They weren't expected to win their conference. They certainly weren't expected to qualify for the College Football Playoff. Nonetheless, the fourth-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2) have a chance to earn perhaps the biggest win in program history when they battle fifth-seeded Texas (12-2) in a CFP quarterfinal on New Year's Day at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The winner will meet either top-seeded Oregon or No. 8 seed Ohio State in a semifinal game at the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 in Arlington, Texas. Projected last in the preseason Big 12 poll, Arizona State secured an automatic bid to its first CFP with a 45-19 drubbing of Iowa State in the conference championship on Dec. 7. Despite the Sun Devils boasting 311 fewer all-time victories than the Longhorns, Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham doesn't see the matchup as David versus Goliath. "No, I wouldn't say that," Dillingham said. "I would say this is a really good football team that was predicted to win a national championship versus the Big 12 champion. I'm excited to see our guys go out there and compete." Riding a six-game winning streak, Arizona State will have rested for 24 days by the time New Year's Day rolls around, admittedly an obstacle Dillingham's team will have to overcome. "Not playing a game for 3 1/2 weeks is definitely a challenge," Dillingham said. "Especially because we were playing our best football. ... We really dominated the end of the season, in my opinion." Averaging 34.5 points per game, the Sun Devils' offense is led by quarterback Sam Leavitt's 2,663 passing yards and 29 total touchdowns, alongside running back Cam Skattebo's 1,568 rushing yards and 19 scores. An upstart Arizona State squad enters Wednesday's game as nearly two-touchdown underdogs, much due to Texas' stingy defense, which allows the second-fewest points per game in college football (13.3). The Longhorns have slipped twice this season, to Georgia, first in a 30-15 home loss on Oct. 19, then in a 22-19 overtime defeat in the Southeastern Conference title game on Dec. 7. Appearing in its second straight CFP, Texas pulled away from visiting Clemson in the opening round last Saturday to win 38-24. Now preparing for the Longhorns' second all-time meeting with Arizona State (2007 Holiday Bowl), coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't take December football for granted. "To be a part of this game is a fantastic honor," Sarkisian said. "We're really proud of the fact that we've gotten to this point. We obviously have a ton of respect for Arizona State and the job coach Dillingham has done. They're a very good football team. We know how hard it is to win the Big 12." Last time out, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 202 yards, a touchdown and an interception, but the Longhorns shredded the Clemson defense with 292 rushing yards. Jaydon Blue ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns, paired with Quintrevion Wisner's 110 yards and two scores. "We needed to run the ball to beat Clemson, and we're going to need to run the football to keep advancing in these playoffs," Sarkisian said. "That's what playoff football is about. ... There's a lot that goes into the run game. It takes all 11 to run the ball." --Field Level MediaBingoPlus awards historic P154M jackpot prize
DOWNINGTOWN — One of the most used cliches in sports is you don’t want to be the person to follow a coaching legend. Well, Tom Kline turned that on its head and kicked it in the behind. In his first year replacing Mike Milano at Downingtown West, Kline had the belief of his players that could not be shaken, and they rode it all the way to a district title. “They said when I got here, that would be some big shoes to fill,” said Kline. “One my major goals when I got hired was to make that man proud. He’s at Ohio State now. I’m sure he’s watching this game in his hotel room and pretty proud of what we accomplished.” On a damp, chilly Friday evening at Kottmeyer Stadium the promise born during hot summer days in August came to fruition as the Whippets downed North Penn, 35-16, to capture its first District 1 6A championship since 2009. “It’s humbling beyond belief,” said Kline. “As I said to the kids, I’m happy for this for them. The whole idea of coaching is getting kids to buy in and hopefully, you’re selling them on the right stuff. I’ve been doing this for 30 years for the same reasons, just to watch kids grow and develop and believe in something. To see this happen is awesome.” The doubters were not just because of the departure of Milano. The Whippets also lost a number of seniors who have gone on to play at the Division 1 level in college. “When coach Milano retired, I think all of us in our minds knew there’s one guy for this job and that was coach Kline,” said Downingtown West running back Mike Taraschi. “We knew we weren’t going to miss a beat and we were going to come back and win it this time. That’s how the seniors felt. That’s how the whole team felt and that’s what we did.” Led by junior quarterback Cole Bricker, who grew into the job as the season went along, West glided through the first half of its schedule, winning its first six games — four by double-digits — before hitting a speed bump by losing to Bishop Shanahan. The ship righted quickly and the Whippets closed out the regular season by winning close affairs against Coastesville and Downingtown East. “I can’t say enough about coach Kline,” said Bricker. “He puts endless hours into this team and it paid off.” Then, district wins over Coatesville, Owen J. Roberts and Central Bucks West put them in a position to avenge last year’s championship loss to Central Bucks South. They did that with what was their calling cards all season — tough defense and timely, opportunistic offense. West closed the first half with a touchdown run by Tommy Miller to give the Whippets the lead for good. The Whippets extended that lead by opening the second half with a time-consuming drive that ended with Bricker hitting Darian Smith for an 8-yard TD pass. The defense, one of the best in District 1, made it stand up by bottling up the North Penn offense. The dagger came in the fourth quarter with the Knights backed up deep in their own territory. West linebacker Andrew Brown came in and hit QB Matt Bucksar, who fumbled the ball. Brown recovered in the end zone to give the Whippets an insurmountable lead and the crowd and the players knew the championship will reside in Downingtown. “It felt so good,” said Brown. “We had one called back earlier and we knew we would get home eventually. We kept working at it and eventually, we got it. I dedicate that all to my d-line, my other linebackers, everybody. It’s everybody’s touchdown. That’s how I see it.” The outpouring of happiness and joy came pouring after the final buzzer as players lingered with family members to take pictures with the trophy and with each other. Brown added to the chorus of people singing the praises about talent and devotion of Kline. “Coach Kline is one of the greatest coaches I’ve played under,” Brown said. “He puts his all into this team. I’ve never found a man more dedicated to what he does and he really loves this team and this is the outcome. It makes the team want to work harder and never let him down.” Now, the next rung on the mountain is a date with powerful St. Joseph’s Prep, a team that is looking to three-peat as state champions. So the work is not quite done and the afterglow of winning a district championship cannot last long. “I’ll be getting ready, probably later tonight (Friday), for St. Joe’s Prep,” said Kline. “So, I’ll enjoy this for about four or five hours then get ready for next week.”NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.1%. Microsoft declined 1.7%. Each has a market value above $3 trillion, giving the companies outsized sway on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy stocks held up better than the rest of the market, with a loss of less than 0.1% as crude oil prices rose. “There’s just some uncertainty over this relief rally we’ve witnessed since last week,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.7% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns the combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.59% late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury remained at 4.33% from late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.
