49ers rule out Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa; QB Brandon Allen to start at Green BayAs AI technology advances, scams become more realistic and harder to detect. Recently the firm Psono.com has highlighted modern scams like AI-powered phishing, clone emails, and gift card fraud that use personal data to create highly convincing attacks. Digital Journal has drawn out the key points from the report. Understanding how these scams work can aid those seeking to protect personal information and money. AI-Powered Scams Scammers now use AI to impersonate family or friends , creating realistic voice recordings or videos from social media content. These deepfakes are used to ask for money or personal information, making the scams feel alarmingly real. What to Do: If you receive an unexpected request, ask questions or details only the real person would know. A wrong or vague answer is a strong sign of a scam. Gift Card Scams Scammers analyse online shopping habits to target victims with gift card requests from stores they frequently use, especially during busy shopping seasons. The cards are quickly redeemed once the codes are shared, leaving the victim with financial loss. What to Do: If someone asks for gift card codes, especially for payment or problem resolution, it’s likely a scam. Always verify requests directly with the person or organization before taking action. Vishing Vishing involves phone scams where attackers impersonate trusted organizations, like banks or government agencies, creating urgency—such as reporting “suspicious activity”—to pressure victims into sharing sensitive details. What to Do: No legitimate organization will ever ask over the phone for sensitive information, like PINs or card details. If unsure, hang up and contact the institution directly using a verified number. Always take a moment to verify before acting on any request. Smishing Smishing scams use fake text messages that mimic delivery updates or account alerts, often targeting online shoppers, to steal credentials or spread malware. What to Do: Always check the sender’s number. If it doesn’t match the official organization, it’s likely a scam. Verify messages directly with the company before taking action. Clone Phishing Clone phishing replicates real emails, like receipts or notifications, but replaces links or attachments with malicious ones. The familiarity makes them easy to fall for. What to Do: Check the sender’s email address and double-check any links by hovering over them. If the email feels off, contact the sender directly using their official contact details. Social Media Phishing Social media phishing uses fake or hacked profiles to send messages that mimic giveaways or urgent requests. These scams aim to steal login credentials or personal information. What to Do: Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Verify requests directly with the sender and double-check login pages for authenticity. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Man-in-the-middle attacks happen when hackers, like passwords or banking details, intercept what you send or receive on public Wi-Fi. Using Wi-Fi at places like cafés or airports can make your data a target. What to Do: Avoid logging into important accounts on public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN for extra security and look for “https://” on websites to ensure they are encrypted. Ransomware Ransomware blocks access to files or devices by encrypting them and then demands payment to unlock them. These attacks often start with phishing emails or fake downloads and target personal data like photos or documents. What to Do: Back up important files offline and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments. If attacked, report the incident to relevant authorities and seek professional advice on the next steps. DNS Spoofing DNS spoofing redirects users to fake websites that look like real ones. These sites are designed to steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. What to Do: Always check the website address carefully before entering any information. Use secure websites with “https://” and consider tools that protect against DNS attacks. Fake Job Offers Scammers post fake job offers, often promising high pay or remote work, to steal personal details or money. They may ask for fees or sensitive information, pretending to be real companies. What to Do: Before paying or sharing personal information, ensure the request comes from the right source. Research the company and confirm details through official channels. AI is changing how scammers operate, making their attacks more personal and harder to spot. They use tools to mimic voices, create fake videos, or send messages that seem to come from trusted contacts. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Despite long-standing challenges in the country’s healthcare system, 2024 has seen significant milestones in public health, according to the Department of Health (DOH). DOH Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa highlighted the department's notable strides in advancing the Philippines' healthcare landscape. These milestones, he said, reflect the DOH’s commitment to improving public health, enhancing access to medical services, and addressing pressing health challenges. From implementing innovative health policies and strengthening disease prevention programs to ensuring the availability of medical resources and supporting healthcare workers, Herbosa emphasized that the DOH’s initiatives this year continue to prioritize the health and well-being of every Filipino. Key achievements and milestones As the DOH plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation's health priorities, Herbosa outlined the department’s intensified efforts to strengthen the country's health systems amidst evolving challenges. Among the major accomplishments this year, Herbosa highlighted the establishment of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS). Currently, there are 42 BUCAS Centers nationwide: 20 in Luzon, eight in the Visayas, and 14 in Mindanao. BUCAS Centers provide primary, ambulatory, and urgent care services. These centers offer X-rays, ultrasounds, consultations, and even surgical procedures, bringing essential healthcare closer to Filipinos and reducing congestion in emergency rooms. Herbosa also cited the “PuroKalusugan” program as one of the DOH’s key milestones this year. The “PuroKalusugan” program aims to deliver public health services nationwide through the National Health Workforce Support System, under the supervision of the DOH’s Centers for Health Development (CHDs). This program provides various primary healthcare services, including maternal and child health, immunization, water sanitation and hygiene, tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) control, and non-communicable disease prevention programs. To date, 14 PuroKalusugan centers are operational. Additionally, Herbosa noted the 83 Bagong Pilipinas Mobile Clinics nationwide, which offer consultations, chest X-rays, ultrasounds, and blood examinations. Through the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS), the DOH deployed 627 doctors to rural areas and over 19,000 health workers nationwide. It also supported more than 253,000 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and at least 1,700 local government units (LGUs). As part of the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), the DOH awarded P560 million to 235 LGUs that achieved 100 percent of their nutrition targets. Herbosa also highlighted achievements in outbreak response, particularly the immunization campaign in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where 1.2 million children were vaccinated. The DOH’s response to mpox was another significant accomplishment, according to Herbosa. Following the World Health Organization's declaration of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the DOH organized a national task force, developed the 2024 National Action Plan, and implemented measures for prevention, detection, and response. Herbosa assured that “no Clade 1 strain has been detected in the country.” Other initiatives included scaling up laboratory capacity, risk communication campaigns, community engagement, and ongoing coordination with international partners to acquire mpox-related commodities. In advancing health security, the DOH conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE), becoming one of only three countries in the Western Pacific region to achieve this milestone. Herbosa noted significant progress in the