El Dorado Hills tech company Blaize's SPAC merger comes to shareholder votesThe common murre, a large black-and-white seabird native to northern waters, has become far less common in Alaska over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change. A study published Thursday in Science reveals that a record-breaking marine heat wave in the northeast Pacific from 2014 to 2016 triggered a catastrophic population collapse, wiping out four million birds -- about half the species in the region. Strikingly, they have shown little signs of rebounding, suggesting long-term shifts in the food web that have locked the ecosystem into a troubling new equilibrium. "There's a lot of talk about declines of species that are tied to changes in temperature, but in this case, it was not a long term result," lead author Heather Renner of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge told AFP. "To our knowledge, this is the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era," she and her colleagues emphasized in their paper. The finding triggers "alarm bells," Renner said in an interview, as human-caused climate change makes heat waves more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. With their dapper, tuxedoed look, common murres are sometimes called the "penguins of the north." Their slender wings power them across vast distances in search of food and make them expert divers. But even these hardy seabirds were no match for an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. The largest marine heat wave ever recorded began in the late fall of 2014, spanning a massive swath of the northeast Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska. It persisted for over two years, leaving devastation in its wake. During this time, some 62,000 emaciated murres washed ashore along the North American Pacific coastline -- dead or dying from starvation. Experts point to two key reasons for the bird deaths: elevated ocean temperatures reduced both the quality and quantity of phytoplankton, impacting fish like herring, sardines, and anchovies -- the mainstay of the murre diet. At the same time, warmer waters increased the energy demands of larger fish, such as salmon and Pacific cod, which compete with murres for the same prey. "We knew then it was a big deal, but unfortunately, we couldn't really quantify the effects," explained Renner. For years after the event, breeding colonies failed to produce chicks, complicating efforts to assess the full impact. More from this section Earlier estimates pegged the number of deaths at around a million, but a more robust analysis -- drawing on data from 13 murre colonies -- revealed the toll was four times higher. "It is just so much worse than we thought it was," Renner said of the new findings. The marine heat wave didn't just impact common murres. Pacific cod stocks collapsed, king salmon populations dwindled, and as many as 7,000 humpback whales perished. Yet the crisis created an uneven playing field: some species emerged unscathed, while others even thrived. Thick-billed murres, which often share nesting cliffs with common murres, were largely unaffected, possibly due to their more adaptable diet, Renner noted. For common murres, however, the fallout lingers. Despite nearly a decade since the heat wave, their numbers show no sign of bouncing back -- and the losses may well be permanent. Part of the reason lies in the long-term decline of some of their prey. Another factor is murres' survival strategy relies on numbers: they aggregate in massive colonies to protect their eggs from opportunistic predators like eagles and gulls. With their populations slashed, these birds have lost their critical safety buffer. Still, Renner offered a glimmer of hope. While addressing global warming is essential for curbing long-term climate change, conservation efforts can make a difference in the short term, she said. Removing invasive species like foxes and rats from murre nesting islands could also provide the beleaguered birds with a fighting chance. ia/des
NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitchers Luis Gabriel Moreno and Alejandro Crisostomo were suspended for 80 games each by Major League Baseball on Friday following positive tests for performance-enhancing substances under the minor league drug program. Moreno tested positive for Nandrolone, and Crisostomo tested positive for Boldenone and Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office said. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ: CUBA) (the "Fund”) today announced that Thomas J. Herzfeld, Chairman of the Board of Directors has resigned from the Board as of December 31, 2024. Mr. Herzfeld has also resigned as Portfolio Manager for the Fund effective as of the same date. Mr. Herzfeld has held the position of Chairman since the Fund's launch in 1994. He will retain the position of Chairman Emeritus and participate in board meetings on a non-voting basis. The Board has elected Cecilia Gondor to serve as Chairperson effective December 31, 2024. Ms. Gondor has served on the Board of Directors since 2014. She also served as Executive Vice President of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. (the Fund's investment manager) from 1984 through May 2014. During her years at the investment manager, her research analysis garnered her the reputation as being one of the most knowledgeable analysts in the industry. Additionally, she was the Executive Vice President of Thomas J. Herzfeld & Co., Inc., a broker-dealer, from 1984 through 2010. Ms. Gondor currently is an owner and the Managing Member of L&M Management LLC group of partnerships, a residential and commercial office space investor located in Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, the Board has named Brigitta Herzfeld to fill the board vacancy created by Mr. Herzfeld's resignation. Ms. Herzfeld is a current member of the investment manager's executive committee and will join the Board as of December 31, 2024. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College (BA), Stanford University (MA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management (MBA) and Wharton-Singapore Management University (Executive Management Program). She has held positions at Goldman, Sachs & Co and Lehman Brothers Japan, Inc. Mr. Herzfeld commented: "It has been my privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Directors of The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund for its entire history. As I approach my 80 th birthday, it is with much pride that I turn the leadership of the Fund over to a new generation. Cecilia Gondor has been a consistent source of expert guidance for the Fund for many years and is a great choice to take over the chair position. And Brigitta Herzfeld's financial background and long history with our firm will be an invaluable source of expertise for the board. While I will remain active with the management company, it is clear that the time has come for me to step down from active leadership of the Fund. As Chairman Emeritus I will be working harder than ever to ensure that we maximize shareholder value; we are currently exploring several options that we think will be beneficial to our shareholders.” Mr. Herzfeld has had a long and illustrious career and is generally considered to be "the father of closed-end fund investing”. Mr. Herzfeld wrote the first of his six books on the subject of closed-end funds in 1979. He is the publisher of The Investor's Guide to Closed-End Funds monthly research report and is quoted and interviewed on the subject of closed-end funds by the world's most renowned financial papers. He has served as a contributing editor for the Global Guide to Investing (published by Financial Times ), and The Encyclopedia of Investments . Ms. Gondor responded to her election to Chairperson: "To follow in the footsteps of Tom Herzfeld is a very humbling experience. He has been a mentor to me and many others in the closed-end fund industry. I look forward to working with Brigitta Herzfeld and the other board members to continue the work that Tom started 30 years ago and am honored to contribute to the legacy he has built in any way that I can.” A graduate of Philadelphia University in 1966, Mr. Herzfeld served in the United States Army Reserve from 1966-1972, and on active duty in 1967. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from Philadelphia University in 2008. He joined the Wall Street firm Reynolds & Co., in 1968 and began a specialization in closed-end funds. He formed the NYSE member firm of Carlino, Herzfeld and Kemm in 1970 and served as the firm's Senior Partner at the age of 25. He also became an Allied Member of the NYSE, an Associate Member of the AMEX and a senior register options principal. In 1981, he formed a stock brokerage firm, Thomas J. Herzfeld & Co., Inc., that was the first to specialize in the field of closed-end funds. He created the industry's first and only Closed-End Fund Index, "The Herzfeld Average," which has been published in Barron's weekly since its establishment in 1987. He also coined the term "lifeboat provisions” used in the industry to define tactics funds take to narrow discounts and keep prices afloat. About Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc., founded in 1984, is an SEC registered investment advisor, specializing in investment analysis and account management in closed-end funds. The Firm also specializes in investment in the Caribbean Basin. The HERZFELD/CUBA division of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. serves as the investment advisor to The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. a publicly traded closed-end fund (NASDAQ: CUBA). More information about the advisor can be found at www.herzfeld.com . Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An investment in the Fund is subject to certain risks, including market risk. In general, shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value and at the time of sale may be trading on the exchange at a price which is more or less than the original purchase price or the net asset value. An investor should carefully consider the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Please read the Fund's disclosure documents before investing. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that TJHA or the Fund may make, may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Fund's or TJHA's future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "trend,” "potential,” "opportunity,” "pipeline,” "believe,” "comfortable,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "current,” "intention,” "estimate,” "position,” "assume,” "outlook,” "continue,” "remain,” "maintain,” "sustain,” "seek,” "achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will,” "would,” "should,” "could,” "may” or similar expressions. TJHA and the Fund caution that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and TJHA and the Fund assume no duty to and do not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, particularly with respect to Cuba and other Caribbean Basin countries, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund's net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or TJHA, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or TJHA or the Fund; (9) TJHA's and the Fund's ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of TJHA electing to provide support to its products from time to time; (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions; and (12) the effects of an epidemic, pandemic or public health emergency, including without limitation, COVID-19. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on TJHA's website at www.herzfeld.com/cuba, and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on TJHA's website is not a part of this press release. Contact: Tom Morgan Chief Compliance Officer Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. 1-305-777-1660