Sheheryar Munawar ties the knot with Maheen Siddiqui in star-studded ceremonySecond Half Financial Partners LLC decreased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM ) by 32.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 13,549 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 6,634 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up about 1.5% of Second Half Financial Partners LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Second Half Financial Partners LLC’s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $2,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. WFA Asset Management Corp boosted its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 51.2% in the first quarter. WFA Asset Management Corp now owns 1,216 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 412 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 1st quarter worth $1,185,000. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC raised its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 4.2% during the first quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 106,829 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $21,398,000 after acquiring an additional 4,296 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.7% during the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 640,857 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $128,364,000 after acquiring an additional 4,253 shares during the period. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 3.9% in the first quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 167,057 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,462,000 after acquiring an additional 6,280 shares during the period. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 1.5 % NYSE JPM opened at $248.55 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 52 week low of $152.71 and a 52 week high of $249.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $699.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.83, a PEG ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a fifty day moving average of $223.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $211.90. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 4th were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 4th. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s payout ratio is 27.82%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In JPM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays lifted their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $217.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $215.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $217.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets cut their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $240.00 to $235.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $229.31. Get Our Latest Report on JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile ( Free Report ) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services to consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs, and digital and telephone banking. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
The ceremony at Rodney Parade will celebrate the health and care providers across South Wales, and the finalists have been revealed. Arian Care believes that happy, well supported and valued staff provide the best possible standard of care and support to individuals so therefore invests heavily in its staff team. Among things it does are: above average rates of pay and mileage; supportive office team, open door policy, regular meetings and social opportunities provided; snacks, drinks always available for staff ( and their children) when they visit the office; box of toys and activities for children that visit the office with their parent - this is to support Arian Care's vision of being a family focused employer; period, menopause and andropause positive employer that supply's sanitary products to all staff available from the office. St David's Hospice Care employs just over 200 staff and every single person is important and contributes to the over all success of the hospice. It is a fair and equal employer which supports staff in many ways. A menopause support group has been established, a number of mental health first-aiders have been trained to support staff and an annual well-being survey is undertaken to 'check in' with staff to see how they are feeling about work, life and everything. Their comments and thoughts are requested to see where things can be improved and what needs to be done differently. The CEO sends out a monthly briefing to all staff to ensure everyone is aware of what is going on and any news across the hospice. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in Monmouthshire and Monmouthshire County Council believe the working environment is the best place to work due to the integration and innovative ideas continually produced. Both organisations endeavour to treat all employees with respect and equality through all levels of staffing and look at how to improve and if wanted progress careers. Both organisations encourage employees to take pride in their work, often with successes being shared on the intranet, via email, Good News items on agendas, and included in newsletters.
UltraTech Cement on Friday said it is acquiring an 8.69% stake in Meghalaya-based Star Cement from the promoter group for ₹851 crore, a strategic deal that will help India's largest cement producer gain a foothold in the northeastern market. ET Year-end Special Reads Two sectors that rose on India's business horizon in 2024 2025 outlook: Is it time for cautious optimism or rekindling animal spirits? 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise The move comes just three days after the Aditya Birla Group flagship made Chennai-based India Cements its subsidiary. Pre-emptive Move India Cements was acquired in phases this year by UltraTech, as the Indian cement industry continues to see unprecedented consolidation. Incorporated in 2001, Star Cement is one of the most profitable companies in northeast India. UltraTech will pick up a non-controlling minority stake at ₹235 per share in a block deal from "some promoter and promoter group entities of Star Cement," it said in a regulatory filing. Its board of directors approved making an investment to acquire up to 37 million equity shares of Star Cement at a price not exceeding ₹235 per share, excluding STT, stamp duty and other levies, it added. 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UltraTech's move to pick up a stake in the Meghalaya-based cement firm is perceived as a pre-emptive move to block Adani Cements from making a similar move. It could also be the first step to acquire the company as it happened with India Cements, industry experts said. In June, when UltraTech had acquired a 23% stake in India Cements from investor RK Damani, the company had said it was only a financial investment. But, within months, it took over the business from N Srinivasan and family. One of the largest cement brands in northeast India, Star Cement is seen as a takeover target for national players. It has a 7.7 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) grinding capacity, 6.1 mtpa clinker capacity, up from 2.8 mtpa in FY24, a dealer network of close to 2,000, and a retailer network of over 12,500. It is also expanding to West Bengal and Bihar. Cement companies in the Northeast enjoy 1.5-2 times Ebitda per tonne compared to pan-Indian peers, experts said. "Owing to logistical constraints/hilly terrain, the Northeast market has been enjoying better pricing (higher by ₹1,000-1,200 per tonne) and in turn, profitability as compared to other regions," said Krupal Maniar, cement analyst with Antique Stock Broking. "Star's Ebitda is likely to almost double to ₹1,000 crore over the next four years, given 120% rise in its clinker capacity." Shares of UltraTech ended 0.45% lower on Friday at ₹11,406.15 on the BSE while that of Star Cement closed at ₹232, up 0.98%. Star Cement had reported an overall turnover of ₹2,910 crore in 2023-24. It has seven plants and a total workforce of 4,200. It plans to achieve a manufacturing capacity of 25 mtpa by 2030, as per the company's website. According to an investor presentation shared post-September quarter, the company commands a 26.5% market share in the Northeast market. Premium sales account for 10.6% of overall sales. Its sales volumes have seen compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% between FY19 and FY24 versus the industry average of 6%. The company has two upcoming units in the Silchar and Jorhat districts of Assam and has planned a capex of ₹380 crore for the second half of the current financial year. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Chandigarh, Nov 23 (PTI) Former Punjab finance minister and BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal failed to wrest the Gidderbaha assembly segment which he represented four times in the past. The AAP won Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal assembly segments while the Congress won the Barnala seat in the bypolls, the results of which were declared on Saturday. Badal lost his security deposit, stranded at the third spot with 12,227 votes (8.9 per cent of total polled votes) in Gidderbaha. AAP candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon won the Gidderbaha seat, defeating his nearest rival and Congress nominee Amrita Warring. In a fierce contest, Dhillon defeated Amrita by a margin of 21,969 votes. Dhillon secured 71,644 votes (52.16 per cent), while Amrita got 49,675 votes (36.17 per cent). Manpreet was seeking re-election, 12-years after he lost his stronghold. During his campaign, Manpreet invoked his uncle and five-time chief minister late Parkash Singh Badal and the work he did during his four stints as an MLA from the constituency. The Gidderbaha seat fell vacant after Raja Warring, who was Congress MLA, was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Ludhiana seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections. The Gidderbaha seat in Muktsar district was once considered the stronghold of Akalis. Former Punjab chief minister late Parkash Singh Badal represented the seat for five consecutive terms — 1969, 1972, 1977, 1980, and 1985. Manpreet began his political journey from Gidderbaha in 1995 on a Shiromani Akali Dal ticket and represented the seat in 1995, 1997, 2002, and 2007. After parting ways with the SAD, Manpreet