
Seyond Announces Plan to Go Public via De-SPAC Transaction on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
A Western Sydney priest has been charged after allegedly trying to groom a child. Social media giant Facebook had earlier this year identified an account which had allegedly shared child abuse material overseas, quickly shutting it down. The account and the activities were referred to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children which then passed on the information to New South Wales Police. Strike Force Trawler - which is tasked with investigating sexual abuse and exploitation of children - commenced an investigation into a religious leader in December. Detectives from the Child Exploitation Internet Unit then engaged with a 77-year-old retired priest, which police will allege was the owner of the Facebook account. Investigators pretended to be a 14-year-old and started speaking with the priest who police will allege had shared a number of sexually explicit photos and discussed "in detail" the sexual acts he would like to commit with the teenager. "Police will allege that 77-year-old male arranged yesterday to meet with what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy at Pendle Hill," Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, the Sex Crimes Squad Commander, said at a press conference on Tuesday. She added the retired priest was "surprised" to see detectives instead of the boy. The 77-year-old was charged with use carriage service to procure under 16 years for sex with another and use carriage service to send indecent material to a person under 16. Devices have been seized including USBs and floppy disks. A search warrant was also carried out at the priest's home. Asked if police believed the alleged incident was a one-time offence, Det Supt Doherty said investigators were still analysing the devices and items officers had seized. "The conversation that we will allege he had with this person who believed (the child) was 14 indicated that he had similar conversations previously," she said. The 77-year-old man has no prior convictions and he refused to speak to officers at Granville Police Station on Monday after seeking legal advice. Det Supt Doherty said investigators also have concerns of the access the alleged offender had, adding retired priests still had some involvement with children at church. "In relation to this particular individual we do have concerns of what access he would have to children but we have those concerns on any referral that we get," she said. "The Catholic Church in recent years has been quite proactive and cooperative with police in relation to education and information in relation to anyone that may be seeking to abuse children. I wouldn't like to comment further in relation to the church." She also warned parents to monitor what their children have access to on the internet and who they speak to, particularly during the busy time around Christmas. "The online exploitation of children is a very real thing in our community today. Parents need to be aware of how easy it can be for their children to discuss online sexual acts with people online they do not know," Det Supt Doherty said. "Parents should always be aware who their children are speaking to and make sure their children know if they are speaking with anyone that is asking them to do something that they know is not right they should go to their parents or a trusted adult." The priest was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday. Investigations under the strike force continue.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management Announces Liquidation of Three Exchange-Traded FundsQuick Links Titan Ambassador The passenger version Titan Courier The convertible passenger/cargo version Titan Freighter A dedicated cargo version Titan C-28A A United States Navy version Cessna 404 Titan operators The Cessna 404 Titan is a twin-engine light aircraft designed and developed by Cessna Aircraft, a Textron Aviation company. The type was developed from the Cessna 402 with a larger vertical tail and other performance improvements. During its development in the 1970s, it was Cessna's largest twin piston-engine aircraft. The first prototype (registration N5404J) performed its first flight in February 1975, followed by a flight test and certification campaign. The testing and certification process proved to be relatively straightforward and quick. With the tests beginning in early 1975, it took just over a year to complete. The aircraft received its Type Certificate A25CE in July 1976. The first deliveries of the plane began in October 1976. Two Continental Motors GTSIO-520 turbocharged piston engines powered the type, each generating 375 shaft horsepower (280 kW) at takeoff. Cessna initially offered two versions of the Titan, a passenger version and a utility version, widening its customer base. Corporate, commuter, and freight aircraft In service since 1976 Cessna's largest piston-engined twin Features an unpressurized cabin The fuselage has the same dimensions as the turbine-powered 441 Conquest The type has three main versions: Titan Ambassador for passenger operation, Titan Freighter as cargo aircraft, and Titan Courier for mixed operation. Wingtips were introduced in models after 1980 Production ceased in 1982 A turboprop version, REIMS F406 Caravan 2 is still in production The original Cessna 404 Titan is powered by two 375 hp/280 kW turbocharged Continental Motors GTSIO-520 piston engines Later production aircraft were fitted with Cessna I, II, or III factory-fitted avionics equipment as A standard. In the following years, the manufacturer introduced several other