NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.NoneTweet Facebook Mail A major mosquito outbreak in south-west Sydney has been contained in a "round the clock" operation that cleared the pests from a significant water facility, Sydney Water said. In late October, Liverpool Council contacted Sydney Water about a surge in mosquito populations near Chipping Norton, suspected to be linked to the oxiponds at the Liverpool Water Resource Recovery Facility. Sydney Water collaborated with the council to tackle the issue. READ MORE: Scorching heat, fire warnings as millions swelter A helicopter sprays ponds to fight a mosquito infestation in Liverpool. (Sydney Water) In less than two weeks, nearly 100 per cent of frogbit - a floating water weed - was removed from the ponds. Field assessments across ten of the 12 treatment sites showed a 98 per cent reduction in mosquito larvae since November 8. "In areas where frogbit vegetation persisted, mosquito larvae counts dropped from 400 to nearly zero," Sydney Water water resourse recovery lead Sally Rewell said.b READ MORE: Elon Musk slams Australian social media ban Excavators help rid the facility of omnipresent frogbit. (Sydney Water) "Field surveys have confirmed the amount of airbourne mosquitoes around the plant has reduced by over 90 per cent. We expect a further reduction over the next two weeks." Specialised machinery was used, including excavators, sucker trucks, boats, and a helicopter, to help remove vegetation, and carry out ground and aerial spraying with larvicides. "Our crews worked tirelessly day after day to eliminate the mosquito habitats and treat breeding areas," Rewell said. READ MORE: Stowaway snake causes panic on Australian flight The cleared water facilities. (Sydney Water) Medical Entomology NSW health pathology Associate Professor Cameron Webb said adult mosquito numbers dramatically declined compared to last week's collections. "This is explained by the ongoing reduction in mosquitoes emerging from oxiponds through weed removal and larvicide treatments," Webb said. "Larval sampling in the oxiponds recorded a further decline in mosquito abundance and an approximate further 50 per cent reduction from last Wednesday." It's the size of a thumbtack and kills with a single touch View Gallery More than 50 people worked seven days a week to get rid of the pests, Rewell said. "This has been a focused operation, with everyone giving their all around the clock," she said. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way. Stock markets abroad mostly fell after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China once he takes office. But the movements were mostly modest. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada’s main index edged down by less than 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. The consequences otherwise for markets and the global economy could be painful. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. And unlike tariffs in Trump’s first term, his latest proposal would affect products across the board. General Motors sank 9%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.3%. The value of the Mexican peso fell 1.8% against the U.S. dollar. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support for the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the economy, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed’s last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another mixed set of profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates imposed by the Fed to get inflation under control. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Kohl’s tumbled 17% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.9% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. Still, more stocks rose in the S&P 500 than fell. J.M. Smucker had one of the biggest gains and climbed 5.7% after topping analysts’ expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 3.2% for Amazon and 2.2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 34.26 points to 6,021.63. The Dow gained 123.74 to 44,860.31, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 119.46 to 19,174.30. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.29% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It’s since dipped back toward $91,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkROME (AP) - Results from Italian football: Verona 0, Inter 5 AC Milan 0, Juventus 0 Parma 1, Atalanta 3 Genoa vs. Cagliari, 6:30 a.m. Como vs. Fiorentina, 9 a.m. Turin vs. AC Monza, 9 a.m. Napoli vs. Roma, 12 p.m. Lazio vs. Bologna, 2:45 p.m. Empoli vs. Udinese, 12:30 p.m. Venezia FC vs. Lecce, 2:45 p.m. Cagliari vs. Verona, 2:45 p.m. Como vs. AC Monza, 9 a.m. AC Milan vs. Empoli, 12 p.m. Bologna vs. Venezia FC, 2:45 p.m. Udinese vs. Genoa, 6:30 a.m. Parma vs. Lazio, 9 a.m. Turin vs. Napoli, 9 a.m. Fiorentina vs. Inter, 12 p.m. Lecce vs. Juventus, 2:45 p.m. Roma vs. Atalanta, 2:45 p.m. Cosenza 1, Modena 1 Carrarese 1, Pisa 0 US Catanzaro 2, Mantova 1911 2 Stabia 0, Brescia 0 Sassuolo 4, Salernitana 0 Cesena 1, Reggiana 1 Bari vs. Cittadella, 9 a.m. Cremonese vs. Frosinone, 9 a.m. Spezia vs. Sudtirol, 9 a.m. Palermo vs. Sampdoria, 11:15 a.m. Reggiana vs. Sassuolo, 2:30 p.m. Brescia vs. Bari, 9 a.m. Cittadella vs. Stabia, 9 a.m. Sampdoria vs. US Catanzaro, 9 a.m. Sudtirol vs. Cremonese, 9 a.m. Mantova 1911 vs. Modena, 11:15 a.m. Frosinone vs. Cesena, 9 a.m. Palermo vs. Spezia, 9 a.m. Pisa vs. Cosenza, 9 a.m. Salernitana vs. Carrarese, 11:15 a.m.