unsuccessfully contested from Gidderbaha in 2012 on the ticket of People’s Party of Punjab, which he had floated. He was then defeated by Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. He then contested election from Bathinda Urban assembly segment, which he won in 2017 on a Congress ticket. He lost the seat in 2022 and in 2023 defected to the BJP. Raja Warring won the Gidderbaha seat in 2012, 2017 and 2022. PTI CHS VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );One of Macomb County’s major medical facilities will continue to push for placement of a powerline development in Clinton Township despite the opposition of some residents and township officials in the area. Henry Ford Hospital Macomb officials will go before the township’s Board of Trustees on Monday evening to further discuss a plan to build a series of utility poles carrying power transmission lines down 19 Mile Road, east of Hayes Road, to provide extra electricity to the hospital as well as area businesses and residents. The move follows completion of the Janet & Jim Riehl Patient Tower, a five-story, 225,000-square-foot addition featuring 160 private patient rooms. The $300 million project is the largest healthcare investment in Macomb County history, according to Henry Ford Health’s website. Much of the electricity from the new line will go to powering the new patient tower for and empowering the area’s future power needs, officials said “Our vision for the campus doesn’t stop there,” the hospital said in a statement Thursday. “We’ve always known our plans would require expanded utility capacity. Currently the powerlines to the hospital are close to capacity. The additional power lines will provide the long-term stability patients deserve and ensure we can serve our growing community now and in the future.” Monday’s meeting marks the latest effort by hospital representatives to convince township board members to approve the plans, which include a special land use application and site development for International Transmission Company (ITC). But the Clinton Township board has experienced personnel changes since the Nov. 5 election. Former township Supervisor Bob Cannon did not seek reelection and was replaced by Paul Gieleghem, and trustees Mike Keys and Tammy Patton lost their respective races. The board includes new members in Shannon King, Bruce Wade and Mike Aiello. Hospital officials said they hope to educate the new board members on the electrification project. “The transmission line project will provide our organization with the long-term ability to meet the needs of our community without any unnecessary risks along with dangerous outages,” Shana Johnson, hospital president, said at the board’s Nov. 6 meeting. According to Johnson, the hospital’s investment into the Riehl Patient Tower is approximately $300 million. Mike Markel, vice president of operations and chief nursing officer for Henry Ford Macomb, said the tower is designed to be a critical care facility in the future. If the power line project isn’t approved, additional work on the conversion will have to stop, he said. According to Markel, the power lines that run to the hospital are close to operating at capacity levels. “Critical care technology creates high demand on the power lines,” he said. “If the power lines are overloaded, we lose power and must rely on generators. If we find ourselves in a situation where we are at constant risk of overloading the powerlines, we won’t be able to fully activate the tower for critical care.” But township officials have been critical of ITC and the hospital, saying the power lines should have been already addressed. Trustee Dan Kress said the process now seems “rushed.” “A lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute a crisis on our end,” he said. “This is a monumental decision that is going to last forever.” Kress made a motion to table the item to give board members time to review a 171-page document that was put in the board packet prior to the meeting. He said he would like the planning department and residents to weigh in on the development. The matter was tabled on a 4-3 board vote, with Kress, Keys Gieleghem and Trustee Julie Matuzak voting for the delay. Cannon, Patton and Clerk Kim Meltzer opposed the measure. Another issue centers on what route the power lines will take and whether they will be visible or buried underground. The proposed 80-acre path would cut through the Westchester Village Condominiums near the intersection of 19 Mile and Hayes Road. ITC Area Manager Gary Kirsh said all of the routes considered for the line presented their own challenges. Kirsh, a former elected official in Washington Township, said ITC’s preferred route is “the most direct route and avoids many of the challenges.” He conceded the path has “residential impacts.” “By the numbers, this route has the lowest residential impacts. But for those residents along 19 Mile, we acknowledge the impact they are feeling and their position that any impact is too much,” Kirsh said. Some township trustees suggested studying different routes, while others say they backed running the lines in a route that would cut through Macomb Community College’s Clinton Township campus. Plans call for landscaping and a decorative wall to be added to the mix to soften the visual impact of the power lines. Heather Puzan, who who lives in Westchester condos, is skeptical of those efforts. “All of the units on the second floor, every one of us, are going to have those power lines right in our line of view,” she said. “Those lines are going to be 40 to 50 feet from my livings room, from people’s bedrooms.” ITC and Henry Ford Health officials prefer a plan that would run the lines above ground. Kirsh said burying the lines present another issue. If the lines were buried, the construction area would be about 50 feet wide and 20 feet deep. He said all roads the line is crossing would be impacted and, if there’s a future disruption, the process to fix it would be difficult as the lines would have to be dug up in order to provide access to them. Officials said placing the lines underground would “significantly extend” the construction timeline, delaying the additional electrical capacity required by the hospital and township by three years or more. The underground option is also the most expensive alternative, representatives said. “Burying the lines underground is great until it isn’t great,” said Mark Corriveau, Henry Ford’s vice president and chief government relations officer. Finally, there is compensation to be paid to the Westchester residents by ITC. Therese Lenzini, whose daughter daughter lives in the condos said she has questions about the compensation. “I’d like to know, because this is obviously going to make you a lot of money, what they’re going to do for the residents of Westchester Village, whose condo complex is going to be greatly affected by this,” she said. Kirsh said the condo association’s bylaws require them to go through the state’s condemnation process. The process requires ITC to compensate residents impacted by the development in a particular way. In order to move the condemnation process forward, ITC needed to enter into individual lawsuits with affected residents. An attorney for ITC, Geoffrey Denstaedt, said the organization has deposited into escrow funds ITC deems to be the estimated just compensation. He said residents may present evidence to show whether they disagree and they believe the correct compensation should be. Heather Puzan, another resident who lives in Westerchester condos, expressed concern over how long it would take the landscaping ITC proposes to install to mature. She also said the lines likely will decrease the value of her unit and create an eyesore. “My home is now going to be somewhere I want to leave,” she said. The Clinton Township Board of Trustees meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Civic Center, 40700 Romeo Plank Road.Rival groups to stage protests in SKorea
The White House said preliminary evidence suggests that Russia 's defense systems shot down a commercial flight originating in Azerbaijan . On Christmas Day, the plane, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, was flying from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya in Russia, when it crashed. Thirty-eight people were killed, and 29 survived. “We have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense systems,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday. Earlier, Azerbaijan Airlines said the plane crashed “due to external physical and technical interference,” according to the investigation’s preliminary findings. “This is evidenced by the appearance of the plane’s wreckage on the ground and eyewitness testimony,” Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev said, according to Azerbaijani media . “The type of weapon used for the interference will be established by the investigation.” Russian officials initially claimed the plane went down due to a combination of weather and a collision with a flock of birds. However, visible damage to the tail of the plane, which has been seen in images and video circulating on social media and posted by authorities in Kazakhstan, the location of the crash, indicated the impact of an air-defense missile. Kirby noted the evidence of Russian interference with the flight went beyond widely circulated images of the wreckage, but he did not provide further details. Azerbaijan Airlines has since suspended flights to several Russian cities due to “potential risks to flight safety.” Although no Americans were on board, the U.S. government has offered to assist Kazakh and Azerbaijani officials in the investigation. Passengers and flight crew reported hearing multiple loud bangs before the plane crashed. NATO has called for an investigation into the crash. Azerbaijani MP Rasim Musabekov said in an interview with local media that Russia needs to apologize for shooting down a civilian plane. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER “The plane was shot down on Russian territory, in the sky over Grozny. And it is impossible to deny this,” Musabekov said. “Those who did this should be held criminally liable, compensation for the deaths of people and the victims should be paid,” Musabekov said. “If this does not happen, then the relationship will, of course, shift to a different level.”SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder, dealing another blow to the 49ers' playoff hopes. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . He underwent an MRI on Monday that showed no structural damage and the team initially thought he could play this week. But when Purdy's shoulder didn't feel right when he made a few warmup throws at practice Thursday, those plans changed. “We thought he just needed some rest and we really weren’t concerned about him not being good this week,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday. “But when he started up Thursday, it just surprised him, surprised us how it felt. So we had to shut him down.” Shanahan said the team doesn't believe the injury is a long-term concern but he is uncertain whether Purdy will need to miss any additional time. “The MRI doesn’t look like that, so it should be all right,” Shanahan said. “But the way it responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week. We’ll have to see on Monday.” The 49ers also will be missing star defensive end Nick Bosa, who is out after leaving last week's game in the second half with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. San Francisco struggled on defense without Bosa last week and now will go the entire game this week without two of the team's most important players. The Niners (5-5) are currently in a three-way tie for second in the NFC West, a game behind first-place Arizona, and have little margin for error if they want to get back to the playoffs after making it to the Super Bowl last season. “I know it’s disappointing,” Shanahan said. “We knew there was a chance for Nick. I think the guys were a little surprised with Brock yesterday, but we addressed all that today. We’re going to have 48 guys in uniform. I know our guys believe in themselves. I believe in them. We’re missing two good players, definitely. But we got a lot of good players out there. So by no means do we not have a chance to win.” This will be the first time Purdy has missed a start because of an injury since taking over as the 49ers’ quarterback in December 2022. Brandon Allen will start in his place. Purdy has completed 66% of his passes this season for 2,613 yards, 13 TDs, eight interceptions and a 95.9 passer rating that is down significantly from his league-leading mark of 113 in 2023. Allen has been mostly a backup since being drafted by Jacksonville in 2016. Allen last started a game in Week 18 of the 2021 season for Cincinnati and has thrown just three passes the last three seasons — including none since joining San Francisco in 2023. Allen said he preparation hasn't changed this week with the exception of getting to work with the first-team receivers instead of running the scout team. “It’s an opportunity.” he said. “The circumstances are what they are. But I think our team all year long we’ve been kind of dealing with injuries here and there. It’s been a big next-man-up mentality. It’s definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game. Obviously, we want Brock back and healthy and all that. But for the time being, it is an opportunity for me.” Joshua Dobbs will be the backup Sunday. San Francisco also will be without starting cornerback Charvarius Ward, who returned to the team this week following the death of his 1-year-old daughter on Oct. 28 but needs more time to get back up to speed. Punt returner Jacob Cowing (concussion), linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee) and defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) are also out. The Packers will also be without two key defensive players with cornerback Jaire Alexander ruled out after leaving last week's game with a knee injury and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper out with an injured hamstring. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Abortion has become slightly more common despite bans or deep restrictions in most Republican-controlled states, and the legal and political fights over its future are not over yet. It's now been two and a half years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door for states to implement bans. The policies and their impact have been in flux ever since the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Here's a look at data on where things stand: Overturning Roe and enforcing abortion bans has changed how woman obtain abortions in the U.S. But one thing it hasn't done is put a dent in the number of abortions being obtained. There have been slightly more monthly abortions across the country recently than there were in the months leading up to the June 2022 ruling, even as the number in states with bans dropped to near zero. “Abortion bans don’t actually prevent abortions from happening,” said Ushma Upadhyay, a public health social scientist at the University of California San Francisco. But, she said, they do change care. For women in some states, there are major obstacles to getting abortions — and advocates say that low-income, minority and immigrant women are least likely to be able to get them when they want. For those living in states with bans, the ways to access abortion are through travel or abortion pills. As the bans swept in, abortion pills became a bigger part of the equation. They were involved in about half the abortions before Dobbs. More recently, it’s been closer to two-thirds of them, according to research by the Guttmacher Institute. The uptick of that kind of abortion, usually involving a combination of two drugs, was underway before the ruling. But now, it's become more common for pill prescriptions to be made by telehealth. By the summer of 2024, about 1 in 10 abortions was via pills prescribed via telehealth to patients in states where abortion is banned. As a result, the pills are now at the center of battles over abortion access. This month, Texas sued a New York doctor for prescribing pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. There's also an effort by Idaho, Kansas and Missouri to roll back their federal approvals and treat them as “controlled dangerous substances,” and a push for the federal government to start enforcing a 19th-century federal law to ban mailing them. Clinics have closed or halted abortions in states with bans. But a network of efforts to get women seeking abortions to places where they're legal has strengthened and travel for abortion is now common. The Guttmacher Institute found that more than twice as many Texas residents obtained abortion in 2023 in New Mexico as New Mexico residents did. And as many Texans received them in Kansas as Kansans. Abortion funds, which benefitted from “rage giving” in 2022, have helped pay the costs for many abortion-seekers. But some funds have had to cap how much they can give . Since the downfall of Roe, the actions of lawmakers and courts have kept shifting where abortion is legal and under what conditions. Here's where it stands now: Florida, the nation’s second most-populous state, began enforcing a ban on abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy on May 1. That immediately changed the state from one that was a refuge for other Southerners seeking abortion to an exporter of people looking for them. There were about 30% fewer abortions there in May compared with the average for the first three months of the year. And in June, there were 35% fewer. While the ban is not unique, the impact is especially large. The average driving time from Florida to a facility in North Carolina where abortion is available for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is more than nine hours, according to data maintained by Caitlin Myers, a Middlebury College economics professor. The bans have meant clinics closed or stopped offering abortions in some states. But some states where abortion remains legal until viability – generally considered to be sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy , though there’s no fixed time for it – have seen clinics open and expand . Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico are among the states with new clinics. There were 799 publicly identifiable abortion providers in the U.S. in May 2022, the month before the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. And by this November, it was 792, according to a tally by Myers, who is collecting data on abortion providers. But Myers says some hospitals that always provided some abortions have begun advertising it. So they’re now in the count of clinics – even though they might provide few of them. How hospitals handle pregnancy complications , especially those that threaten the lives of the women, has emerged as a major issue since Roe was overturned. President Joe Biden's administration says hospitals must offer abortions when they're needed to prevent organ loss, hemorrhage or deadly infections, even in states with bans. Texas is challenging the administration’s policy and the U.S. Supreme Court this year declined to take it up after the Biden administration sued Idaho. More than 100 pregnant women seeking help in emergency rooms and were turned away or left unstable since 2022, The Associated Press found in an analysis of federal hospital investigative records. Among the complaints were a woman who miscarried in the lobby restroom of Texas emergency room after staff refused to see her and a woman who gave birth in a car after a North Carolina hospital couldn't offer an ultrasound. The baby later died. “It is increasingly less safe to be pregnant and seeking emergency care in an emergency department,” Dara Kass, an emergency medicine doctor and former U.S. Health and Human Services official told the AP earlier this year. Since Roe was overturned, there have been 18 reproductive rights-related statewide ballot questions. Abortion rights advocates have prevailed on 14 of them and lost on four. In the 2024 election , they amended the constitutions in five states to add the right to abortion. Such measures failed in three states: In Florida, where it required 60% support; in Nebraska, which had competing abortion ballot measures; and in South Dakota, where most national abortion rights groups did support the measure. AP VoteCast data found that more than three-fifths of voters in 2024 supported abortion being legal in all or most cases – a slight uptick from 2020. The support came even as voters supported Republicans to control the White House and both houses of Congress. Associated Press writers Linley Sanders, Amanda Seitz and Laura Ungar contributed to this article.According to DelveInsight's analysis, the market for Down syndrome is anticipated to increase during the forecast period (2024–2034), owing to the launch of emerging therapies such as AEF0217, ACI-24.060, LEUCETTINIB-21, BUNTANETAP, and others and healthcare spending globally. LAS VEGAS , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Down's Syndrome Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, Down's syndrome emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into 7MM [ the United States , the EU4 ( Germany , France , Italy , and Spain ) and the United Kingdom , and Japan ]. Key Takeaways from the Down's Syndrome Market Report According to DelveInsight's analysis, the market size for Down's syndrome was found to be USD 241 million in the US in 2023. In 2023, the United States accounted for nearly 220K prevalent cases of Down's syndrome. The types of Down's syndrome include Trisomy 21, Robertsonian translocation, and Mosaicism. In 2023, among all types, Trisomy 21 accounted for the highest number of prevalent cases in the 7MM. Leading Down's syndrome companies such as AELIS FARMA, AC IMMUNE, PERHA PHARMACEUTICALS, ANNOVIS BIO, APHIOS THERAPEUTICS, and others are developing novel Down's syndrome drugs that can be available in the Down's syndrome market in the coming years. The promising Down's syndrome therapies in the pipeline include AEF0217, ACI-24.060, LEUCETTINIB-21, BUNTANETAP, APH-1104, and others. Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major Down's syndrome market share @ Down's Syndrome Market Report Down's Syndrome Overview Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. This chromosomal anomaly disrupts normal development, resulting in a range of physical and cognitive differences. The condition is primarily caused by random genetic mutations during the formation of reproductive cells or early embryonic development, though advanced maternal age increases the likelihood of having a child with Down's syndrome. People with Down's syndrome typically exhibit distinct facial features, such as a flattened face, almond-shaped eyes that slant upward, and a small nose. Other common symptoms include developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and a variety of health issues like heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, and a higher susceptibility to infections. Despite these challenges, many individuals with Down's syndrome lead fulfilling lives with appropriate support. Diagnosis of Down's syndrome can occur prenatally through screening and diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and ultrasounds in the first and second trimesters, or through more definitive tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. Postnatal diagnosis is typically confirmed by a physical examination and a karyotype analysis to identify the extra chromosome. Early diagnosis and intervention can help address developmental needs and improve the quality of life for individuals with Down's syndrome. Down's Syndrome Epidemiology Segmentation The Down's syndrome epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current Down's syndrome patient pool and forecasted trends for the 7MM. It helps recognize the causes of current and forecasted patient trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders. The Down's syndrome market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020–2034 in the 7MM segmented into: Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Down's Syndrome Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Down's Syndrome Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Down's Syndrome Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Down's Syndrome Diagnosed Cases of Down's Syndrome by Clinical Manifestations Down's Syndrome Treatment Market There is no single treatment for Down's syndrome; instead, care plans are customized to address each person's unique physical and intellectual needs, emphasizing their strengths and accommodating their limitations. For some individuals, immediate surgery may be needed after birth to correct heart defects or long-term dietary modifications may be required for digestive concerns. Common interventions include assistive devices such as hearing aids, mobility aids, and adaptive technology to support learning and daily tasks. People with Down's syndrome often face an earlier and more pronounced cognitive decline than the general population. Treatments for Down syndrome-associated dementia (DSAD) may include medications like rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, and donepezil, which inhibit acetylcholine breakdown, providing notable benefits. Seizure management for those with Down syndrome may involve anticonvulsants like carbamazepine and phenytoin, although these can exacerbate other Down syndrome-related issues. Respiratory problems are also common due to immune deficiencies and respiratory tract abnormalities, often requiring antibiotics or inhaled bronchodilators for effective management. Along with pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological therapies such as physical, speech, occupational, and behavioral therapies play a vital role in the early development of children with Down syndrome, promoting independence and productivity. Physical therapy aims to improve motor skills, build muscle strength, and enhance posture and balance, laying the groundwork for key abilities. Speech-language therapy focuses on boosting communication skills and addressing physical challenges like low muscle tone to avoid long-term complications. Occupational therapy adapts daily tasks to suit the individual's abilities, teaching crucial skills such as eating, dressing, writing, and using a computer. Emotional and behavioral therapies tackle challenges like frustration from communication barriers, compulsive behaviors, and ADHD by identifying triggers and creating strategies to foster positive behaviors and reduce undesirable ones. To know more about Down's syndrome treatment guidelines, visit @ Down's Syndrome Management Down's Syndrome Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies AEF0217: AELIS FARMA ACI-24.060: AC IMMUNE LEUCETTINIB-21: PERHA PHARMACEUTICALS BUNTANETAP: ANNOVIS BIO APH-1104: APHIOS THERAPEUTICS Discover more about Down's syndrome drugs in development @ Down's Syndrome Clinical Trials Down's Syndrome Market Dynamics The Down's syndrome market dynamics are expected to change in the coming years. The prevalence of Down syndrome has increased with the rise in lifespan over the past three decades. This, along with the combination of several neurological features in Down syndrome patients—such as language impairment, cognition, learning, and memory—has sparked intense neurodevelopmental research. Studies in this area hold promise for improving clinical care and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, as well as for assessing ways to enhance communication between parents and children. A thorough understanding of the factors affecting pharmacotherapy in Down syndrome could significantly contribute to better clinical outcomes for these individuals. Furthermore, potential therapies are being investigated for the treatment of Down's syndrome, and it is safe to predict that the treatment space will significantly impact the Down's syndrome market during the forecast period. Moreover, the anticipated introduction of emerging therapies with improved efficacy and a further improvement in the diagnosis rate are expected to drive the growth of the Down's syndrome market in the 7MM. However, several factors may impede the growth of the Down's syndrome market. Down syndrome presents unique challenges in clinical treatment, as there is currently no medical cure or approved products available in the market, complicating the treatment process. This complexity is compounded by the lack of appropriate, validated scales to measure progress or side effects in participants with learning disabilities, making it difficult to gauge treatment impact effectively. Furthermore, recruiting participants and their families is challenging, adding to the difficulties in conducting research. Down syndrome is also associated with numerous health problems and high healthcare costs , and individuals may require more intensive monitoring for adverse effects, adherence, and treatment efficacy when managing medications. Conducting clinical studies on the efficacy of psychotropic medications in individuals with Down syndrome is particularly challenging due to the unique language and communication characteristics of this population. Moreover, Down's syndrome treatment poses a significant economic burden and disrupts patients' overall well-being and QOL. Furthermore, Down's syndrome market growth may be offset by failures and discontinuation of emerging therapies , unaffordable pricing , market access and reimbursement issues , and a shortage of healthcare specialists . In addition, the undiagnosed, unreported cases and the unawareness about the disease may also impact Down's syndrome market growth. Scope of the Down's Syndrome Market Report Therapeutic Assessment: Down's Syndrome current marketed and emerging therapies Down's Syndrome Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Down's Syndrome Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Down's Syndrome Market Access and Reimbursement Download the report to understand which factors are driving Down's syndrome market trends @ Down's Syndrome Market Trends Table of Contents Related Reports Down's Syndrome Epidemiology Forecast Down's Syndrome Epidemiology Forecast – 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Down's syndrome epidemiology trends. Down's Syndrome Pipeline Down's Syndrome Pipeline Insight – 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key Down's syndrome companies, including Alzheon, Inc, Connecta Therapeutics, among others. Alport Syndrome Market Alport Syndrome Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key Alport syndrome companies, including Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Chinook Therapeutics (A Novartis company), Bayer, Calliditas Therapeutics, Evotec , among others. Alport Syndrome Pipeline Alport Syndrome Pipeline Insight – 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key Alport syndrome companies, including Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chinook Therapeutic/Novartis, River 3 Renal Corp., Travere Therapeutics, Inc., Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve . Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 www.delveinsight.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