versions with greater improvements and applications. This article explores various variants of the Cessna 404 Titan and its operators. We take a look at the history and characteristics of the Cessna 404. Titan Ambassador The passenger version Height: 13 ft 3 in Wingspan: 46 ft 4 in Length: 39 ft 6 in External Baggage: 56 cu ft Crew: One Passengers: Up to 9 Max takeoff weight: 8,400 lb Operating weight: 5,685 lb Empty weight: 4,834 lb Fuel capacity: 2,064 lb Payload w/full fuel: 701 lb Max payload: 2,765 lb Range: 1,840 NM Service ceiling: 26,000 # Balanced field length: 2,367 ft Landing distance: 3,657 ft The Titan Ambassador is one of the original versions of the Cessna 404, a ten-passenger transport version. During the initial years of its launch, the Titan became popular among a range of customers for its reliability, versatility, and comfort. The aircraft features a spacious interior, offering comfortable flights to its occupants. According to Air Charter Service , “The Cessna 404 Titan is typically configured with nine passenger seats in the cabin. These are aligned in a 1-1 formation, with one ‘missing’ seat on one side to make space for the cabin door. There are variations to this standard configuration, with some retrofitted aircraft having fewer seats, but more legroom. While the cabin is unpressurised, it does offer air conditioning.” The aircraft has an impressive performance and high payload capability. With a maximum takeoff weight of 8,400 lbs (3,800 kg), the aircraft achieved a cruise speed of 165 knots (190 mph). The aircraft features retractable landing gear and three-bladed, constant-speed, fully feathering propellers. The twin-engine configuration increases the reliability and safety of the aircraft, particularly for the passenger version. According to GlobalAir , "With its robust design and twin-engine configuration, the Titan offered enhanced safety, range, and load-carrying capacity, making it suitable for various operations such as air cargo, regional transport, and special missions. Over the years, Cessna Aircraft Company has continued to refine and improve the Titan, incorporating advancements in technology and avionics. The Cessna 404 Titan remains a respected and sought-after aircraft, appreciated for its reliability, versatility, and comfortable cabin." The manufacturer subsequently released Titan Ambassador II and Titan Ambassador Ill, with minor improvements, including the addition of a factory-fitted avionics suite. Different aircraft manufacturers have built single-engine aircraft that simple and fuel-efficient for use in transportation, training, and recreation. Titan Courier The convertible passenger/cargo version The Titan Courier version of the Cessna 404 is another early variant introduced along with Titan Ambassador, for utility applications. The Titan Courier is a convertible passenger/cargo version allowing customers to utilize it according to their needs. A number of civilian and military operators used the Titan Courier to transport personnel and - essential cargo, as well as for humanitarian missions. The aircraft has improved low-speed stall characteristics, giving it a smooth bonded metal three-piece wet wing. The aircraft is attached between the two engines at the center wing box, making it a structurally stable design. The large four-piece semi-Fowler flap ensures greater control at varying altitudes. The combination of wet wing, Fowler flaps, and a unique trailing-link landing gear will be used on future Cessna aircraft, including the Cessna Citation series. The robust design allowed an efficient use and transfer of both passenger and cargo. The aircraft was capable of carrying approximately 2,500 pounds of cargo with a stripped interior and could fly short distances (60-90 minutes). The Titan Courier variant enabled operators to switch between operations while making the best use of their equipment. Cessna introduced the Titan Courier II with slight improvements and factory-fitted avionics. The Cessna 150 and 152 are single-engine aircraft popular in flight schools and private aviation due to their reliability and low operating costs. Titan Freighter A dedicated cargo version The pure cargo version was introduced in the late 1970s with specialized floor and fittings for freight transport. The Titan Freighter featured a strengthened floor, securing elements, and specialized cargo doors for usability. Impact-resistant polycarbonate materials were used on the aircraft's interior walls and ceiling to minimize handling and other damage. In case of an unconstrained failure of cargo, the internal materials are robust enough to withstand the impact. Freight operators utilized the Titan Freighter for transport of mail, small equipment, and other essential cargo. The French aircraft manufacturer has a rich history, building various Cessnas with some of their notable models, including the F406 Caravan II. Titan C-28A A United States Navy version The United States Navy operated two Titan C-28As, a designation given to the Titan aircraft by the Navy. The Titan was fitted with two 375 horsepower GTSIO-520-M engines with no cowl or intercooler flaps. The aircraft’s forward fuselage and nose section are almost identical to the Cessna 402. The type’s hydraulic system is based on the Cessna 402C model. The hydraulic system supports the high-power requirements of the Navy’s Titan C-28As. The aircraft’s substantial increase in payload compared to the 402 made it ideal for various applications, particularly for military missions. With the aircraft’s service ceiling of 26,000 ft, it could be flown at higher altitudes for special missions. In such cases, though, oxygen masks are necessary