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HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company's collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron's new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand's tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that "We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company's website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. This story was corrected to fix the spelling of Ken Lay’s first name, which had been misspelled “Key.” Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70Choppers livestream bushfires to help firefighters build plan of attackVance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks
Lampkin, Freeman power Syracuse past Bucknell, 75-63 in final nonconference tune-up
AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:07 p.m. ESTNick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’
The Nokia Corp. ADR .css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} .css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} NOK inched 0.71% higher to $4.23 Tuesday, on what proved to be an all-around mixed trading session for the stock market, with the NASDAQ Composite Index COMP rising 0.40% to 19,480.91 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.17% to 44,705.53. Nokia Corp. ADR closed $0.72 short of its 52-week high ($4.95), which the company reached on October 28th.Pure Storage Stock Soars 20% After Data Player Beats On Earnings, Touts Hyperscaler Cloud Win - Investor's Business Daily
( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BricklayerDAO is setting a new standard in the intersection of blockchain technology and real estate. Frustrated by the limited returns and lack of control in traditional Real estate investment, Nick and Denis founded a platform that merges the flexibility of blockchain Technology with the stability of real estate investment trusts (REITs). Their extensive experience in commercial real estate, spanning a collective 30 years and encompassing billions in transactions, has paved the way for an innovative model. This model not only reduces barriers to entry for institutional-grade real estate but also empowers investors by providing unprecedented levels of participation. At its core, BricklayerDAO operates on two tokens that drive its ecosystem: MRTR , a utility token central to governance, and BRCK , a value token directly tied to real-world assets (RWAs). Nick explains this model,“Our dual-token system is designed to ensure robust engagement and transparency while empowering holders to influence investment strategies directly. MRTR tokens give stakeholders a voice in governance through staking and voting, with innovative quadratic voting mechanisms that balance power between large and small holders. At the same time, $BRCK tokens derive their value from tokenised real-world assets, such as industrial warehouses leased by Fortune 50 companies on long-term agreements, offering the community a cash flow-backed and tangible investment opportunity.” The DAO's governance system is designed with meticulous attention to community-driven decision-making. From idea formulation to final implementation, members contribute at every stage, with proposals rigorously vetted through forums, temperature checks, and voting. Further, BricklayerDAO's operations are underpinned by a commitment to efficient capital reserves. Fiat accounts, maintained in local jurisdictions for operational requirements, are transparently monitored through blockchain oracles, bridging the gap between traditional and digital economies. Virtual assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, are managed through the Quarry , the platform's digital mining network, contributing to the steady growth of reserves while offering stability in volatile markets. This dual-exposure strategy enables BricklayerDAO to balance growth and liquidity effectively. Denis highlights,“What truly sets BricklayerDAO apart is the seamless integration of PropTech innovations with decentralised finance. By tokenising real estate assets and utilising Chainlink oracles, we bridge the gap between off-chain value and blockchain technology, creating a transparent and efficient system that redefines how real estate investments are managed.” By acquiring and managing both traditional and tokenised real estate, BricklayerDAO opens institutional-grade opportunities to a global audience without compromising on diligence or asset quality. Its acquisition strategy prioritises industrial assets with high-credit tenants, maximising rental yields while supporting long-term value appreciation for BRCK holders. Central to the DAO's mission is its tenant-friendly approach, designed to reduce costs and nurture flexibility for occupiers. Partnerships with key stakeholders create an equitable real estate ecosystem that aligns the interests of investors and tenants. Through the Bricktop A.I real estate assistant tool, BricklayerDAO simplifies opportunity identification and asset management, integrating data-driven insights to optimise site selection, leasing, and market positioning. The Masonry (MSRY) NFTs add a unique dimension to the ecosystem, offering members benefits ranging from early access to services and fee discounts to boosted governance influence. Available in four rarity tiers: Clay, Granite, Marble, and Special , these NFTs reward active community participation while promoting loyalty. BricklayerDAO's Kiln mechanism further incentivises engagement by linking NFT distribution to $BRCK token purchases, ensuring alignment between token value and user benefits. BricklayerDAO's entry into the market also marks a significant step in preparing the real estate industry for a new era of blended assets. By advancing Web3 technologies, the DAO provides real estate vendors with tools for efficient, transparent, and globally accessible transactions. Its efforts are shaping the gig economy's role in property management and investment, allowing real estate professionals and on-chain enthusiasts to engage in every facet of RWA transactions. Nick shares his enthusiasm,“Launching BricklayerDAO is a monumental step for us, and we're genuinely thrilled to bring this vision to life. We've built this platform with a strong foundation of trust, transparency, and innovation, ensuring that it serves the best interests of the market and its participants. We are dedicated to building the world's most verifiable RWA value offering ecosystem on-chain.” Denis adds,“This isn't just about creating a platform; it's about setting a new