Colorado adds record insurance coverage for Sanders and Hunter with both playing in Alamo BowlBy Molly Farrar A Dartmouth College student and two men are facing charges after another student pledging for Theta Beta Beta Fraternity said he was hazed earlier this year, officials said. The student reported to Hanover, New Hampshire police that he was allegedly struck multiple times with a wooden paddle during pledge events, which is referred to as “The Cut.” The alleged victim had “visible injuries.” The student was also allegedly forced to eat an onion, which made him vomit, Hanover police said. He was then pressured to eat the “regurgitated onion,” police said. The incidents took place in August and September of this year. Dartmouth said they suspended Omega Psi Phi immediately when learning of the “serious allegations.” An internal investigation is ongoing, a spokesperson said. “Any student or organization found to have violated Dartmouth policies is held accountable. Due to federal law, we cannot comment on individual disciplinary cases or outcomes,” the spokesperson said. Alexisius Q. Jones, 22, of Colorado is a current student and member of Theta Beta Beta, which is the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Jones, who goes by his middle initial , is a senior and a running back for the school’s football team. A summons was issued for Jones, police said. 37-year-old Milan Williams, of Los Angeles, is a Dartmouth alum and graduate member of Omega Psi Phi. A warrant is outstanding for his arrest. Gregory Dominique, 38, of Boston, has no association with Dartmouth, but is a graduate member of Omega Psi Phi. He also has a warrant outstanding for his arrest, police said. Jones did not return a request for comment Thursday evening. Molly Farrar Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.By Jon Dunbar The cover of "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" by Kang Mingoo While everyone was fawning over Han Kang's books, during last month's open house sale at Tongbang Books, I picked up a thick hardbound book titled "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Han, the author of "The Vegetarian," had recently won the Nobel Prize in literature, however, another noteworthy development was that UNESCO was considering Korea's jang-making tradition as a new entry for its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. "Jang," primarily written by chef-restaurateur Kang Mingoo, reads more like a textbook than a traditional cookbook. And that's intentional: the 216-page book offers a deep dive into Korea, exploring everything from its mountains and forests to its pantries and dining tables. Jang, which the book claims rhymes with "song," refers to a variety of fermented soybean pastes. The book lays out the three main jangs — "ganjang" (basically soy sauce), "doenjang" (thick soybean paste) and "gochujang" (red-hot pepper paste) — which Kang says are "are like siblings, and like siblings, they often play together." One important fact I gleaned from this book is that the production method for both ganjang and doenjang is mostly the same, and they are essentially byproducts of each other. About six to nine months into the process, a separation occurs, moving the still-solid bits from the liquid, and the separated bits continue to ferment for several more months or years. It reminds me of the parallel brewing process of traditional Korean alcohols "takju" (a cloudy beverage with white sediment) and "cheongju" (a clear alcohol), which are likewise separated from each other. And there's also the bright-red gochujang, which has a somewhat different recipe due to the inclusion of red pepper powder and takes much less time to complete fermentation. Kang shares a somewhat offbeat theory that the red pepper, or "gochu" in Korean, "was actually introduced by birds millions of years ago," rather than in the 16th century by Portuguese traders through Japan. Going back to the concept of jangs as siblings that sometimes play together, "ssamjang," which I think might be the most popular and widespread of the Korean sauces, at least from what I've witnessed, is a mixture of gochujang and doenjang, along with a little sugar. Chef Kang Mingoo speaks during an interview at Mingles, his restaurant in southern Seoul, June 13. Korea Times file Kang, the owner of Mingles, a popular Seoul restaurant that helped redefine Korean fine dining, presents a vivid narrative of his culinary journey. It's a beautifully produced book, filled with impressive photos — although the photos lacked captions explaining the context and were not clearly illustrative of what was being discussed. Read More Chef Kang Min-koo expands possibilities of Korean food [Michelin star chef] 'Openness to Korean cuisine helped gain star' Korean restaurant Mingles ranked Asia's 11th best restaurant 4 Korean restaurants enter Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list "Imagine trying to understand Italian cooking without olive oil or to unlock French cuisine without butter and cream," he says in the book's introduction. "It would be impossible." He details his travels across the country to meet jang artisans, emphasizing that most of them are women. He is perhaps most fascinated by Jeong Kwan, a master of temple cuisine at Baekyang Temple in South Jeolla Province, describing the epiphany he experienced watching her work. "I marveled that Jeong Kwan didn't cook so much as simply let the earth move through her," as he puts it. Read More Attaining freedom of mind through temple food 'I'm cooking food for the mind' Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food' Ven. Jeongkwan brings essence of Korean cuisine to New York On returning to Mingles with his "hair on fire," he describes the effect his dive into the world of jang had on him: "I felt like I had been playing the piano by hitting only the middle C, and now the entire keyboard had been opened to me." He sets out his almost-scientific approach to jang-making, which includes "vertical tastings" of the same jang at different years of fermentation. "Jangs aren't rigid; they reward experimentation," he writes. "They are able to assimilate and adapt to foreign concepts." This foreshadows some of his over 60 recipes later in the book, which range from more-or-less traditional "namul" offerings to some wild-sounding fusion recipes, including tagliatelle with ganjang ragu, doenjang hummus and gochujang chocolate mousse. Also described in extensive detail is the onggi earthenware pottery for storing jang during fermentation, which is specifically called "jangdok." There's so much detail, that it leaves a reader feeling like they could make their own jangdok — though this is probably as unlikely as making decent gochujang on one's own after reading the book. "Jang is more like sourdough than it is like wine: Anyone can nourish a starter, but few can sustain a vineyard," Kang writes. Chef Kang Mingoo introduces his English-language book, "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Korea Times file That said, the book is not too interested in walking you all the way through the process of making your own jang, but does helpfully offer guidance on how to stock your pantry with the jangs you can readily purchase. It also emphasizes that not all jang needs to be artisanal: "Not everything can be artisanal, nor is it always worth using (or even a good idea to use) artisanal jang in every dish you make." The book also outlines some important beats in Korean history related to the development, fall and renaissance of jang. This starts over 4,000 years ago with the introduction of soybeans — rich in protein and able to thrive in poor soil — to the peninsula from Manchuria. It also details how the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea threatened to bring to an end the centuries of jang-making traditions, as the imperialists siphoned off most of Korea's soybean production for Japanese use and encouraged the establishment of jang factories, something Kang clearly abhors. Things didn't improve after liberation, which saw periods of famine and the 1950-53 Korean War, a time Kang describes as when "Korea began its superfueled expansion into the modern capitalist world, a movement that almost, but not quite, signaled the end of jang culture." He then goes on to detail how jang-making bounced back beginning in the 2000s, and connects its growth with the global spread of Korean popular culture. He details how the Korean food ministry spent $90 million promoting gochujang to chefs in New York and Los Angeles in the early 2010s. He also talks about how jang-making is being taught in elementary schools. "Today, I'm happy to say we're riding a wave of artisanal jang appreciation," he concludes. Read More Korean 'jang-making' tradition earns UNESCO heritage status [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' has potential to become global favorite [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' is bedrock of Korean existence' Young Korean 'jang' maker hopes to bring back grandmother's taste in Korean traditional soybean sauce The book, published earlier in 2024, laments how jang has not earned the UNESCO recognition that the kimchi-making practice of gimjang itself earned in December 2013. But here we are 11 years later, and we have the perfect book to explain this age-old cultural practice and even help us use various kinds of jang in the kitchen. "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" is available through dbbooks.com .
US President-elect Donald Trump petitioned the Supreme Court on Friday to delay the sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban, according to officials. "In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues," Trump's legal team argued in a brief filed Friday. The deadline for divestment is Jan. 19, one day before Trump’s inauguration. The move aims to provide the president-elect "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution," said his team. Trump now supports TikTok to counter big tech monopolies Trump was an outspoken critic of the popular social media app during his first term, citing national security concerns. He alleged that the app could be used by China to access US user data or manipulate content on the platform -- claims ByteDance and Beijing have consistently denied. His administration pushed for the app’s sale to a US-based company, but that effort faltered. Bond between Pakistan, Kashmir is unbreakable: Amir Muqam Trump’s stance appears to have evolved in recent months. "Now [that] I’m thinking about it, I’m for TikTok, because you need competition. If you don’t have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram — and that’s, you know, that’s Zuckerberg," he said in a recent interview with Bloomberg, referring to Mark Zuckerberg. The comments highlighted a shift in Trump’s view, aligning him against the monopolistic tendencies of domestic tech companies like Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The legal brief emphasized that Trump is not taking a stance on the underlying legal arguments. "President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute," attorney John Sauer wrote. "Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the act’s deadline for divestment ... thus permitting President Trump’s incoming Administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution." Govt's economic achievements being recognized at all levels: Attaullah TararThe King is scheduled to attend the show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday which will see Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish present a musical number from their new show The Devil Wears Prada – based on the 2006 Oscar-nominated film. Cast members Vanessa Williams, who plays Miranda Priestly, and Matt Henry, who stars as art director Nigel, were among those posing on the red carpet ahead of the performance which showcases an original score by Sir Elton. The variety show will also see debuts from British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her hit track Murder On The Dancefloor while Eurovision winner Nemo is also featured on the bill. Also posing on the carpet were US magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller, whose performance marks their 50th anniversary. Comedy will come from Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, writer and comic Scott Bennett, Scottish comedian Larry Dean and political comic Matt Forde – who posed on the red carpet with a crutch after undergoing surgery for cancer on his spine. Among the arrivals was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will make an appearance in this year’s show with her Change And Check Choir led by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow. The choir, made up of women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Kelly’s campaign, will perform Love Is All Around, which is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection. It comes hours after Camilla insisted the “show must go on” after pulling out of attending the performance on Friday evening as doctors advised that she should prioritise rest. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest. “With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.” A royal source said the Queen was “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on'”. “She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” the source added. The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December. Money raised from the show will go to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues this year.
