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w777 slot Published 5:31 pm Friday, December 6, 2024 By Data Skrive The NBA’s seven-game lineup on Saturday should provide some fireworks. The contests include the Memphis Grizzlies versus the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Searching for live coverage of NBA basketball? All the games to watch on Saturday are here. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 4 analysts have published ratings on Berkshire Hills Bancorp BHLB in the last three months. Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 1 0 3 0 0 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 1 0 2 0 0 2M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Berkshire Hills Bancorp, revealing an average target of $34.12, a high estimate of $39.00, and a low estimate of $31.00. Marking an increase of 10.06%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $31.00. Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination The standing of Berkshire Hills Bancorp among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Christopher O'Connell Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Raises Market Perform $34.50 $32.00 Jon Arfstrom RBC Capital Lowers Sector Perform $31.00 $32.00 Laurie Havener Hunsicker Seaport Global Announces Buy $39.00 - Christopher O'Connell Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Raises Market Perform $32.00 $29.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Berkshire Hills Bancorp. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Berkshire Hills Bancorp compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Berkshire Hills Bancorp's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time. Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Berkshire Hills Bancorp's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Berkshire Hills Bancorp analyst ratings. If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance you can start by tracking it here . Get to Know Berkshire Hills Bancorp Better Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc is a holding company. It provides Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, Private Banking and Wealth Management services. Berkshire Hills Bancorp: A Financial Overview Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. Revenue Growth: Berkshire Hills Bancorp's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 1.64% . This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector. Net Margin: Berkshire Hills Bancorp's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 34.23% . This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health. Return on Equity (ROE): Berkshire Hills Bancorp's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.6% , the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance. Return on Assets (ROA): Berkshire Hills Bancorp's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.31% , the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance. Debt Management: Berkshire Hills Bancorp's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.66 , the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk. The Basics of Analyst Ratings Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter. Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

SPX Technologies, Inc. ( NYSE:SPXC – Free Report ) – Equities researchers at Seaport Res Ptn cut their Q1 2025 EPS estimates for SPX Technologies in a research report issued on Tuesday, December 24th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst W. Liptak now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $1.27 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.34. The consensus estimate for SPX Technologies’ current full-year earnings is $5.56 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for SPX Technologies’ Q3 2025 earnings at $1.56 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.86 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $6.16 EPS. SPX Technologies ( NYSE:SPXC – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $483.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $501.02 million. SPX Technologies had a return on equity of 19.70% and a net margin of 9.11%. SPX Technologies’s quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.06 EPS. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SPXC SPX Technologies Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of SPXC opened at $146.67 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $162.73 and a 200-day moving average price of $154.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.26. SPX Technologies has a 12-month low of $95.00 and a 12-month high of $183.83. Hedge Funds Weigh In On SPX Technologies A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of SPXC. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in shares of SPX Technologies by 69.9% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 43,786 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,224,000 after acquiring an additional 18,009 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in shares of SPX Technologies by 27.6% during the second quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 2,736 shares of the company’s stock valued at $389,000 after buying an additional 592 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of SPX Technologies by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 397,605 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,516,000 after buying an additional 8,931 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of SPX Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,236,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of SPX Technologies by 965.0% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 213 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.82% of the company’s stock. About SPX Technologies ( Get Free Report ) SPX Technologies, Inc supplies infrastructure equipment serving the heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC); and detection and measurement markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, HVAC and Detection and Measurement. The HVAC segment engineers, designs, manufactures, installs, and services package and process cooling products and engineered air movement solutions for the HVAC industrial and power generation markets, as well as boilers, heating, and ventilation products for the residential and commercial markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SPX Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPX Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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$('audio,video').mediaelementplayer(); PNP political liaison Maria Brown, PNP candidate Rosemarie Shaw and JLP's Daryl Vaz By Nakinskie Robinson It will be an intense battle for leadership in the Morant Bay division between the People's National party's, Rosemarie Shaw and the Jamaica Labour Party's Winston Downie, after the seat became vacant following the passing of the PNP's Rohan Bryan in April. The by-election was marred by controversy, with several reports of voter suppression, intimidation and political rampage unfolding from both sides of the political divide. A by-election is typically the calmest of the three major elections, but St. Thomas, which has been given the unenviable title of the forgotten parish, was abuzz with activity on Friday. Before election activities began, late Thursday night leading into Friday morning shots rang out from sections of the Lyssons area and People's National Party paraphernalia was destroyed by thugs. As the day progressed accusations of intimidation from both major political parties reached fever pitch. While at Lyssons Primary School, political liaison officer for the PNP, Maria Brown, told Radio Jamaica News that she and other poll watchers were wrongfully accused of voter suppression and disrupting polling station proceedings. "Mr. Dean Jones, come and say that we're intimidating (JLP) people and we have a riot down here.... The soldiers and the police [are] not aware of it. The indoor agent, his indoor agent, let them know that it's not true; they're not aware of it either." At another polling station, the Morant Bay Primary School, a JLP political liaison officer accused PNP supporters of disregarding electoral policy. She said several supporters of Ms. Shaw sought to mark what they believed was their territory with strips of orange cloth, in close proximity to the polling station. Tensions further heightened in the afternoon as JLP supporters squared off with police officers after they alleged that unknown faces were entering polling stations. Despite the eventful day, after casting her ballot, PNP candidate Rosemarie Shaw said she remains humble but confident about her prospects of returning to councillorship. Additionally, Ms. Shaw said she came into election day fearful of possible retaliation from her supporters after JLP voters allegedly "went on a rampage of intimidation" on Thursday evening. "Party supporters put up their flags, I put up my billboards and those were chopped down, and gunfire fire. And that has been reported to the police," she said, adding that she encouraged her supporters against "going down that road" of retaliation. But when asked about the JLP's involvement in disorderly conduct, high ranking member of the party and West Portland MP, Daryl Vaz, sought to absolve party supporters of any wrongdoings, noting that such actions do more harm than good. Efforts to contact Mr. Downie for a comment on the matter were unsuccessful. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1531230668029-0'); });Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More The recent release of OpenAI o1 has brought great attention to large reasoning models (LRMs), and is inspiring new models aimed at solving complex problems classic language models often struggle with. Building on the success of o1 and the concept of LRMs, researchers at Alibaba have introduced Marco-o1 , which enhances reasoning capabilities and tackles problems with open-ended solutions where clear standards and quantifiable rewards are absent. OpenAI o1 uses “inference-time scaling” to improve the model’s reasoning ability by giving it “time to think.” Basically, the model uses more compute cycles during inference to generate more tokens and review its responses, which improves its performance on tasks that require reasoning. o1 is renowned for its impressive reasoning capabilities, especially in tasks with standard answers such as mathematics, physics and coding. However, many applications involve open-ended problems that lack clear solutions and quantifiable rewards. “We aimed to push the boundaries of LLMs even further, enhancing their reasoning abilities to tackle complex, real-world challenges,” Alibaba researchers write. Marco-o1 is a fine-tuned version of Alibaba’s Qwen2-7B-Instruct that integrates advanced techniques such as chain-of-thought (CoT) fine-tuning, Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) and reasoning action strategies. The researchers trained Marco-o1 on a combination of datasets, including the Open-O1 CoT dataset; the Marco-o1 CoT dataset, a synthetic dataset generated using MCTS; and the Marco-o1 Instruction dataset, a collection of custom instruction-following data for reasoning tasks. MCTS is a search algorithm that has proven to be effective in complex problem-solving scenarios. It intelligently explores different solution paths by repeatedly sampling possibilities, simulating outcomes and gradually building a decision tree. It has proven to be very effective in complex AI problems, such as beating the game Go. Marco-o1 leverages MCTS to explore multiple reasoning paths as it generates response tokens. The model uses the confidence scores of candidate response tokens to build its decision tree and explore different branches. This enables the model to consider a wider range of possibilities and arrive at more informed and nuanced conclusions, especially in scenarios with open-ended solutions. The researchers also introduced a flexible reasoning action strategy that allows them to adjust the granularity of MCTS steps by defining the number of tokens generated at each node in the tree. This provides a tradeoff between accuracy and computational cost, giving users the flexibility to balance performance and efficiency. Another key innovation in Marco-o1 is the introduction of a reflection mechanism. During the reasoning process, the model periodically prompts itself with the phrase, “Wait! Maybe I made some mistakes! I need to rethink from scratch.” This causes the model to re-evaluate its reasoning steps, identify potential errors and refine its thought process. “This approach allows the model to act as its own critic, identifying potential errors in its reasoning,” the researchers write. “By explicitly prompting the model to question its initial conclusions, we encourage it to re-express and refine its thought process.” To evaluate the performance of Marco-o1, the researchers conducted experiments on several tasks, including the MGSM benchmark, a dataset for multi-lingual grade school math problems. Marco-o1 significantly outperformed the base Qwen2-7B model, particularly when the MCTS component was adjusted for single-token granularity. However, the primary objective of Marco-o1 was to address the challenges of reasoning in open-ended scenarios. To this end, the researchers tested the model on translating colloquial and slang expressions, a task that requires understanding subtle nuances of language, culture and context. The experiments showed that Marco-o1 was able to capture and translate these expressions more effectively than traditional translation tools. For instance, the model correctly translated a colloquial expression in Chinese, which literally means, “This shoe offers a stepping-on-poop sensation”, into the English equivalent, “This shoe has a comfortable sole.” The reasoning chain of the model shows how it evaluates different potential meanings and arrives at the correct translation. This paradigm can prove to be useful for tasks such as product design and strategy, which require deep and contextual understanding and do not have well-defined benchmarks and metrics. A new wave of reasoning models Since the release of o1, AI labs are racing to release reasoning models. Last week, Chinese AI lab DeepSeek released R1-Lite-Preview , its o1 competitor, which is currently only available through the company’s online chat interface. R1-Lite-Preview reportedly beats o1 on several key benchmarks. The open source community is also catching up with the private model market, releasing models and datasets that take advantage of inference-time scaling laws. The Alibaba team released Marco-o1 on Hugging Face along with a partial reasoning dataset that researchers can use to train their own reasoning models. Another recently released model is LLaVA-o1 , developed by researchers from multiple universities in China, which brings the inference-time reasoning paradigm to open-source vision language models (VLMs). The release of these models comes amidst uncertainty about the future of model scaling laws. Various reports indicate that the returns on training larger models are diminishing and might be hitting a wall. But what’s for certain is that we are just beginning to explore the possibilities of inference-time scaling. Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily By subscribing, you agree to VentureBeat's Terms of Service. Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.

Tech occupation unemployment rate inches down to 2.5% DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The tech workforce saw modest movement in the latest national employment data, according to CompTIA , the nonprofit association for the tech industry and workforce. Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data reveals the tech unemployment rate for the month fell slightly to 2.5%, matching the low end of the rate for 2024. The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% in November. Employment within the technology industry sector was essentially flat with a decline of 1,636 jobs for the month. 1 The tech sector employs nearly 5.6 million people, which translates to a percentage decline of essentially 0%. Tech professions throughout the economy declined by 6,000 in a national workforce of nearly 6.5 million workers. 2 "While a flat month in the aggregate as some employers take a breather, the data continues to highlight the diversity of hiring activity across the tech workforce," Tim Herbert , chief research officer, CompTIA. "Across industry sectors, metro areas and company sizes harnessing tech talent remains a top priority." Active employer job postings for new hiring totaled more than 475,000 in November, down about 42,000 from October. 3 Companies added nearly 184,000 new tech job postings last month, with employers in consulting, finance, manufacturing and technology hardware, software and services among the most active. Artificial intelligence (AI) hiring momentum continues to build. In the aggregate employers recorded nearly 331,000 active job postings throughout 2024 in recruiting for AI job roles and AI skills, a year-over-year increase of 71%. Across all tech occupations 44% of November postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement for applicants. Some occupations had notably higher percentages, including network support specialists (84%) and tech support specialists (71%). The data indicates hiring for work from home (WFH) positions is holding steady at about 20% of total tech job recruiting. On a hiring activity volume basis, the top WFH positions include software developers, IT project managers, data scientists and analysts, tech support specialists, and systems analysts. The "CompTIA Tech Jobs Report" is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/tech-jobs-report . About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world's leading information technology (IT) certification and training body. CompTIA is a mission-driven organization committed to unlocking the potential of every student, career changer or professional seeking to begin or advance in a technology career. Millions of current and aspiring technology workers around the world rely on CompTIA for the training, education and professional certifications that give them the confidence and skills to work in tech. https://www.comptia.org/ 1 Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions. 2 Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility. 3 Active job postings include open postings carried over from previous months and new postings added by employers. Media Contact Steven Ostrowski CompTIA sostrowski@comptia.org +1.630.678.8468 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/latest-employment-data-shows-little-change-in-tech-job-market-comptia-analysis-finds-302325237.html SOURCE CompTIAThe Friday college basketball slate is stacked and Underdog Fantasy promo code BETFPB guarantees a 50% deposit bonus up to $1,000 to all new customers. Wager on college basketball props for all available games including: Virginia vs. St. John's - 7 p.m. ET Creighton vs. Nebraska - 8 p.m. ET Tennessee vs. Baylor - 9:30 p.m. ET Arizona vs. Duke - 10:30 p.m. ET Simply register using our Underdog Fantasy promo code BETFPB , then make an initial deposit. That investment will be matched 50% of the way up to $1,000. 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FORT NOVOSEL—Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George visited the home of Army Aviation to have a look at ongoing training and meet with Aviation leaders and subject matter experts to discuss key Aviation topics at Fort Novosel, Dec. 16 and 17. The U.S. Aviation Center of Excellence is the sole producer of the Army’s aviators, maintainers, air traffic controllers and unmanned aircraft systems operators. The visit included a luncheon with brigade and battalion commanders, a tour of facilities, and Q&A sessions with students in the Basic Officer Leadership Course/Warrant Officer Basic Course and Aviation Captain’s Career Course. During his time with students, he said he was excited to see them get out and join their units soon and expects changes in Army formations over the next few years driven by rapidly evolving technology and how it being applied on the modern battlefield. He noted that one of those pieces of evolving technology, drones, has highlighted the growing importance of airspace management, particularly below 3,000 feet. “Airspace management is a tough one, so we’re trying to figure out how we would do that,” George said. The Army is also focused on fixing its network and adopting new technologies. “We’re moving towards operating with tablets, phones and software-defined radios,” George said. That means prioritizing modular, open systems architecture in future purchases, allowing for rapid adaptation, integration and interoperability. “We can’t afford to wait 10 years to start building something that we know by the time it shows up the technology it is based on will have changed,” he said. While emphasizing the need to focus on emerging technologies like unmanned systems, George noted that the Army is continuing to develop the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft “because I want someone with skin in the game” flying aircraft carrying Soldiers, he said. The discussion shifted to the transformation of leader requirements in the Army. George mentioned that the Army is re-examining Army Regulation 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development, to ensure leaders are not confined to their desks. He advised future company commanders to focus on building lethality and cohesive teams. “Cohesive teams are all about taking care of people, being good teammates, and doing things that are aligned with our Army values,” he said. Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel commander, explained the focus of the visit didn’t stop with the ongoing training mission, but also included transforming the Aviation branch for the future. “It was great to host our Army Chief of Staff at the Home of Army Aviation. I was really proud to show him how we train our future three-dimensional warfighters to fly and fight as part of the combined arms team. We also took the opportunity during his visit to convene the Aviation General Officer Steering Committee with Gen. George, where we took to the whiteboard to think through how we transform Army Aviation to remain decisive for the future,” Gill said. The visit also included a stop at the flightline at Lowe Army Heliport. There, George recognized instructor pilots, crew chiefs, air traffic controllers and academic instructors from across the brigade with coins for their outstanding contributions to the mission. “For many of soldiers and officers, it was their first time meeting a four-star general,” said Col. Keith Hill, 110th Aviation Brigade commander. George observed two flight school students learning how to pre-flight a Black Hawk helicopter, a pre-training pilot’s brief and a post-training after action review between students and instructors. He was also briefed on how the brigade is modifying the curriculum of the Instructor Pilot Course to meet the needs of the operational force, Hill explained. The visit to Fort Novosel also included discussion with leaders and subject matter experts on the future of unmanned aircraft systems. Throughout the visit, George took time to recognize individuals for their contributions to the mission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!None

Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to over 48,000 emergency calls in the province since 1 December. The EMS responses have surpassed the 43 000 recorded during the same period last year. Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, revealed this information on Tuesday during an oversight visit to the EMS Operation Centre. EMS preparedness for festive season Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko assessed the effectiveness of medical emergency responses during the festive season, especially with Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve approaching, during her visit to the centre. According to the incident analysis report, over 23 000 of the calls were medical-related, followed by 13 941 interfacility transfers, 7 533 trauma cases, 2 791 accidents, and 963 suicide cases. ALSO READ: Gauteng health adjusts procedures after 9 000 serious adverse events reported in 21 months The MEC attributed the EMS response increases to improvements made in call response times. Nkomo-Ralehoko said the newly launched Provincial Health Operation Centre has enhanced the EMS’s operational capabilities. This includes establishing the institutional and technical capacities for efficient resource management and deployment, monitoring and assessing the district’s strengths for managing hospital diverts and identifying red zones, and putting the EMS Surveillance Programs and the District Health Information System (DHIS) into place for real-time data monitoring. Improvements in call response times With the expected increase in emergency cases for the remainder of the festive season, the MEC voiced confidence in the EMS team’s preparedness. She also highlighted the positive impact of the newly hired interns, who have contributed to the overall efficiency of the EMS operations. ALSO READ: Lesufi promises capacity boost to cancer patients “The call centre department is fully resourced to handle the expected surge in cases. I am happy to see our interns making a meaningful difference in ensuring that we are prepared to provide timely and effective medical assistance to those in need,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said. The MEC also praised recent advancements made by the Provincial Health Operation Centre, which functions as Gauteng EMS’ nerve hub. “Leveraging technological innovation to develop a comprehensive dashboard has proven to improve service delivery and emergency response rate,” she said. Improve service delivery “The PHOC monitors the incoming calls and dispatching of ambulances, monitors major incidents and alerts, hospital diversions, vehicle tracking, and capacity of the human response to ensure smooth operation.” Meanwhile, Wednesday marks the second anniversary since the tragic Boksburg gas explosion. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health sued over unused R784 million cancer treatment funds The MEC paid tribute to the lives of health workers who died during the incident, saying the department’s safer festive season campaign theme, “Beyond The Call Of Duty—Responding to Emergencies, Preserving Lives,” signals their preparedness to minimise casualties when responding to emergencies.

Some decisions by the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council at its meeting on Saturday triggered a meme fest over the weekend. It's decision to clarify tax rate applicable on various types of popcorn and sale of used or old cars have been at the centre of criticism. ET Year-end Special Reads Top 10 equity mutual funds of the year. Do you have any? How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024 2024 was the year India became the talk of America A look at the decisions: What tax rates does the clarification specify? Ready-to-eat popcorn, with salt & spices: 5% Popcorn sold in pre-packaged form under a label: 12% Caramelised popcorn or popcorn with added sugar: 18% Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Is there a change in rates? No. The GST Council has reiterated the tax rates that were applicable. Why are there three different rates? Products with salt and added sugar fall in different categories under the harmonised system of nomenclature. All products with added sugar are classified under a HSN group that faces 18% tax whereas salted and spices are classified differently and face a lower tax rate. Old & Used Cars Tax regime prior to GST Council meeting 1.Old and used, petrol, Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) or compressed natural gas (CNG)-driven motor vehicles of engine capacity of 1200 cc or more and length of 4,000 mm or more: 18% 2. Old and used, diesel-driven motor vehicles of engine capacity of 1500 cc or more and of length of 4,000 mm: 18% 3. Old and used motor vehicles of engine capacity exceeding 1500 cc, popularly known as Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) including utility vehicles: 18% 4 All old and used vehicles other than these mentioned in S. No. 1 to S. No. 2: 12% 5. All old and used electric vehicles: 12% What did the union government propose-reduction in tax to 5% GST Council decided to make the tax rate uniform for all categories at 18%. Who are liable to pay GST on the sale of old and used vehicles? Only registered persons such as businesses involved in purchase and selling of old and used vehicles, etc, are liable to pay GST. Is GST applicable if an individual sells old and used car to another individual? No. GST is not applicable in this case. Is the GST payable on sale value of the old and used vehicle? GST is payable only on the value representing the margin of the supplier-the difference between consideration received for the supply of such goods and the depreciated value of such goods on the date of supply, where the registered person has claimed depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. In cases where such margin is negative, no GST is payable. For example: Suppose a registered person is selling an old and used vehicle to any person at ₹10 lakh, where the purchase price of the vehicle by the registered person was ₹12 lakh, then he is not required to pay any GST. In cases where the purchase price of the vehicle was ₹20 lakh and the selling price is ₹22 lakh, GST will be payable on the margin of supplier, that is, ₹2 lakh. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Nov 28 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. Investors were grappling with fresh U.S. inflation data and its implications for Federal Reserve policy along with continued fallout from Donald Trump's tariff pledges as trading in the U.S. was thinning out ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Asian markets were waking up to a tepid day for U.S. equities, with technology shares leading major indexes lower. Shares of Dell (DELL.N) , opens new tab and HP (HPQ.N) , opens new tab sank after weak forecasts from the personal computer makers, weighing on the tech sector (.SPLRCT) , opens new tab . Data showed the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index -- an inflation gauge followed by the Fed -- rose 2.3% in the 12 months through October, a slight uptick from the prior month. Traders were still expecting another interest rate cut when the Fed meets in mid-December, with Fed futures showing that expectations of a 25 basis point reduction remained intact following the PCE data. Investors were trying to sort through the potential fallout from Trump's pledge earlier this week of big tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, which has rattled assets including currencies and auto shares . For example, Goldman Sachs economists estimated the tariffs, if implemented, would increase U.S. core PCE inflation by 0.9%. Meanwhile, Mexico's president warned the country would retaliate if Trump followed through with his 25% across-the-board tariff, a move her government warned could kill 400,000 U.S. jobs. With tariffs as a continued specter, major Asian indexes posted mixed sessions on Wednesday. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) , opens new tab ended lower, with automakers leading the losses, amid concerns about the impact of Trump's tariff plans and a stronger yen. But key China equity gauges gained more than 1%, as data showed a less sharp decline in the country's industrial profits and traders bet that Beijing will provide stimulus to counter risks from the U.S. tariffs. In India, a Reuters poll of equity analysts found that equity markets will take time to recover from their recent sell-off because they remain overvalued, with last week's Adani indictments only adding to the pain. Beyond the U.S., central bank policy was in focus elsewhere globally. New Zealand's central bank cut rates on Wednesday for a third time in four months, and flagged more substantial easing. The Bank of Korea is up next. The BOK is expected to keep its key policy rate at 3.25% on Thursday to support the Korean won against a strong U.S. dollar, according to a Reuters poll of economists, who forecast at least three rate cuts next year. The end of the week is expected to bring more eventful data in Asia, with GDP figures due in India and Taiwan on Friday, along with Tokyo CPI data. "Black Friday" -- the day after Thanksgiving -- also marks the unofficial start of U.S. holiday shopping season . The extent to which inflation-challenged shoppers flock to deals will be of interest to markets, with consumer spending making up more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Thursday: - Bank of Korea monetary policy meeting - Australia capex data (Q3) - Germany CPI (Nov) Sign up here. Reporting by Lewis KrauskopfEditing by Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabDanica Patrick is among those praising Walmart for the American business giant's controversial business decision. Walmart, one of the biggest companies and brands in the world, announced this week its decision on its DEI policies. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has become an important talking point for businesses, schools and brands in recent years. However, some companies - and schools, like the University of Florida - have begun to dial their policies back, after testing them out for a while. Walmart is joining that group. The retailer, which is the largest private employer in the world, announced on Wednesday that it will stop using the term DEI. It has replaced it with "belonging." Walmart has also announced that it will no longer consider race or gender when choosing suppliers. It had leaned into that practice in 2020, during the heat of the United States' discussions on race and equality. James Gilbert/Getty Images “We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone,” the company said in a statement Monday. Danica Patrick, an outspoken conservative, applauded Walmart for its controversial business announcement on Tuesday afternoon. "My my how quickly things CAN change!" she wrote to her Instagram Story. Danica Patrick/Instagram. Danica, who raced professionally for IndyCar and NASCAR, voted for the first time in November - choosing Donald Trump. She's been excited to get involved in the political world, often promoting conservative talking points on social media. “I love this country, and I have lived in other places. I believe when people of different opinions speak face to face, we realize we are more similar than different," she said last year. “I don’t believe everything anyone says. I have been very torn over the years if I should give a (crap) about politics or just live the life I want as an example. I have been doing the latter. The reaction today is definitely interesting... since all I said was, I love this country.” What do you make of Patrick applauding Walmart for its controversial business announcement?

The digital poster of the highly anticipated film Sangee was unveiled today, marking an exciting milestone in its journey. Produced by Armoks Media Pvt Ltd, Yantrana Films, and presented by Supreme Motion Pictures and Satyam Jewellers, is set to hit the screens soon. Directed by Sumit Kulkarni and written by Thopte Vijaysinh Sarjerao, the film brings together an impressive team of producers, including Rohhan Bhosale, Arun Prabhudesai, Pintu Saw, Monica Prabhudesai, Pratik Thakur, and Sumit Kulkarni. Lalasaheb Shinde, Rajendra Shinde, and Rahul Kiranraj Chopra serve as co-producers. The recently unveiled poster on social media revealed a stellar cast featuring Sharib Hashmi, Sanjay Bishnoi, Shyamraj Patil, Vidya Malvade, and Gaurav More in lead roles. Speaking on the occasion, actor Sharib Hashmi said, “Sangee is a film very close to my heart, and unveiling the poster digitally is a wonderful way to connect directly with the audience. The poster encapsulates the soul of the story, and I’m thrilled for everyone to see what we’ve been working on.” Director Sumit Kulkarni added, “This digital launch is a reflection of how cinema continues to evolve and embrace technology. Sangee is a film that speaks to the heart, and this poster is just the beginning of an incredible journey. I am grateful for the dedication and passion of our entire team.” The vibrant digital poster of Sangee has already generated buzz across social media platforms, setting the stage for its theatrical release on January 17, 2025.Thruway Authority bolstering safety efforts ahead of winter weatherSANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Persistent high surf and flooding threats along California’s coast had residents on high alert a day after a major storm was blamed for one man’s death and the partial collapse of a pier , which propelled three people into the Pacific Ocean. The National Weather Service on Christmas Eve warned of dangerous, large-breaking waves of up to 35 feet (10.7 meters). Its latest high surf warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday. “Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches,” the weather service said in a Christmas Eve bulletin. In Santa Cruz, where a municipal wharf under construction partially collapsed on Monday, most beaches were cordoned off as they were inundated with high surf and debris. Residents received an alert on their phones Tuesday morning notifying them to “avoid all beaches including coastal overlook areas such as rocks, jetties or cliffs.” It warned powerful waves could sweep entire beaches unexpectedly. Local officials said there could be further damage to the wharf, but no more pieces broke off overnight. The wharf collapsed and fell into the ocean midday Monday, taking three people with it. Two people were rescued by lifeguards and a third swam to safety. No one was seriously injured. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley said in the weeks and months ahead officials will have to assess long-term solutions for protecting the coastal city from the impacts of climate change . “Hallelujah that no one was hurt in this, which could have been orders of magnitude worse in terms of any injuries to human beings and damage to property onshore and offshore,” he said at a media briefing Tuesday. “But I think we have somewhat of a question mark as we move through time,” he added. “And I don't think we're by ourselves. I think this is what coastal communities around the world are probably dealing with.” The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco. “It’s a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf,” said David Johnston, who was allowed onto the pier on Monday to check on his business, Venture Quest Kayaking. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Building inspectors were looking at the rest of the pier’s structural integrity. Some California cities ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon as forecasters warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. In Watsonville along the Monterey Bay, first responders were called to Sunset State Beach, a state park, around 11:30 a.m. Monday for a report of a man trapped under debris. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office believes a large wave pinned him there. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital. The storm’s high surf also likely pulled another man into the Pacific Ocean around noon Monday at Marina State Beach, nearly 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Watsonville, authorities said. Strong currents and high waves forced searchers to abandon their efforts roughly two hours later as conditions worsened. The man remained missing Monday evening. In a post on X, the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon, said, “It will likely go down as some of the highest surf this winter.” Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Sophie Austin in Sacramento contributed.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery described the decision to rule out his side’s last-gasp goal in their Champions League draw with Juventus as “very soft” and has called for consistency from European referees. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home in stoppage time, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. Contact seemed minimal but VAR did not intervene and Villa had to settle for a point in a 0-0 draw. “With the last action, it is the interpretation of the referee,” the Spaniard said. “In England , 80 per cent of those is given a goal and it’s not a foul. It’s very soft. “But in Europe, it could be a foul. We have to accept. “Everybody will know, in England the interpretation is different. The England referees, when actions like that the interpretation is a clear no foul but in Europe that interpretation is different. “They have to be working to get the same decision when some action like that is coming. I don’t know exactly why but we knew before in the Premier League that it is different. “In Europe for example we are not doing a block like in England and we are not doing in front of the goalkeeper in offensive corners the same situations like in England. “When the action happened, I was thinking here in Europe it’s a foul. In England not, but in Europe I have to accept it. “At first, I thought the referee gave us a goal. In cases like that, it’s confusing because he has to wait for VAR. I don’t know what happened but I think so (the referee changed his mind with VAR).” It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. “We were playing a favourite to be in the top eight and usually a contender to win this competition,” Emery added. “We are a team who for a long time didn’t play in Europe and the Champions League and this year is very important. “We wanted to play competitive and we are in the right way. Today to get one point is very good, we wanted to win but wanted to avoid some mistakes we made in previous games. “We have 10 points and we’re happy.” Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. Juve boss Thiago Motta, whose side are 19th but still in contention to reach the top eight, said: “There’s just three games left to qualify. The next home against Man City, then Brugge, then Benfica. “One at a time, as we always did with the goal to qualify for the next round. “In the end we will try and reach our goal which is to go to the next round.”