NoneThe internet today is an indispensable tool for education, communication, business, and innovation. From metropolitan cities to remote villages, people rely on high-speed internet and modern communication tools to connect with global markets, enhance their skills, and improve their lives. For developing nations like Pakistan, where economic challenges are severe and unemployment is rampant, the internet offers a crucial lifeline, especially for the youth. However, current government actions to impose internet restrictions have disrupted lives, stifled freedoms, and jeopardised the country's promising IT sector. The internet's role in Pakistan's economy Pakistan's economy heavily depends on its fledgling information technology (IT) sector, which is brimming with talent and potential. The country currently boasts over 300,000 English-proficient IT professionals and 13 software technology parks, while it produces more than 20,000 IT graduates annually. Freelancers, small businesses, and startups have leveraged global platforms such as PayPal, Etsy, Amazon, and global e-commerce websites to connect with international markets and sustain their ventures. With unemployment at an all-time high, the internet enables thousands of young professionals to work as independent contractors for overseas companies. This arrangement not only provides livelihoods but also boosts Pakistan's economy through foreign remittances. Unfortunately, government-imposed restrictions on internet access - either slow down or interrupted for several hours every day - and communication tools like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook, have put these opportunities at risk, robbing many of the jobs they so desperately need to sustain themselves. Impacts of internet bans In the past two weeks alone, internet speeds across Pakistan have dropped by 40%, and access to virtual private networks (VPNs) has been restricted. These measures have disrupted businesses, delayed IT projects, and severed connections with international clients. The impact is particularly devastating for freelancers who rely on uninterrupted access to global platforms for their income. A Peaceful Multipolar World: Challenges And Opportunities For Trump E-commerce platforms, essential for small-scale manufacturers and entrepreneurs, in arguably their most important month of the year with massive sales have also been grossly affected. The inability to access these platforms has resulted in a loss of revenue, compounding the financial woes of businesses already struggling due to the country's unstable economic climate. The internet is not just an economic enabler — it is a fundamental right per the United Nations. Blocking access to information and communication tools undermines freedom of expression, curtails self-expression, and isolates communities. Pakistani expatriates, who rely on these platforms to stay connected with their families, have expressed frustration and concern over the situation. Contradictory justifications Government officials, including the Prime Minister and military chief, have attempted to justify these restrictions by declaring certain platforms "haram" (prohibited) under Islamic law. This claim is not only unfounded but also contradicts Islamic teachings. Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and the use of tools that benefit humanity. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, "Seek knowledge even if it be in China, for the seeking of knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim." Pakistan has the workforce and talent to become a leading player in the global tech industry. However, this potential can only be realised if the government prioritises restoring internet access, lifting unnecessary restrictions, and fostering a supportive environment for businesses and professionals Such actions by Pakistan's corrupt and incompetent ruling mafia reflect a pattern of using religion to justify authoritarian measures rather than addressing the real issues plaguing the country. This misuse of religion has further alienated the population, particularly the youth, who see technology as a pathway to progress. Brain drain and global migration Pakistan's growing political instability and economic hardships have triggered a mass exodus of skilled professionals. According to official statistics, over 765,000 Pakistanis, including highly educated individuals such as doctors, engineers, and IT specialists, left the country in 2022. This represents a 300% increase compared to the previous year, signalling a severe brain drain. The trend has continued unabated, with thousands more leaving in subsequent years. COP29 And The Opportunities Ahead This loss of talent is a significant setback for a nation with immense potential to become a global leader in technology and innovation. Instead of creating opportunities for its citizens, Pakistan's government has pursued policies that drive its brightest minds away. Political turmoil and the role of the diaspora The internet bans are symptomatic of a broader political crisis in Pakistan. The government's treatment of the largest opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and its leader, Imran Khan, has drawn widespread criticism. Imran Khan, a popular figure, has been imprisoned since August 2023 under what many believe are fabricated charges. Protests by PTI supporters have been met with violent crackdowns, with peaceful demonstrators arrested and charged under false pretences. This political unrest has galvanised Pakistan's diaspora, who continue to advocate for democracy and justice. Overseas Pakistanis, despite adopting new nationalities, remain deeply invested in their homeland's future. They have organised protests in democratic nations like the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia, urging world leaders to pressure Pakistan's government into respecting human rights and releasing political prisoners. Many are looking toward influential figures, such as US President-elect Donald Trump, to intervene on behalf of the Pakistani people. The path forward The potential of Pakistan's IT sector remains immense. As the fifth-most populous country globally and Asia's fourth-most populous nation, Pakistan has the workforce and talent to become a leading player in the global tech industry. However, this potential can only be realised if the government prioritises restoring internet access, lifting unnecessary restrictions, and fostering a supportive environment for businesses and professionals. Global rights organisations like Amnesty International have called on the Pakistani government to uphold human rights and refrain from deploying surveillance technologies that infringe on citizens' privacy. Democratic nations, such as Australia, the UK and the US, must also hold Pakistan accountable for its anti-democratic actions and support its citizens in their struggle for freedom and justice. Religious Minority Voices Demand Enhanced Representation In Elections The internet is more than just a tool; it is a gateway to opportunity, a platform for self-expression, and a cornerstone of modern life. For Pakistan to thrive, its leaders must recognise the transformative power of connectivity and embrace it as a force for good. The ongoing internet and communication tools ban in Pakistan will have far-reaching consequences, from stifling economic opportunities to eroding fundamental rights. The youth, the country's most valuable asset, are bearing the brunt of these actions, losing jobs and prospects in a digital world that continues to progress without them. Pakistan's leaders must take urgent steps to restore internet access, uphold democratic values, and provide the nation's youth with the tools they need to build a brighter future.
Chelsea have supposedly earmarked Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap as a possible transfer target for the summer of 2025. Even though the Tractor Boys have just one win to their name in the current top-flight season and are languishing in 17th place in the Premier League table , their predicament is no fault of the former Manchester City striker. From 11 appearances in the top division this season, Delap has contributed six goals and one assist, both scoring and setting up Sammie Szmodics in Ipswich's shock 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur two weekends ago. Delap has scored half of Ipswich's top-flight goals in 2024-25, and the 21-year-old is one of just three Premier League players to have bagged at least 50% of their team's league goals in the current season, the others being Erling Haaland and Chris Wood . Ipswich forked out £14.8m to bring Delap to Portman Road from Man City in the summer, and the England Under-21 international's contract runs until 2029, but Ipswich may be facing an uphill battle to keep hold of him if they are swiftly relegated back down to the second tier. According to i , Delap's displays in the early stage of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign have caught the eye of Chelsea, who have been attracted to several of the striker's physical characteristics. The report claims that the Blues rate his movement, acceleration and physical presence 'exceptionally highly', but Chelsea are just one of a few Premier League clubs running the rule over his performances. However, Chelsea and other clubs' pursuit of Delap may be complicated by City's £20m buyback clause, especially as the Citizens did not directly replace Atletico Madrid-bound Julian Alvarez over the summer. Haaland represents the only out-and-out centre-forward in Man City's ranks at the moment, and the Premier League champions could very well target a backup to the Scandinavian sensation in 2025. Delap is likely to demand regular game time at this stage of his career, though, which he is unlikely to receive at the Etihad unless Pep Guardiola alters his system to start the 21-year-old and Haaland up top together, a tweak that is difficult to envisage. Chelsea's apparent interest in Delap comes at a time when Nicolas Jackson is thriving in Enzo Maresca 's system, conjuring up six goals and three assists from 11 top-flight matches in the current campaign. The Blues are expected to pursue a new number nine regardless of Jackson's displays, though, and Victor Osimhen was believed to have been their prime target over the summer, but they failed to agree terms on a transfer with Napoli. The Nigerian subsequently joined Galatasaray on loan and has affirmed that he will spend the rest of the season in Turkey , but a bidding war looks set to materialise in 2025, when Chelsea could reignite their interest if Napoli's financial demands are fair. However, the report adds Delap may be more of a priority given that he is a few years younger and would not command the extortionate wages that Osimhen would, while a move for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is also off the cards. The Sweden international is believed to be totally settled in the North East and has no plans to leave St James' Park, even if Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe next season.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark , initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Turbines that are part of Constellation Energy's Criterion Wind Project stand in a row along the top ... [+] of Backbone Mountain on August 22, 2022 in Oakland, Maryland.(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Author’s note: Thank you to all the people who reached out with positive responses to the first version of this article (“It’s Up To Us”). You can find that version at electricladiespodcast.com or medium . This is a revised version at the request of Forbes editors. “The outcome of the election definitely represents a setback for climate action. The incoming (Trump) administration has been clear that it does not prioritize confronting climate change and has a track record of disregarding it, and has given us every reason to believe that it'll seek to roll back US climate policy again. So, it is a moment of rightful concern for anybody who cares about reaching our climate goals,” Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of the nonprofit clean energy, sustainability-focused advocacy organization Ceres said in a media briefing on Friday, November 22 nd . “The clean energy economy is not about liberal, it is not about conservative. It is about creating new jobs in a manufacturing renaissance in every state around the country, whether the politics are R’s or Ds or anything else. And there's plenty of proof that responsible policy is good economic policy,” Lubber explained. Citing the success of the Inflation Reduction Act, she recounted how that legislation “has unleashed thousands of billions of dollars in private capital, creating hundreds of projects and hundreds of thousands of American jobs.” Over $695 billion in funding for 74,000+ projects across all 50 states and territories has been announced and/or allocated so far from the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Act and CHIPS & Science Act, according to the Biden Administration. That includes repairing over 196,000 miles of roads and over 11,400 bridge projects, replacing over 367,000 lead pipes, and creating hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs . It has made “the computer and electronic (sic) segment into the dominant driver of US manufacturing construction,” growing from 11% in 2023 to 64%, the Atlantic Council found this year. Screenshot - DOT results of Infrastructure Act as of Sept 2024 “So, the most important thing other than dealing with this problem,” Lubber insisted, “is it's imperative that we maintain this surge of investment. There is hope that we could.” This Viral Smart Bassinet Is 30% Off With The Snoo Black Friday Sale The 50 Best Black Friday Deals So Far, According To Our Deals Editors Businesses and investors seem to be continuing their climate and clean energy focus – so far Ceres sees that the business and investor communities are maintaining their focus on clean energy and sustainability practices. “The good news is, that even in the aftermath of the US election, private sector leaders are moving forward around the world, across the country,” Lubber noted. “Just days after the election, more than 650 investors with $33 trillion in assets issued an urgent call for government action to implement policies aligned with the Paris Agreement goals of limiting temperature rise from reaching catastrophic levels.” Anne Kelly, VP of Government Relations, Ceres Driven mostly by the priority to manage risk, Lubber and Anne Kelly , Ceres’ Vice President of Government Relations explained, as well as by pressure from consumers , employees, competition, and the opportunity to increase profits, companies are retaining and/or expanding their climate, clean energy and sustainability initiatives. “There's no doubt that there is pressure on all sides. Employees want to work for values driven companies and companies that stake out a position on climate. And more and more consumers are saying the same thing as well as investors, small, medium, and large size investors. But the largest and most effective arguments that we've seen on the risk side is the risk is real and growing,” Kelly said. Companies and investors have invested “trillions of dollars in climate solutions, adopted innovative technologies, and created the sustainable infrastructure to power our homes and our businesses,” Lubber explained. This is because these companies and investors see climate change as “a material financial risk is well as a material financial opportunity,” NOAA reported that extreme weather events over $1 billion alone have cost the U.S. trillions of dollars (since 1980). Ceres statement on business support for climate action - 2022 There’s significant Republican support for The Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment Act and CHIPS & Science Act The Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS & Science Act are making such a positive impact on communities across the country that 18 Republican lawmakers wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson asking him not to overturn the IRA. Several clean energy investments have been championed by the incoming Senate Majority Leader, Senator John Thune (R-SD) too. Senator Thune on energy, CEA - Clean Energy Associates slide Several Republican lawmakers – such as Rep. Nancy Mace (R-FL) who opposed the bill, calling it a “socialist wish list” and a “fiasco” – are even taking credit for the money those bills are bringing to their districts. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) in their leadership supports it and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) bragged about the “fantastic news” of a new battery plant in Arizona funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act “expects to employ thousands of people and will help us unleash American energy.” Good governance, leaders’ fiduciary responsibility The voices and influence of the business community are very powerful, and they understand and wield it strategically, including on climate and energy issues. Regardless of what Trump 2.0 does, businesses still have to comply with state and international regulations. California’s SB 261 and SB 253 , for example, apply to any business doing business in the state – which is thousands. The EU’s CSRD – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – is mandatory and applies to any business operating in a European country, which global accounting and management consulting firm PwC estimates is 50,000 businesses. The SEC’s climate risk disclosure rules – which investors have been demanding for years – are at risk in Trump 2.0, but their fate remains to be seen. “Businesses want certainty,” Kelly said in the briefing – and they need to keep their businesses, operations, employees and supply chains safe in the face of climate change. They are also seizing the market opportunities that solving clean energy and climate challenges present, and have no interest in ceded those opportunities to China or other countries. We’ll see how businesses and investors wield their political as well as their economic power to manage those risks and opportunities as Trump 2.0 unfolds. UNDP 2024 study on climate change - People's Climate Poll image - peoplesclimate.vote
MARKET REPORT: Catering giant Compass cashes in as staff return to the office By HUGO DUNCAN Updated: 22:33, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Shares in Compass Group hit a record high as the world’s largest catering firm cashed in on workers returning to the office. The FTSE 100 company rose 1 per cent, or 27p, to 2680p – giving it a value of nearly £45billion and taking gains for this year to 25 per cent. The stock has risen nearly 170 per cent since its Covid-19 lows in early 2020 when lockdown restrictions closed offices, schools and other buildings – hitting demand for its food. The latest rally came after Compass, which serves 15m meals a day or 5.5bn a year in schools, offices, hospitals, sporting venues and government buildings around the world, reported a 10.8 per cent rise in annual revenues to £33billion. Profits in the 12 months to the end of September rose 11.7 per cent to just over £2billion and the company hiked its full-year dividend by 13.7 per cent per share. The company, which started out feeding munitions workers in wartime factories in the early 1940s, floated on the London stock market in 1988 and joined the FTSE 100 in 1998. Dishing it up: Compass Group rose 1%, giving it a value of nearly £45bn and taking gains for this year to 25% The shares have risen in each of the last 19 years apart from 2020 when it was laid low by the pandemic. ‘Compass has put together a recipe for dependable growth in an attractive market,’ noted Derren Nathan, head of equity research at broker Hargreaves Lansdown. It was a jittery day on global stock markets after Donald Trump announced plans to slap tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico – some of the USA’s biggest trading partners. The FTSE 100 fell 0.4 per cent, or 33.07 points, to 8258.61 and the FTSE 250 lost 0.9 per cent, or 180.61 points, to 20568.65. Aerospace parts maker Melrose Industries was on the front foot, however, after JP Morgan raised its price target to 850p from 650p and said the stock was ‘significantly undervalued’. Shares rose 7.7 per cent, or 40.4p, to 567.6p. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Minister demands rapid rates reform: Reynolds urges Reeves... Royal Mail edges closer to foreign takeover as Business... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Burberry shares rose 2.8 per cent, or 25p, to 925.8p – their highest level since June – as their recent recovery continued. The luxury brand’s stock is still down around a third this year, however. per centTesting and certification firm Intertek rose 3.3 per cent, or 150p, to 4662p after it said it was ‘well on track’ to deliver a strong performance this year. Shares in utilities bundling firm Telecom Plus gained 2.2 per cent, or 38p, to 1800p as it stuck to profit forecasts for the year despite warning the Budget will add £3m to its annual costs. Annual profits at Topps Tiles nearly halved to £6.3million as it grappled with a tough home improvement market and cautioned over ‘significant’ cost pressures in 2025. Shares slid 1.3 per cent, or 0.5p, to 39p. Sausage maker Cranswick reported a 6.1 per cent rise in first-half revenues to £1.3billion and a 3.8 per cent increase in profits to £90.2million. With demand strong in the run up to Christmas, the pork and poultry producer said it expects full-year results to be ‘in line’ with City expectations. But shares fell 3.8 per cent, or 190p, to 4880p. Commercial property firm London Metric lost 0.3 per cent, or 0.5p, to 190p after profits and rental income jumped after it bought real estate investment trust LXi. Stock Watch - Severfield Shares in Severfield crashed after it warned profits for the year will be lower than previously thought. The construction company reported a 17pc rise in revenue to £252.3m in the first six months of the year. But it made losses of £5.8million, having turnedillion a profit of £11million in the same period last year, and said the predicted recovery in certain areas has been slower than previously anticipated. Shares slumped 36.2 per cent, or 31.6p, to 55.6p. 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That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesMaharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Mahayuti alliance achieved a clean sweep victory on Saturday after securing a majority on over 230 seats. The BJP-led alliance, now, is all set to retain power. While the BJP has won or is ahead in 133 seats, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has won or is ahead in 57 seats and NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is poised to win 41 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the party for it's landslide victory and thanked the people of Maharashtra soon after the results reclined in Mahayuti's favour. "Development wins! Good governance wins! United we will soar even higher! Heartfelt gratitude to my sisters and brothers of Maharashtra, especially the youth and women of the state, for a historic mandate to the NDA. This affection and warmth is unparalleled. I assure the people that our Alliance will keep working for Maharashtra's progress," he said in a post on X. "NDA's pro-people efforts resonate all over! I thank people across various states for blessing NDA candidates in the various by-polls held. We will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. I am proud of every NDA Karyakarta for their efforts on the ground. They worked hard, went among people and elaborated on our good governance agenda," he added. Maharashtra Assembly Election: Setback For MVA, Uddhav Thackeray Secures 20 Seats, Congress 16 The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance faced a significant setback as the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray is on track to secure 20 seats, Congress 16, and the NCP(SP) under Sharad Pawar is projected to win only 10 seats. Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera reacted to the same alleging conspiracy and questioning the voting process. While Ramesh said that the defeat won't stop his party from their agenda, Khera said if voting process can be trusted in a country where exam papers are leaked. First Election After Shiv Sena And NCP Split These were the first assembly elections following the split in Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. Uddhav Thackeray lost his position as chief minister due to the split within his party in 2022, and he was determined to make a statement in the assembly elections. Eknath Shinde, who became Maharashtra Chief Minister after split in Shiv Sena, gained popularity in the last two-and-a-half years due to welfare measures initiated by Mahayuti government including the Ladki Bahin scheme. The NCP too faced a division when Ajit Pawar became the Deputy Chief Minister in the ruling alliance in July last year. Sharad Pawar, who now leads NCP(SP), managed the campaign with great precision, determined to protect his extensive political legacy. A lot was at stake for Congress in the Maharashtra assembly polls after the party was seen to have bungled its prospect in the Haryana assembly polls earlier this year. BJP formed its third successive government in Haryana earlier this year. Who Will Be The Next Maharashtra CM? When asked who will be the next CM of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that there is no dispute on the CM's face. "There will be no dispute on the CM's face. It was decided from day one that after the elections, the leaders of the three parties will sit together and decide on this. The decision will be acceptable to everyone, there is no dispute on this," Fadnavis said. "I will say only this that we are bowed before Maharashtra and its people. It has increased our responsibility and Maharashtra has shown its full support for Modiji and we will do everything to reciprocate their faith in us," he added.
Article content Edmonton Police Commissioners voted this week not to make Edmonton Police Service response time numbers public just yet. The radio silence from 2021 will continue for the time being. At the height of the pandemic, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) stopped reporting response times in its annual report. That same year, the EPS also moved to an encrypted scanner the media and the public couldn’t listen to. Thursday’s motion to know response time numbers came from city Coun. Anne Stevenson, a commissioner who also sits on the Edmonton Police Commission ’s governance committee. “That is not the only metric that shares how the service is performing, but I think for Edmontonians, that is an important measure to at least understand what those response times are,” Stevenson told the commission. The time it takes for an officer to attach to a call was one of the main factors to sell the commission on switching to the much-touted “10 Squad” model, she said. “It’s something that I continue to hear from Edmontonians in terms of an interest in having an understanding of how that’s trending. I think if it’s a resource question, that’s a really important one.” There are two steps to getting from the call for service to the service itself. First, the call is assigned to an officer, then the officer goes to the call. That window, from dispatch to the scene, is the sweet spot. Outgoing Police Chief Dale McFee decried paying too much minute-by-minute attention to response times. “And the reality is, we had the highest crime rate in the country ... for many years, because our main metric was measured response calls and times, which is really irrelevant, because if I have a priority call, I want to know why you weren’t there faster than you were. It’s not an average response time. Average response times gets average results. That’s why we changed,” McFee said. In the sometimes dangerous world of responding to emergencies, police response time shouldn’t be a main consideration, said the chief, who announced his February 2025 retirement this week. Anyone who has tried to inch forward in a construction zone to let flashing lights by knows construction ties up emergency vehicles. Back in 2021, some Edmontonians fumed on social media about the city kicking off construction projects — complaints that rage on. “The level of construction happening on major thoroughfares in the city would dramatically impact your response time right now,” McFee said. “The second half of part of why that was taken away is if we use that as a target measure for officers, decisions about how quickly and safely they will travel to those calls become part of that thinking process when an officer is getting to a call.” Commissioner Ben Henderson said he remembers seeing call response numbers for years, but he takes the chief’s point. “A worry about all these things with metrics is you create an imprecise metric, and then you begin to develop your response to it, to meet the metric, not what you’re really trying to achieve,” Henderson said. A few commissioners expressed concern the request seemed to get ahead of strategic planning. The response time issue may not be dead in the water. The commissioners were assured by Lori Lorenz, executive director of the EPS Value & Impact division, that gaps and goals will be addressed in the EPS 2025 strategic plan. “In 2021 we did have Priority 1 calls in there, and so we are discussing how to highlight that again, and that will be coming forward in our annual report in Q1 of 2025,” Lorenz said. “I think that, in history, we took out call response time as it’s not a strategic measure to identify if we’re meeting our goals,” she said. The 10-squad model previous numbers were applied to “is having an evaluation right now,” she said. “One of the primary outcomes of that is to ensure we have the right people at the right place, at the right time,” Lorenz said. Municipal transparency on and use of response times can vary by jurisdiction. In a memorandum for Calgary City Council in 2023, the Calgary Police Service cited five years of numbers for drive time from dispatch to the call scene, showing a gradual creep from eight minutes in 2018 to 9.5 minutes in 2022. Among a number of other metrics, they set a goal of decreasing the drive time from when a call is dispatched to Priority 1 calls — the most urgent types of calls — and when officers arrive on scene. “It is reflection of the availability of resources and how effectively those resources are deployed across the city. The target is to maintain or improve the five-year average response time of eight minutes this year,” the memorandum read. At the Vancouver Police Department, the Public Safety Indicators (PSI) report covers key trends, with numbers of calls for service and Priority 1 response times. In April 2024, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw celebrated “a modest, yet consistent reduction in the time it takes to get to Torontonians when they need us most,” with response times to Priority 1 calls dropping from 22 minutes to 18.1 minutes. “While we are seeing a positive, promising trend in relation to Priority 1 response times, I am also mindful that we have a lot of work to still do in this area,” he said.Study reveals RNA's unknown role in DNA damage repair
No. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streak