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Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial killings is charged in the death of a seventh womanBC NDP and BC Greens sign cooperation deal to stabilize government
NYC sees first white Christmas Eve in over two decades — but it won’t last
Some companies operate in very specific industries, whether that's a supermarket business, a retailer, or something else in an exact sector. But, a few (ASX: XJO) shares have operations spread across a wide array of areas, providing . One of the great things about having diversification within a company is that it lowers the risk of any one segment going poorly, and it also means the company has multiple avenues to pursue growth. They can choose which area of their diverse operations they see as the best opportunity to invest for the biggest return. With that in mind, I think the below two stocks are two of the most diverse ASX 200 shares. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd ( ) I think this company, commonly called Soul Patts, is the most diverse business because it already represents a wholly diversified portfolio. It started as a pharmacy business 120 years ago but has since made a number of investments in various other industries and assets. For example, it's invested and . This diversified portfolio provides to Soul Patts, which then enables a resilient, growing dividend. It has paid a dividend every year since it was listed 120 years ago, and it has grown its annual ordinary dividend every year since 2000, which is the best record on the ASX. Wesfarmers Ltd ( ) Wesfarmers is another of the oldest businesses on the ASX. The ASX 200 share can trace its history back to 1914 as a Western Australian farmers' cooperative. It's now one of the largest Australian companies. It has operations across home improvement, building supplies and outdoor living products (Bunnings), general merchandise and apparel (Kmart and Target), office and technology products (Officeworks), health, beauty and wellbeing products and services (Priceline), a retail subscription program, wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical goods, manufacturing and distribution of chemicals and fertilisers, a lithium project including mine, concentrator and refinery, industrial and safety product distribution, and gas processing and distribution (WesCEF). The ASX 200 share has made Kmart and Bunnings two of the country's most impressive retailers, with market-leading positions in their categories. Kmart is looking to grow its earnings by taking its Anko brand products to international markets, while Bunnings is looking to grow through bolt-on acquisitions (such as Beaumont Tiles) and growing in new product categories, such as auto care and pet care. I think there's more growth to come.
Far-right conservative Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene shared her opinion on the ongoing debate about the H-1B, a visa class for specialized workers, on social media. "Go apply for a job and replace the H1-B visa holders and all the other skilled labor jobs that foreign workers are taking and American companies are desperately trying to hire," Greene posted. "It's called building a career, you work your way up." Why It Matters Greene said she came back from her "Christmas bliss" to see the "MAGA split" over H-1B "imported labor" and American workers. She spoke about her time owning a construction company and how she saw the "workforce issues." "However, I fully believe we must make the hard and necessary changes here in the U.S. to educate, build, and facilitate a solid foundation of knowledgeable, highly skilled, talented, well paid, AMERICAN workers," Greene said. She said the lack of American workers is "like having a crumbling foundation in our house." "Currently we are importing foreigners to hold up the foundation walls and plug the leaks," she said. "In order to go forward we must change our education system, create a culture that respects hard work and productivity, cut government waste/spending/regulations in order to produce a healthy robust economy that lowers inflation and pays higher wages to an American workforce, so that H1-B is no longer needed and can be done away with." Greene called for a change to refocus on "America FIRST." "This requires everyone's help to change it and we will all have to do what it takes to get it done," she wrote. "It won't be easy and it won't be as quick as we like, but we can do it TOGETHER and the results will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN but EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE!!!" What To Know Greene is a longtime MAGA supporter, even suggesting in 2022 that there should be a "MAGA month." She has frequently attended or participated in rallies against the federal government, Muslims and transgender people. Greene is one of President-elect Donald Trump 's most hardcore allies. Most recently she called for the release of "the congressional sexual slush fund list ," backed the consideration of Elon Musk as speaker of the House , and promoted conspiracies around drones in New Jersey. Discussions around the H-1B visa program have intensified over the recent days as some within Trump's close circle have been advocating for removing country-specific caps on green cards to address backlogs faced by applicants from countries including India. The debate started on Sunday after Trump named venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as his artificial intelligence (AI) policy adviser. Laura Loomer , a Trump loyalist and far-right activist with a history of racially motivated comments, criticized the appointment as "deeply disturbing." She faced backlash and responded to a post that said the nation was built by "immigrants who drove innovation" by noting that the United States "was built by white Europeans" and "not third-world invaders from India." Musk, the world's richest man who benefited from the H-1B program, wrote in a response to a post on his social media platform X on Wednesday that there are not enough "super talented" and "super motivated" engineers in the U.S. Musk has continued to defend his argument, calling out Loomer for "trolling for attention." On Friday, War Room podcast host Steve Bannon , a fervent MAGA supporter, called out Musk for showing his "true colors." What People Are Saying Bannon in a post to Getrr: "H1B Visa Program Should be Zeroed-Out —Used to Constantly Drive Wages Down and Replace American Tech Workers —the Foreign Worker Replacements are Treated Like Indentured Servants." Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas, on X: "I've done countless interviews explaining that we need immigrants and that they contribute to our economy! Businesses blow us up about needing workers. And what do ya know?! MAGA got played & is mad at who?! The same 2 guys that they were just yelling was looking out for them last week as the government was on the verge of a shutdown!" Economics commentator Jason Harrison, on X: "People on tech twitter are actually shocked that some of their mutuals aren't 'only for legal immigration' and just straight up racist LMAO." What Happens Next It is still unclear what will happen—if anything—around the H-1B visa program when Trump takes office.
Big Ten basketball: Illinois, Northwestern both in top half of men's power rankings
Tight end Colston Loveland announced on social media Friday that he is going to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Loveland spent the last three years at Michigan and is ranked as one of this year’s top prospects at the position. Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games for the Wolverines this season. He had 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns on the way to winning a national title during the 2023 season. The Wolverines also saw defensive lineman Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson declare for the draft this week as the final remnants of that title team make their way from Ann Arbor to the professional ranks.Four Canadian women honoured in World Rugby's Dream Teams of the YearLINCOLN — Former Nebraska receiver Malachi Coleman, who redshirted this season after a fruitful freshman campaign, announced his transfer to Minnesota on Tuesday. Let’s rock. @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/sUwysPBI3V The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Coleman, a top-100 recruit out of Lincoln East High School, caught eight passes for 139 yards and one touchdown as a true freshman. He sustained an injury that kept him out of spring camp, however, and, after switching jersey numbers from 15 to 80 to accommodate quarterback Dylan Raiola, Coleman appeared in just one game, vs. Rutgers, in 2024. NU also recruited transfers Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor, who had similar size and skillsets, to play over Coleman at his position. Coleman redshirted and will have three seasons of eligibility left as he plays for the Gophers, who visits Oct. 18. Get local news delivered to your inbox!