as the Titan has an unpressurized cabin. The aircraft has extraordinary low-temperature flying capabilities. According to Air Charter Service, “The 404 Titan can fly in icy conditions. It can fly in similar conditions as a Boeing 737. The Titan underwent minor modifications from 1980. These included a redesign of the wingtips, increasing the wing span and adding features, such as a pressurised cabin and optional lavatory.” The aircraft can carry 700 pounds more than its closest competitor, the Piper Navajo Chieftain, and can fly a range of over 2,000 NM. Cessna used this comparison as a selling point and established its marketing strategy around it. Most civilian and military operators preferred the Titan over the competition. The push-pull Cessna twin engine that captivated civilian pilots and the military. Cessna 404 Titan operators Civilian operators Aero Logistics East Coast Airlines Airlines of Tasmania Coastal Air Flint Air Service Air UK Military operators Royal Bahamas Defence Force Bolivian Air Force Colombian Air Force - 2 used by SATENA Dominican Republic Air Force Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force – 1 acquired 1979 Jamaica Defence Force Mexican Navy Nicaraguan Air Force Swedish Air Force Tanzania People's Defence Force United States Navy (as the C-28A) Puerto Rico Police Department Two C404Transform Smiles and Confidence in 2025 with Tryon Family Dentistry 12-24-2024 12:18 AM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: ABNewswire As the new year approaches, there's no better time to prioritize your smile and boost your confidence. Tryon Family Dentistry, with convenient locations in Raleigh and Zebulon, NC, is inviting patients to start 2025 with a smile transformation. 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Christmas came early to Broadway this year – and guess who they stuffed in our stocking? Adolf Hitler !” So reads a review of “Springtime for Hitler”, the fictitious, good-taste-obliterating musical-within-a-musical staged towards the end of The Producers . Christmas has come early to London’s Menier Chocolate Factory , too, via a new revival of the Tony-winning 2001 musical (itself an adaptation of Mel Brooks ’s seminal 1967 comedy film). The Führeris back, and he’s absolutely bringing the house down. The premise is simple and ingenious: two showbiz no-hopers realise they can profit more from a flop than a hit, so they set out to purposely produce the worst show on Broadway. Andy Nyman is Max Bialystock, the unscrupulous hack who funds his productions by seducing randy pensioners. Marc Antolin is Leopold Bloom, the gibbering, blanket-fondling accountant who quits his office job to partner up with “Bialy”. The surefire dud they settle on is a gooey paean to Hitler’s Third Reich, written by an ursine, helmet-wearing not-so-ex-Nazi (Harry Morrison), and directed by the explosively camp Roger de Bris (Trevor Ashley). What’s impressive about The Producers is just how sharp its teeth still are, nearly 60 years on. The sight of swastikas being gaily twirled around the stage still has the hard kick of taboo: as a satire both of fascist nationalism and showbiz, The Producers remains ever-relevant. Directed by Patrick Marber ( Closer , Leopoldstadt ), this production does a lot with a small, intimate stage; Lorin Latarro’s choreography is showy and dynamic – but lets the comedy rightfully hoard the focus. It’s hard to resist incessant comparisons to the original, so closely does The Producers hew to it; all of the funniest lines are ripped verbatim from the 1967 screenplay. (“Hitler... there was a painter. He could paint an entire apartment in one afternoon. Two coats!”) The variations are chiefly musical, the lively and bombastic songs dotted across the musical’s two acts, all written by Brooks himself – an artist who always has one foot in vaudevillian tradition. There is variation, too, in the casting: the brilliant Nyman is far slighter than the original Bialystock Zero Mostel (and smaller too than Nathan Lane, who played him in the 2005 musical film), lending a completely different physicality to the character’s shameless, craven scheming. Antolin, meanwhile, approximates the air of Gene Wilder’s hysterical nebbish, girding it with a sort of mannered precision of his own. The supporting players are roundly excellent, from Morrison through to Joanna Woodward, who plays the preposterously accented Swedish siren Ulla. I’m not sure anything new is achieved with this production, but then, that’s always been the case with The Producers onstage. It never needed to exist – but that doesn’t make it any less delightful. The jokes are rapid, the satire outrageous. How could it possibly fail? ‘The Producers’ runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 1 March 2025Smartwatches have become an essential part of our daily lives and they integrate some advanced technology into our routines. They serve a multitude of functions from tracking fitness metrics to managing notifications and if you’re looking for the best of the best, the Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a top contender alongside the Apple Watch Ultra . This great device does more than just count steps, it acts as a smartphone on your wrist. This Black Friday offers an unique opportunity to get the Galaxy Watch Ultra at an all-time record low price . Originally retailing for $649, it is now available for just $189, thanks to an instant discount combined with a trade-in offer . You can get an instant savings of $160 off, and if you trade in an old smartphone or smartwatch, you can save an additional $300. This deal applies across all color options and band types, you can fully customize the watch on Samsung’s website. See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.com More Than Just a Watch The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with advanced technology that caters to both fitness enthusiasts and casual. It features a robust 47mm titanium frame that ensures durability but also houses a fabulous 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (very easy to read in any lighting condition). The watch is equipped with an advanced BioActive Sensor that tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels and even body composition. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Samsung watch includes dual-frequency GPS for accurate location tracking and its 10 ATM water resistance rating allows you to swim or dive without worry. The Galaxy Watch Ultra supports various sports modes including running, cycling, swimming and even multisport tracking for triathletes. One of the much appreciated features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its ability to monitor your sleep patterns and detect potential sleep apnea risks: Samsung’s AI-driven health tips also offer personalized wellness recommendations based on your activity levels and sleep quality . The watch also includes a Quick Button, which allows you to start workouts or activate features like the emergency siren with just a press. Beyond its impressive specifications, this Samsung smartwatch is designed for ease of use. The watch runs on Google’s Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI 6 interface and provides a smooth user experience (even for newcomers) with customizable options for notifications and apps. You can easily navigate through your favorite apps or respond to messages directly from your wrist without needing to reach for your phone. The watch also supports gesture controls so that you can answer calls or control music playback with simple hand movements . The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s pricing this Black Friday is truly exceptional; such deep discounts have never been seen even on previous Samsung models. Make sure you grab yours before it runs out of stock. This is one of our favorite deals for this Black Friday . See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.com
A former executive of an Essex County pharmaceutical company was accused of participating in a $38 million insider trading scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey announced Monday. An indictment unsealed Monday charges Dale Chappell, 54, a former United States citizen and current resident of Switzerland, with five counts of securities fraud, according to a release from the office. Chappell was formerly the chief scientific officer and member of the board of directors of Humanigen, Inc., a publicly traded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with offices in Millburn and California, the office said. Between June and August of 2021, Chappell avoided more than $38 million in losses by selling millions of shares of Humanigen stock while in possession of non-public information about the company’s application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval a drug to treat COVID-19 called Lenzilumab, investigators said. Chappel, who sold the shares through funds he controlled, announced in March 2021 that Humanigen planned to seek emergency-use authorization for the drug, the release stated. However over the course of the next two months, FDA staff told the company that it was unlikely to meet the criteria for issuance of the emergency-use authorization, federal prosecutors said. Knowing that his company had not disclosed this information publicly, Chappell sold the funds’ Humanigen stock, and later also implemented plans to trade more Humanigen stock holdings, officials said After Humanigen publicly announced that the FDA had declined the approval for Lenzilumab, Humanigen’s stock price declined approximately 50%, authorities said. Chappell was arrested on Dec. 20 in Switzerland based and federal officials will now look to extradite him to the United States to stand trial, the office said. “Our office is committed to holding accountable those who profit based on insider information,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement. “Combatting securities fraud and protecting the integrity of the markets continues to be a priority for this office.” Stories by Chris Sheldon Investigation finds source of bad-tasting, smelly water in dozens of towns Body found in N.J. forest, officials say 4 Indiana men charged with murder after man found dead in N.J. woods Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com .Talks between China and Japan's foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China's foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialogue as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday. No details were given for when the events will take place but Japan's Takeshi Iwaya told reporters after his meeting and a working lunch with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that both agreed on continued high-level talks, including potentially an economic dialogue during the 2025 visit. The one-day visit is Iwaya's first to the Chinese capital since becoming Japan's foreign minister in October, to discuss thorny issues with his country's largest trading partner. It follows an agreement between leaders of both countries to work towards a mutually beneficial strategic relationship. Ties between the neighbours, trade partners with close economic and investment ties but rivals in security and territorial claims, are complicated with long-standing geopolitical disagreements and historical