standard for real estate and blockchain integration. We're committed to delivering value and opportunity in good faith to our investors, the community, and the broader industry, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.” BricklayerDAO invites investors and real estate professionals to join this transformative journey. As it continues to redefine property investment, the DAO offers not only a platform but a community, a space where collaboration and innovation pave the way to a more inclusive and efficient real estate ecosystem. Also, the MRTR presale is now live , and we'd love for you to participate! Don't miss out. Click here to buy your tokens today! You can stay up-to-date with BricklayerDAO by following them on social media platforms such as X , Discord , LinkedIn and Instagram ___________________________________ For media inquiries, please contact: Contact Person Name: Stuart Alldus Designation: Head of Investor Relations Email: ... About BricklayerDAO: BricklayerDAO is a groundbreaking platform that merges blockchain technology with real estate investment, offering a decentralised approach to property transactions. By tokenising real-world assets and empowering stakeholders through governance, BricklayerDAO creates a transparent, accessible, and community-driven ecosystem for the future of real estate and blockchain integration. ___________________________________ Disclaimer: This content is provided by BricklayerDAO. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN24122024004107003653ID1109028855 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.HEXstream and Oracle Optimizing Oracle Energy and Water Data Intelligence
Geraldo Rivera is making amends with the father of JonBenét Ramsey. After John Ramsey’s daughter was found murdered at 6 years old in the basement of her family’s Colorado home in 1996, the journalist, 81, staged a mock murder trial on television. On Monday, during NewsNation’s “Cuomo,” Rivera addressed the mock trial that aired on his daytime talk show, “The Geraldo Rivera Show,” in 1997, telling Ramsey, “I deeply apologize to you for what you and your family have suffered.” During the episode, the political commentator’s “jury” found Ramsey and his wife, Patsy Ramsey, liable for their daughter’s death, per NewsNation . Rivera continued, “No one deserves to go through what you went through. That’s my bottom line. And when I walk around and it is with stories like yours in my head over the last 54 years of my career, I, it is a burden to me. It’s a soulful burden. And again, man to man, to you, I apologize, and I am sorry for everything you have gone through, John.” Ramsey responded, “Geraldo, I accept your apology and thank you.” Ramsey and the tragedy has been back in the spotlight since the November release of the Netflix three-part docuseries “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” , which premiered on Nov. 25. The 80-year-old has been vocal for decades about what he considers to be missteps made by authorities during their investigation. John also acknowledged how the media frenzy only made things worse at the time. Ramsey and Patsy, who has since died, became persons of interest after JonBenét was found sexually assaulted and strangled to death on Dec. 26. Earlier that morning, Patsy found a ransom note demanding $118,000 in exchange for her youngest child’s safe return. No member of the Ramsey family, including the couple’s son Burke who was nine at the time, has ever been charged in connection with the case. Despite several people falling under suspicion, no arrests have ever been made. Today, Ramsey now wants state-of-the-art labs that use genetic genealogy and other advanced DNA technology to crack the cold case. He claims that there are seven items from the crime scene that have never been tested, or were examined with outdated methods. “We’re begging the police to engage,” Ramsey told People last month. “There are cutting-edge DNA labs that want to help and who believe they can move the case forward.” However, the Boulder Police Department disputed the claims they were not pursuing all leads and said progress is, in fact, being made. “The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing — to include DNA testing — is completely false,” the department said in a statement post on X , formerly Twitter, last month. “Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department — not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation — who convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigation efforts,” the post added.When the Great Recession struck California 17 years ago and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance system crashed. The employer-financed program quickly exhausted its thin reserves, due to a short-sighted political decision six years earlier. In 2001, the Unemployment Insurance Fund had a $6.5 billion positive balance. But the governor at the time, Democrat Gray Davis, owed big political debts to unions that financed his 1998 campaign. He repaid them by doubling unemployment insurance benefits, contending that the seemingly hefty reserve could cover them without raising payroll taxes on employers. When recession struck, the insurance fund soon leaked red ink and the state borrowed about $10 billion from the federal government to maintain cash payments. When the state didn’t repay the loan, the feds raised payroll taxes for nearly a decade to retire the loan. It should have been a lesson for political policymakers about instant gratification and financial responsibility, but it wasn’t. Shortly after the $10 billion loan was paid off, California was hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and upwards of 3 million workers lost their jobs as the state ordered workplace closures. Once again, the unemployment insurance program had virtually no reserves to cover the sharp increase in claims. Once again it borrowed from the federal government, this time for $20 billion, and once again its failure to repay forced the feds to increase payroll taxes. In addition to a double dose of financial problems, the Employment Development Department has also experienced managerial failures. In 2011 Elaine Howle, the state auditor, laid out the department’s shortcomings in a sharply worded report, but when the pandemic hit, they once again became evident. There were massive glitches in responding to legitimate claims for insurance benefits, while the department gave tens of billions of dollars to fraudsters. Meanwhile employers are still repaying the last loan, and the state’s insurance fund is