FORMER Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou admitted Tottenham fans had given him some rather 'direct feedback' as tensions seriously boiled over. The Spurs manager was jeered and heckled by a section of the club's fans after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth - and he went over to confront them. 4 Ange Postecoglou confronted raging Spurs fans at full time Credit: AMAZON PRIME 4 He was seen engaging with irate punters 4 A steward stepped in 4 The fans weren't happy after a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth Credit: Getty It's been a poor run of form for Tottenham who have slipped to 10th in the table. Postecoglou 's side have won just one of their last six games in all competitions - that victory being the remarkable 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad. But that aside, it's been a run of results to forget. And the loss to Bournemouth proved all too much for some Tottenham fans. READ MORE CELTIC STORIES BUM NOTE Celtic hero O'Riley scores bizarre O.G. as ex-Rangers star celebrates wildly FREE BETS Deposit & Bet £10 to Get £60 in free bets for Scottish football at William Hill Videos circulating on social media show Postecoglou heading over to the packed away end at the Vitality Stadium after full time. Several boos can be heard while some rather X-rated insults are also hurled at the title-winning ex- Celtic boss. A number of shouts of "f*** off" can be heard while others are even more brutal in their nature. In one fan's video, a punter can be heard referring to him as "Poste-no-clue." Most read in Football BUM NOTE Celtic hero O'Riley scores bizarre O.G. as ex-Rangers star celebrates wildly HOWE DARE YOU Eddie Howe hits back at accusation that he BOTTLED taking Celtic job CLUB TOGETHER Rangers chief hints they could join multi-club group with Man Utd & City nod RIOT ACT EFL cult hero 'smashed up dressing room' after dream Celtic transfer collapsed TV cameras then captured the moment Postecoglou appeared to take issue with one fuming punter in particular. He could be seen approaching the stand and appearing to try and engage in conversation with a supporter. Ange Postecoglou's F-word rant caught on live TV as he tears into shellshocked Tottenham flops during drinks break A steward motions for Postecoglou to stop moving forward, a few more words are uttered. He then appears to engage with another fan before turning and walking away. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, Postecoglou explained: "No, I wasn't having a word. I mean they're pretty disappointed, rightly so, and look I got some pretty direct feedback as to how we're going." He would further expand on the heated scenes once he got into his post-match press conference and admitted he 'didn't like' what had been said to him. Postecoglou said: "I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being but you’ve for to cop it. I’ve been around long enough to know when things don’t go well you’ve got to understand the frustration and disappointment. "And they’re rightly disappointed because we let a game of football get away from us. But that’s OK. I’m OK with all that." The games don't get any easier with a huge London derby clash with in-form Chelsea on Sunday. After that, it's a game with almighty amount of intrigue. Read more on the Scottish Sun DECEMBER MISERY Scots face blizzards and travel chaos as weather map reveals 75mph storm WORLD WIDE WEB My dad played for Rangers and now I plan to follow in his footsteps at Ibrox Next Thursday, Postecoglou makes a dramatic return to Glasgow with Spurs taking on Rangers in a huge Europa League showdown at Ibrox. It'll be his first time back facing the Gers after dominating Scottish football as Celtic boss during his two-year stint in charge. Keep up to date with ALL t h e latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page‘Oh, Canada’ review: Richard Gere shows the price of a lifetime of deception
Pressure on veteran, senator from Iowa shows what's next for those who oppose TrumpThe average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the third week in a row, a welcome trend for prospective homebuyers during what’s typically a less competitive time of the year for the housing market. The rate dropped to 6.6% from 6.69% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.95%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, also eased this week. The average rate fell to 5.84% from 5.96% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.38%, Freddie Mac said. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at its lowest level since Oct. 24, when it was at 6.54%. “The combination of mortgage rate declines, firm consumer income growth and a bullish stock market have increased homebuyer demand in recent weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. ”While the outlook for the housing market is improving, the improvement is limited given that homebuyers continue to face stiff affordability headwinds.” Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices have kept homeownership out of reach of many would-be homebuyers. U.S. home sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the moves in the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds, which lenders use as a guide to price home loans. The yield, which was below 3.7% as recently as September, has mostly hovered around 4.2% this month. It was at 4.3% at midday Thursday. The recent decline in rates follows a mostly upward climb since the average rate on a 30-year mortgage slid to a two-year low of 6.08% in late September after the Federal Reserve cut its main interest rate from a two-decade high. While the central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, its actions and the trajectory of inflation influence the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield. Many economists and traders on Wall Street expect that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again at its policy meeting next week. Home shoppers and homeowners seeking to refinance their existing mortgage to a lower rate are taking advantage of the recent pullback in home-loan borrowing costs. Mortgage applications rose 5.4% last week from a week earlier, the fifth straight increase, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinance loan applications climbed 27%. “Purchase applications have increased on an annual basis every week except for one over the past three months, a positive sign for the mortgage market to close out this year,” said MBA CEO Bob Broeksmit. With home prices near all-time highs and still rising nationally, albeit more slowly, many prospective homebuyers are likely holding out for mortgage rates to ease further in coming months. But there may not be much relief, given that many housing economists predict the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will remain above 6% next year. -- Alex Veiga, The Associated Press
Assassin's Creed Shadows' Canon Mode Can Make Story Decisions For You - IGN Daily Fix In today's Daily Fix:Assassin's Creed Shadows will have an optional feature where you don't need to worry about story decisions at all. Unofficially dubbed 'canon mode,' the feature will let you focus on gameplay while the game itself handles important dialogue options that affect the game's story. Perfect if you get nervous about making decisions, or just don't care about the story and want to go back to assassinatin'. In other news, a new trailer has leaked for Mafia: The Old Country, and it features a release window. The Game Awards are tonight, so maybe we'll see it officially revealed then? And finally, a new Mew-focused set is coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket.The Opposition INDIA bloc leaders attacked the BJP after sources earlier said that the 'One Nation, One Election' bill was cleared by the Union Cabinet, and said that it was an attempt to undermine democracy. While some leaders pointed to other important issues like education and healthcare, others questioned the logistics behind holding simultaneous elections, and said larger consultations on the bill are required. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called the bill a "draconian" measure that would "erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance." He urged people to "resist this attack on Indian Democracy with all our strength." AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal slammed the BJP over "misplaced priorities," saying, "The country needs one nation, one education, and one nation, one healthcare system. Not one nation, one election." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the move as "unconstitutional" and an "authoritarian imposition." She said, "This is not a carefully-considered reform; it’s an attempt to undermine India’s democracy and federal structure. Bengal will never bow to Delhi's dictatorial whims." She pledged to oppose the legislation "tooth and nail" in Parliament. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann criticised the government on Thursday, saying that before considering "one nation, one election," the focus should (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); be on "one nation, one education" and "one nation, one healthcare." Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Mann called it strange that the government prioritised election reforms over initiatives that could benefit the entire country. He described the move as arbitrary, arguing that while unified education and healthcare would serve the public, the election proposal seemed aimed at advancing the political agenda of the ruling party. Mann further accused the government of pursuing its own interests over public welfare, labelling the approach as dictatorial and harmful to regional parties and states. The Cabinet on Thursday approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, according to the sources. The draft bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the ongoing winter session. The development came weeks after the Centre endorsed the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The panel proposed conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner. The government, anticipating scrutiny of the bill, decided to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to foster a wide consensus, sources said. In addition, the views of state assembly Speakers, along with those of intellectuals, experts, and civil society members, were to be considered. Public input was also set to be sought, sources added.