wartime sensitivities. Iwaya raised several security concerns, urging China to take "necessary action" including removing a buoy Japan had identified and believe was installed by China in the exclusive economic zone near one of Japan's southernmost islands. "I also expressed my serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea...and the increasing activity of the Chinese military," he said. On regional concerns, Wang and Iwaya discussed North Korea. Iwaya sought for China to partake in "a responsible role in maintaining peace and security in the international community," he said. Japan has expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's security alliance with Russia, in which North Korea stands to gain advanced military technology and combat experience. Wang stressed in the meeting that the significance of the countries' relationship went beyond bilateral ties. "If China-Japan relations are stable, Asia will be more stable," Wang said at the start of their meeting. VISA RULES AND SEAFOOD BAN In reciprocity to China's eased visa rules, Japan will remove some requirements for three-year multiple entry tourist visas for Chinese citizens and allow those on group visas to stay up to 30 days from the previous 15. The country has also introduced a new 10-year multiple entry tourist visa. Last month, Beijing expanded its visa-free arrangements to include Japan until the end of 2025, restoring a policy that was suspended during the pandemic. China also extended the stay period to 30 days from 15. Japanese citizens were able to enter China without a visa for up to 14 days before COVID-19. Iwaya pointed out that addressing the safety and security of Japanese nationals was important to increase travel between Japan and China. Cases of Japanese nationals detained under China's anti-espionage law and the lack of transparency around the law have led to Japanese people feeling hesitant about travelling to China, Iwaya said, calling for more transparency and the release of those detained. Their discussion of China's ban on Japanese seafood, highly expected on the agenda, did not indicate any easing on restrictions, but only that both sides agreed to "properly implement" a recent agreement. A major sticking point in bilateral ties has been Japan's discharge of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant that Beijing strongly opposed and responded to by tightening inspections on Japanese goods. China was Japan's largest export market for aquatic products until Beijing fully banned them in protest against Tokyo's actions. Both governments reached an agreement in September that obligates Japan to set up a long-term international monitoring arrangement allowing stakeholders such as China to conduct independent sampling of the treated water. That was expected to restart the imports but China still wants reassurances from Tokyo that it would fulfil its commitment before "adjusting relevant measures" and gradually restore imports that meet standards and regulations. However, both countries were ready to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PHILADELPHIA — Jason Kelce will try his hand at late-night television early next year. Kelce announced during an appearance on ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Thursday night that he will host “They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce,” on ESPN. The one-hour show will tape on five straight Friday nights beginning Jan. 3. That coincides with the last week of the NFL's regular season and the playoffs. The show will originate in front of a live audience from Union Transfer in Philadelphia. The first four episodes will air at 1 a.m. EST starting on Jan. 4 with the final episode coming on at 1:30 a.m. EST on Feb. 1. “I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends,” Kelce said on Kimmel's show. “We’re going to have a bunch of guys up there — legends of the game, friends that I played with, coaches, celebrities,” Kelce said. The Philadelphia-based band Snacktime will provide the show's music. The show's title is a homage to “They Call it Pro Football,” which was NFL Films’ first full-length film in 1967. NFL Films originated in Philadelphia and founders Ed and Steve Sabol are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It also featured the legendary voice of John Facenda, who did the news on Philadelphia television before becoming better known as the voice of NFL Films. NFL Films will produce the show in conjunction with Kelce’s Wooderboy Productions and Skydance Sports. Each episode will also be also seen on Replays airing on ESPN2, and also be available on ESPN+, ESPN's YouTube channel and the Jason Kelce channel on YouTube. Kelce is in the first year of a multi-year agreement with ESPN. He appears on the network's “Monday Night Countdown” show as well as providing halftime and postgame analysis. He played 13 years for the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring at the end of last season and was the most sought-after former player by networks. He participated in last year’s NFL Broadcasting and Media Workshop , which used to be known as the “Broadcast Bootcamp.” Kelce has made news lately, though, for other reasons. He was involved in a confrontation with a fan in State College, Pennsylvania, before the Penn State-Ohio State game on Nov. 2, when a fan heckled Kelce and appeared to shout an anti-gay slur about his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, for dating pop star Taylor Swift. Video showed Kelce grabbing the fan’s phone and throwing it to the ground. Kelce apologized about the incident on ESPN on Nov. 4. On Thursday night an autograph seeker verbally confronted Kelce outside the El Capitan Entertainment Center in Hollywood, where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is taped. Video obtained by TMZ shows Kelce explaining that he doesn’t sign autographs for people that follow where he is going. After being shouted at for over two minutes, Kelce eventually got out of the car and signed autographs, including shaking the hand of a man who was berating Kelce with obscenities. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflIowa cornerback Jermari Harris has opted out of the remainder of the 2024 season in order to prepare for the NFL draft, according to a report by 247Sports.com . The 6-foot-1 sixth-year senior from Chicago has recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high seven pass breakups in 10 games for the Hawkeyes this season. That includes a pick-6 in a 38-21 win over Troy earlier this season. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) plays at Maryland on Saturday before closing out its regular season at home against Nebraska on Nov. 29. The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible, so Harris is likely opting out of three games in total. After missing the entire 2022 season due to an ankle injury, Harris was suspended for two games of the following season for his involvement in the gambling investigation into Iowa athletics. He later emerged as the Hawkeyes' top cornerback, earning the team's comeback player of the year award after compiling 42 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups. Harris will finish his college career with 105 tackles and eight interceptions. --Field Level Media
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Comparably Announces Best Places to Work and Best CEOs of 2024 Based on Millions of Employee RatingsHOUSTON (AP) — The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from Cubs in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago . “The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base,” general manager Dana Brown said Monday. “And Bregman’s still a free agent.” The Astros had hoped to re-sign Bregman, the team’s third baseman for the last nine seasons, but Brown said the negotiations stalled. “I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back,” he said. “But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there. We locked in Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up we just jumped on it.” The addition of a first baseman was a priority this offseason for the Astros after they released struggling first baseman José Abreu less than halfway through a $58.5 million, three-year contract. “We knew we had to get better at first base,” Brown said. “We pursued (Walker) and we’re excited to have him because we know that we’re going to have a really good first baseman that can defend and also hit the ball on the seats from time to time.” Walked was attracted by the sustained success of the Astros, who won their first two World Series titles in 2017 and '22. “I’ve been watching this team for a while now, and that edge, the energy, the expectation, you can tell that they’re going out there with a standard,” he said. “And I’m very excited to be a part of it.” Walker is looking forward playing on an infield with star second baseman Jose Altuve. He’s fascinated by the success and consistency Altuve has had over his 14-year career. “I get a chance to learn from Jose Altuve,” Walker said. “Nothing really gets better than that.” Brown was asked what he would tell fans disappointed to see the Astros lose another star after George Springer and Carlos Correa left as free agents in recent years. “I would just tell the fans that look, we are very focused on remaining competitive,” he said. “We’re very focused on winning division and going back to the World Series, and I think with these additions that we have the ability to do that. So, I feel strongly that we’re going to be picked to win the division first off. And if our pitching holds up, which I feel strongly about, as well, I think we’ll get deep into the postseason.” The Astros won the AL West for a fourth straight year this season before being swept by the Tigers in an AL Wild Card Series. Walker, who turns 34 during the opening week of the season, hit .251 with 26 homers, 84 RBIs, 55 walks and 133 strikeouts this year. That was down from 2023, when he batted .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs as the Diamondbacks reached the World Series. Walker played in 130 games this year, down from 157 in 2023 and 160 in 2022. He was sidelined between July 29 and Sept. 3 by a strained left oblique. He spent the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, where he hit 146 homers with 442 RBIs and a .251 batting average. He didn’t secure a full-time job in the big leagues until 2019. He’s provided consistent power over the past six seasons and has grown into an elite defensive first baseman, winning Gold Gloves in each of the past three seasons. Walker played college ball at South Carolina and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2014 but couldn’t stick in the majors and was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, Cincinnati and Arizona in a five-week span. Walker’s contract has a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block deals to six teams without his consent. He would earn $200,000 for winning an MVP, $175,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $100,000 for fifth. Walker also would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $75,000 apiece for making the All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award. Infielder Grae Kessinger was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb