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In the world of Real Housewives , a 100th anniversary can only be celebrated in one way: through an utterly devastating season of absurd, yet amazing, drama. The Real Housewives of Orange County just wrapped its 18th season—the 100th Housewives season under the Bravo fold—in spectacular fashion, proving the original city still stands tall all these years later. With a former Housewife returning on the arms of a Housewife’s ex, a DUI scandal , and a shocking FBI inquiry , Orange County has known nothing but chaos since July, when the season premiered. “Authenticity is what sells, right?” Heather Dubrow , a Housewife from Seasons 7 through 11, and since Season 16, told The Daily Beast’s Obsessed. Each Housewives show has perfected its own archetype. Orange County takes viewers “behind the gates” of suburban communities, letting them see a real-life Desperate Housewives , with “creepy clown music” (as Dubrow puts it) welcoming audiences into the fold each episode. It’s not the most glamorous Housewives show; it’s the bread and butter of a tried-and-true franchise, with an ever-shifting ensemble of raw, real Housewives. “Orange County is for many people like an idea and a dream. It’s sort of the ultimate bedroom community,” said Ryan Flynn, senior VP of current production at Bravo. “It’s relatable, but it also allows us to judge.” “It doesn’t mean that we’re always going to agree with them, but at least we know why they’re doing what they’re doing and what they’re saying,” he added. Tamra Judge has been a Real Housewife since Season 3 aired back in 2007, taking a two-year sabbatical before returning in all her villainous glory for Season 17. Often credited as the Housewife who created the interpersonal drama fans think of with the franchise, Judge knows better than anyone what makes good TV—and what doesn’t. “There’s a truth teller—a villain if you want to call it. There’s a wealthy one. There’s one that plays the victim. There’s a girl in denial, one in distress. There’s an ice queen. There’s a rags-to-riches attorney,” she added. “I think that’s what makes it a great show, that we have so many different dynamics.” The Real Housewives of Orange County is experiencing a renaissance, one that seemed impossible just two years ago. On the heels of the ousting of Judge and original Housewife Vicki Gunvalson, Orange County suffered from a disjointed season made worse by COVID woes, followed by a shaky rebound attempt in Season 16. With Dubrow and Judge back in the roster, alongside fan favorite newbies like Jenn Pedranti, Orange County has finally gotten its groove back. Not since Season 10’s widely renowned cancer scam have the stakes been this high, as Shannon Beador faced the fallout of a DUI and new enemy Alexis Bellino, who served as a “mouthpiece” to Beador’s ex and Bellino’s now-fiancé John Jannsen. Meanwhile, Pedranti faced demons of her own, her engagement undercut by an FBI inquiry into her now-fiancé Ryan Bojayian, caught in the middle of the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal. “I think that’s what’s so exciting, when you when you end the shoot of a season in a place you never expected to be when you started,” Flynn said. “It’s a roll of the dice a lot of the time. But when you find interesting women leading interesting lives, things are going to happen no matter what.” “I always find it to be one of the best sitcoms on TV. And I mean that in a really loving way,” he added. “Because I think so often we are laughing when no one is trying to make us laugh, but it is just the absurdity of life. These women have always sort of run with the mandate of ‘Think out loud and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts.’” That’s often true of Orange County , where the drama is much less manicured than its California sister, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills . In the OC, authenticity is key to all the drama. The intertwined, twisted world of Newport Beach works to the show’s benefit. The editing has grown sharper and the audience is far smarter, but it’s Housewives like Beador who keep viewers coming back for more. After all, Beador has caught herself in the middle of the drama each and every season of her run, maybe with the exception of Season 14 (if you squint). Most Housewives would cut and run filming the one-two punch that was the DUI and return of Bellino. For Beador, it was just another year around the sun. “It was a lot of hurt on my part. Yeah, it wasn’t fun,” Beador said. “But I’m hopeful that someday I can say ... that I’m grateful for it. I will say that today, I feel stronger and happier than I ever have been in my life.” A fan favorite since she joined in Season 9, Beador’s neurotic charm has lived on through her nine lemons in a bowl and inability to live anything but honestly. Ten years later, she’s as open as ever. “I remember we had a cast member one year, I think it was my third or fourth season, that called me and said, ‘I’m going to try and get pregnant this season. What’s going to be your story?’” she said. “And my answer was, ‘You know what? I’m just going to be Shannon Beador.’ And when people get tired of that? Then I’ll just check off that box, and you won’t hear from me again.” The true strength of The Real Housewives of Orange County comes in its jam-packed ensemble. That’s something the show often struggled perfecting in past years, from a revolving door of one-hit wonders to a real-life racism controversy canning one of the show’s rising stars. Orange County has more one-and-done Housewives than any other city in the franchise, and it’s one of the few to no longer have an original Housewife on its roster (although we thank Gunvalson for her multi-episode guest arcs each season. Get her on my show! ). After many trials and tribulations, the show has finally settled on a cast fans love, one that harkens back to the golden era’s undeniable chemistry. At 18 seasons, the show has more life in it now than it has in a decade. They’re the OGs of the OC, after all. Everyone else is just a copy. “It’s absolutely crazy to me, because even way back then, I thought this is going to last for a year, this is going to last for two years. And every year, I would be like, Okay, this has got to be the end,” Judge said. “And you know, it’s so surreal now as I was watching Season 3 just yesterday, and I’m like, damn, things have changed.” As the franchise has grown over 100 seasons—wardrobes have evolved beyond sky tops, social media has grown especially vicious —the ethos of the franchise has remained the same. It’s a “peek through the curtains of your neighbor’s home,” Dubrow said. “It’s the OG. [When it premiered], there was nothing like it,” she added. “I think it’s stood the test of time because most of the cast throughout the years—yes, there have been some hiccups—but most of the cast throughout the years have shown up in such a beautiful, authentic way, ready to tell their stories, for better or for worse.” That’s why women like Pedranti are so exciting to come across. An old-school Housewife in the vein of cuff queen Lynne Curtin, Pedranti bares it all on screen. She’s not shilling some bath bombs no one’s going to buy. She’s living her humble life, evictions and all. Back in the early days of Orange County , Pedranti watched the show while folding laundry. Now, strangers walk up to her at the gym and tell her they’re rooting for her relationship. “Someone told me, ‘We as a viewer want to feel like we’re sitting in your living room watching you, and we really shouldn’t be watching. We’re not watching Instagram or the Christmas card. We’re watching what goes on behind your actual closed door,’” Pedranti said. “Maybe it truly makes people feel like it’s not so bad for them. Maybe they’re like, ‘I thought I had problems, but I watched Jenn last night. God bless that girl. We’re doing alright,’” she continued. That inside look into the world of women, whether through aspirational trips or cautionary tales, has carried the franchise through 100 seasons. Through it all, as The Real Housewives of New York City rebooted with an entire cast, Dubai , Dallas , and D.C. were canceled (or paused, as coined by former New York Housewife Dorinda Medley), and Miami died and was reborn, Orange County has lived through it all. It’s like a cockroach, except people actually like it. Already, the franchise has blown past 100 with no sign of slowing down. From another perfect season of Salt Lake City to a return-to-form in Potomac , the Housewives experiment is going strong as ever. “It feels like there’s never an end to this, because these shows live on the fact that we see people grow, we see people change, and we see people come and go,” Flynn said. “I think the beauty of Real Housewives is always that natural refresher of story, of life.”Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal
running back has an abundance of NFL fans rooting for him to break Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Just don't count Dickerson among them. "I don't think he'll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it," the former said in an interview with the published Thursday. "Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don't pull no punches on that. "But I'm not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That's the way I look at it. If he's fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it's a great record to have." Barkley is up to 1,838 rushing yards through 15 games this season. He needs 268 yards in the ' final two games of the season – against the and – to break Dickerson's single-season mark of 2,105, which he set in 1984. The Philadelphia running back's stellar season already ranks 19th all-time in single-season rushing yards, one spot ahead of Dickerson's league-leading tally of 1,821 in 1986. Barkley is currently on pace for 2,083 rushing yards, which would fall behind both Dickerson's 1984 record total and the next-highest mark: Adrian Peterson's 2,097-yard season in 2012. But Barkley could help his case with a strong outing in . The Eagles have already , which could mean a heavier workload for the star tailback. As fortune would have it, if Barkley stays within reach after the first divisional matchup, he could have a chance to break Dickerson's record against the , his former team. "How ironic would it be for him to break the record on them, the team that let him go," Dickerson said in the aforementioned interview. "A true slap in the face."
Alexander: Is diminished USC-UCLA game another reminder of what we’ve lost?EOG Resources Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market