continuing to run deficits, unable to cover current benefits of nearly $7 billion a year. With that history in mind, another watchdog agency, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, is urging a complete overhaul of unemployment insurance, declaring the system “is broken.” Noting that the current state payroll tax cannot fully cover current benefits, much less build reserves, the LAO report projects a “perpetually outstanding federal loan” to keep payments flowing that must be repaid with interest. The report proposes a four-part tough love approach to a crisis that has been building for more than two decades and cannot solve itself, to wit it advises the state to: There may be other alternatives, perhaps affecting benefits, but the main thing is that doing nothing will just perpetuate this crisis — even though the politics of the issue are daunting. It’s been a political stalemate for nearly a quarter-century, pitting unions seeking to protect, or even increase, benefits against employers who don’t want to shoulder increased taxes. Successive governors and legislative leaders have shunned engagement, preferring to kick the can down the road. Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends.
Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Eastman Chemical ( NYSE:EMN – Free Report ) by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 148,176 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 9,447 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Eastman Chemical were worth $16,588,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of EMN. HB Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eastman Chemical in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $204,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Eastman Chemical by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 60,647 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $5,942,000 after buying an additional 2,378 shares in the last quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. lifted its holdings in Eastman Chemical by 83.7% during the 2nd quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 35,426 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $3,471,000 after buying an additional 16,141 shares in the last quarter. KCM Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eastman Chemical during the 2nd quarter worth $210,000. Finally, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH acquired a new position in Eastman Chemical during the 2nd quarter worth $354,000. 83.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Eastman Chemical news, SVP Julie A. Mcalindon sold 4,456 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.84, for a total transaction of $471,623.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,403 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $466,013.52. This represents a 50.30 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, EVP Stephen Glenn Crawford sold 10,504 shares of Eastman Chemical stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.00, for a total transaction of $1,102,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,287 shares in the company, valued at $4,965,135. This trade represents a 18.18 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders sold 18,021 shares of company stock worth $1,895,948. Corporate insiders own 1.93% of the company’s stock. Eastman Chemical Trading Up 0.3 % Eastman Chemical ( NYSE:EMN – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The basic materials company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $2.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.38 billion. Eastman Chemical had a net margin of 9.47% and a return on equity of 15.37%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.47 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Eastman Chemical will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eastman Chemical Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 8th. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 16th. This is a positive change from Eastman Chemical’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.62%. Eastman Chemical’s dividend payout ratio is presently 44.44%. Analysts Set New Price Targets EMN has been the topic of several research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Eastman Chemical from $115.00 to $110.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 4th. Bank of America downgraded Eastman Chemical from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $114.00 to $119.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Eastman Chemical from $113.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. StockNews.com raised Eastman Chemical from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $105.00 price target on shares of Eastman Chemical in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $113.92. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EMN About Eastman Chemical ( Free Report ) Eastman Chemical Company operates as a specialty materials company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company's Additives & Functional Products segment offers amine derivative-based building blocks, intermediates for surfactants, metam-based soil fumigants, and organic acid-based solutions; specialty coalescent and solvents, paint additives, and specialty polymers; and heat transfer and aviation fluids. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EMN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eastman Chemical ( NYSE:EMN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Eastman Chemical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eastman Chemical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .S.H.A.R.E. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP COMMITS TO ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP WITH PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA TO SUPPORT VETERANS( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote: "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity." PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christ's teachings: "Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation." "Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.' The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger," said PM Modi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing," said Kharge adding "May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!" MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028850 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.
NFA ensures readiness to supply rice for emergencies during holidaysBALTIMORE — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has seen progress with the state’s expansive Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education initiative and is now looking to refine key parts of the program, addressing the teacher shortage in Maryland and scaling back collaborative time in schools. At this week’s Maryland Association of Counties Conference in Cambridge, Moore announced plans to introduce an education bill during the 2025 Maryland legislative session that ideally will address an ongoing teacher shortage in the state. The governor’s office reports that 4% of the state’s teacher positions are unfilled, meaning nearly 1,600 classrooms don’t have an experienced educator leading students . In addition, approximately 6,000 educators are teaching under provisional certification and are not fully trained and licensed . “This piece of legislation will take aim at the single biggest challenge that we face in education, and that’s the ongoing Maryland teacher shortage,” Moore said at the conference “If we don’t get a high-quality, high-trained and dedicated teacher in every classroom, the Blueprint itself is bound to fail.” Moore said his legislation will address the teacher shortage by building off the foundation of the Educator Shortage Act that is geared toward strengthening the teacher training pipeline. The governor also plans to issue another reform to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future that includes increased time for educators to engage in curriculum planning, grading and professional development outside of the classroom. However, Moore said the state needs to scale back this part of the program to keep instructors in the classroom and further strengthen the teacher pipeline. The state needs an estimated 15,000 more teachers to implement collaborative time successfully. “This year, I will propose a pause in the implementation of the collaborative time provisions in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” Moore said. “Our goal is to give school districts time – time and space – to recruit and retain enough teachers to make this plan actually work. And while we pause collaborative time, I will also be proposing new short-term grants to schools and districts that want to experiment with collaborative time models to make sure that it works for your own, individual jurisdictions.” “It ensures that our educators have additional breathing room to work together to sharpen their skills and better support our students,” he said. “Let’s be clear: Teachers should be treated like professionals and be empowered to work together outside of class.” Diamonté Brown, president of the Baltimore Teachers Union, said her group is adamantly against the pause. She said the governor should be more focused on decreasing the workload because of the staff shortage. “We do agree that there is a teacher shortage,” Brown said. “We believe a way to address the teacher shortage is to retain the teachers you currently have by decreasing the workload, improving working conditions, and making certain that teachers are being compensated and other school staff members are being compensated properly. And continue to keep competitive wages and desirable working conditions so you can attract not just teachers but other staff members to our school districts.” Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, who is a member of the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee, understands Moore’s reasoning with the pause in collaboration. “I have been working with local school superintendents, boards of education and county officials on their recommendations to address the many challenges that they are facing with the implementation of the Blueprint education policies,” Carozza said. “I am interested in understanding the fiscal and classroom implications of the Governor’s announcement to pause the teacher collaboration program. “My understanding is that the pause in the teacher collaboration program would give teachers more time in the classroom with their students, and I appreciate the Governor’s focus on the teacher shortage.” Moore said the state will implement the parts of the Blueprint that work, including investments in preschool and early education and a focus on early literacy and tutoring. The state will put a pause on the elements of the Blueprint that need a closer look or require laying a stronger foundation for full implementation. Moore said lawmakers will continue to craft and pass legislation to elevate education and make necessary adjustments as we see fit. “To win the decade, we need to provide a world-class education to every student,” Moore said. “That will continue to be our pledge and our push.” However, funds for Blueprint could be an ongoing challenge. Last month, Maryland lawmakers were warned about an impending $2.7 billion deficit they’ll need to resolve for the next budget year, which could prompt a debate over whether they should make deep budget cuts or raise taxes. Some transportation-related fees were part of the $63 billion final budget agreement in order to stave off some cuts to the transportation budget and to secure additional funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The education plan is by far the biggest driver of the state’s long-term budget problems. Starting in the 2028 fiscal year, about $2 billion for Blueprint needs are unfunded , a figure that grows to $3.2 billion in the 2030 fiscal year. Kalman R. Hettleman, an education policy analyst and advocate, agrees that a teacher shortage is a challenge in Maryland and across the