Indiana aims to run its winning streak to five games Friday night when Nebraska welcomes the Hoosiers to Lincoln, Neb. Indiana (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) has lost the past three meetings with Nebraska after winning seven straight. The Hoosiers are led by center Oumar Ballo, a transfer from Arizona who averages 13.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and forward Malik Reneau (team-best 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds). Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, "if he lets me." Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September . "There's no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I'm just so happy to be here," Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I'm thrilled to be here, I'm so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that's one of the main reasons I'm here." Everyone who has encountered Adames so far can't wait for him to get to work as an example both on the diamond and in the clubhouse. "He's a unique connector of people," Posey shared from Craig Counsell's description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. "That really struck me because I think to win championships you have to have personalities like Willy that they're able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse, and that's not just players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy, he plays with joy and I know that our fans are just going to be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis." Adames' deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013. "I didn't know 'til it was done. I was like 'wow,'" Adames said. From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far beyond the baseball diamond. And that's as important to Adames as playing all 162 after he appeared in 161 games last season for Milwaukee. He considers part of his role to help the young players learn "to be a professional" and lead a club that has missed the playoffs the past three years in winning the right way. "For me that comes first, it comes first to be a great human being. I've got to thank my parents for that, they raised me the right way, to try to treat everybody the same, it doesn't matter what you're doing," Adames said. "I think that's something that I'm really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there's a lot of hate out there and I don't really like that." The Giants know Adames' positive influence could go far. Asked about the instability at shortstop, Melvin noted, "Well, it's not a problem now." Adames gives the Giants a power bat and reliable defense at his position. This year for the Brewers, he produced his best offensive season in the big leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. "Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I'd watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day," Melvin said. "It always looked like every day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that — Matt Chapman is like that, too — it's easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It's easier said than done but really for me that's the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball." Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise. It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, "I'm a little nervous about this." A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home. "It looks amazing."Congressional schedule for 2025 is set with Senate releasing its calendar
Stock market holiday: Are BSE, NSE open or closed today for Christmas 2024?
Stage set for govt, opposition face-off on Constitution in Lok Sabha today
President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on a simmering feud among MAGA allies over H-1B worker visas, telling the New York Post that he supports the program, according to the outlet. Trump told the New York Post that he has “always liked the visas.” The H-1B visa program allows employers to temporarily hire non-U.S. citizens for highly skilled jobs. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” he said, according to the outlet’s report. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During his first term, the Trump administration implemented rules that would have cut the number of H-1B visas issued each year. The rules, however, were ultimately struck down in court. In recent days, MAGA world has been embroiled in a debate over the program, with one faction defending the visas and another faction arguing that the program allows foreigners to take American jobs. Trump allies, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, argued in online posts that the visa program benefits the country. The Trump Administration The latest news on Donald Trump's presidency The Secret Service acknowledges denying some past requests by Trump's campaign for tighter security Canadian ministers head to Palm Beach for talks with incoming Trump administration Musk said in a post this week that “the number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low.” Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen, said that the reason he and others who built SpaceX and Tesla are in the U.S. is because of the H-1B program. “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face,” he said in a post . “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk said in a post to X that “those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party,” later clarifying that he was referring to “those in the Republican Party who are hateful, unrepentant racists.” Musk’s posts came in reply to a post from Scott Adams, the creator of the “Dilbert” comic, who said “MAGA is taking a page from Democrats on how to lose elections while feeling good about themselves.” Separately, Ramaswamy, who is partnering with Musk to lead Trump’s nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, argued in a post to X that he hopes American culture again prioritizes “hard work over laziness.” Ramaswamy also said in a post to X on Friday that the H-1B visa program “is badly broken & should be replaced with one that focuses on selecting the very best of the best (not a lottery), pro-competitive (no indentured service to one company), and de-bureaucratized.” Republicans who criticized H-1B visas included far-right activists Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley also weighed in, calling it “lazy” for the “tech industry to automatically go to foreign workers for their needs.” “Invest in our American workforce,” she said in a post to X on Friday. “We must invest in Americans first before looking elsewhere.” Musk also faced accusations of censoring critics after more than a dozen conservatives, including Loomer, said their blue badge verification on X had been revoked after they criticized Musk over his views on immigration. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News: 'Death by 1,000 paper cuts': How 2024 Became Such an exceptional year for tornadoes Appeals court overturns ex-49er Dana Stubblefield’s rape conviction Passenger train collides with fire truck, injuring 3 firefighters and 12 others in Florida