inquiries by EOW and other agencies, get the Income Tax to conduct raid and induct the same person into the BJP. Ajit Pawar got the post of DCM for the sixth time. He got his property worth Rs 100 crore back. Now why will he part ways with the BJP? This is being done to every other party,” Ms Damania said. Terming it as a blackmail of political leaders from other parties, the activist further added, “It has become a modus operandi (of the BJP). First, file cases using the government agencies. Then induct the leaders in BJP and withdraw the cases against them. All political parties are the same and they have everyone’s file. These files are used to blackmail leaders and bring them in BJP. This order (regarding Ajit Pawar’s case) is a clear cut example.” In October 2021, the Income Tax Department conducted raids on several companies, recovering documents that purportedly linked certain properties to Ajit Pawar and his family under benami ownership. However, the tribunal rejected these claims on December 12, 2022, declaring that the allegations lacked sufficient evidence. A deputy commissioner of Income Tax had challenged the tribunal’s order. However, the appellate tribunal also held that no case was made against Mr. Pawar and his family members and refused to interfere in the impugned order of the tribunal. In its detailed ruling, the appellate tribunal noted that no irregularities were found in the records presented. It stated, “The material produced by the appellant does not show any benami transaction.” It also said that all payments for the properties in question were made through legitimate channels, either via banking systems or other methods compliant with the law. “It is not that Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar transferred funds to procure benami properties,” the appellate tribunal said. Dismissing the allegations that the tribunal order had anything to do with him joining the BJP, Mr. Pawar said, “When did I join the BJP? It has been around 1.5 years. We should not take the allegations seriously every time.” He was referring to the fact that the tribunal order came in December 2022 and he joined the BJP-led Mahayuti in July 2023. The case pertains to allegations that Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank auctioned Jarandeshwar Co-operative Sugar Mill in 2010 at a reduced price when Ajit Pawar served on the MSCB board. Guru Commodity Services Pvt Ltd purchased the mill, partially funded by Sparkling Soil Pvt Ltd, associated with Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra. Allegations claimed Guru Commodity Services acted as a proxy owner, with actual control residing with Pawar's Sparkling Soil company. In 2021, I-T searched approximately 70 premises across Mumbai, Pune, Baramati, Goa, and Jaipur, discovering unaccounted and benami transactions worth Rs 183 crore. They subsequently attached properties valued over Rs 1,000 crore allegedly controlled by Ajit Pawar's family and associates. Speaking about the IT Appellate Tribunal’s relief to Mr. Pawar, Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said, “Let the opposition say whatever they want to say. This is a judicial decision.”
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cansortium Inc. TIUM CNTMF ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis company operating under the FLUENTTM brand, announced today that it has closed on a new senior secured credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") of up to $96,500,000 with Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC ("Chicago Atlantic"), as administrative agent for certain lenders. The Credit Agreement bears a cash interest rate of 12.00% per annum and paid-in-kind (PIK) interest of 1.00% per annum, and is due to mature on November 26, 2028. The Credit Agreement refinances the existing $71,000,000 senior secured term loan that was set to mature May 29, 2025, thereby eliminating the previously disclosed requirement that the Company prepay $10,000,000 upon the consummation of the business combination with RIV Capital Inc. RIV CNPOF ("RIV Capital"), a vertically integrated cannabis company operating the Etain brand in New York. All required regulatory approvals needed for the business combination with RIV Capital Inc. have been obtained and the Company expects the closing with RIV Capital to occur in early December 2024. "We are excited to announce the successful completion of our senior secured refinancing. The loan's favorable interest rate and single financial covenant underscore our strong financial standing, while its non-dilutive structure - free of equity or warrants – preserves shareholder value. As a result of this transaction, we have no material debt maturities until late 2028," said Robert Beasley, CEO of Cansortium. "The refinancing includes access to two additional credit lines totaling $25 million, which, combined with the cash balance inflow from the RIV business combination, positions us to enter 2025 with a robust war chest. These resources will allow us to pursue strategic acquisitions and growth initiatives in key markets like Pennsylvania and New York, while also targeting new opportunities in emerging high-growth states. With our solid foundation and this enhanced financial flexibility, we are poised to capitalize on exciting industry developments at the state and federal levels. The future for our company – and our shareholders – has never been brighter." The Credit Agreement provides for an initial loan of $71,500,000 and access to two additional credit lines of $10,000,000 for future real estate acquisitions and construction projects, and $15,000,000 in the event that the Company were to acquire RIV Capital's Buffalo cultivation and processing facility following the completion of the business combination. "Cansortium has executed with prudence and foresight in its core states of Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas, and we have every confidence in their strategic approach to meet demands in additional markets," said Peter Sack, Managing Parter of Chicago Atlantic. "They are innately focused on customer experience, fiscal responsibility, and operational excellence, and Chicago Atlantic is thrilled to support their next phase of growth." The Credit Agreement includes a single financial covenant requiring Cansortium to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $4,500,000, tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, and includes customary terms and conditions for a financing of this type, including repayment obligations upon the occurrence of certain events of default thereunder. The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Chicago Atlantic Credit Advisers, LLC served as lead arranger for the Credit Agreement and Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC serves as Administrative Agent for the Credit Agreement. Smith Transaction Cansortium and certain of its affiliates and William Smith, a director and the Executive Chair of Cansortium, and certain companies controlled by Mr. Smith (together with Mr. Smith, collectively, the "Smith Group"), have entered into an amended and restated termination agreement (the "Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement") to replace in its entirety the existing termination agreement dated May 30, 2024 (the "Smith Transaction Termination Agreement"), which provided for, among other things, the termination of that certain agreement among Cansortium, certain of its affiliates and the Smith Group (the "Initial Smith Transaction Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement, Cansortium paid to the Smith Group a $500,000 cash fee and issued to the Smith Group a 15% secured subordinated convertible note in an initial aggregate principal amount of $6,500,000 due May 26, 2029 (the "Smith Convertible Note"). The Smith Convertible Note is subordinated in right of payment to prior payment in full of the Credit Agreement and the principal and accrued interest thereunder is convertible, at the discretion of the Smith Group, into Cansortium Shares at a price of $0.21 per Cansortium Share. For more information on the Smith Transaction Termination Agreement and the Initial Smith Transaction Agreement, see Cansortium's news release dated May 30, 2024 filed under Cansortium's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . The transactions contemplated by the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement (the "Smith Transaction") constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Cansortium has relied on the exemptions from obtaining a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval of the Cansortium Shareholders with respect to the Smith Transaction in accordance with sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the aggregate fair market value of the cash consideration and the Smith Convertible Note issuable in connection with the Smith Transaction does not exceed 25% of Cansortium's market capitalization as determined in accordance with the provisions of MI 61-101. In addition, the Smith Transaction was approved by the Cansortium Board, with Mr. Smith having disclosed his interest in the Smith Transaction and abstaining from voting thereon. Cansortium did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Smith Transaction as the details of the Smith Transaction had not been finalized at that time. The foregoing description of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement, a copy of which will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . For more information, please visit: investors.getfluent.com About Cansortium Inc. Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. The Company operates under the FluentTM brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution, and retail. The Company is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Cansortium Inc.'s Common Shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "CNTMF". For more information about the Company, please visit www.getFLUENT.com . About Chicago Atlantic Chicago Atlantic is a private markets alternative investment manager focused on industries and companies where demand for capital exceeds traditional supply. The firm's investment strategies include opportunistic private credit and equity with focuses on loans to esoteric industries, specialty asset-based loans, liquidity solutions and growth and technology finance. Chicago Atlantic has closed over $2.3 billion in credit facilities since inception. Chicago Atlantic's team of over 80 professionals has offices in Chicago, Miami, New York and London. For more information on Chicago Atlantic's investment opportunities and financing products, visit chicagoatlantic.com . Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Company Contact Robert Beasley, CEO investors.getfluent.com Media Contact: Trailblaze FLUENT@Trailblaze.co © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Washington — Rep.-elect Sarah McBride , a Delaware Democrat who is set to become the first transgender member of Congress, characterized a GOP effort to restrict bathroom use as an attempt "to get headlines." "Everything was fine until some members of the small Republican conference majority decided to get headlines and to manufacture a crisis," McBride told CBS News' Scott MacFarlane. The Delaware Democrat told CBS News that she anticipated an effort to "politicize my use of a restroom," and she indicated she had not intended to use multi-stall women's restrooms in the Capitol. But she also said "that is my choice here." "If anyone had thought to ask me about what I was planning on doing, I would've been happy to tell them," McBride said. "But again, this is not an issue. And this has never been an issue in this complex." Weeks after McBride became the first transgender person elected to Congress , a Republican-led effort to restrict restroom use in the Capitol got underway this week. Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, introduced legislation Monday to change House rules to limit use of single-sex bathrooms in the Capitol complex to those corresponding to users' "biological sex." McBride, who also made history as the first trans person ever elected to a state senate seat, has tended to stay above the fray, stressing that her priority is to work for Delawareans in the House. She told CBS News that she wants people to see her "competence in governing contrast with their chaos." "I would like my grace to contrast with the grandstanding that we're seeing right now." McBride said. "I would like my approach of respecting everyone to contrast with the disrespect that we are seeing right now." Mace's two-page resolution alleges that "allowing biological males" into the facilities "jeopardizes the safety and dignity of Members, officers, and employees of the House who are female" and would task the sergeant-at-arms with enforcing the measure. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday that he supports restricting the "single-sex facilities" in the Capitol, saying in a statement that the facilities "are reserved for individuals of that biological sex." McBride pledged to follow the rules outlined by Johnson, "even if I disagree with them," while asserting that she didn't run for Congress to "fight about bathrooms." Anti-transgender sentiments have become a rallying cry for some Republicans in recent months, often evoked by President-elect Donald Trump and his allies on the campaign trail and over the airwaves. U.S. House of Representatives Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
It has been 16 years since the Wall Street crash in 2007-2008. Now, Wall Street is reportedly risking everything once again. The New York Times reported Friday that billionaire investor Doug Ostrover has devised a new strategy for being the cash cow for risky loans that wouldn't normally pass muster in traditional banks. "The new venture would not be a bank, but would operate almost like one — without the regulatory restrictions and government oversight that had made traditional banks skittish about this market," the Times said. Also Read: How Trump's billionaires are hijacking affordable housing "Unlike a bank, the firm would be amassing money not from individual depositors, whose savings are fiercely protected by the federal government and can be withdrawn at will, but from institutions like insurance companies and pension funds. Thus, the new firm would be legally permitted to finance tricky, highly speculative companies without reporting the details of such activities publicly," the Times continued. Ostrover and two others collected $12 billion for the venture, "undercutting their would-be competitors by promising big pension funds and others, like the investment fund run by George Soros, low investment fees if they backed the new firm." They have large investors like Brown University's endowment and New Jersey's pension fund. Over the following years, Ostrover boasted to possible clients that their fund was "much more stable, year over year, than stocks or commodities." The firm then shifted to begin offering permanent investor loans that often tie up money for years or a decade. The company, named Blue Owl, "has both caught and created a once-in-a-generation wave, one that has brought a sweeping change to Wall Street." By 2021, the company was booming, managing more than $235 billion in investor cash. Its success has inspired other copycat investor firms eager to capitalize on the idea. Rival firm BlackRock claimed, "the private credit market would more than double to $4.5 trillion by 2030." Over the past few years, private credit investment companies have raised as much as $1.8 trillion. "That money has been lent to highly indebted companies in sectors like software, insurance and health care," said the report. Now, big banks are forced to compete with lenders without regulations and operate in an investment free-for-all. The report noted that Goldman didn't meet its private credit goals for the year. It's an unregulated, high-risk environment that purportedly resembles the "subprime mortgage" market bubble that burst in 2007, leading to a global financial crisis. Last November, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who chaired the Senate Banking Committee, asked regulators about these companies that "operate in the shadows." He was just voted out of office, however, and the incoming Donald Trump administration has indicated it favors fewer regulations across the board. Read more here.Helping Build A V12 Wasn't My Only Surprise At The Lamborghini Factory
Barry Keoghan says he can't 'take' the 'hatred' in fiery post over Sabrina Carpenter cheating rumors
The fourth and final phase of the so-called "treatment anywhere" 30-baht universal healthcare scheme will kick off in the last 31 provinces of the country on Jan 1, as the nation adopts more digitalised medical services to cut back on waiting times at hospitals. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra led Wednesday's launch event. She was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong and Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. Since Jan 7 this year, 46 provinces, including Bangkok, have entered the programme to provide greater convenience for patients seeking medical help under the healthcare scheme. The last phase of the scheme is due to launch on Jan 1 in 31 provinces including Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Surat Thani, Phuket, Sukhothai, and Khon Kaen. Ms Paetongtarn said the scheme, which the government succeeded in implementing within a year, helps people save on personal medical expenses and prevents them getting into debt to pay for expensive treatments or surgeries. As technology is advancing in the field of medical services, the universal healthcare scheme is adopting a digital platform to make obtaining treatment even easier, she said. All medical files and related data on a patient will be linked among hospitals under the scheme so the information can be called up at any facility. All subscribers need to do is present their ID cards to obtain the medical service. This enhanced digitalisation allows the public to book medical appointments through a mobile application and, where necessary, receive treatment remotely via telemedicine channels. Patients with mild symptoms or non-serious conditions do not need to make a trip to a hospital. They will instead receive consultation with doctors remotely. If any medicine is prescribed, it will be delivered to the patient's home. The scheme will also create more jobs for delivery drivers at the community level, the prime minister added. Ms Paetongtarn said improvements in the universal healthcare scheme, also known as the 30-baht scheme, have attracted more people to take advantage of the services on offer. It saw 80,000 subscribers who never used the scheme before turn to it this year. Ms Paetongtarn said the government will focus on proactive measures next year to promote people's well-being. That list includes opening Palliative Care Centres nationwide to support the elderly in light of the nation's ageing society. The premier said the centres are a boon for employment, with plans afoot to hire at least 15,000 carers. They will be trained to run the centres' operations. Targets for recruitment are new job seekers and retirees. The universal healthcare scheme through its vast coverage will work to strengthen public health through a rapid patient screening and timely diagnosis. People will be given test kits free of charge at pharmacies. The kits are effective in detecting illnesses such as HIV, cervical cancer, liver fluke, and bile duct cancer. Also earmarked for free distribution are test kits for microalbumin which is a sign of kidney disease, Ms Paetongtarn added. The prime minister said comprehensive care will be offered to anyone who is suffering from mental health disorders as services nationwide are ramped up. They will be able to access a consultation via an application. More rehabilitation specialists will also be trained, she said. A City Hall-run hospital in each of the 50 districts of Bangkok will also be upgraded so they can serve people in communities better.
Allar puts critics on mute, keeps winning for Penn StateIncome Tax Tribunal Clears Ajit Pawar in Benami Property Case
In view of scientific evidence that has been presented by experts on the damage that is occurring on the environment, it seems solving environmental problems requires something more than science. Science helps people create different kinds of gadgets, new devices and technologies that would enable communities to achieve a more low-impact lifestyle. However, implementing scientific solutions now goes beyond what scientists would look for. Politics is now stepping in the field of science. The world is not short of engineering solutions. What the world is short of is the commitment to solve environmental problems. There is no agreement on the nature of environmental problems. Governments cannot agree on which problem should be solved first, who should shoulder the responsibility and pay the cost. To highlight how important and serious the climate change is one has to realise that the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the BRICS+ coalition, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) are talking about it. Developed nations pledged in 2009 to send US$100 billion annually to developing countries struggling with the consequences of more severe climate change-driven disasters by 2020. The developing world is facing the disheartening fact that, despite years of promises of climate assistance, funds are still not arriving quickly enough to meet the growing challenges posed by climate change. Last week, at the COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh's leader Muhammad Yunus slammed rich countries responsible for decades of carbon emissions for not being willing to pay their fair share. The focus at this year's COP29 meeting was on setting new financial goals to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change. Large economies in the world, have made promises that are yet to be firmly fulfilled. Many nations are still years away from providing money or are years behind schedule because of political disputes, administrative bottlenecks, and discussions about new regulations to speed up help from private donors and development banks. Climate change and the environment are becoming issues highlighting at best the politics of representations. If there is a commitment to solve the environmental problems, it is important to have the concrete representation of the challenge. Thus, the failure to meet the commitments that were made 15 years ago in pursuit for sustainable economic growth, developed countries are being empirical that they are not committed to proposals to reduce gas emissions from their economic dependent industries. These delays have had significant consequences on the development aspirations of growth, sustainable development, peace and security because of floods, droughts and high temperatures. Ahead of the Baku meeting, an independent group of scientists monitoring climate change said that there had been no progress on lowering the forecast for global warming for a third year in a row. Climate change debates are scientific. One of the reasons there is a dragging of dealing with the issues is that there is no consensus on how the world should move forward. It therefore calls for a better understanding about where nations, private donors, multinational corporations and people disagree with each other. Climate change and environmental problems are after all problems related to mankind because humans are the troublemakers. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Climate Governance Zimbabwe Submit By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy . Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. _ready.push(function($) {if ( ! loadjs.isDefined( 'newsletter-signup-assets' ) ) { loadjs( ["https://cdn01.allafrica.com/static/js/jquery/jquery.serialize-object.min.js?v=2024110900","https://cdn05.allafrica.com/static/js/newsletter-signup.min.js?v=2024110900","https://cdn05.allafrica.com/static/css/newsletter-signup.min.css?v=2024110900"], 'newsletter-signup-assets', { async: true, });} // the newsletter widget calls storageAllowed(), which is imported with // the cmp bundle. passing an array of bundle names to loadjs triggers // the callback only after all of the listed bundles have fired. loadjs.ready( [ 'cmp', 'js-cookie', 'events', 'newsletter-signup-assets' ], function() { $('.newsletter-signup.inread.collapse.w-background.w-background-color.blue').newsletterInRead({ maxShowCount: 10, maxCloseCount: 3, maxSuccessCount: 1, }); }); }); If people cannot come up with a consensus among themselves, it will be difficult for the environment to be improved even with brilliant technical solutions available. At the same time, without understanding how serious the problem the world is facing is, without understanding how much damage that is being done to the environment, there is no motivation to make changes and reduce the carbon footprint. Climate change is a proper global problem. No one country, no political or economic sector is going to be left unaffected by the impacts of climate change. It is particularly useful for people, developed and developing nations, and inter-governmental and multilateral institutions to unlock the current political complexity surrounding decision-making on climate change responses. It is key to have a common agenda and deal with climate change. Read the original article on The Herald .KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year announced on social media his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. “I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community,” Sampson wrote. “With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.” Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Caitlin Clark told she is 'close to being blocked' by former Iowa teammateCENTURION: Kagiso Rabada turned batting hero as he and Marco Jansen took South Africa to a dramatic two-wicket win over Pakistan on the fourth day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Sunday. Needing 148 to win, South Africa crashed to 99 for eight against superb bowling by Mohammad Abbas. The 34-year-old Abbas took a career-best six for 54. But Rabada, so often a match-winner as a bowler, went on the attack as a batsman, hitting an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls, while Jansen provided solid support in making 16 not out. Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad rock South Africa at start of chase Abbas bowled unchanged for 19.3 overs – four of them on Saturday when he took his first two wickets – in a spell of unremitting accuracy on a pitch which gave seam bowlers help throughout the match. It was a remarkable comeback for Abbas, whose previous Test appearance was against the West Indies in Kingston in August 2021. But it was not quite enough for Pakistan, seeking their first win in South Africa in 18 years. The result ensured qualification for South Africa in the final of the World Test championship final in England next year. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma batted solidly at the start of the day after resuming on 27 for three. Markram and Bavuma put on 43 for the fourth wicket, with Bavuma surviving on 14 – and getting six runs – when he hooked Abbas to fine leg, where Naseem Shah stepped over the boundary in catching the ball. Markram looked secure but was bowled by Abbas for 37 by a virtually unplayable ball which kept low and seamed back off the pitch. Bavuma and David Bedingham added another 34 runs until Bavuma uncharacteristically charged down the pitch at Abbas and was given out caught behind for 40. He walked off immediately but Ultra Edge technology showed the only ‘spike’ was when the ball brushed his trouser pocket. It was the first of four wickets which fell for three runs in 12 balls. Naseem Shah bowled Kyle Verreynne and Abbas had Bedingham and Corbin Bosch caught behind off successive deliveries. Rabada and Jansen saw South Africa through to lunch at 116 for eight – then polished off the match in just 5.3 overs after the interval, with each stroke cheered by the home spectators.
Zelensky meets Trump in Paris as Russia advancesThe Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has emphasised the importance of tax reforms as part of a broader legislative agenda aimed at economic restoration and national development. In his Christmas message on Wednesday, the senator underscored the need for a collective effort to address Nigeria’s challenges, particularly through innovative legislative measures. Drawing from the teachings of Christ, Senator Bamidele called for reflection and compassion during the season, urging Nigerians to embrace hope and contribute to the nation’s growth. He reiterated the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to enact laws that create an enabling environment for businesses, attract investments, and alleviate the economic burden on citizens. At the core of his message was a defence of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, which he described as a set of four initiatives tailored to reverse Nigeria’s unfavourable economic indicators. Senator Bamidele noted, “Employees earning below ₦1,000,000 annually (₦83,000 monthly) would be exempt from taxes. Start-ups shared services, and technologically driven businesses would enjoy tax exemptions and essential services and consumables would be excluded from Value Added Tax.” The lawmaker further explained that the reforms also propose a new derivation formula, increasing the VAT distributable to states and ensuring equity in resource allocation. Using data, Senator Bamidele explained that under the new model, states like Kano and Zamfara would see substantial increases in their shares, while high-revenue states like Lagos and Rivers would experience decreases to promote fairness. He said, “We have noted public concerns about these initiatives. We are also looking deeply into the areas of public concern. Related News N'Assembly urged to adopt tax reform bills North not liability to Nigeria, Ndume says Concerns in tax reform bills must not be ignored - Northern leaders “Our duty, as democrats, is not just to listen to our constituents, but also to give effect to policy initiatives that will positively impact their lives.” The Senate Leader added, “For the record, the Tax Reform Bills, when finally enacted, will utterly exempt all employees earning ₦1,000,000 annually or ₦83,000 monthly; exempt start-ups, shared services, and technologically driven services from taxation; and recommend zero VAT on essential services and consumables. “Even though it reviews the derivation formula to 60%, this proposal is guided purely by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice. “The new model will eventually