Barrister cleared of misconduct calls on head of Bar Standards Board to resignSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro has been a target for investigations since his early days in office, and the swarm of cases since his failed reelection bid in 2022 has left him in ever-deeper legal jeopardy. In the latest indictment Thursday, he was accused of to keep himself in the presidency. In another case, the electoral court ruled the far-right leader ineligible to run for office until 2030. There are dozens of other probes that could produce criminal charges at low-level courts, where he could appeal any eventual conviction. But the country’s Supreme Court will have the final say regarding more than five in-depth investigations, including into the alleged coup attempt, which could land the former president behind bars or under house arrest. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, and his allies have alleged they are political persecution, while recognizing the severity of the legal risks on multiple fronts. Here’s a look at the biggest threats and where they stand: Coup Attempt Federal police on Thursday indicted and 36 others for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. The indictment is sealed, but among other things authorities had been investigating whether he in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital of Brasilia. STATUS: Police sent their findings to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Electoral Misdeeds Brazil’s that Bolsonaro used government communication channels in a meeting with diplomats to promote his reelection bid and sow distrust about the vote. The case focused on a meeting the prior year, during which Bolsonaro used government staffers, the state television channel and the presidential palace in Brasilia to tell foreign ambassadors that the country’s electronic voting system was rigged. The ruling rendered him ineligible for office until 2030, although he has insisted that he will run in the 2026 race. The court also found that Bolsonaro abused his power during Brazil’s Independence Day festivities, a month before the election. The ruling didn’t add years to Bolsonaro’s ineligibility, but made any appeal less likely to succeed. A third case is also pending at the court. STATUS: Bolsonaro’s appeal of the initial ruling was denied. Vaccination Fraud Bolsonaro has been indicted for directing an official to tamper with a public health database to make it appear as though he and his 12-year-old daughter had received the COVID-19 vaccine in order to bypass U.S. entry requirements. During the pandemic, he , characterized the choice to receive a shot as a matter of personal freedom and has repeatedly said he never did so. The Bolsonaro of criminal association and inserting false data into public records, which carry maximum penalties of 4 and 12 years in prison, respectively. It was his first indictment since leaving office. STATUS: Brazil’s Supreme Court sent the indictment to the prosecutor-general, who is weighing whether to use it to press charges. Local media reported that he was seeking to consult American authorities about whether Bolsonaro used the forged document to enter the country, and that having done so could result in U.S. legal action. Saudi Jewels Federal Police have probed whether Bolsonaro directed officials to from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, then acted to prevent them from being incorporated into the presidential collection and instead retain ownership for himself. Investigators summoned Bolsonaro for questioning in April and August of 2023. He has returned the jewelry in question. STATUS: The Federal Police indicted Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the indictment, although not for which specific crimes. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Pandemic Sabotage Brazil’s Federal Police is investigating Bolsonaro for inciting crimes against public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include encouraging people not to wear masks and causing alarm about non-existent danger of . A Senate inquiry commission also spent months investigating his pandemic-era actions and decisions, and recommended nine criminal charges. Brazil’s former prosecutor-general Augusto Aras, widely seen as a Bolsonaro ally, decided not to file any charges based on the lawmakers’ findings. They have urged his Aras’ successor to reopen the case. STATUS: The investigation is ongoing. Fake News, Digital Militia Brazil’s Supreme Court in 2020 ordered an investigation into a network . The probe has yielded the imprisonment of lawmakers from the former president’s circle and raids of his supporters’ homes. In 2021, Bolsonaro was included as a target. As an offshoot of that probe, the Federal Police is also investigating whether a group operating inside Bolsonaro’s presidential palace produced social media content aimed at undermining the rule of law. The group, allegedly comprised of aides and Bolsonaro’s politician son, has been widely referred to as a digital militia and “the hate cabinet.” STATUS: Both investigations are ongoing. ___ Biller reported from Rio de Janeiro