nation’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. Addressing challenges While celebrating milestones, Herbosa acknowledged challenges faced by the department, including addressing the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for healthcare workers who served during the pandemic. “We have settled all claims,” Herbosa said, noting that the DOH released P74.97 billion for 13.53 million claims. Herbosa also flagged the health workforce shortage as a pressing issue, citing the annual departure of at least 13,000 nurses. To address this, he pointed to the establishment of 22 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) offering medical programs and the lifting of the embargo on new nursing schools by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Another challenge is the infrastructure gap in the country’s health system. To address this, Herbosa said the DOH plans to build hospitals, primary care facilities, and multispecialty centers. DOH priorities for 2025 Looking ahead, Herbosa expressed the DOH’s commitment to fostering partnerships, embracing innovation, and enhancing the resilience of the healthcare system to ensure no Filipino is left behind. “Our priority is addressing the biggest problems in healthcare,” he said. Herbosa emphasized the need to improve immunization rates, which currently stand at 60 percent. “We need to reach at least 85 to 90 percent,” he added. Other priorities for 2025 include nutrition, water sanitation, and maternal care, particularly for young mothers, to reduce unplanned pregnancies. The DOH also plans to digitize the health system by establishing nationwide command and data centers. “We aim to solve problems using precision public health, data, science, and digital technology,” Herbosa said. “It’s ambitious, but with the progress we’ve made, I remain confident,” he added.Tice, Otieno lead Quinnipiac to 75-69 OT win over Hofstra
Shares of Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CGEM – Get Free Report ) traded down 2.9% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $11.88 and last traded at $11.92. 28,103 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 96% from the average session volume of 640,126 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.27. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CGEM shares. HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of Cullinan Therapeutics in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Cullinan Therapeutics in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $30.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $36.00 price target on shares of Cullinan Therapeutics in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $31.67. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CGEM Cullinan Therapeutics Stock Performance Cullinan Therapeutics ( NASDAQ:CGEM – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.69) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.78) by $0.09. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc. will post -3.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Cullinan Therapeutics In other Cullinan Therapeutics news, insider Jennifer Michaelson sold 3,489 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.52, for a total value of $43,682.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 104,453 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,307,751.56. The trade was a 3.23 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Nadim Ahmed sold 8,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.87, for a total transaction of $99,708.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 263,150 shares in the company, valued at $3,123,590.50. This represents a 3.09 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 24,582 shares of company stock valued at $322,057. 6.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cullinan Therapeutics A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CGEM. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Cullinan Therapeutics by 46.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 137,997 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,407,000 after buying an additional 43,757 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Cullinan Therapeutics by 73.3% in the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 8,883 shares of the company’s stock valued at $155,000 after acquiring an additional 3,758 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in Cullinan Therapeutics by 16.4% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 54,351 shares of the company’s stock worth $948,000 after purchasing an additional 7,649 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Cullinan Therapeutics during the 2nd quarter valued at about $182,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Cullinan Therapeutics by 32.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 76,018 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,326,000 after purchasing an additional 18,840 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.31% of the company’s stock. About Cullinan Therapeutics ( Get Free Report ) Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing oncology therapies for cancer patients in the United States. The company's lead program comprises CLN-619, a monoclonal antibody that is in Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of solid tumors. Its development portfolio also includes CLN-049, a humanized bispecific antibody that is in Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome; CLN-418, a human bispecific immune activator that is in Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of multiple solid tumors; and Zipalertinib, a bioavailable small-molecule for treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Cullinan Therapeutics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cullinan Therapeutics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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On today’s Wrestling Observer Live, we lead off with everything AEW Full Gear. We break down the entire show, including an ending that had a lot of moving parts with Jon Moxley defeating Orange Cassidy. We also saw Darby Allin try to take out all the Death Riders by crashing into their truck to end the show. Also, Zero Hour saw Big Boom AJ take on QT Marshall. I talk about the effect of how social media helped to make this match and why it worked. Friday’s WWE SmackDown saw the return of CM Punk to WWE television as the fifth member of Roman Reigns’s OG Bloodline team for Survivor Series: WarGames with Paul Heyman. I talk about the different possibilities of matches involving Punk with members of the Bloodline and what Heyman’s role will be going forward. Plus, I look at the Survivor Series lineup so far, WWE’s wild description of Jade Cargill’s injuries, and more. Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube starting at 6:05 PM Eastern SourceThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Justin Neely’s 16 points off the bench led Albany (NY) to a 77-70 victory against Stony Brook on Sunday. Neely also contributed nine rebounds for the Great Danes (8-7). Amar’e Marshall scored 15 points, going 6 of 9 (3 for 6 from 3-point range). Kacper Klaczek had 10 points and shot 4 for 8 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line. Ben Wight led the way for the Seawolves (4-9) with 19 points and seven rebounds. Joseph Octave added 13 points and five steals for Stony Brook. Jared Frey finished with 13 points. Albany (NY) took the lead with 19:30 left in the first half and did not give it up. Marshall led their team in scoring with 10 points in the first half to help put them ahead 36-31 at the break. Albany (NY) used an 8-0 run in the second half to build a 19-point lead at 55-36 with 14:01 left in the half before finishing off the win. Albany (NY) plays Saturday against UMass-Lowell at home, and Stony Brook visits Monmouth on Thursday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Tribune Notebook: Cards' Lange earns Central Lakes honors