guarantee a significant increase in VAT distributable to every state of the federation.” “As credible data have shown, for instance, the new model recommends 6.17% to Kano compared to 0.89% currently. It recommends 1.21% for Zamfara compared to 0.05%. Currently, Lagos gets 80.26%, but the new model only recommends 15.28%, representing an 81% decrease. “Under the new model, Rivers’ share will also decline from 7.74% to 4.6%, accounting for a 41% decrease. With these figures, the narrative around the new derivation model is utterly incorrect and unfounded,” Senator Bamidele noted. “These reforms are not only about generating revenue but are guided by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice,” the Senate Leader said. He assured constituents that their concerns had been noted and that the National Assembly would ensure the bills reflected the interests of all Nigerians. He said, “Amid the debates about the Tax Reform Bills, as Christ, our Lord has taught us and as the Parliament of the people, we shall never pursue any agenda outside our oath of allegiance or undertake policy initiatives that are adversarial to or conflicting with the interests and welfare of all our constituents and indeed our Fatherland. “With all my heart, I wish you all happy celebrations in this season of deep reflection. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.”Published 4:23 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Jim Gazzolo He may not be the sexiest pick, but Tony Pecoraro looks good to many people who play for him. On Monday, Pecararo was named the McNeese State interim football coach after Gary Goff was fired after three seasons leading the Cowboys. “Coach Pec” as he is known to his players, came to McNeese with Goff as defensive coordinator and is currently guiding the remaining staff through a transition period that includes heavy recruiting. It is not an easy time. “It is definitely a strange period,” Pecoraro said. “We have a lot going on right now and you have to worry about players, families, and everything. I just want to do the best job I can for the program and the players and we will see what happens.” While few at the time thought he might be a candidate for the job long-term, those who know him best think the veteran college coach would be a perfect fit as the next Cowboy leader. All-American linebacker Micah Davey and others took to social media to make their views public. Davey wrote on the planform X “Perfect fit is on the staff” Monday after the team was informed of the change. He was not alone as other members of the defense followed the junior’s lead. Keeping Davey and others is a big need for McNeese, which improved by six wins this season but not enough to keep the head coach. “Sure that makes me feel good, I love my players and I love this school,” Pecoraro said. “My family loves it here and this place has been great to us. “But what matters most is we do the best thing for the program while we are here. We have to get back to work, it’s all we can do.” Pecoraro’s defense had a major part in turning around the Cowboys this season, as they went from 0-10 in 2023 to 6-6 this fall. That was despite injuries to Davey and other key players. “I’m proud with what we have done this season and with what we had to go through adversity-wise,” Pecoraro said. “It was a long year and I was hoping we had done enough to get another season together. But it is a business and I understand that and now we have to be professional and finish up this semester and this season the right way.” Pecoraro said he is hoping to interview for the top job but would love to stay on even if Athletic Director Heath Schroyer goes in a different direction. “Sure, I would love the opportunity to be the next head coach, I feel I am ready for that,” Pecoraro said. “It’s not my decision though, that is up to others. The good news for us is that we have a lot of experience up here and most of us have been through this before. “What makes it tough is you are dealing with families and the holidays. That always adds to the pressures but it’s the nature of the business.” When reached for comment Schroyer said he is expecting to move quickly on finding a new coach and that he would likely give Pecoraro an interview soon. Pecoraro came to McNeese in 2022 after spending the 2021 season at South Alabama and has had stops at Kansas, Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State, North Alabama, Webber International, and Florida State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Twice during his time at Southern Mississippi, his defenses finished in the Top 20 nationally. After all sorts of issues in 2023, Pecoraro changed up his defense and turned it into a solid group that was much more aggressive and attacking. Right now Pecoraro is concentrating on the job at hand, keeping the Cowboys on their upward track. That means retaining the roster as best he can with the transfer portal opening up Dec. 9. “We have a good amount of talent on this roster right now that we have to try as best we can to retain,” Pecoraro said. “No matter what happens, it is important that McNeese keeps this group together and doesn’t start over once again. “What we need to do now is make sure we keep what we have and add what we need to keep moving forward and get to nine wins and championships in the future.” That is a future Pecararo would love to be a part of.