nation. However, Hettleman sees more pressing challenges with the Blueprint for Maryland, mainly with funding. “The Blueprint was underfunded from the start because of politics and taxes,” said Hettleman, a former member of Maryland’s Kirwan Commission on education reform and the Baltimore City school board. “The major areas of underfunding, for example, are the basic necessities of effective schools – class size, interventions for struggling learners, and support services, including mental health and behavior.” Hettleman said the urgent first step in the next session of the General Assembly is to add to and/or reprioritize existing funding to provide more adequate and equitable funding over the next several years. This can occur without any overhaul of the structure of the Blueprint, he said. However, according to Hettleman, the phase-in priorities in the Blueprint funding must be re-examined and revised so more funding will be available in the early years of the transition for students of color, students who struggle financially or are at an academic disadvantage. ©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NASHVILLE — The Supreme Court on Wednesday will consider for the first time whether states can ban certain gender transition medical treatments for young people – a closely watched case brought by three transgender teens, their parents and a doctor, all seeking to ensure health care access they say is critical. At issue is a Tennessee law barring transgender minors from using puberty blockers and hormones, treatments the state characterizes as risky and unproven. Lawmakers said the state should instead encourage adolescents to “appreciate their sex, particularly as they undergo puberty.” The court’s ruling might have implications for the more than 100,000 transgender adolescents living in Tennessee or one of the 23 other states that has banned using the drugs to treat minors with gender dysphoria. The question of whether and how to medically treat young people whose gender identity is different than their sex assigned at birth has become a polarizing issue, one President-elect Donald Trump seized on in advertisements targeting transgender people during his campaign. The Supreme Court in 2020 extended employment protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers, but it has yet to rule on the constitutionality of lower court decisions involving bathroom access, athletes and medical treatment for transgender minors like 16-year-old L.W., one of the Tennessee teens behind the case at the high court. Her parents, Brian and Samantha Williams, now drive her five hours to receive care in North Carolina. The teen started gender care treatments when she was 12 and said they have allowed her to “get to be myself a little bit more.” “It took a huge stressor off my back,” L.W. said in an interview. “I have more friends now because I’m more confident, and I’m more able to socialize.” The Biden administration and the American Civil Liberties Union are representing the parents and teens, who are referred to in court filings by their initials or a pseudonym to protect their identity. The families say the Tennessee law amounts to unconstitutional sex discrimination and a broad restriction on treatments that nearly every major medical association says are appropriate and effective for minors. ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, who is arguing on behalf of the families, will be the first openly transgender lawyer to present a case before the Supreme Court. Tennessee’s Republican attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti says in court filings that states have long had the power to regulate medicine and that there is nothing unconstitutional about restricting the use of a drug for certain purposes, even when it can be used for treating other conditions, or imposing age limits for health treatments when the risks and rewards are too uncertain. One potential wild card in the resolution of the case is the incoming Trump administration and the possibility that the next solicitor general will flip the federal government’s position to align with Tennessee’s view. If that were to happen, the court could allow the ACLU to continue challenging the law on its own, which would keep the justices on track to issue a ruling by the end of June. Trump transition officials did not immediately respond to questions about the case before the court, but his team has said Trump intends to fulfill his campaign promises, which included a crackdown on gender transition care for minors. PATIENTS AND LAWMAKERS CLASH L.W. said she began to suspect she was trans in 2019, when she was 11. She’d long felt as if she were “drowning,” but she didn’t understand why. She wore baggy clothes to obscure her body, and she panicked the first time she saw a few facial hairs above her lip. She was so uncomfortable in boys bathrooms, she avoided ever using one at school. Eventually, she developed urinary tract infections. After a cousin came out as trans, L.W. began researching on YouTube and Google. But she was scared, so she didn’t tell her parents she thought she was trans until just after Thanksgiving in 2020, more than a year after she’d first put a name to her feelings. Brian and Samantha Williams both had gay friends, and they told L.W. they supported her, but neither felt comfortable immediately taking her to a doctor. L.W. was 12, and Brian worried the distress she felt might be normal puberty angst. “It’s not like we took this thing lightly and just did it,” Brian said. The family went to a progressive church, and the church had a therapist on staff who specialized in trans youth, so Samantha and Brian signed L.W. up