Donald Trump has a chance to become a true education presidentPicture headphones that do more than just play music—imagine a device that combines audio quality with the novelty of a built-in, wearable touchscreen. That’s the kind of fever dream Miniso seems to have embraced with the G90 headphones. Let’s not mince words—this is the sort of concept that Apple fanboys have been daydreaming about for years. A mini iPod embedded right onto your ears? It’s like someone raided a tech nerd’s wishlist and decided to manufacture it. So, what exactly makes these headphones a headline grabber? First off, yes, there’s a touchscreen on the headphones. No charging case sleight of hand here—the control panel is boldly slapped onto the earcups, where you can swipe and tap your way through playlists, calls, and noise-canceling modes. And get this—it’s removable. Why? Probably to flex on the concept of versatility, or maybe just to mess with you when you inevitably misplace it. Practicality might take a backseat, but the sheer audacity is worth a nod. Designer: The G90’s design offers a mix of practicality and flair for a Miniso-worthy price tag of under $70. Its foldable construction ensures easy portability, while plush memory foam ear pads promise long-lasting comfort, whether you’re binge-watching your favorite series or enduring a red-eye flight. With a solid 10-hour battery life, these headphones can keep up with most daily routines. The built-in mic provides reliable call quality, but the star of the show is that screen – which somehow simultaneously excites and baffles the mind. The detachable touchscreen is equal parts audacious and perplexing. We’ve seen multiple companies add displays to the charging cases of TWS earbuds, but this particular one feels like one of those wild Behance design concepts come to life. The touchscreen displays presumably album art, along with meaningful information like a clock as well as song/artist/album details – probably for someone on the subway to peer at because the screen isn’t really visible to you while docked. You can, however, un-dock it but then again you could also just use your phone. Plus, the screen is also accompanied by buttons that perform more core activities like playing/pausing, volume control, and ANC activation. Don’t expect cutting-edge consumer-driven innovation from Miniso, but if you’re craving a bit of novelty, then sure, the G90 is a fun buy. As far as the headphone’s actual function goes, the G90’s hybrid active noise-canceling holds its own, capable of muting background chaos from roaring engines to bustling cafés. Paired with aptX Adaptive Sound, it adjusts audio delivery to suit various tracks, while multiple EQ presets let you adjust output based on what kind of audio you’re listening to. Meanwhile, the G90 also surprisingly packs Bluetooth 5.4, staying well ahead of the Bluetooth headset curve. Here’s the kicker: the price. At $66.78 on Aliexpress, the G90 is punching way above its weight. It doesn’t pretend to be a luxury statement but positions itself as an affordable, feature-packed alternative that makes you wonder why you’d spend more. It’s not so much a “do I need this?” purchase as a “why not?” decision—a sentiment Miniso clearly thrives on. And yes, I’ll be waiting to see someone hack the G90 and play Doom on it. Still, let’s address the elephant in the room: is the touchscreen actually useful? If swiping on your headphones sounds like the pinnacle of convenience, then sure, it’s revolutionary. For everyone else, it’s a quirky addition that’ll likely lose its charm after a few weeks. However, it does make for a pretty good stocking stuffer for that price tag!Pathstone Holdings LLC decreased its holdings in Conagra Brands, Inc. ( NYSE:CAG – Free Report ) by 20.2% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 129,705 shares of the company’s stock after selling 32,859 shares during the quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in Conagra Brands were worth $4,218,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the third quarter worth approximately $1,020,000. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC purchased a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the third quarter worth approximately $3,829,000. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the first quarter worth approximately $18,268,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Conagra Brands by 23.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 93,895 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,668,000 after buying an additional 17,835 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Pension Service boosted its holdings in shares of Conagra Brands by 8.8% in the third quarter. National Pension Service now owns 1,160,249 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,731,000 after buying an additional 93,581 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.75% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Conagra Brands in a report on Monday, August 12th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $36.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $29.00 price target on shares of Conagra Brands in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Conagra Brands from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised shares of Conagra Brands to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $31.63. Conagra Brands Trading Up 0.9 % Conagra Brands stock opened at $27.42 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $13.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.62, a PEG ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.33. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $26.21 and a 1 year high of $33.24. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $29.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $29.91. Conagra Brands ( NYSE:CAG – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 2nd. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.60 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.84 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 4.14% and a return on equity of 13.71%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.66 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Conagra Brands, Inc. will post 2.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Conagra Brands Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.11%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. Conagra Brands’s payout ratio is currently 135.92%. Conagra Brands Company Profile ( Free Report ) Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company primarily in the United States. The company operates through Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice segments. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Conagra Brands, Inc. ( NYSE:CAG – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- ZoomInfo (NASDAQ: ZI), the go-to-market Intelligence platform, announced its ranking at No. 55 on Newsweek ’s 2025 Excellence 1000 Index. The second annual list, developed in partnership with Best Practice Institute (BPI) – a leadership development and benchmark research company – honors top U.S. companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence, sustainable financial growth, and a strong dedication to corporate social responsibility and ethical practices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219598554/en/ ZoomInfo ranked No. 55 out of 1,000 U.S. companies on Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index. (Graphic: Business Wire) “We’re honored to be recognized on Newsweek ’s Excellence 1000 Index alongside some of the world’s most respected organizations,” ZoomInfo’s Founder and CEO Henry Schuck said. “This recognition reflects our ongoing effort to provide the most innovative intelligence platform for our customers while ensuring ZoomInfo remains an outstanding workplace for our employees across the globe.” The Excellence 1000 Index highlights companies that have successfully navigated complex business challenges and achieved sustained success. The results were determined after the Best Practice Institute analyzed over half a million data points and created a proprietary scoring system to measure everything from financial practices to customer reviews, ESG commitments, and more to build the 2nd annual Excellence 1000 Index. “Corporate success today goes beyond financial performance,” said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief of Newsweek. “The Excellence 1000 Index honors companies that balance strategic growth with a deep commitment to ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability. Together with our partner Best Practice Institute, we are proud to recognize these organizations redefining leadership in the corporate world.” “In an era where narratives often overshadow facts, the Excellence 1000 Index stands as a testament to the importance of verified impact and ethical leadership,” added Louis Carter, CEO of Best Practice Institute. “This year’s honorees exemplify what it means to prioritize innovation, sustainability, and stakeholder value over tradition and superficial metrics. By recognizing these trailblazers, we aim to inspire a new standard for evaluating corporate success—one that values measurable progress and integrity above all.” For the full list of the 2025 Excellence 1000 Index, please visit www.newsweek.com/rankings/newsweek-excellence-index-2025 . Methodology To identify the top 1000 companies for the Excellence 1000 Index, companies were evaluated based on several criteria including Employee rating, Customer rating, ESG risk rating, ESG/Ethical impact, Adherence to ISO standards, R&D spending, Global Compact Status, Financial performance, BBB Rating and Accreditation, and Number of customer complaints, among others. Each of the criteria considered is equally ranked in importance. About ZoomInfo ZoomInfo (NASDAQ: ZI) is the Go-To-Market Intelligence Platform that empowers businesses to grow faster with AI-ready insights, trusted data, and advanced automation. Its solutions provide more than 35,000 companies worldwide with a complete view of their customers, making every seller their best seller. ZoomInfo is a recognized leader in data privacy, with industry-leading GDPR and CCPA compliance and numerous data security and privacy certifications . For more information about how ZoomInfo can help businesses with go-to-market intelligence that accelerates revenue growth, please visit www.zoominfo.com . About Newsweek Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic, over 85-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. About Best Practice Institute Best Practice Institute (BPI) is a global leader in leadership development and benchmark research, distinguished by its data-driven approach to organizational assessment. As the research architect behind Newsweek's Excellence 1000 Index, BPI analyzes over half a million data points annually through its proprietary scoring system, evaluating companies across multiple dimensions, including employee satisfaction, customer experience, ESG performance, and financial responsibility. BPI's comprehensive methodology encompasses crucial metrics such as ISO standards compliance, R&D investment, UN Global Compact alignment, and stakeholder feedback. Through this rigorous analytical framework and innovative assessment tools, BPI continues to set the standard for identifying and promoting corporate excellence in the modern business landscape. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219598554/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact Jaime Sarachit Director, Communications pr@zoominfo.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING MARKETING DATA MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS SMALL BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: ZoomInfo Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 01:41 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 01:40 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219598554/enAfrican nation, Tanzania will be the partner country for the International Gita Mahotsav to held from November 28 to December 15 at Kurukshetra. This was stated by Haryana chief minister Nayab Saini at a briefing on Friday. Saini said the state of Odisha will be the partner state. The chief minister said the festival will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality, culture, and art. The grand event from November 28 to December 15 will run continuously for 18 days, during which the timeless message of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita will be shared with people. The chief minister said that from November 28 to December 15, a grand Gita Maha-aarti will be held daily on the sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar. Cultural programmes will take place at various pilgrimage sites throughout the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra from November 28 to December 11. The festival will officially kick off with a Gita Yajna and Pujan at Brahma Sarovar on December 5. On the same day, a three-day ‘International Gita Seminar’ will begin at Kurukshetra University. On December 9, a saint sammelan will be held at Purushottampura Bagh, followed by an All-India Devasthanam Conference at the same location on December 10. Saini said that on Gita Jayanti, December 11, a Gita Yajna and Bhagwat Katha will be organised at Jyotisar Tirtha, with a global recitation of the Gita by 18,000 students. On December 11, there will be an 8 Kos Tirtha Sammelan, Gita Shobha Yatra, Deepotsav, and cultural programmes at 182 pilgrimage sites within Kurukshetra University. As in previous years, Gita book fairs and exhibitions will also take place at Brahma Sarovar from December 5 to 11. Saini said that this year’s partner nation, Tanzania also participated as a partner country in the International Surajkund Crafts Fair held in February. He said that Indian diaspora in Tanzania actively organised recitations of the Shri Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The presence of numerous Hindu temples in Tanzania fostered a connection between Indian culture and the country. Saini said that Odisha boasts significant pilgrimage sites such as Jagannath Puri, the Konark Sun Temple, and the Lingaraj and Mukteshwar Temples in Bhubaneswar, all of which are sources of pride for Sanatan culture. People can see a glimpse of this rich heritage at the Mahotsav. The chief minister said that Haryana has a long-standing relationship with Tanzania, with delegations from Haryana visiting the country twice, comprising industrialists, farmers, and representatives from various trades. He said that Tanzania serves as a gateway to Africa and that the two regions share deep economic and social ties. He said that the International Gita Mahotsav will enhance the partnership between the two countries, with Tanzanian ministers also expected to participate in the mahotsav. This event will provide the people of Tanzania with a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Haryana. The similarities between Haryana and Tanzania will make the event particularly engaging and will further strengthen their relationship.Stocks closed lower as Wall Street ended a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose slightly. On Friday: The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 49,992.21. The Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies dropped 35.60 points, or 1.6%, to 2,244.59. For the week: The S&P 500 is up 39.99 points, or 0.7%. The Dow is up 151.95 points, or 0.4%. The Nasdaq is up 149.43 points, or 0.8% The Russell 2000 is up 2.22 points, or 0.1%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,201.01 points, or 25.2%. The Dow is up 5,302.67, or 14.1%. The Nasdaq is up 4,710.68 points, or 31.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 217.52 points, or 10.7%.
Benson had seven rebounds for the Bearcats (3-6). Tymu Chenery shot 7 for 12, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc to add 18 points. Wes Peterson had 10 points and shot 3 of 4 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line. Gavin Walsh's layup with 2 seconds remaining in regulation tied it for Binghamton. Jamal Fuller led the way for the Sharks (3-6) with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Terell Strickland added 17 points and eight assists for LIU. Malachi Davis also had 12 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .A chorus of support is growing behind actress Blake Lively after she filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni. Actress Amber Heard on Monday became the latest celebrity to speak out on behalf of the "Gossip Girl" alum over what she says was a coordinated social media effort to tarnish her name. Over the weekend, Lively filed a complaint claiming that Baldoni and a lead producer had behaved unacceptably during the filming of box office hit "It Ends With Us." The allegations included that Baldoni -- who also directed the film -- had spoken inappropriately about his sex life, and had sought to alter the film to include sex scenes that were not in the script and had not been agreed to. They also detailed how lead producer Jamey Heath had watched Lively while she was topless, despite having been asked to turn away. But the complaint goes into great detail -- including with texts and emails -- on a PR campaign to wreck her reputation and to divert attention from any public comments she might make about the men's alleged misbehavior. This was "a carefully crafted, coordinated, and resourced retaliatory scheme to silence her, and others from speaking out about the hostile environment that Mr Baldoni and Mr Heath created," the complaint says. It includes allegations that the two men hired a crisis PR team that amplified or planted negative stories about Lively on social media platforms. "You know we can bury anyone," Melissa Nathan, a member of the team, is alleged to have said, according to messages contained in the complaint. Heard's ex-husband Johnny Depp hired the same PR team during the high-profile defamation trial between the couple in 2022, in which a jury unanimously found that Heard defamed Depp over allegations he abused her. "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,'" Heard said in a statement carried by NBC News. "I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive." Heard's support came on the heels of a joint statement by America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel, who starred with Lively in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." "As Blake's friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," they wrote on Instagram. "Throughout the filming of 'It Ends with Us', we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice." A lawyer for Wayfarer, the studio behind the film, said in a statement released to the New York Times that neither the studio, its executives, nor its PR team did anything to retaliate against Lively. "These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media," lawyer Bryan Freedman wrote. The complaint was lodged with the California Civil Rights Department, and is a precursor to a lawsuit. Major Hollywood talent agency WME -- which represents Lively -- has reportedly dropped Baldoni as a client. hg/ahaTORONTO — Losses in the tech sector led Canada's main stock index lower Friday, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index ended down 50.42 points at 24,796.40. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 333.59 points at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 index was down 66.75 points at 5,970.84, while the Nasdaq composite was down 298.33 points at 19,722.03. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.37 cents US, compared with 69.51 cents US on Tuesday. The February crude oil contract was up 98 cents at US$70.60 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up six cents at US$3.38 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$22 at US$2,631.90 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.12 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian PressSoftcat plc's (LON:SCT) Stock Has Been Sliding But Fundamentals Look Strong: Is The Market Wrong?
France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline returnFORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) ( TollBrothers.com ), the nation's leading builder of luxury homes, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. The dividend of $0.23 per share will be paid on January 24, 2025 to shareholders of record on the close of business on January 10, 2025. ABOUT TOLL BROTHERS Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 57 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL.” The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, insurance, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. In 2024, Toll Brothers marked 10 years in a row being named to the Fortune World's Most Admired CompaniesTM list and the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com. Toll Brothers discloses information about its business and financial performance and other matters, and provides links to its securities filings, notices of investor events, and earnings and other news releases, on the Investor Relations section of its website (investors.TollBrothers.com). From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. CONTACT: Gregg Ziegler (215) 478-3820 [email protected]A Georgia sheriff was sued last week for allegedly blocking critical comments on his office’s social media account after videos spread of him calling deputies to a Burger King that botched his order. David Cavender, who lost the Cobb County sheriff’s race to incumbent Craig Owens Sr. this month, sued Owens weeks after kicking off a stream of online ridicule against the sheriff by accusing him of “Whoppergate.” In mid-October, Cavender’s campaign published body-camera footage of a March 2023 incident where Owens, who was not in uniform, called three deputies to a Mableton, Georgia, Burger King and asked them to collect the names of the store’s manager and owner so he could lodge a complaint with the restaurant. Cavender accused Owens of misusing public resources. He and others blasted the sheriff in the comments of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook posts. On Oct. 29, a week before the election, Owens restricted comments on several posts on the page, according to Cavender’s complaint. The lawsuit, filed Nov. 13 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia by Cavender and two other plaintiffs critical of Owens, accuses the sheriff of violating their constitutional rights to free expression and speech. The accusation echoes similar lawsuits against higher-profile public officials, including then-President Donald Trump and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), for blocking critics on social media. Attorneys for Owens did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday evening on the lawsuit or the Burger King incident. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment. The sheriff’s office said in a Nov. 1 Facebook post that it had restricted comments on its page to “keep our posts focused on community safety updates and educational info.” Owens called three officers to the Burger King after the restaurant botched his wife’s Whopper order, according to the body-camera footage first published by Cavender’s campaign and later obtained by local news outlets. Owens was not in uniform and appeared to be driving a personal truck. “Do me a favor,” Owens asks a deputy on the video. “All I need is the owner name ... or the manager. We ordered something, the food was wrong.” Owens told his deputy that the restaurant’s staff disputed that they served the wrong order and declined to refund him, according to the video. He said he wanted the name of the restaurant’s owner to file an official complaint. Video shows the deputies approach the Burger King to find the doors locked. An assistant manager told the deputies that staff had locked the doors because they felt threatened by Owens after previous experiences with angry customers, according to Atlanta-area TV station 11Alive, which viewed unpublished portions of the video showing the interaction. “You didn’t tell him who I was, did you?” Owens asks his deputy after the officers return and tell him that the staff felt threatened, according to the footage. The deputy says he didn’t. Cavender’s campaign published the body-camera footage on social media on Oct. 11 and said Owens had abused his position and wasted county resources by calling deputies to the scene. Owens apologized and said he had made the same kind of request over a business dispute that any citizen could make, and that he did not identify himself as the sheriff to the Burger King staff, Atlanta-based TV station WSB-TV reported. Comments on the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page ridiculing Owens - including images of the sheriff in a Burger King hat - soon followed. In Facebook comments, Cavender also leveled criticism at Owens over other controversies, including the death of an inmate at the Cobb County Jail, according to his lawsuit. On Oct. 29, the sheriff’s office began restricting comments on several recent Facebook posts that had been swamped with criticism, according to the lawsuit. It limited comments on new posts going forward and deleted many of the critical comments left on the old posts, the lawsuit alleges. Cavender’s lawsuit also accuses Owens of pushing the policy to hide negative comments on posts lauding the department’s work. It further alleges that Owens published laudatory posts about the sheriff’s office in October to bolster his reelection chances. Owens, a Democrat, defeated Cavender, a Republican, in November. Cobb County, a suburban county near Atlanta, has reliably leaned blue in recent election cycles. The lawsuit alleges that Owens violated Cavender’s First Amendment rights by blocking him from commenting and removing his previous comments. Similar cases brought in 2019 against Trump and Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom blocked critics on social media, led the officials to backtrack and remove the blocks. But the question of whether any public officials are allowed to censor critical voices online remains a subject of legal controversy; two other First Amendment cases involving local officials in California and Michigan went all the way to the Supreme Court. The high court wrote in March that public officials retain the constitutional right to maintain private social media accounts and block critical voices on them, but can still be sued for blocking users if they purport to exercise their authority to “speak on the state’s behalf” or carry out official business on those accounts - a standard some legal experts said was unclear, The Post reported. Owens told WSB-TV he could have handled the Burger King dispute differently. “In hindsight, I probably should have just drove off and took the bad service and left and came back another day,” he said.France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s comments likening Kamala Harris’s election loss to an attack on women’s rights and progress earned him criticism from the country’s premiers and from American billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress are under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.” The comments also didn’t sit well with the country’s premiers, with whom Trudeau and several cabinet ministers met late Wednesday to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Incoming president Donald Trump has threatened Canada with a 25 per cent tariff on its imports to the United States unless the country meets his demands to improve security at the border. The Liberal government has been urging the premiers and opposition leaders alike to present a united “Team Canada” front to the Americans. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who chairs the Council of the Federation, said the premiers let Trudeau know his comments were “not helpful at all.” “Donald Trump was elected democratically,” Ford said. “If you like him or you don’t like him, that’s not our issue.” He added that he’s sure Trudeau “got the message loud and clear.” When asked about Ford’s criticism after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said in French that Trudeau has always been a champion of women in politics. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at a dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago. In response to Trudeau’s concerns that a 25 per cent tariff would deal a massive blow to Canada’s economy, the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. He later posted an AI-generated image on social media of himself standing atop a mountain with a Canadian flag flying, with the caption “Oh Canada.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. — With files from Liam Casey in Toronto