'Unbelievable' Odegaard transforms Arsenal and gets Saka smiling again
How to Prevent Neck Pain in the Modern AgeSomething to look forward to: A true stereo experience is all about separating the speakers. The farther apart the left and right channels, the wider the soundstage. This has always posed a challenge for portable speakers, as cramming multiple drivers into a compact enclosure leaves little room for proper spacing. However, Japanese audio company Cear believes it has cracked the code with its innovative Pavé wireless speaker. The Pavé was launched earlier this year following a successful crowdfunding campaign on Green Funding. At first glance, it resembles other premium wireless speakers, featuring a compact cube shape measuring just over 3.5 inches on each side. However, what sets the Pavé apart lies within. Using unique audio technology, it virtually recreates the experience of a larger 2.1-channel stereo setup – even though it only houses a pair of 15W drivers. The secret lies in a built-in gyroscope that tracks the speaker's orientation. This sensor data is fed into a Qualcomm S5 Gen 2 chip, which applies digital sound processing. Essentially, the chip calculates how a stereo recording would sound if it were being played from a much larger speaker setup. It then reconstructs that "virtual" wide soundstage through the Pavé's dual 15W drivers. According to the company's patent filings, the "sound processing device includes an equalizer that tunes the frequency characteristic so that a frequency characteristic of the sound wave listened in a second environment replicates the frequency characteristic of a sound wave listened in a first environment." But that's not all – the Pavé has plenty of other fancy tech baked in, too. It's one of the first portable speakers rocking Bluetooth 5.4 with Qualcomm's low-latency Snapdragon Sound certification. You'll get a stutter-free wireless stream with less than a 50ms delay. The audio codec support is also robust, covering SBC, AAC, aptX, and 24-bit/96kHz aptX Adaptive. Additionally, the speaker supports Bluetooth LE for Auracast audio sharing and the higher-quality LC3 codec. If you prefer a hardwired connection, USB-C and aux inputs have you covered. The 8.5-hour battery life and IPX7 waterproof rating make it outdoor-ready, too. Setting it up should be a piece of cake as well since the speaker can be connected via both the app and the unit. If you're interested in purchasing this little powerhouse, you might need to wait in line. The Pavé has proven to be a hot commodity, requiring registration on a waiting list . Units are priced at 39,800 yen (or around $250) and are available in black or white.
AP News Summary at 4:06 p.m. EST
Below is the Christmas message from the General Secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), Dennis de Peiza: As nations around the world celebrate the Yuletide season, which is a Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it is a timely reminder that it is also an occasion to reflect on the set of ideals and principles which came with Jesus’s birth. These were meant to dictate the behaviour and actions of those who live on planet earth. While it is the traditional practice to engage in festive activities during this Christian festival, it is important that the people of the nation take time out to reflect on the fact that Christ’s birth was intended to bring life, hope and peace to mankind. It is important that the morale of the nativity story is not lost, as it weaves together lessons of kindness, humility and inclusivity. These values are treasures that will shape our children’s character and interactions with the world around them. At a time in the history of Barbados where there seems to be a crisis amongst our youth and young people in particular, which is characterised by indiscipline, a lack of respect, disregard for law and order, deviant behaviour and crime and violence, there is an urgent need for a return to first principles. It is essential that the societal decay which is being experienced is arrested, and that the morals, values and mores which once formed the bedrock of the Barbadian society are restored. While there is merit in the championing of the rights of people and specifically those of children, right-thinking Barbadians would accept that there is a limit to the level of empowerment which is to be given. There ought to be an awareness that there is an ultimate price to be paid when extensive liberties are granted in any society. Barbados can ill afford to adopt all of the practices which are promoted and embraced in western cultures and the British Commonwealth, simply for the reasons of wanting to show compliance, when these practices are detrimental to the local traditions and culture that are to be preserved and respected. Barbadians should be prepared to promote the position that ‘where it is not broken, don’t attempt to fix it.’ Barbadians ought to send a clear signal that while there is support for ensuring and safeguarding the rights of adult persons, school-age children and young persons, there must be reasonableness applied in the extension of liberties given to all human beings. How can this society account for the deviant and violent behaviour exhibited by school-age children, the youth, and young people of this country that has become a daily diet on social media platforms, where there is video evidence of unsavoury happenings at schools and on the streets of Barbados? How do we account for the crime wave and, in particular, that of gun crimes which are said to be committed by young persons between the ages of 17-35? How do we account for the highlighting of young persons in the daily newspapers, accused of committing some form of crime and the expressions they communicate of being a champion, without seemingly a care or worry? Is it that they have the satisfaction of being protected by universal rights? How do we account for the various senseless and lawless acts which include the challenging and obstruction of the police in the execution of their duties by young persons? Those who wish to challenge the fact that our society is in a state of crisis where school-age children and young people feature prominently may want to consider why the Government of Barbados and the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is placing so much attention on reform schools for deviant children, such as the Edna Nicholls School and the recently opened New Horizon Residential School. To add to this, there is