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s magnificent seven grand slam finals
Walmart's Mexico Subsidiary Plans to Appeal a $4.6 Million Fine for Alleged Monopolistic PracticesThe Times view on Ashtead’s stock market shift: Don’t Tell SidSINGAPORE: Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju admitted on Saturday to “some nerves” ahead of his quest to become the youngest undisputed world chess champion. The 18-year-old will begin a best-of-14 series for the title against reigning champion Ding Liren of China on Monday in Singapore. “The world championship is a very special event and I have been looking forward to being here since I first began to play chess,” he told reporters. “There are certainly some nerves but I feel good about it and I’m eager to start playing. My only thought is to give my best and see what happens.” Gukesh earned the right to challenge for the title after his sparkling performance at the Candidates tournament in Toronto in April when he topped a field of eight grandmasters to become the youngest-ever world championship challenger. Victory in Singapore would see the teenager surpass Garry Kasparov, who was just 22 when he beat Anatoly Karpov in 1985 to be crowned world champion for the first time. Despite his youth Gukesh is regarded by chess experts as favorite to win, given his strong recent performances and Ding’s struggles. Ding became the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion when he defeated Russia’s Ian Nepomniatchi in Kazakhstan in April 2023 but his performances have dipped since. The 32-year-old took a nine-month break from chess last year, citing personal difficulties and depression. He has yet to regain his form and was unable to win a game while representing China at the Chess Olympiad two months ago. Ding nevertheless struck a confident tone on Saturday. “The last time, in my first world championship match, I was very nervous,” he said. “But this time I feel peace and a lot of energy. “It’s not often that I play against a player who is younger than me. “Although I have more experience than him, he has displayed his maturity in many aspects so he won’t be easy to beat.” - AFP
A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions. Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse -- dubbed the Chinese-language "Oscars" -- in 2019 after a Taiwanese director voiced support for the island's independence in an acceptance speech in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which the Taipei government rejects, and Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event ever since. Despite the sensitivity of the awards, more than 200 Chinese films entered this year's competition, which Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said was the highest number in "recent years". Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye was awarded best director late Saturday night for his docu-drama "An Unfinished Film", which was also named best picture. Lou was absent from the ceremony but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film set during China's lockdown of Wuhan in the earliest stages of the pandemic as "the most special directing job I have ever done". Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong, who also did not attend the awards, won best actor for his performance in Chinese director Geng Jun's same-sex drama "Bel Ami". Hong Kong's Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in "The Way We Talk", which is about the deaf community. Neither "Bel Ami" nor "An Unfinished Film" has been released in China. Ahead of the awards, MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that these films "may not be able to be screened in mainland China, but they still hope to have a free platform to participate and express themselves". "We welcome (them) very much," he said. After several years absence, Chinese stars began trickling back to the awards in Taipei last year, with actress Hu Ling the first to grace the red carpet since the ban. On Saturday, Geng Jun and some of his cast were among the few Chinese entertainers to join stars and filmmakers from around the region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, on the red carpet. While Geng missed out on best director and best picture, his film "Bel Ami" won the awards for best cinematography and best film editing. Despite political tensions, Golden Horse remained a stage for independent Chinese films that have no distribution space on the mainland, Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng told AFP. "This spirit remains unchanged. I think the Golden Horse Awards have always insisted on being the benchmark" that is open to all subjects, said Weng, who is a board member of Taiwan Film Critics Society. Weng said "An Unfinished Film" by Lou, who has previously taken on forbidden subjects such as gay sex and the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was "a work of conscience". Lou's latest offering is about a film crew trying to resume shooting a movie during the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, as the city was placed in an unprecedented lockdown. "Lou put images that are banned or blocked into his work and reminds us that there is a director who is willing to preserve historical images for us to see... and let us know there is a different voice," Weng said. aw/amj/dhc1. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Sunday to Tuesday. Xi said that China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development, and outlined China's eight actions for global development. 2. 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit showcases cutting-edge technologies The 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit, which concluded on Friday, showcased cutting-edge technologies and high-end equipment, especially those made in the artificial intelligence area. 3. China's first deep-ocean drilling vessel commissioned The Mengxiang, China's first domestically designed and built deep-ocean drilling vessel with a maximum drilling depth of 11 kilometers, was officially commissioned in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province on Sunday. The vessel, spanning 179.8 meters in length and 32.8 meters in width, has a displacement of 42,600 metric tons. Boasting a range of 15,000 nautical miles, it is capable of self-sustenance for 120 days and accommodating 180 people.
Unai Emery knows Champions League top-eight spot is possible for Aston VillaA terrifying break-in at the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might have confirmed a major development in his personal life. According to a police report obtained by TMZ Sports , a call was made about a burglary at Burrow’s Ohio home around 8:14 p.m. ET on Monday, December 9, while Burrow and the Bengals were in Texas to play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football . The report names Sports Illustrated model Olivia Ponton as the individual who was on the scene at Burrow’s home when deputies arrived. Ponton told authorities she noticed a “shattered bedroom window” and that a room had been “ransacked.” The model called her mother, Diane , who then called 911. “Someone is trying to break into the house right now,” Ponton’s mother told the dispatcher. “My daughter is there. This is Joe Burrow’s house. She is staying there. He’s at the football game.” Burrow, 28, and Ponton have not publicly addressed their relationship status, though rumors about the duo have swirled since the summer. “She’s wondering what she should do, if she should be hiding or if she should be going outside,” Ponton’s mother continued, who said an intruder was inside the house. Ponton also made a separate call to 911 on her own, telling a dispatcher, “Someone broke into my house.” “It’s just, like, completely messed up,” she added. In the police report, Ponton is listed as being “employed by Mr. Burrow.” On the scene, Ponton gave officers “a non-detailed itemization of what items were possibly missing.” A photo shared by WLWT-News 5’s Karin Johnson on Tuesday, December 10, showed one of the windows at Burrow’s home boarded up. Law enforcement said the investigation into the burglary remains ongoing and would not speculate on if the incident is connected to the recent robberies at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce . The Missouri residence of Mahomes, 29, and his wife, Brittany Mahomes , was targeted in the early morning hours of October 6. Police were called to the home on a burglary/breaking and entering call. According to the police report, there were no signs of forced entry. On the following evening, October 7, the Leawood, Kansas home of Kelce, 35, was similarly burglarized . Police reported that $20,000 was taken and a rear door was broken. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News At the time of the break-in at Kelce’s home, the Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium. A watch that was stolen from Kelce’s home was found in Providence, Rhode Island in November. Investigations into the robberies at the homes of Kelce and Mahomes’ remain ongoing.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Zuora, Inc. (NYSE: ZUO) (“Zuora”) on behalf of the company’s investors. Additional information: https://kaskelalaw.com/case/zuora/ On October 17, 2024, Zuora announced that it had agreed to be acquired by an investment group led by private equity firm Silver Lake at a price of $10.00 per share in cash. Following the closing of the proposed transaction, Zuora’s current stockholders will be cashed out of their investment position and the company’s shares will no longer be publicly traded. The investigation seeks to determine whether Zuora shareholders are receiving sufficient consideration for their shares, and whether Zuora’s officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties or violated the securities laws in agreeing to sell the company at $10.00 per share. Notably, shares of Zuora’s common stock traded above $10.50 per share as recently as May 2024. Zuora shareholders are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. or Adrienne Bell, Esq.) at (484) 229 – 0750 to receive additional information about this investigation and their legal rights and options. Alternatively, investors may submit their information to the firm by clicking on the following link (or by copying and pasting the link into your browser): https://kaskelalaw.com/case/zuora/ Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation on a contingent basis. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com . CONTACT: KASKELA LAW LLC D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq. ( skaskela@kaskelalaw.com ) Adrienne Bell, Esq. ( abell@kaskelalaw.com ) 18 Campus Blvd., Suite 100 Newtown Square, PA 19073 (888) 715 – 1740 (484) 229 – 0750 www.kaskelalaw.com This notice may constitute attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions.Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s magnificent seven grand slam finals
Barrister cleared of misconduct calls on head of Bar Standards Board to resign
Dean McCullough Alan Halsall Maura Higgins Dean McCullough Newtownabbey DJ Dean McCullough and Coronation Street star Alan Halsall have come to blows in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, after the presenter accused the actor of not giving him enough time to wake up. In scenes which aired on Saturday night, the two men got into a spat after Dean was accused of not pulling his weight following camp dinner. Following a huge helping of junk food won by former Love Island star Maura Higgins and television personality Richard Coles in the latest trial, the sleepy Early Breakfast host decided to take a nap. However, with chores still to do, Loose Woman Jane Moore had to go and collect firewood, but confessed in keeping with camp rules: “I can’t do it on my own”. Watching Jane head off on her own, Alan, who is best known for his role as Tyrone in the long-running ITV soap, decided to take the reins and wake Dean up so he could help out with his allocated jungle chores – but was greeted by a less than enthused campmate. “You don’t fancy it? No?,” Alan is heard asking the Newtownabbey man who appeared to be fast asleep. When he got little response from Dean, Alan then decided to go down with Jane to help her so she wasn’t alone. As Dean headed to join Alan and Jane, he said to Alan: “You can go back now.” Alan explained: “I was trying to wake you up as soft as I could.” But it seems the explanation didn’t go over well with the Radio 1 star, claiming the Coronation Street star “didn’t give him a minute”. “Listen to me. If you’re gonna wake me up, you need to give me a minute, alright? It takes a couple of minutes for my contact lenses to get back working again, alright, so you don’t need to turn around to me and say ‘do you not fancy it?’ ok? And then turn around and walk away,” he said. Alan explained: “I’ve listened to you, Jane was halfway down here, that’s why I went...” Dean said: “Ok I get that but you need to give me a minute mate” Elsewhere in camp, the secrets of the luxury Junkyard – home to Maura, Richard and Dean – were finally revealed after Wagatha Christie, aka Coleen Rooney rumbled them. Invited down to present her findings, the wife of former England captain Wayne Rooney admitted: “I’m not convinced that you are actually in the junkyard.” An amused Dean was then unable to keep a straight face, as he pointed and said: “Wagatha Christie strikes again!” As the main camp made the point Dean had now given the game away, Tulisa added: “You have officially been rumbled in the jungle!” Richard came clean, revealing: “Circumstances in the junkyard are not quite as tough as we’d led you to believe.” From then, the revelations came thick and fast. Dean and Maura revealed they had a bubble bath and Melvin found out Maura and Richard were enjoying cheese sandwiches and tea whilst he got dunked on during the other day’s challenge. Shocked, Melvin told Maura: “But I heard you crying!” To which Maura replied: “I’m a good actress.”Unai Emery hails 'serious' Aston Villa showing and confirms injury concernPakistan's investment-to-GDP ratio has been enervating. At a meager 13.1% in Fiscal Year 2024 — the lowest in the past 64 years — the country continues to grapple with economic incoherence. This underscores that, despite the much-celebrated “ stabilisation ” following the IMF’s programme, the current recovery is neither sustainable nor sufficient. Economic vulnerabilities remain high unless there is a comprehensive overhaul of the government’s mechanics at both the strategic (policy) and operational levels. Historically, Pakistan’s investment-to-GDP ratio has seen a troubling decline. The 1960s recorded the highest average at 18.7%, followed by the 1980s and 1990s at 18.5%. However, since 2011, the ratio has averaged just 15.2%, reflecting a concerning trend for economic durability as our GDP panorama has remained primarily consumption-driven. Additionally, a regional comparison reveals an even grimmer scenario. While South Asia averages 31.8%, countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam report significantly higher ratios of 33.74%, 30.95%, and 32.75%, respectively. This disparity embodies the shortsightedness of Pakistan’s policy-makers in fostering global competitiveness vis-à-vis our neighbours. Investment is a bedrock for economic growth, fomenting the creation of capital assets like infrastructure, factories, and technology. A low investment ratio signals insufficient capital formation, which hinders long-term productivity and concurrent growth. Low investment also limits modernisation in industries and the adoption of advanced technologies, increasing dependence on imports and exposing the economy to global economic shocks, perennial current account deficits, and volatile exchange rates. Lack of fiscal discipline is another visceral problem in the economic milieu, causing trouble and leading to an informal economy, which in turn deteriorates investment in the economy It also reflects limited private sector participation, driven by an unfavourable business environment, regulatory barriers, high borrowing costs, and weak investor confidence. This is evident from banks' preference to invest in government securities rather than lending to consumers. As highlighted by PwC’s 2024 Banking Publication , credit to the private sector as a percentage of GDP is a mere 12% in Pakistan, compared to 50% in India, 38% in Bangladesh, and 47% in Sri Lanka. These figures, coupled with declining business confidence and a deteriorating ease of doing business, paint a dire picture for private sector investment. Bridging The Gender Gap In Pakistan's Climate Finance Lack of fiscal discipline is another visceral problem in the economic milieu, causing trouble and leading to an informal economy, which in turn deteriorates investment in the economy. The government is guilty of incessant current expenditure (an increase of around 30% YoY in Budget-25, with around 56% of the budget allocated to interest payments), sapping the revenue pool and forcing the FBR to heavily tax. Like other governmental machinery, the FBR also has a penchant for taking the easy way out is taxing the taxed , owing this myopia first to the lethargic post-colonial administration and second to the deepening of elitist pockets. There is hostility and a lack of trust between the State and its citizens, causing trouble both for the government in running its affairs and for individuals in thriving like those in business-friendly economies The lack of governance and fruitful policies in revenue mobilisation is obvious from the following instances: Per FBR’s report on 2023-24 performance, an analysis of the income tax collection indicates that withholding tax accounts for 29% of the FBR’s total collection and represents 60% of the income tax collected. Further, B-25 has set an exorbitant target of Rs12.9 trillion in tax revenue (couched within an enormous withholding-station ), representing a 40.2% growth from the previous period. Salaried individuals as well as non-salaried individuals/AOPs are to be taxed heavily under a kaleidoscopic mosaic of the normal tax regime, surcharge, and super tax—one of the most vibrant taxation tapestries worldwide. In other words, a person may end up working for six to seven months just to pay taxes. And not to mention, the exorbitant corporate tax rate of 29% (compared to the worldwide average of 23%), plus additional super tax and tax on dividend distribution. With a myopic taxation landscape and a lack of conducive business clime (obvious from WB’s Ease of Doing Business rankings and Business Ready Report ), the government is warding off corporatisation and dissuading urban high-income and upper-middle-income segments from remaining within the documented economy. Consequently, the informal economy is where savings thrive, as evident from high cash circulation; people prefer keeping savings in gold, real estate, or cash rather than channeling them into the formal economy. There is hostility and a lack of trust between the State and its citizens, causing trouble both for the government in running its affairs and for individuals in thriving like those in business-friendly economies. Imran Khan's Global Leadership And Bridging Borders In South Asia To provide economic opportunities to more than 2.5 million young people entering the labor market annually, there is a need to double investment levels. Another impasse hampering investment is the plummeting development budget: a decrease of around 156% since FY16. Pakistan could not even spend 50% of the meagre Rs950 billion it allocated for the PSDP in FY 2023-24, as per the last quarterly report (2024) of the Ministry of Planning and Development. The state of planning is so dire that to complete the overall backlog of development projects, the country would need Rs10.7 trillion (more than 14 times the budget allocation of Rs727 billion in 2022-23). There is no silver bullet for Pakistan's current disposition. The only way to address Pakistan’s investment challenges is through a comprehensive reform agenda. The government must prioritise fiscal discipline by cutting current expenditures (this includes sequestration of SOEs bleeding resources, eliminating unfunded pensions, and curbing elitist rent-seeking) and implementing robust debt management strategies to create fiscal space for public sector development programmes (PSDP), which can have a multiplier effect on economic growth. These projects should be free from political maneuvering, be ‘development-based’ rather than purely ‘infrastructural,’ and contribute to the welfare, economic growth, or development of the people. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could also play a significant role by attracting private investment and fostering joint ventures between local and Chinese investors, particularly in export-oriented industries Tax reforms are critical—rather than overburdening the already taxed sectors, efforts should focus on bringing the undocumented economy into the tax net. Pakistan needs a fairer, more transparent, and simpler tax system that encourages compliance, fosters sustainable economic growth, and achieves fiscal sovereignty. Additionally, a national programme to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should be launched to encourage entrepreneurship and safeguard social development indicators. Gender Gap In Climate Leadership: Why COP29 Must Elevate Women And Young Girls In Climate Action Political consensus is equally vital; political parties must recognise the gravity of the economic situation and make swift, informed decisions to enable meaningful reforms. Governance improvements are essential at both political and bureaucratic levels to ensure efficient decision-making and effective resource allocation. Pakistan must prioritise empowering the private sector to engage with interested investors in China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Government-to-government transactions face complexities stemming from challenges such as limited capacity within ministries, weak audit practices, and legal complications. The government needs to offer a package of financial and regulatory incentives free from rent-seeking and ill-governance. Leveraging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could also play a significant role by attracting private investment and fostering joint ventures between local and Chinese investors, particularly in export-oriented industries. Industry-centric strategies must be adopted to enhance value addition, improve production efficiency, promote technology adoption, and address specific investment needs. To sustain long-term growth, the government should prioritise the development of human capital through investments in education and vocational training, particularly in technology and high-growth sectors. Partnerships with international institutions to enhance skill-building programmes can bridge the gap between workforce capabilities and industry requirements. Lastly, creating a robust framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs) could accelerate infrastructure development and provide shared accountability, ensuring efficient use of resources. These measures, collectively, can pave the way for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan. Without immediate and synchronised efforts from all stakeholders, Pakistan risks falling further behind in global competitiveness, with dire consequences for future generations. Pakistan faces a Rape Epidemic: Has Pakistan failed its women?
“W e kinda expected more than a couple days’ notice before getting blasted with a million new users a day,” wrote a technical adviser to Bluesky, the social media app of the moment. It gives just a hint of the difficulties the platform is finding after post-US election surge. With only 20 full-time staff, about a quarter of its 21 million users were being hit by technical problems. The adviser, who posts from a Bluesky account called Uai, added: “More servers in the mail.” “There’s always some growing pains,” Jay Graber, the chief executive, told The New York Times. She has been outlining her vision for a different kind of social network after the platform put on five million users in a week and doubled its base since February.