for counseling. After roughly six months, the therapist diagnosed L.W. with gender dysphoria and recommended a team of doctors at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. At Vanderbilt, L.W. underwent tests, then, in the summer of 2021, her doctors prescribed the drug Lupron to stop her body from going through male puberty. The medication, which has been used for at least 30 years on patients who start puberty too early, is largely reversible, but it can affect a young person’s bone density if taken long term without hormone therapy. The teen said she felt instantly relieved. To her, the benefits “strongly outweighed” any side effects. At the time, no state had banned trans adolescents from receiving the kind of care Vanderbilt’s team offered. Doctors nationwide had been treating a few thousand young people a year with hormones and puberty blockers, according to data compiled for Reuters – a tiny fraction of America’s adolescent population. They faced little pushback. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that a majority of trans adolescents experience “satisfaction,” “confidence” and “improvements in psychosocial functioning” after such treatment. Almost as soon as L.W. left her first appointment, she asked to start estrogen, but her doctors and her parents decided to wait. L.W. went in for regular evaluations, and in September 2022, more than a year after she started Lupron, her doctors agreed to prescribe estrogen. Hormone therapy made life feel possible in ways it never had before, L.W. said. She started hugging her family. She recorded music and built Lego models. She and her younger brother staged Airsoft matches with other teenagers. Neighbors even told Samantha that L.W. talked to them for the first time. L.W.’s journey felt personal to her, a singular distress followed by her own unique wins. But her time at Vanderbilt coincided with a historic rise in gender dysphoria diagnoses. In 2021, about 42,000 young people nationwide received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, nearly triple the number in 2017, according to data the technology company Komodo Health Inc. compiled for Reuters. The vast majority were not prescribed hormones or puberty blockers, the data shows. Still, as the numbers rose, lawmakers and activists across the country began to raise questions about gender clinics and the treatments doctors were offering. The same month L.W. started estrogen, the conservative podcast host Matt Walsh accused Vanderbilt of castrating, sterilizing and mutilating children for profit. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) promised to investigate the hospital. That fall, Walsh and a group of Republican state legislators held a “Rally to End Child Mutilation” in downtown Nashville. Only Arkansas and Alabama had passed bans on transition-related care at that point. But lawmakers in other conservative states signaled that they intended to prioritize similar restrictions. In March 2023, Tennessee adopted the legislation now before the Supreme Court. The law, known as SB 1, prohibits health-care providers from prescribing any puberty blocker or hormone for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify or live as “a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex.” Providers who violate the law can be fined $25,000 for each prohibited treatment and are subject to disciplinary measures and potential civil liability in private lawsuits. Throughout the hearings on the legislation, Republican lawmakers treated gender dysphoria as if it were an illusion. A co-sponsor of the House bill described transitioning as a “fiction” and “fantasy.” Another representative said, “If you don’t know what you are, a boy or girl, male or female, just go in the bathroom and take your clothes off and look in the mirror and you’ll find out.” The Williams family watched the hearings, and Brian was infuriated. The lawmakers didn’t know his daughter. He and Samantha had taken L.W. to experts. They’d had what felt like a million hard conversations, and they’d followed the best evidence available. “All of a sudden to have a state come down and say that that’s not the right thing to do, that’s it’s abusive, that it’s wrongheaded, it’s just infuriating because I feel like I’m doing all the right stuff,” Brian said. EXPERIMENTATION OR DISCRIMINATION? After the bill became law, everyone in the Williams family agreed that discontinuing care wasn’t an option. L.W. was happy in ways she’d never been before she transitioned. If she stopped taking puberty blockers and estrogen, her body would begin to go through male puberty. She told her parents that was too painful to contemplate, let alone experience. Moving didn’t feel possible either. L.W.’s brother sobbed every time he thought about leaving his friends, and Brian’s elderly parents live in Nashville and rely on his help. That spring, Samantha saw an ACLU form that invited families to describe how they’d been affected by the legislation. She didn’t imagine, as she filled out the form, that she was signing up for a lawsuit that would eventually make its way to the Supreme Court. She only knew that she wanted to protect her daughter and she didn’t want to feel helpless anymore. Tennessee gave families four months to wean kids like L.W. off the medications, but in June, before the ban even took effect, Vanderbilt shut down its clinic. In June 2023, a District Court judge temporarily blocked the law, saying it discriminates based on sex and treats some teens differently because they are transgender. The judge said the benefits of the treatments are well-established and noted that Tennessee’s law bans the medications for a small subset of minors while making them available for adolescents who use them for other health issues. “If Tennessee wishes to regulate access to certain medical procedures,” wrote U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson, a Trump nominee, “it must do so in a manner that does not infringe on the rights conferred by the United States Constitution, which is of course supreme to all other laws of the land.” A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit soon reversed Richardson’s decision, rejecting the families’ claims of discrimination and allowing the state to enforce the law while litigation continues. Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton said the law regulates gender transition treatments for all minors, regardless of sex, and concluded that Tennessee lawmakers could have rationally determined that the law was an appropriate response to perceived risks associated with the treatments. Sutton, a nominee of George W. Bush, also said courts should be wary of intervening in a highly contested political dispute. Judge Helene N. White, another Bush nominee, agreed with the majority that the Constitution envisions states acting as laboratories for democracies to resolve political debates, but dissented from the majority ruling. “When a fundamental right or freedom from discrimination is involved, experimentation has no place,” she wrote. At the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar is asking the justices to return the case to the 6th Circuit to apply a more stringent level of review, which she says should be triggered by a law that discriminates based on sex. The state, she wrote, ignores the benefits of gender-transition care and overstates the health risks. She also said the law’s stated goal of having teens “appreciate their sex” is based on stereotypical understandings of gender and cannot be used to justify the ban. Skrmetti, the Tennessee attorney general, said the state has the authority to protect minors from the risks of gender-transition treatment, and the federal government should not discount lawmakers’ concerns. He also objected to Prelogar’s characterization of the law as driven by stereotypes. It is not unconstitutional discrimination, Skrmetti argued, to say that drugs can be prescribed for one reason, but not another. L.W. will be in the courtroom on Wednesday, but she said she can’t comprehend the gravity of the case she’s a part of. Mostly, she has tried to continue to live the life gender care has made possible. The day the ACLU filed its petition, she went to high school, and she only told a few people in the Gender-Sexualities Alliance, or GSA, about the case. That night, she worried, briefly, that her name would be on a case that might be remembered along the same lines as Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 Supreme Court case that ruled it was constitutional for states to enact segregation laws. Eventually, L.W. decided it was out of her control, and plus, she had the drivers’ test for her learner’s permit to worry about, so she set aside her fears and let her lawyers handle the hard parts. She is a junior in high school now. She DJed a party this Halloween. She has broadened her social life, and she adopted a kitten the family named Mushroom. She wants to spend her free time traveling to look at colleges with aviation programs, but for now, she and her mother still make regular trips to get treatment in North Carolina. Traveling out of state for health-care she’d rather get at home is arduous. Until recently, her mother had to take unpaid time off work, and L.W. has to call in sick to the magnet high school where she takes three Advanced Placement classes. “I hate taking days off school, it’s, like, the worst thing ever,” she said. “I have very, very difficult classes. So I’ve got a lot to catch up on if I miss a single day.” The drive used to take five hours each way, but Hurricane Helene washed out one of the roads they take, and now, the journey will be much longer. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous Next »West Ham United are mourning the loss of one of the club's young talents after 15-year-old goalkeeper Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex tragically passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. Diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023, Oscar underwent an arduous journey of seven surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy before being placed in palliative care. A GoFundMe page was launched to support his family's quest to raise £100,000 for a treatment trial in France, which saw generous donations from West Ham players contributing £27,000, chairman David Sullivan giving £10,000, and Arsenal star and ex-Hammer Declan Rice adding £5,000, as revealed by Ms Fairs. The club confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, with sporting director Mark Noble expressing deep sorrow: "Oscar was adored by everyone at the academy. "Not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him. It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer. Rest in peace, brave Oscar. "I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden – (my son) Lenny and his team-mates all loved him. "He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age." West Ham extended their heartfelt thoughts and sincere condolences to Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, his brother Harry, and requested privacy for the family during this profoundly challenging time. As a mark of respect, all scheduled academy fixtures over the weekend have been postponed. The Hammers vowed to "ensure that his name is never forgotten at West Ham United".
Kewaunee Scientific Co. ( NASDAQ:KEQU – Get Free Report ) CEO Thomas David Hull III sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total transaction of $126,020.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 42,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,677,735.97. The trade was a 4.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Kewaunee Scientific Trading Up 0.3 % KEQU stock opened at $63.81 on Friday. Kewaunee Scientific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $27.00 and a fifty-two week high of $66.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 2.53. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $43.28. The firm has a market cap of $183.13 million, a PE ratio of 10.11 and a beta of 0.80. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Kewaunee Scientific from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KEQU. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Kewaunee Scientific by 18,000.0% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 905 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in shares of Kewaunee Scientific in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $121,000. Heron Bay Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Kewaunee Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $252,000. State Street Corp purchased a new stake in Kewaunee Scientific during the 3rd quarter valued at $266,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management raised its holdings in Kewaunee Scientific by 24.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 10,913 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 2,156 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 32.69% of the company’s stock. About Kewaunee Scientific ( Get Free Report ) Kewaunee Scientific Corporation designs, manufactures, and installs laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture and infrastructure products. The company operates through two segments, Domestic and International. Its products include steel and wood casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin work surfaces and sinks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kewaunee Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kewaunee Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU leading scorer Frankie Collins will miss the rest of the season because of a broken bone in his left foot, the school said Friday. The 6-foot-2 senior guard, in his first season at TCU after spending the past two at Arizona State, is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday in Dallas. Collins leads the Horned Frogs (5-4) with 11.2 points and 4.4 assists per game. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per game. TCU said Collins broke his foot in the first half of its 83-74 loss to Vanderbilt last Sunday. He still played 35 minutes, finishing with six points and seven assists. Collins played 31 games as a freshman for Michigan's NCAA Sweet 16 team in 2021-22 before transferring to Arizona State. He started all 32 games last season for the Sun Devils, averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He could potentially get another college season through a medical redshirt. Arizona State is in its first Big 12 season. It will host TCU on Feb. 15. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollIranian authorities have officially lifted the ban on WhatsApp and the Google Play Store, signalling a significant shift in the country's internet restrictions, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The decision, which comes after a meeting with top government officials, marks a new phase in the easing of internet blockades that have restricted access to major global platforms for some time. On Tuesday, a meeting was convened with the participation of heads of all three branches of government, ministers, and members of the Supreme Council, where discussions focused on reviewing and adjusting policies surrounding internet governance and restrictions. Following the presentation of assessments from relevant authorities, the council approved changes to the existing internet restrictions. Sattar Hashemi, Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology, later took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, stating, "Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration. I extend my gratitude to the President, media, and activists for their efforts. We need this solidarity more than ever. This path continues." The move to lift the ban aligns with the Iranian government's broader approach to managing its digital landscape, emphasising the importance of regulated cyberspace governance while also stressing the need to support domestic platforms, reported the IRNA. The lifting of internet restrictions was one of the key promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his presidential campaign, and this decision marks an early fulfilment of that commitment. However, despite the progress, the government has emphasised that its approach will continue to prioritise the development and use of local platforms alongside the reintroduction of global services like WhatsApp and Google Play, the IRNA reported. As these changes unfold, the broader impact on both local businesses and individual users is still to be fully assessed, but the easing of restrictions is a significant step forward for internet freedom in Iran. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)