Oklahoma Democrats mourn Fred Harris, former US senator and presidential candidateThe Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. But after two straight frustrating losses, it's not providing much consolation for a franchise that feels as though it should be much better. The latest setback came on Sunday, when the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Cardinals 23-22 . Arizona never trailed until Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining that proved to be the winning score. It was a mistake-filled performance for the Cardinals, who racked up 10 penalties for 96 yards. That's a big reason they had to settle for five field goals and scored just one touchdown. The Cardinals were leading 19-16 in the fourth quarter and had first-and-goal at the Vikings 5, but Tip Reiman was called for a false start and then quarterback Kyler Murray was called for intentional grounding . The Cardinals kicked a field goal for a 22-16 lead, giving the Vikings the chance they needed to drive for the winning score. Murray threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. “I thought we moved the ball well,” Murray said. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.” The loss knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the NFC West, though they're still in decent playoff position. A pivotal game against the division-rival Seahawks looms on Sunday. Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the frustration of Sunday's loss, but said they've got to rebound quickly. “They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.” What’s working Arizona's defense blamed itself for not coming up with a stop on the Vikings' winning drive, but the unit played exceptionally well for most of the afternoon. Mack Wilson and L.J. Collier both had two sacks and the Cardinals held Minnesota to just 273 total yards. For a group that looked as if it might be the team's weakness this season, it was another rock solid performance. What needs help The Cardinals aren't a good enough football team to overcome 10 penalties and get a win — particularly on the road. Reiman had a rough day, getting called for three false starts. His false start on the next-to-last offensive drive — coupled with Murray's intentional grounding penalty — proved to be extremely costly. “That was brutal,” Gannon said. “Just got to figure out ways to punch the ball in for touchdowns there, not field goals.” Stock up Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had five catches for 60 yards, including an impressive touchdown catch that put the Cardinals up 19-6. It was Harrison's seventh TD reception of the season. The No. 4 overall pick has been a little inconsistent in his first year, but there's little doubt he's a difference-maker for the offense. He's still got a chance to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season if he averages about 80 yards receiving over the final five games. Considering his talent, that's certainly possible. Stock down Gannon was second-guessed for his decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter instead of trying for a touchdown at the Vikings 4 with 3:29 left. Chad Ryland made the 23-yard chip shot for a 22-16 lead, but the Vikings drove the field on the ensuing possession for the winning score. “I trust JG,” Murray said. “I see both sides. Go up six and make them score; trust the defense to go get a stop. Go for it, you don’t get it, they’ve still got to go down and score. If you do get it, you probably put the game away.” Said Gannon: "Yeah, I mean there’s thought about it. Just wanted to go up more than a field goal there. Definitely a decision point that we talked about. So be it.” Injuries The Cardinals came out of the game fairly healthy. Rookie DL Darius Robinson — the No. 27 overall pick — made his NFL debut against the Vikings after missing the first 11 games due to a calf injury. Key number 1,074 — Running back James Conner's total yards from the line of scrimmage this season, including 773 on the ground and 301 in the passing game. Next steps The Cardinals return home for a game against the Seahawks on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl David Brandt, The Associated PressBy Mai Fukuda and Takahito Higuchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers 7:00 JST, December 4, 2024 Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Monday signaled clearly that he is willing to work with opposition parties in implementing political reforms, except for the abolition of donations from companies and organizations, in the first Diet debates since the LDP suffered heavy losses in the House of Representatives election in October. Ishiba hopes to revise the Political Funds Control Law during the current Diet session so that he can have some closure on the money and politics issue. But for the LDP, the road back to being trusted will be long and steep. “Political parties should avoid letting donations distort their policies. In that sense, there is no difference between donations from individuals and those from companies and organizations,” Ishiba said, answering a question from Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda. In response, there was a chorus of boos from the opposition. Ishiba stopped talking for a moment and looked sternly at the Diet chamber. Then he again stressed his opposition to abolishing donations from companies and organizations, saying they were not inappropriate in themselves. Criticizing Ishiba, Noda said, “Even though many opposition parties are seeking to abolish donations from companies and organizations, you did not mention the issue in your policy speech at all.” However, Ishiba would not change his position. The LDP has taken a consistent stand on the issue. “The LDP does not assume that donations from companies are bad and donations from individuals are good,” said Kisaburo Tokai, who leads the LDP’s political reform headquarters. Their stance is based on a 1970 Supreme Court ruling that stated a private company is generally free to make political donations. On Sunday, LDP Election Strategy Committee Chairman Seiji Kihara, who is also a senior member of the party’s political reform headquarters, and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Prime Minister’s Office. They are believed to have discussed the issue and agreed that they would not accept the demand to abolish donations from companies and organizations during the Diet session. The LDP plans to call for medium- to long-term talks on the issue that will involve experts, rather than hurriedly trying to reach a conclusion during the current Diet session, a position shared by LDP coalition partner Komeito. “If reaching an agreement before the end of this year is impossible, then it is important to take enough time to thoroughly discuss the issue,” LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama said at a press conference Monday. On other political reform issues, Ishiba kept a low profile. As the leader of the minority ruling bloc, he is in a difficult situation, since he can only move forward on policies for which there is agreement with the major opposition parties including the Democratic Party for the People, which the LDP wants to cooperate with. Criticizing political activity funds that are given to individual lawmakers by parties, Noda said, “It’s no exaggeration to say that the funds are legal slush funds.” Ishiba replied that he aims to abolish the funds. Along with the abolition of the funds, the LDP has proposed creating a third-party organization to oversee the spending of political funds that need to be examined before they can be disclosed. Ishiba showed his willingness to discuss the issue sincerely with opposition parties and political groups. Answering a question from Satoshi Asano, a member of the DPFP, with which the LDP is currently discussing changes to the so-called ¥1.03 million barrier, Ishiba said, “The LDP shares the same views as your party on basic issues such as the abolition of political activity funds.” Ruling and opposition parties plan to resume discussions on political reforms in the near future, and the LDP plans to propose the outline of a bill to revise the Political Funds Control Law, a demand of the opposition bloc. The LDP aims to revise the law during the current extraordinary Diet session. However, the issue of members of the LDP’s Abe and other factions underreporting revenue in political funds reports is still unresolved. On Monday, Noda called on LDP lower house members who failed to report funds they received in their political funds reports to attend the lower house’s Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, together with 27 House of Councillors members who had already agreed to attend it. In response, Ishiba said he would urge the offending members to fulfill their responsibility. However, LDP members are increasingly concerned that the CDPJ will continue to raise questions about the political funds issue and argue that deliberations at the council are not enough, so that they can make the issue a major focus of the upper house election next summer.The big calls we got right... and the ones that were very, very wrong: AFL predictions revisited
