TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Luke Kromenhoek threw for 209 yards and tossed three touchdown passes as Florida State halted a six-game losing streak and routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday. Kromenhoek completed 13 of 20 passes in his first college start, including a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Khi Douglas, as the Seminoles (2-9) won for the first time since Sept. 21. The true freshman also connected with Amaree Williams for a 4-yard TD and Hykeem Williams for a 10-yard TD. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.Gary Gensler, the Securities and Exchange Commission Chair, said he will step down from the post when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office on January 20, 2025. The 67-year-old was a strong advocate for strict regulation of crypto and maintained a tight oversight of the market during his time at the SEC. Amid the news of his departure, crypto prices soared further, having already hit new highs after Donald Trump's election. All major cryptocurrencies saw an increase after Gensler's announcement. Within an hour of the announcement, Bitcoin went up by 0.67%, Ethereum by 0.9%, Tether by 0.1% and BNB by 0.72%. Low-priced crypto-currencies, such as XRP and Dogecoin went up by 4.31% and 0.55%, respectively. Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was full of posts about crypto investors expressing a bullish outlook. Here are some of the posts. Notably, Gensler has been cautious with his regulatory approach to crypto and has emphasized the need to keep it strictly under the agency's oversight. he famously likened the cryptocurrency space to the 'Wild West,' implying that the lack of regulation in the area has allowed a lot of fraudulent practices to flourish. Also read: Gary Gensler Resigns From The SEC With A Whopping Net Worth One of his key focus areas has been the protection of investors and the need for fair markets from trading in crypto. During his tenure as the SEC Chair, he has taken action against various acts of market manipulation and fraud. “This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications,” he had said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. “There’s a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors aren’t able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information.” President-elect Trump, a strong advocate for crypto with his series of NFTs and cryptocurrencies, is expected to slash the stringent regulatory regime of the Gensler ear. Since his election on November 5, crypto prices have soared almost 40%. Trump is yet to announce his new pick for the SEC Chair. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. Clinching scenarios The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins.
Nov 26 (Reuters) - Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike (CRWD.O) , opens new tab raised its annual revenue and profit forecasts and beat third-quarter revenue on Tuesday, betting on growing demand for cybersecurity services amid growing online threats. Businesses are increasingly investing in Crowdstrike's comprehensive cybersecurity services to combat the widespread threat of online hacking and digital fraud. Several companies, including AT&T (T.N) , opens new tab , Live Nation Entertainment's (LYV.N) , opens new tab Ticketmaster unit and UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) , opens new tab have been targeted by online hacking attempts this year. Shares of Crowdstrike were down about 2% in extended trading after its fourth-quarter revenue forecast failed to impress investors. "Despite expected headwinds from the July 19th incident. We saw incredible success with our customer commitment packages as customers embraced the program and chose to deepen their relationship with CrowdStrike," CFO Burt Podbere said. CrowdStrike expects its annual revenue to be between $3.92 billion and $3.93 billion, compared with its prior expectations of $3.89 billion to $3.90 billion. Analysts on average were expecting $3.90 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. JP Morgan analysts said in a note ahead of the results that they expect "reaccelaration" of growth and profitability, despite the near-term pressure from the outage. Similarly, rival Palo Alto Networks (PANW.O) , opens new tab beat estimates for its first quarter, benefiting from robust spending in November. CrowdStrike now expects its annual adjusted profit per share to be between $3.74 and $3.76, up from its previous estimate range of $3.61 to $3.65. The company's revenue for the third quarter, ended Oct.31, rose about 29% to $1.01 billion, beating estimates of $982.4 million. CrowdStrike expects fourth-quarter revenue to be between $1.03 billion and $1.04 billion, compared to analysts' estimates of $1.03 billion. Sign up here. Reporting by Priyanka.G in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
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Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”Pope Francis will visit the French Mediterranean island of Corsica in December, days after skipping the reopening of Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral which was ravaged by a fire in 2019, the Vatican said Saturday. Francis, 87, declined an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Notre Dame reopening ceremony in Paris on December 7. He will however head to Corsica's capital Ajaccio for a conference on the Catholic faith in the Mediterranean one week later on December 15, the Vatican said. Some French bishops were "annoyed" by the pope's decision to stay away from the Notre Dame gala, according to one bishop speaking on condition of anonymity. But the head of the Bishops' Conference of France (CEF) Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said: "The star of the Notre Dame reopening ceremony is Notre Dame itself." The pope had not wanted his presence to be a distraction from the essential point of the occasion, he added. "It's not a snub aimed at France," said another bishop. Francis's one-day trip to Corsica will be the first papal visit to the island, where 90 percent of its 350,000 population is Catholic, according to the local Church, and religious traditions remain deeply rooted. He will give two speeches, preside over a mass and meet Macron during his nine hours on the island, the Vatican said. "It is a historic event, we will give ourselves the extraordinary means to put on an exceptional welcome for the Holy Father," said Bishop of Ajaccio Francois-Xavier Bustillo said in a video posted on social media. Francis, who will celebrate his 88th birthday on December 17, has been to France twice since becoming head of the worldwide Catholic Church in 2013. He visited Strasbourg in 2014, where he addressed the European Parliament, and last year went to Marseille for a meeting of Mediterranean area bishops, where he met Macron. He has yet to make a state visit to France, one of Europe's main majority-Catholic countries. He is also yet to make state visits to Spain, the United Kingdom or Germany. The Argentine pontiff prefers visiting smaller or less established Catholic communities, from Malta to Mongolia. The Corsica visit was championed by the popular media-friendly Bustillo, who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023. "It will not be a state visit, but a pastoral visit. It will be a beautiful moment, a moment of hope and joy," he told AFP. In addition, the head of the Catholic Church is scheduled to be at the Vatican on December 7-8 for a service at which he will create 21 new cardinals. Rescheduling appointments over coming months would appear to be tricky, given the multitude of events due to take place in Rome in 2025, a Catholic jubilee year. Bustillo is one of the active cardinals Francis has appointed in the Mediterranean region, with the pope keen they "work together to meet the specific challenges of the area", a bishop told AFP on condition of anonymity. Those issues include migration, global warming and interreligious dialogue. Corsica will be the 47th overseas visit for Francis and his third this year, after a long tour of the Asia Pacific in early September and a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg the same month. cmk-bur/tw/jm
Carnegie Learning Named to the 2025 GSV 150 for Third Time
Nittany Lions share the holiday with parents, teammates and coachesArteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. Our second-half goalscorers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aFCIMffFaK — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.Lewis 8-11 1-4 17, Lesburt 3-5 3-4 11, Lilly 5-13 6-7 21, Wrisby-Jefferson 1-3 1-2 3, Cooley 4-6 4-4 13, Erold 5-9 3-3 16, Jenkins 0-2 0-1 0, DeGraaf 1-1 0-0 2, Klores 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-50 18-25 83. Sangha 2-7 0-0 4, Benard 2-2 1-2 7, McMillan 9-17 7-7 25, Palesse 9-9 1-1 22, Kopa 3-8 0-0 7, van der Plas 1-2 1-2 4, Godfrey 2-7 0-0 5, Scott 0-0 0-0 0, Thompson 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 29-57 10-12 76. Halftime_Brown 35-25. 3-Point Goals_Brown 11-23 (Lilly 5-9, Erold 3-6, Lesburt 2-4, Cooley 1-3, Wrisby-Jefferson 0-1), Canisius 8-19 (Palesse 3-3, Benard 2-2, van der Plas 1-1, Kopa 1-4, Godfrey 1-5, Sangha 0-1, Thompson 0-1, McMillan 0-2). Fouled Out_Erold. Rebounds_Brown 30 (Cooley 10), Canisius 19 (Sangha 4). Assists_Brown 15 (Lilly, Wrisby-Jefferson, Jenkins 3), Canisius 16 (Benard 8). Total Fouls_Brown 11, Canisius 19. A_953 (2,176).
Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 amBiden-Harris Administration Announces Awards for Up to $2,2 Billion for Two Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to Bolster America’s Globa Syensqo, a science company focused on developing groundbreaking solutions that support the sustainability ambitions of its customers, has launched Aquivion® N+ 125D, a fluoro-ionomer produced using Syensqo’s proprietary new NFS (non-fluorosurfactant) technology. The new grade is commercially available worldwide and is intended for use in select hydrogen-related applications. The launch of Aquivion N+ 125D is aligned with the company’s and represents the next step in Syensqo’s ongoing journey to voluntarily from the PFAS family of chemicals. This commitment, announced in 2022, involves transitioning to non-fluorosurfactant technology across all our product lines and manufacturing nearly 100% of fluoropolymers without fluorosurfactants by 2026. , Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Syensqo, said: “This achievement stems from our intensified Research and Innovation efforts over recent years that enabled our commitment to phase out the use of fluorinated surfactants. This is particularly important as we aim to strengthen the role of our essential materials in the emerging hydrogen economy and our sustainability journey.” Launched in 2021, Syensqo’s offers material solutions across the entire value chain, from green hydrogen production to usage, that are designed to advance the development of the green hydrogen economy. The platform brings together Syensqo’s advanced materials and competencies, developing innovative solutions that focus on improving system durability, efficiency and total cost of ownership. Aquivion® N+ is the new brand name for the company’s fluoro-ionomer range. As the green hydrogen economy develops, the platform will continue to partner with customers and key players in the industry to enable the energy transition. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Biden-Harris Administration Announces Awards for Up to $2,2 Billion for Two Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to Bolster America’s Globa, Biden-Harris Administration Announces Awards for Up to $2,2 Billion for Two Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to Bolster America’s Global Clean Energy Competitiveness and Strengthen Our National Energy Security Gulf Coast... Record Resources Acquires Potential Ontario Western Extension of QIMC Hydrogen Discovery and Announces LIFE Offering of Units Calgary, Alberta–(Newsfile Corp. – November 21, 2024) – Record Resources... ATCO Australia selects GE Vernova for hydrogen-capable turbines for South Australia Government’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan CALGARY, AB, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ – ATCO Australia, a division of Canadian Utilities Limited...
ExxonMobil ( XOM -0.01% ) and the rest of the energy sector are down big in the past month as oil prices hover around their lowest levels in a year. But the company has plans to drive shareholder returns even at mediocre oil prices. Here's why ExxonMobil is well-positioned to substantially grow its earnings and cash flow in the coming years and why it stands out as a compelling dividend stock to buy in 2025. A clear outline for future growth On Dec. 11, ExxonMobil updated its corporate plan and extended its targets from 2027 out to 2030. Between 2019 and the third quarter of 2024, ExxonMobil achieved $11 billion in structural cost savings, grew earnings and cash flow, lowered its greenhouse gas emissions, and returned $140 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. By 2030, the company expects to achieve an additional $7 billion in structural cost savings, bringing the total to $18 billion versus 2019. In addition to oil and gas, ExxonMobil is investing heavily in low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen. The company believes that carbon capture can help it deliver lower emissions power for data centers with projects that are fully detached from the grid. By 2030, ExxonMobil expects to grow annual cash flows by $30 billion compared to 2024 or by $50 billion since 2019, and earnings by $20 billion versus 2024 or $35 billion since 2019. These forecasts are based on $65 per barrel Brent crude oil prices and $3 per MMBtu Henry Hub natural gas prices. For context, Brent crude oil prices averaged $81.13 per barrel from January through November 2024, and Henry Hub gas prices averaged $2.12 per MMBtu during that period. Aside from 2020, 2024 has seen the lowest gas prices since 1998. Between 2025 and 2030, ExxonMobil expects to generate $165 billion in surplus cash above its existing dividend, leaving plenty of room for sizable dividend raises and buybacks. The cash surplus is basically the margin of error ExxonMobil has compared to its target oil and gas prices. If prices hit a downturn, ExxonMobil can still afford to raise its dividend but may buy back less stock. ExxonMobil said that at $55 per barrel Brent, it would expect to earn $110 billion in cash surplus. By comparison, if Brent prices average $85 during the forecast period, the surplus would be around $280 billion. ExxonMobil expects it can still fund its capital projects and its dividend even if Brent prices were just $35 through 2027 and $30 per barrel by 2030 -- illustrating how far the company has come in optimizing its production portfolio. The dividend is an integral part of the investment thesis for ExxonMobil. Despite ebbs and flows in the oil and gas industry, ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years. No matter what oil prices are doing, investors have been able to rely on ExxonMobil for a steady stream of passive income. ExxonMobil yields 3.7%, which is sizable compared to the S&P 500 yield of 1.2%. XOM data by YCharts Avoiding dependence on debt ExxonMobil's corporate plan sets clear expectations for investors to hold the company accountable over the next five years. Most importantly, the plan is based on generating positive cash flow and doesn't rely on debt. ExxonMobil's balance sheet is in its best condition in a decade. XOM Financial Debt to Equity (Quarterly) data by YCharts As you can see in the chart, ExxonMobil has very little net debt on its balance sheet for a company of its size. Its financial debt-to-equity and debt-to-capital ratios are very low, indicating it isn't relying on debt to run its business. ExxonMobil used excess profits in recent years to help pay down debt. Granted, it has ramped capital spending, but has emphasized investments that can contribute to high cash-flow generation. Projects that have a low cost of supply and higher returns, which ExxonMobil calls "advantaged assets," refer to the Permian Basin, Guyana, and its liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio. LNG is natural gas that is cooled and condensed into a liquid to export to buyers overseas. ExxonMobil completed the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources earlier this year, which gave it significantly more Permian production. ExxonMobil now generates more than 50% of its production from advantaged assets, and expects to reach 60% for 2030 -- helping to drive down its cost of production. By focusing on advantaged assets, ExxonMobil can generate positive cash flow even at lower oil prices, which should help limit its leverage and maintain its financial health. ExxonMobil is a passive income powerhouse If ExxonMobil achieves its projected earnings growth, the company could be worth significantly more in the future than it is today. ExxonMobil is already an inexpensive stock -- with a 13.3 price-to-earnings ratio. And that's based on earnings during a period of fairly mediocre oil prices. Oil and gas companies tend to command discounted valuations compared to the broader market due to the industry's volatility and the uncertain future of oil and gas in a low-carbon world. But ExxonMobil's corporate plan shows that the company doesn't need oil and gas prices to go up to make substantially higher earnings and cash flows over the medium term. It can then use excess profits to invest in new technologies to remain an energy titan even if global oil and gas consumption gradually declines over time. Add it all up, and ExxonMobil stands out as arguably the most well-rounded oil and gas company to buy in 2025.Man United coach Amorim says argument between Hojlund and Diallo a 'very good sign'
Washington, Nov 22 (AP) President-elect Donald Trump's allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Also Read | Matt Gaetz Withdraws As Donald Trump Nominee for Attorney General, Says 'My Confirmation Was Unfairly Becoming a Distraction'; US President-Elect Responds. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. Also Read | PM Modi on 2-Day Visit to Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Joins Ram Bhajan Chant at Promenade Garden in Georgetown During Historic Visit (Watch Videos). While few Republican senators have publicly criticised any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harbouring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he's going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump's other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that's where I'm gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth's lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defence Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration's woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump's choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasised the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he's willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Police launch hunt for man in threatening behaviour investigationThe AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 Tennessee to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday. The Volunteers (9-2) overcame a sluggish start to roll up the impressive win. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but Tennessee found its rhythm. Grad student receiver Bru McCoy, who hadn’t caught a touchdown pass this season, had two. Peyton Lewis also ran for two scores. “Once we settled in and did the ordinary things, we had a real good day,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, whose team scored touchdowns on all eight red zone visits. “We started off cold,” said Iamaleava. “We made too many errors. We picked it up as the game went on. “That first play (of the Vols’ first series of the game — a long incomplete pass to Squirrel White) we missed for a touchdown. I really want that one back. All you can do is focus on the next play.” Tennessee’s defensive line, which had no sacks in last week’s loss to Georgia, had four against the Miners. UTEP (2-9) struggled with two missed field goals and three turnovers. It was the second time in Miners coach Scotty Wallen’s seven-year coaching career that his team has been shut out. RELATED COVERAGE Auburn wins 43-41, four-OT thriller over playoff hopeful No. 15 Texas A&M Arnold, Robinson run for more than 100 yards as Oklahoma stuns No. 7 Alabama 24-3 No. 22 Iowa State keeps Big 12 title, CFP hopes alive with 31-28 win over Utah “I thought we took massive steps forward, even though the results weren’t what we wanted,” said Wallen. “(Tennessee) is one of the best teams in the country, right there.” Just before halftime, UTEP lost starting quarterback Skyler Locklear with an injury. Backup JP Pickles had trouble getting anything going. “When Skyler went down, that kind of messed with us,” said Miners center Brennan Smith. Tennessee’s offense came alive with 28 points in the second quarter. In the final four drives of the quarter, Iamaleava completed 11 of 12 passes for 146 yards and touchdowns to White, Ethan Davis and McCoy. “(That first touchdown) was special for me,” said McCoy. “I promised my mom I’d get into the end zone. I never worried (this season, about not scoring). You have to have faith. The timing will be right for it to happen.” UTEP was the dominant team in the first quarter. Tennessee managed just 37 offensive yards and, thanks to an interception near the end zone and a missed field goal by the Miners, both teams were scoreless after 15 minutes. POLL IMPLICATIONS Tennessee’s convincing victory, coupled with losses by Mississippi and Indiana, should put the Volunteers in a good position when the next College Football Playoff poll is released. The Vols were ranked No. 11 going into this week’s games. THE TAKEAWAY UTEP: The Miners will head into a very winnable game against New Mexico State having won two of their last five games. First-year coach Scotty Walden will try to build on that success in the offseason to help enhance his roster. Tennessee: Even a lopsided win won’t carry much weight where it means the most — in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Vols will have to rely on a convincing win against Vanderbilt next week, a team that has shown a lot of improvement this season, to help their standing for those coveted spots. UP NEXT UTEP: The Miners will finish their season at New Mexico State Saturday. Tennessee: The Vols will finish their regular season at Vanderbilt next Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballCHRISMAS 2024 is upon us and the search for the perfect gift for a loved one is well underway. Whether it’s technology, clothing, holiday vouchers or bestselling books, the options are endless. But what did Limerick people of the past purchase for their loved ones? What did the city look and feel like during the ‘most wonderful time of the year?’ What Christmas traditions have endured in our city? In December 1849, the female “inmates” of the Union Workhouse (now St Camillus’s) were treated to ‘tea and cake while burning their Christmas candle.’ On Christmas day both the men and women were regaled with excellent fare as a local merchant made a gift of six geese – which the parties had the pleasure of seeing roasted and then partaking in the feast. On St Stephen’s Night, they had ‘tea and cake (an annual present from the baker), and after hearty enjoyment of the meal, dancing was kept up with spirit, diversified by vocal and instrumental music.’ Annual charitable traditions saw landlords distributing money and food to their tenants, for example, John C. Delmege of Castlepark donated beef, mutton, and poultry to all his workmen and labourers during Christmas 1860. A little closer to the city, Thomas Revington distributed 150 pairs of blankets to both Catholics and Protestants who were experiencing straitened times. Revington was a merchant and property developer; he built Eden Terrace on the North Circular Road between 1861 and 1862. His shop was located at 13, 14, 15, and 16 O’Connell Street (now Brown Thomas). By 1856, Christmas trees were offered for sale by several merchants, along with boxes to house them and a vast array of glass and sugar decorations. Many public donations were collected in order to erect Christmas trees in St Michael’s Parish School from about 1860 onwards. The Limerick Chronicle of 24 December 1868 reported that a ‘tree of lofty proportions, laden with toys and appropriate presents, its leaves interspersed with artificial snow and brilliant stars was an object of great admiration’ when it was unveiled at the Protestant Hall, Pery Street. In 1865, at no. 135 O’Connell Street, T. S. O’Donnell informed the public that ‘immense arrivals of Christmas stock consisting of glass, earthenware and the finest China’ were on view. O’Donnell invited the public to visit his showrooms early and place their orders for the holidays. Similarly, James Norton advised that he had for sale ‘ladies leather hand and carriage bags, French and Berlin baskets, toys in great variety, prints and engravings, concertinas direct from Germany, and violins and flutes – all of which are ideal Christmas gifts.’ READ MORE: PICTURES: Proud Rathkeale is 'open for business' this Christmas Culinary products remain popular Christmas presents and it was no different in Limerick of the 1870s. For example, Michael O’Donnell, family grocer of 2, Denmark Street offered ‘teas, sugars, port and sherry wines, and Jameson’s Dublin malt whiskey’ to his customers. Over 146 years later, the premises remain a public house and is home to the popular Flannery’s Pub, thus carrying on traditions established in the nineteenth century. A few streets away at the City Restaurant, nos. 44 and 45 Cecil Street, Mrs McCarthy tempted shoppers into her premises by giving away a ‘package of Christmas cards with every purchase of seed, plum, and sultana cakes.’ She had for sale ‘plum pudding at 1 shilling per pound, mince pies were priced at 3 pence each’. In the present day, the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran has organised a competition for the best Christmas window in the city, another local tradition that has a long history. In 1886, John Carrick of 17, O’Connell Street who traded as the Limerick Cigar and Hairdressing Saloon notified the public that his ‘special arrival of fancy goods suitable for Christmas presents was on show at his festive window.’ Such was the emphasis placed on the dressing of Christmas windows in Limerick that the editor of the Cork Daily Herald assigned two entire columns to the topic in December 1892. The lengthy article described the ‘crowds who throng the thoroughfare anxious to satisfy their curiosity by an inordinate gaze in each shop window.’ It continued ‘crowds haunt the establishments from morning to closing hour, at a rate that really puzzles one to understand.’ A number of city businesses were featured: David Begley’s (now Gerry Power’s pub), O’Malley’s (now Mother Mac’s pub), James O’Mara of Roche’s Street, as well as Michael Spain’s, Clune’s, O’Keeffe’s, O’Connor’s, Hannan’s, Griffin’s, Gleeson’s, Boyd’s, and Evan’s and Co. One tradition that has continued since time immemorial is the jubilant chimes emanating from the ancient bell tower of St. Mary’s as the Feast of the Nativity is announced. Indeed, the beautiful interior decorations of the cathedral were described in the Limerick Chronicle of 29 December 1866. The chancel, choir, and nave were so ‘embossed with evergreens that they suggested the idea of a sylvan arcade, the origin, by the way, of the Gothic architecture. The pulpit, too, was most gracefully decorated. The throne, lectern, chancel rails, and organ loft were handsomely wreathed with ivy, holly, and palm, the simple emblems of the eternal Saviour’s humanity, passion, and triumph.’ Among the striking features of adornment were ‘wave-lines of festoons that glistened in great adulations down from and up to the clerestory windows.’ Long may these Limerick City Christmas traditions continue. Good luck to all businesses entering the Merry and Bright Challenge. Wishing all readers of the Limerick Leader and of my column, a very happy and peaceful Christmas.None