the planned reopening of the Alma Parris Secondary School. There is also the need to understand the thinking which informed the decision taken by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training to have a significant uptake in the number of Guidance Counsellors and Psychologists in the school system. This action suggests that there is a recognition of the severity of the problem, which must be tackled at the root level. This Christmas, the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados endorses and voices Christ’s message of love, hope and peace. Additionally, it calls on parents and guardians of this nation’s children to participate in the programmes offered by the organisation Parent Education for Development in Barbados (PAREDOS). As we celebrate this Christmas, CTUSAB, as a responsible organisation, calls on all families of the nation to be guided by the words of Proverbs 22: verse 6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” CTUSAB extends season’s greetings and best wishes to all Barbadians at home and abroad, residents and visitors alike. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
The Louisville Cardinals host a ranked team for the second time this week when the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils pay a visit on Sunday, and the Cardinals hope for a better outcome in the teams' Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Louisville (5-3) has lost two straight, including an 86-63 thrashing at home by No. 23 Ole Miss in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. The visiting Rebels shot 56.7 percent and dominated inside with a 48-26 edge on points in the paint. Tuesday's game was the first for coach Pat Kelsey's team without Kasean Pryor, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oklahoma in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. The 6-foot-10 senior wing, a transfer from South Florida, was a key player early on for Louisville, averaging 12 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and blocking eight shots in seven games. Pryor is the latest Cardinals player to go down with an injury. Before the season started, the school announced center Aly Khalifa and guard Kobe Rodgers would redshirt due to injuries. Then just two games into the season, Aboubacar Traore broke his arm and Koren Johnson injured his shoulder. Traore is expected back this season, but Johnson announced earlier this week that he would also redshirt this season and undergo surgery. Besides the injuries, the Cardinals are also struggling to hit 3-point shots, a key facet to Kelsey's offense. Louisville entered Saturday 340th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage at 27.3 percent and seventh nationally averaging 31.6 attempts per game. Despite the woes, Kelsey told reporters after the Ole Miss loss that he doesn't plan to change his offense, adding that he believes in his players. "The percentages even themselves out," he said. "This has happened before. I just don't want our guys to lose confidence, because I really, really believe in them. They'll bounce back and be better on Sunday." The Blue Devils (6-2) won their SEC/ACC Challenge game on Wednesday, beating No. 2 Auburn 84-78 in Durham. Duke overcame a 13-2 deficit to get the Quadrant 1 victory on its resume. Coach Jon Scheyer's team shot 50 percent from the field and committed just four turnovers. It was just the 14th time in program history the Blue Devils had four or fewer turnovers in a game. Freshman Cooper Flagg, a preseason All-American and a contender for national player of the year awards, leads the Blue Devils in scoring (16.6 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg), assists (4.1 apg) and blocked shots (1.4 per game). He scored 22, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out four assists in the win against the Tigers, but it was another freshman who stole the show. Isaiah Evans came off the bench to score 18 points and hit 6 of 8 3-point shots. The guard averages 9.4 points per game but has only played in five games and has yet to play more than 17 minutes in a contest. Scheyer told reporters after the win that Evans provided a "special moment" when his team needed a lift. "To have that amazing courage to come into this game and do what he did -- I'm not sure if I've ever been a part of something like that in my years here," Scheyer said. --Field Level MediaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday insisted at a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump that any settlement with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine had to be "just", as fears grow in Kyiv on the position of the incoming administration. President Emmanuel Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the Elysee Palace, discussing what the incoming American president had termed a world that was a "little crazy". Hours after their meeting, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Zelensky's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face encounter with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. It also offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will look when he takes office in January. The trip to Paris is Trump's first international visit since his November 5 election win. "We all want peace. But it is very important for us... that the peace is just for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning," Zelensky said according to the presidential website. "And this is the most important thing -- a just peace and security guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine," he added. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. But Zelensky also thanked Trump for his "unwavering resolve" describing the talks as "good and productive". Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot." Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria, where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus. The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine and levy tariffs on trading partners. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media_ "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security." European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel. In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk, who was also on the line during a phone call between the incoming president and Zelensky last month, also flew into the French capital was present at the Notre Dame ceremony.
Ruben Amorim's Coaching Staff at Manchester United