DOHA, Qatar , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 25, 2024 , the First JETOUR Fan's Festival and the Launch of T2 i-DM was held in Qatar , themed "Think Future". During the event, JETOUR launched its user brand "Traveler" in the Middle East and its first hybrid model, JETOUR T2 i-DM. The launch event highlights JETOUR's commitment to exploring sustainable travel modes and ambition to become the "The World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles" under the "Travel+" strategy. JETOUR T2 i-DM not only inherits the strengths of T2 series, but also achieves high energy efficiency, high performance, high safety, and high intelligence with its advanced hybrid technology, i-DM. With a maximum combined power of 280kW and torque of 610N•m, T2 i-DM boasts a NEDC pure electric range of 139km and an overall range exceeding 1,000km at just 0.8L/100km, addressing range anxiety and promoting green travel. Mr. Dai Lihong, executive vice president of JETOUR Auto, emphasized technology's role in producing world-class products. The launch also introduced "Traveler", enriching user experience through diverse products and superior performance. This year, JETOUR has ranked third in sales across the Qatari auto market. The Fan's Festival invited user representatives from across the Middle East to witness the unveiling of "Traveler", experiencing "Travel+" culture through city tours and co-creation workshops. JETOUR prioritizes users, listening to their needs and co-creating products, brand, and lifestyle. Through "Traveler," JETOUR aims to provide richer travel experiences and benefits globally, leveraging the platform to spread the "Travel+" culture worldwide. Mr. Alex Tan , Vice President of JETOUR International, said, "Serving 'JETOUR users' and being 'a user-oriented JETOUR' are JETOUR's development philosophy. JETOUR will continue to build a travel community centered around users, cars, and lifestyles, sharing the joy of traveling together with users." JETOUR also partnered with Diamond League to promote athletics in Qatar and the Middle East , embodying JETOUR Speed and the brand's image of breakthroughs and innovations. With T2 selling over 150,000 units globally, T2 i-DM will continue its success to meet customers' needs and reshape the hybrid SUV market. The launch of T2 i-DM marks JETOUR's new journey towards "the World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles." JETOUR plans to introduce more hybrid and off-road models, providing customers with eco-friendly and diversified travel choices. With its innovative spirit and user-oriented philosophy, JETOUR will lead the global automotive industry towards a more sustainable and smarter future. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-launch-of-jetour-t2-i-dm-reshaping-the-hybrid-suv-market-302339886.html SOURCE JETOUR AUTODOHA, Qatar , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 25, 2024 , the First JETOUR Fan's Festival and the Launch of T2 i-DM was held in Qatar , themed "Think Future". During the event, JETOUR launched its user brand "Traveler" in the Middle East and its first hybrid model, JETOUR T2 i-DM. The launch event highlights JETOUR's commitment to exploring sustainable travel modes and ambition to become the "The World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles" under the "Travel+" strategy. JETOUR T2 i-DM not only inherits the strengths of T2 series, but also achieves high energy efficiency, high performance, high safety, and high intelligence with its advanced hybrid technology, i-DM. With a maximum combined power of 280kW and torque of 610N•m, T2 i-DM boasts a NEDC pure electric range of 139km and an overall range exceeding 1,000km at just 0.8L/100km, addressing range anxiety and promoting green travel. Mr. Dai Lihong, executive vice president of JETOUR Auto, emphasized technology's role in producing world-class products. The launch also introduced "Traveler", enriching user experience through diverse products and superior performance. This year, JETOUR has ranked third in sales across the Qatari auto market. The Fan's Festival invited user representatives from across the Middle East to witness the unveiling of "Traveler", experiencing "Travel+" culture through city tours and co-creation workshops. JETOUR prioritizes users, listening to their needs and co-creating products, brand, and lifestyle. Through "Traveler," JETOUR aims to provide richer travel experiences and benefits globally, leveraging the platform to spread the "Travel+" culture worldwide. Mr. Alex Tan , Vice President of JETOUR International, said, "Serving 'JETOUR users' and being 'a user-oriented JETOUR' are JETOUR's development philosophy. JETOUR will continue to build a travel community centered around users, cars, and lifestyles, sharing the joy of traveling together with users." JETOUR also partnered with Diamond League to promote athletics in Qatar and the Middle East , embodying JETOUR Speed and the brand's image of breakthroughs and innovations. With T2 selling over 150,000 units globally, T2 i-DM will continue its success to meet customers' needs and reshape the hybrid SUV market. The launch of T2 i-DM marks JETOUR's new journey towards "the World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles." JETOUR plans to introduce more hybrid and off-road models, providing customers with eco-friendly and diversified travel choices. With its innovative spirit and user-oriented philosophy, JETOUR will lead the global automotive industry towards a more sustainable and smarter future. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-launch-of-jetour-t2-i-dm-reshaping-the-hybrid-suv-market-302339886.html SOURCE JETOUR AUTO
SMU seeks 7th straight win with visit from LongwoodFormer Department of Human Services secretary Kathryn Campbell (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch) It is something of a miracle that we are even here now... because none of the sclerotic checks and balances built into the system of governance in Australia worked to stop this rapacious scheme. Not the public servants who received the original legal advice before it even became a policy proposal, advice that flatly declared the approach unlawful; not the Commonwealth Ombudsman, whose credulity was exploited by wilfully deceptive bureaucrats. Freedom of information laws, once a serviceable transparency mechanism but now devolved into a clerical blockade, were rendered tautological. Critical information was imprisoned with the stroke of a pen, forever, and not even an eventual class action lawsuit in the Federal Court could obtain the damning documents needed to expose what had actually happened. Two Senate inquiries could not pry robodebt from the grip of secrecy, the information commissioner failed and even the appeals tribunal decisions — with only a few notable exceptions — were either limp or flat-out wrong. The lawyers got around to fighting robodebt, but only once they’d found their perfect victims. It’s hardly their fault that test case law requires the unblemished “good” victim to prove how monstrous a regime is, but the suffering continued while the search was on. The national audit office overturned rocks and found nothing of substance. What tiny criticisms of process were made were swatted away with a grim and well-practised administrative athleticism. NACC shouldn’t exist if it’s going to dog its remit by ignoring robodebt Read More Nothing stuck. Not even the initial media storm that blew in around Christmas 2016 and lasted a few months was enough to end robodebt. It is an appalling fact of this story that the largest number of people fed into the robodebt machine and the biggest dollar value of debt raised by this illegal program happened in the 2018-19 financial year, long after the fatigue of fighting it set in. But who am I to judge. I missed it, too. A tiny and dedicated band of reporters led by Christopher Knaus at the Guardian Australia and Ben Eltham at New Matilda , and building on a grassroots online campaign sparked by the seemingly omnipresent digital rights activist Asher Wolf, caught this sick thing for what it was. I was too naive, too credulous, to understand that Centrelink could really be that horrific. Wasn’t it just more of the same bastardry I’d seen them try on for decades? As a boy raised by a single mum, I’d been forced to watch her on the phone to Centrelink, begging and bartering for our financial security. What struck me, even as an eight-year-old, was that the support system was itself abusive. It left people like my mum exhausted and afraid. That kind of brutality leaves a mark. But it also rendered me immune to just how much worse things could get. This is what institutional power looks like. No agency or authority managed to lay so much as a glove on robodebt for years. We can deploy all of the usual excuses: resourcing, cowardice, incompetence. These defects are far from unique, but in robodebt they met, quite uniquely, the “dogmatic and authoritarian” secretary Kathryn Campbell who, on this particular policy, had more than most to lose. When she briefed Scott Morrison on December 30, 2014, some people in her department knew there was already legal advice in the sister policy department of Social Services categorically rejecting the lawful basis for any such proposal. Whether or not she knew about this advice at the briefing with Morrison in Sydney remains unsettled. But there is no doubt she later learned of the seismic policy and legislative consequences such a policy proposal, if it were ever taken to cabinet, would represent. How could she go back and tell this powerful new minister that he couldn’t have the idea about which he was “most excited”, and that she’d been premature in even mentioning it? Did she tell him? This is the woman who, according to her peers, “gets satisfaction from proving people wrong”. It would have been an unbearable realisation. “Not only was it so much money it would balance the [department’s] books but it punished welfare seekers, it was just a perfect, golden idea,” a source with knowledge of briefing arrangements between departments and ministers says. “And then when she found out that it would require amendment to the legislation, otherwise it’d be unlawful, she so did not want to have to tell him that. If she had never mentioned it to him, and if he hadn’t already said ‘Yes, I want that,’ it wouldn’t have been a problem. But she had. And that golden light that was falling on her for being the person who came up with it would all have been ruined.” These dynamics are not the result of vivid imaginations. Secretaries lived and died by the patronage of their minister. That they could be fired by these ministers (since changes to the public service in the 1990s) was well known, but the Coalition governments from late 2013 onwards had mutated the expectations of public servitude so greatly as to usher in a new era of weakness. Top servants were not praised for being frank and fearless so much as they were encouraged to be dishonest, one-dimensional vessels of an unchecked political desire. Whether this worked for the politicians depended very much on the senior executive at the top of their agency. Some told the ministers what they wanted to hear and then worked against them. Others were frozen out for being insufficiently “responsive”. We’ve ensured another robodebt will happen Read More In fact, it could get even worse. During the Coalition term, there was one secretary who fell so out of favour with their minister that they were literally ignored. The head of an entire department was no longer welcome to brief the minister. They had to find out what the minister wanted from their deputy secretaries. It was a situation that was untenable. Their career, at least under that government and quite possibly forever, was doomed. While Campbell was in the Middle East on her Joint Task Force 633 deputy command deployment, she gave an interview to The Australian newspaper about the competing dualism of her twin roles. “I’ve found it very useful in my public service career to have that leadership and command training that the military provides, to always see people as a key determinant of achieving objectives,” she said. “My military experience gave me at a very young age a focus on leadership and working with people and decision-making that I may not have got from my public service career.” The insignia of the Joint Task Force is a scorpion crawling through the stars of the Southern Cross, its tail aloft. This army-first mode of operating infected every element of her life in the public service. An executive officer in Kathryn Campbell’s secretarial office at DHS, Ben Keily, responded to simple requests from his boss with the quasi-military term “wilco”, short for “will comply”. In March 2017, after the public furore over robodebt finally revealed the nature of the degrading program to a mainstream consciousness, Campbell appeared before Senate estimates to defend the public release of private Centrelink data belonging to people who had complained about debts in the media. One of these people had already been named and minister Alan Tudge had shopped their personal details to journalists to discredit their complaints. It was an eye-popping exercise in government loathing and, as the royal commission would eventually find, it was an “abuse” of the enormous power that rested with the minister. When Ben Eltham wrote up Campbell’s calm defence of the whole episode before the Parliament, he drew her military career into the copy. Campbell, who monitored the daily media alerts and often chided teams when they were late, saw the article almost immediately and rushed to alert her colleagues at the Department of Defence. “Sir,” she emailed a senior figure in the military establishment. “Please find attached an article which unfortunately drags the Army into the Centrelink Privacy Data issue. I saw CA [chief of army] at a breakfast this morning and he is aware of the Centrelink Privacy Data issue.” She sent this just 16 minutes after getting the media alert. This was the issue that had her full attention. Campbell sent an update the next morning — a Saturday — at 7.42am, having scanned the newspapers and morning bulletins for anything that might drag the military into further disrepute. Never mind the thousands harmed by the robodebt disaster; never mind that presumably one of the chief attributes of the Australian Defence Force is an ability to defend itself (here against the most milquetoast of public criticism that was not really about them but about Kathryn Campbell’s conduct); and never mind that precisely nobody cared, not even at the ADF. Campbell was concerned with her own status with respect to the institution she most admired: the Army. Didn’t they realise there was a war going on? “Sir ... mainstream media does not appeared [sic] to have picked this up so no risk to Army,” she wrote. This is an extract from Rick Morton’s Mean Streak (HarperCollins). Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughingTight race for the North Carolina Supreme Court is heading to another recount
Footballer dies, plans for supermarket and election timeVodka maker Stoli files for bankruptcy in US after ransomware attack49ers rule out Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa; QB Brandon Allen to start at Green Bay
Vancouver budget: Draft forecasts 5.5% property tax hike, the 20-year-old guard, has faced more than just the pressure of following in his father's footsteps during his first months as a professional basketball player. According to the AP, eldest son recently shared the ongoing he's working through following his in July 2023. Bronny James opens up about mental health , while sharing the spotlight with his father on the , has struggled to be productive on the court. made headlines last year after suffering a cardiac arrest at 19. "Trying to get past that... It's difficult, but I'm trying to work at it every day," admitted, reflecting on the toll the health scare has taken on his mental well-being. His sudden collapse during a practice at not only disrupted his freshman season but also caused his draft stock to drop significantly. Originally expected to be a lottery pick, was ultimately selected 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 draft. Despite the setback, perspective remains optimistic. Bronny James resilience showcased in the G League While his debut has been quiet, with modest stats of 0.6 points, 0.1 rebounds, and 0.3 assists, has shown promise in the . In seven games with the , he's averaged 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, including a career-high 30 points on December 12. said, emphasizing his focus on continuous improvement. His recent performances have sparked reactions from fans, with many expressing their support for his journey. On Saturday, delivered one of his best games yet, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in a close loss to the . His father, , proudly shared his son's performance on social media, alongside the unwavering support of his mother, . Despite the challenges, resilience on and off the court continues to inspire those following his path.
CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jayden Reid led South Florida with 14 points, including the game-winning jumper as time expired, and the Bulls defeated Wright State 73-72 on Sunday to claim third place at the Myrtle Beach Invitational tournament. Reid finished 6 of 9 from the field for the Bulls (4-3). Jamille Reynolds added 13 points while finishing 6 of 11 from the floor while he also had 14 rebounds and three blocks. Kobe Knox went 4 of 9 from the field (1 for 5 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points. The Raiders (4-4) were led by Jack Doumbia, who posted 18 points and 10 rebounds. Solomon Callaghan added 15 points and seven rebounds for Wright State. Alex Huibregste finished with 12 points. Kasen Jennings scored seven points in the first half and South Florida went into the break trailing 34-32. Reynolds scored 10 second-half points. South Florida outscored Wright State by three points over the final half. NEXT UP South Florida plays Tuesday against Stetson at home, and Wright State hosts Air Force on Saturday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressThe unresolved case of JonBenét Ramsey has been the subject of countless documentaries and dramatic television retellings throughout the last 28 years. The latest content about the case is Netflix ‘s “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” — a three-part docuseries about the 6-year-old child beauty queen who was brutally murdered on Dec. 26, 1996, in Boulder, Colo. JonBenét’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, woke up the morning after Christmas in 1996 and discovered a ransom note in their kitchen. Later that same day, John Ramsey found his daughter’s body in the basement, revealing that JonBenét had not been kidnapped but was instead sexually assaulted and killed in the family home. Soon after, the Boulder police, who had little experience in homicide investigations, quickly turned their suspicions toward the Ramsey family, igniting a media frenzy that painted JonBenét’s parents as the prime suspects. Directed by Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” investigates the mishandling of the case by law enforcement and the media. Berlinger chronicles how Boulder police fed the media false information, which led to one-sided reporting that fueled a national obsession with the case. Close to three decades later, no one, including John and Patsy Ramsey, has been charged with the murder of JonBenét. For the documentary, Berlinger spoke to John Ramsey, 80, as well as lawyers and journalists who covered the case. (Patsy Ramsey died in 2006.) The doc also features recordings made by the late Colorado Springs homicide detective Lou Smit, who, after JonBenét’s murder, came out of retirement to help the Boulder DA’s office investigate the case. He left 18 months later because he was frustrated that Boulder Police would not seriously consider that an intruder had killed JonBenét. “No one really has looked at the work of Lou Smit, who I think was a pioneering genius in this space,” says Berlinger. “My series ultimately takes a very strong point of view that the Ramsey’s are innocent and that the police and the media completely abused them.” Although there have been many docs made about JonBenét’s murder, Berlinger says that he never wavered on making “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey.” “I want to do something when I have something to say, and I feel like I have a number of things to say here,” he says. “Most importantly, I think that this crime can actually be solved.” While previous docs about the crime don’t bother him, Berlinger did admit that the upcoming Paramount+ limited series about the case, which will star Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen, has him worried. “I am deeply concerned about that production perpetuating false ideas. I don’t know the [route] that they are taking, but it was somewhat shocking for me to hear from John Ramsey that that production hasn’t reached out to him,” says Berlinger. “I don’t want to knock other filmmakers, but Ryan Murphy also had no interest in talking to the Menendez brothers [for ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’], from what I read. If you are going to take on somebody’s life and not talk to them, how do they know the nuances of so many situations?” Variety spoke to Berlinger ahead of the Nov. 25 of “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” on Netflix. What needs to be done in this case to move the needle forward? The first is that there were a bunch of crime scene objects that were sent to the crime lab in 1996 but were never tested. We need to do that testing. Also some things were tested, but the technology was primitive at the time. Those things need to be retested. But the most important DNA test that I think would provide a really good opportunity to solve the crime is the existing DNA in the case that involves a mixed sample of JonBenét’s blood and the unidentified male DNA — not linked to any family member — mixed in with her blood. If JonBenét’s DNA is separated from the perpetrator’s DNA, then the perpetrator’s DNA can then be expanded and put into genealogical DNA, like 23andMe. That is a new technology that has been used very successfully and has recently become a major tool for solving cold cases. Is that one of the main reasons why you decided to make this docuseries — to push Colorado authorities to finally take the necessary actions to bring JonBenét Ramsey’s killer to justice? The Ramsey family have been so brutalized for close to 30 years. One of the new things about my show that hasn’t been highlighted in other shows is the degree to which the Boulder Police, who, from day one, “had a feeling” that John Ramsey was the killer, started that suspicion. They couldn’t get off it. Did you approach John Ramsey about making this docuseries, or did he approach you? We approached him. This is not me picking up his advocacy. This is me thinking this would be a good show and reaching out to him and giving him my usual wrap — I have final cut. You will not be paid. You will have no editorial input. He agreed to all of that. You have made several true crime docs, including the “Paradise Lost” trilogy and “Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes.” How do you feel about true crime sleuths who try to solve murder cases on their own? While it’s not overtly in the show, this [series] was a way for me to comment on the dangers of all these armchair sleuths and people who go down these Reddit rabbit holes. This series was meant to remind people that as popular as true crime is, you always have to remember that there is a victim on the other side. All of these people who are convinced that the family did it and trade in conspiracy theories and half-baked ideas to continue to pound that drum, to me, it’s unethical.
NoneThe San Francisco 49ers will hold three full practices this week as they prepare for their Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, offensive line/run game coordinator Chris Foerster, and quarterback Brock Purdy are scheduled to speak with the media. The 49ers will make the press conferences available at 49ers.com , on the team's official mobile app , and YouTube page . Below is the schedule for the upcoming week. All times are Pacific. The schedule is subject to change. Tuesday, December 3 Players' day off Wednesday, December 4 12:25 p.m. - Kyle Shanahan press conference 2:20 p.m. - Practice Thursday, December 5 1:00 p.m. - Practice After practice (approx. 2:45 p.m.) - Nick Sorensen press conference Following Sorensen - Chris Foerster press conference Following Foerster - Brock Purdy press conference Friday, December 6 12:30 p.m. - Practice After practice (approx. 1:40 p.m.) - Kyle Shanahan press conference Saturday, December 7 No media availability Sunday, December 8 1:25 p.m. - Bears at 49ers This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.In this month’s edition of our comparison series, we take a look at two upstream powerhouse producers. The first, Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY), is in the process of digesting a large acquisition and carries a lot of debt as a result. Is the share price fully discounting this factor? We will see. The second is EOG Resources, (NYSE:EOG) a company that in recent years has chosen to grow organically, eschewing the M&A craze that has brought a lot of consolidation into the sector. There is a reasonable comparison between the two even though EOG is priced at about 2.5X OXY. Both have big acreage positions in the Delaware basin that are the cornerstone of their income. Both have international exposure with operations in Middle East-OXY, and in Trinidad-Tobago-EOG. Both have catalysts for growth in the coming year. And, like many comparisons, there isn’t necessarily a bad choice. So let’s dive in. Are we near a bottom in upstream oil and gas stocks? I think we are. It should be understood that oil production is a cyclic business -production rises until prices stabilize - and then it begins to decline as activity tapers off. We've had a step change from technology-driven cost and efficiency improvements that have extended the period of production semi-levitation at current levels that must come to an end. Sometime. Without going through a lot of verbiage and reference citations, it just makes sense that we are nearing a peak in the last reservoir to show significant growth - the Permian. If you think about it, since 2010 we have stuck a straw in the Permian, and production has risen from about 1 mm BOEPD to over 6.2 mm BOEPD. Today we are extracting 2.23 bn BOE annually from the Permian, and that just can't go on forever. Estimates are that we are well past the midpoint of production from the key reservoirs that deliver this oil and gas to us. put out a newsletter in conjunction with Novi Labs recently that discussed some aspects in detail that largely agrees with this thesis. Concerns about demand-which has actually stayed fairly robust recently, have offset the plateauing of output in traders' minds, and led to a weakening of prices. Does that reflect reality? My core macro for upstream oil and gas investing is that North American producers are undervalued due to a lack of understanding about the fragility of current shale production levels. Shale is also called 'short-cycle'-meaning that output is related to activity and can be controlled thereby. Obviously less so now due to technology, but the principle remains valid up to a point. The point is growth may be constrained by lower-tier development not being as productive and other logistics impacts-water injection may put a damper on output. The incoming administration's plan to increase production by 3 mm BOPD may also be putting a ceiling on crude and upstream E&P's. I view this as a near impossibility in liquids, and highly doubtful in gas-which is increasing all by itself as the reservoirs being drilled are gassier. There simply aren't enough rigs to generate this kind of growth, and no sign the industry is willing to build them up to that level. When the disconnect between what the incoming administration wants to do and what is possible becomes evident, the drag on prices will evaporate. I think there will be extreme winners, and extreme losers when the real impact of declines in the Permian are noticed by the market. In that scenario, I think we are near a bottom for stocks in the upstream sector, particularly ones with the critical mass that OXY and EOG possess. Occidental Petroleum, (NYSE:OXY) was one of the big wins for investors coming out of the pandemic. Many recognized the value Anadarko brought and loaded up in the teens. It’s been a rough ride since late 2022. The fact those who bought at the 2020 bottom are still in the black after a 35% capital implosion since April of this year, doesn't ease the pain of seeing all that money shifted over into the loss column. Now with the post-election jitters of "Drill Baby, Drill" roiling the market, if anything the slope has gotten worse. Notably absent from the market since midyear, has been Uncle Warren, who over the last couple years has been busy, amassing, a 29% stake at prices well above $50 in some June-24 buys, above $60. Until the other day we were wondering what was it about OXY that Warren liked in $50s that he didn't in the $40s? That curiosity was resolved last week with news of his in OXY shares. and holds; warrants that would let him add another 90 mm shares bringing his position to about 40% of the float. If you have any faith in domestic energy at all, it would seem that this is the time to be adding to upstream positions. Buffett may have put a floor on OXY shares with his vote of confidence last week, as the company navigates softer commodity prices. Energy comprises only a tiny fraction of the SP-500 index now, thanks to multiple compressions over the last couple of years. Does that make sense? I don't think so, but things are what they are, and the decline in the sector weighting certainly has a rationale to it as commodities have underperformed. OXY has struggled in comparison to a loose peer group over the past year, only slightly outperforming, bottom-hugging Devon. Only a couple, EOG and Diamondback Energy, (NYSE:FANG) have managed to deliver any growth, while other Delaware basin-focused producers, OXY, Devon Energy, (NYSE:DVN), and ConocoPhillips, (NYSE:COP) are down. FANG and EOG top the list with Operating Margins (OMs) of 42% and 35% respectively. DVN comes in right behind EOG at 32%. This article isn't about DVN, but I must say it makes the negative sentiment toward the company all the more odd. The company is an oil and gas producing juggernaut with total output currently at 1.42 mm BOEPD and guiding to 1.47 mm BOEPD in Q-4. OXY’s cornerstone is in the Permian’s Delaware basin, but through the CrownRock deal has a significant foothold in the Midland basin. It also has production from the U.S. GoM, and internationally in the Middle East. The company also has a chemicals-caustic soda business that operates in the black and actually is symbiotic to their nascent Direct Air Capture-DAC business - in that caustic drives a reaction to liberate the carbon for capture. The company is successfully integrating the CrownRock purchase into their operations which is receiving an increasing share of D&C capex this year - the goal being to increase the overall oil percentage of total production. It was also noted that legacy CrownRock water infrastructure is contributing about $10 mm in savings this year. OXY is successfully managing LEO costs down through production increases, leveraging infrastructure around new pads, and actively engaging with service providers to minimize the white space-slack time, between TD'ing a well and rigging up to frac. The Delaware continues to perform with the company increasingly drilling secondary benches and seeing better than anticipated performance. Speaking for OXY, s as they wring superior performance out of low-tier benches-Wolfcamp B & C as an example. “These secondary benches that we have second and third and fourth benches that we can develop in the Permian in the Delaware and the Midland Basin, and we're still continuing to get more out of those reservoirs. I expect though in the near-term with weaker prices that what we used to think as a peak in say in three years, moves further out because with weaker prices I think there's going to be less growth in the Permian.” I don't think this is true for all companies (if my prognostication that the Permian peaking in the nearer term is way out of whack), as OXY has some of the best Delaware dirt around, thanks to the Anadarko deal. All in all, OXY is generating $3.1 in AFFO and netted $1.5 bn in free cash for the quarter. Pretty much every nickel they take in is going toward debt reduction, which is as it should be. OXY's cashflow priorities are shown in the slide below. Once LT debt is less than $15 bn, then the focus shifts to buying back shares and redeeming Warren's 10% yielding Preferred stock. This puts holders of the common stock at the end of a multiyear list for any significant boost to the dividend. This could be problematic for the stock affecting any chance of a price recovery. I also think that this mindset on the part of management may be contributing the weakness in OXY shares, as investors look for steady cash. A noted that in turbulent times, investors shift from growth stocks to dividend payers. “Investors typically flock to the dividend payers in down markets or when the economic outlook turns cloudy. Indeed, many companies with big payouts, including utilities and consumer staples, produce stable earnings in any weather.” Ok now let’s review EOG. The company has a reputation as being one of the best-run shale drillers and has consistently returned capital to shareholders through the cycle. This shows in the value creation claimed by the company in the slide below. If WTI sees the gain projected over the next couple of years the free cash available for distribution could be enormous. Analysts rate EOG as , but I doubt that rating takes into account the swoon since early November. The Q-4 EPS forecast for the company is $2.57 per share. This is down from the $2.78 per share forecast for Q-3, which they crushed at $2.89. If they beat on Q-4, it will be consistent with their performance over the entire year. Share price forecasts range from $146-$170, with a median of $144, making an entry point sub-$120 a very reasonable short-term prospect. Particularly when the shareholder-friendly plans for capital returns are factored in. The company has just made a triple-bottom sub-$120, and with a Q-4 beat is unlikely to get much cheaper. I think there will be extreme winners, and extreme losers when the real impact of declines in the Permian are noticed by the market. In that scenario, I think we are near a bottom for stocks in the upstream sector. The company is banging on the door of the million barrel-a-day equivalent producer club. One of the things that sets it apart from other shale players is its well-distributed legacy positions in key shale plays that date from early shale E&P activity in the 2010's. The company has first class assets which are shown in the company graphic below. Recently it’s made a big push into the long-neglected Utica shale. EOG has mostly legacy acreage positions that date back to the Enron days pre-shale revolution when dirt was cheap, and thus have avoided the need for big capital outlays to snag competitors at $50-100K per acre. The last , which they comparatively ‘stole’ for $5,400 an acre. Deal execution like this shows on the balance sheet with a paltry $3.6 bn of long-term debt presently. On DE basis none of its peer group even comes close. EOG has some of the best dirt in the Delaware, thanks to the Yates deal. Perhaps you’ve seen the Wolfcamp white paper put out by the EIA. If not . It shows that some of the best Wolfcamp A, and Bone Spring benches are in southern Eddy and Lea County New Mexico, and in Loving County, Texas. A recent discussed the intensity of drilling in these areas. We're a fan of good dirt around here as it drives cost impacts from logistics and technology. This enables EOG to be pretty selective in the projects they sanction, putting a 30% after-tax rate of return at $40 per barrel. That's a pretty steep hill to climb, but it insulates the company from all but the wildest swings in commodity prices. It also enables price realizations that top the peer group at $77 for Q-3, 2024. I think most of us get the idea behind stock buybacks and their intrinsically increasing the value of remaining shares. That has to be balanced though with the fact that much of this is fraught with peril at squandering capital. This is done by buying back stock in one quarter and seeing the price continue to decline. That is certainly the scenario extant these days. I am surprised equity analysts don't pursue this in conference calls more. EOG has been bitten by the share buyback bug-noting that it will be done ‘opportunistically’, but shows a much more shareholder-friendly attitude with its robust $3.90 per share annual dividend, than many companies that have totally scrapped special dividends in favor of buybacks. The Yield on Cost (YOC) is actually pretty decent at 3.28%. Bottom-line management at EOG knows shareholders need to eat while waiting for the stock float shrinkage to drive share prices higher. EOG's entry into the with relatively little fanfare. Things seem to be going pretty well from the comments in the slide below. EOG has a huge acreage position, and the Utica is far less developed than the Marcellus. The northeast is gas hungry from the explosive growth in AI data centers and the demand coming from the Cove Point LNG terminal on the Chesapeake Bay. On the horizon, new East Coast plants are creating a potential uplift in demand. It is fair to say that EOG isn't cheap here. But against a cohort of near-million barrel producers, it's reasonably priced. Things can always get cheaper, so this multiple might shrink. I am betting there is less elasticity in EOG than in others. I don't think there is any doubt that OXY is a buy for long-term capital appreciation at current levels. As I have noted, I feel strongly that American oil and gas companies are undervalued in terms of their true impact on society, here at home and globally, and lack only a catalyst to rerate higher. This would totally change the dynamic for owners of these assets, but there is no date certain as to when this will occur. The question is, can we wait that out while receiving peanuts for our capital? That leaves us looking for income while we wait for growth, and the money coming quarterly from OXY will not buy Porterhouse steak at Kroger. It may not even buy chicken breasts without a coupon. Chicken leg quarters are the immediate future of OXY holders as we wait on capital appreciation in the commodity rerating I expect. The problem I see is management's dogged determination not to pay a respectable dividend to reward shareholders now. Let's review. First, they had the debt from Anadarko. Ok, that transformed the company...while almost killing it. They got through that and then rising oil prices worked their magic and we had a 5-bagger in appreciation, with the stock price peaking at $75 in late 2022. Holders of OXY stock will listen to any song management sings with that kind of growth in their portfolio. Then came the CrownRock debt and dilution. As I have noted, the company is rightly knocking down the debt, but their single-minded focus on buying back stock at multiples where no one else, except Warren Buffett, is buying does investors no service. The YOC is under 2% and there are no special dividends planned to spread a little cash among shareholders. Since reinstituting the regular dividend in 2022 it's been raised twice and I expect it will be raised again when Q-4 earnings are announced. By another 4-5 cents. To continue our chicken metaphor, this is chicken feed. OXY trades at 5.5-6X EV/EBITDA and $48K per flowing barrel. Not terribly cheap on either metric, so it's probably a toss-up,-pay interest on debt or capitalize on a 30% downdraft in stock prices...since April of this year. Now let’s look at EOG. EOG is trading at a flowing barrel price of $69 per barrel. Again not give away prices. You can buy shale cheaper. EOG has a reputation of being one of the best-run companies in this sector and most of the metrics I've seen substantiate that notion. I've always been willing to pay up for quality, and that's the recommendation here. Buy EOG. EOG has 4.43 bn bbl of 2P reserves as of the end of 2023. During the year they replaced 202% of production with new discoveries. Both are solid metrics and justify the current prices for the stock. At $40 per bbl, EOG has a net present value (NPV) of $179.00 per share, which comes for the share price. This doesn't take into account future revenue from the Utica play, so I regard it as conservative. Also, investors entering EOG before 1-17-25 will receive the previously announced and just raised regular dividend of $0.98 per share on Jan-31st. I regard the timing as auspicious. The yield is admittedly not spectacular-3.08% but I am expecting a special dividend at some point in the coming year that will improve the overall yield on cost. I think EOG is an outstanding bargain for future growth and immediate shareholder returns. Every serious investor in upstream E&P companies should have a position in the company. Accordingly, I rate EOG as the winner of this month’s comparison.