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777jogo 1 vip Dancing With the Stars pro Lindsay Arnold revealed that she gifted herself a plastic surgery procedure for Christmas this year. The 30-year-old professional dancer took to social media on Thursday (December 26) to open up about the gift and when it was happening. Keep reading to find out more... Lindsay is going to undergo a breast augmentation and lift. “My Christmas present this year is that I am getting a breast augmentation,” she told her followers on TikTok, squealing with excitement. “Guys, I’m freaking out. I’m freaking out okay, but I’m also so excited.” The dancer explained that she would have the surgery after celebrating her upcoming 31st birthday with husband Samuel Lightner Cusick in Mexico. Their trip takes place in early January. “I’m very excited, but I’m not going to lie... it is kinda scary,” she admitted, adding that it was “so many decisions.” She continued, explaining, “You make the choices for yourself, and you have to live with those choices. So I’m hoping that I make the right decisions.” “It’s something that I knew I always wanted to do,” she said, describing the decision as a whirlwind. Lindsay also asked her fans if they wanted her to document the process. Learn more about celebrity’s plastic surgery revelations .Wisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level MediaAneesah Morrow had 20 points and 18 rebounds as No. 6 LSU rallied to an 83-61 victory over Albany.

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PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Josh Shapiro had a big 2024 — from his star turn as a contender for the vice presidential ticket to his campaign trail cameos as a prominent Democratic election surrogate, and as a vocal supporter of Israel. As the year comes to an end, his national profile has continued to grow, this time with a focus on how he uses his faith to connect with voters. Shapiro has long made his Jewish faith a tenet of his public identity, and now as President Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic, cedes the White House to President-elect Donald Trump, who promotes his own branded Bibles, the New York Times is pointing to Shapiro as part of “a small but prominent cast of Scripture-quoting, religiously observant Democratic politicians.” Many of them, the Times reports, are “poised to command national attention over the next four years.” Shapiro, Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Texas state Rep. James Talarico are newer Democratic Party leaders who haven’t shied away from speaking publicly about being religious in an effort to relate to voters across spiritual lines even as the party has garnered a reputation for being increasingly secular. “It is important for the community to understand, wherever you are, what motivates you,” Shapiro told the Times. “That’s important for people to know before you start talking to them about bills and policies and proposals.” A Pew study published in April using data from 1994 to 2023 found that among registered voters who are atheist, agnostic or otherwise not affiliated with a religious group, 70% leaned Democratic. Meanwhile, 59% of Protestants and 52% of Catholics leaned Republican, while 69% of Jews and 66% of Muslims leaned Democratic — though the data for Muslims were smaller than these other groups. But as the study broke down racial and ethnic groups, the story shifted, with 84% of Black Protestants and 60% of Hispanic Catholics leaning Democratic, according to Pew. The majority of both groups voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in this year’s election, but Trump made gains among Black and Latino voters. While Trump isn’t known for being the most fluent in Christian theology, he has framed himself as a defender of Christian ideology. Trump, who has identified himself as a nondenominational Christian, has spoken about his near-death experience surviving an assassination attempt in religious terms, as have his supporters. Trump has also proved successful presenting himself as authentic while the Democratic Party does soul-searching on how to better connect with voters. Positions related to Shapiro’s faith have landed him in the spotlight of heated political debates. While Shapiro has fiercely criticized Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he made a name for himself as an adamant supporter of Israel who at times spoke brashly about protesters he considered antisemitic. Those stances were seen as a vulnerability by some and a strength by others when he was being considered as Harris’ vice presidential nominee. His religion remained in the spotlight after the veepstakes were over. Republicans, including Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, tried to pin Harris’ decision to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on what they called antisemitism within the Democratic Party. Shapiro appeared to rebuke those theories when he took the stage at Temple University’s Liacouras Center during the rally that debuted Walz as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in August. In the final moments of a resounding speech that garnered thunderous applause from the crowd standing in the arena on North Broad Street, Shapiro celebrated his faith and its intersection with public service and quoted the Pirkei Avot, an ancient text of Jewish ethics: “No one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it,” he said. “I want to just say this,” Shapiro said. “I lean on my family, and I lean on my faith, which calls me to serve, and I am proud of my faith.” Rabbi David Glanzberg-Krainin, the rabbi at Beth Sholom in Montgomery County — Shapiro’s hometown synagogue — told The Inquirer in August that this moment showed “he’s not going to back down from saying that this is something that’s a foundational part of who he is” and how he approaches public service. Glanzberg-Krainin also rejected Vance’s notion that Shapiro’s being Jewish was a factor in his rejection as Harris’ running mate. “I absolutely can’t fathom a universe in which, you know, Vice President Harris, who’s married to a Jewish man, decided not to select Josh Shapiro as her running mate because Josh is Jewish ... there’s just no world in which I can conceive of that as being possible,” he said. As Shapiro has continued to embrace being Jewish, so has the fixation on his identity. After the popular governor gave a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention later in August, Trump called him a “highly overrated Jewish governor” who “has done nothing for Israel” in a rant on Truth Social. To this, Shapiro said that Trump is “obsessed” with him and that the then-GOP nominee was perpetuating “antisemitic tropes.” Despite Shapiro’s faith occasionally becoming a political football, Glanzberg-Krainin said in August that he suspects the governor will continue to look for ways to meld his religion and his call to public service. “Over the course of years, I think that’s something that he takes really seriously,” Glanzberg-Krainin said. “Where could he best serve? And that’s not something that’s just purely rational, I think it’s something that he feels on a deep level.” Shapiro has already taken his faith-based connections beyond Pennsylvania, including by joining forces with Warnock, the Democratic senator from Georgia who also combines his faith with his public identity. Shapiro visited Warnock’s church in October and “immediately introduced himself as a fellow person of faith,” the Times reported, telling churchgoers “Shabbat shalom,” a greeting observant Jews use on the Sabbath. Warnock and Shapiro are both rising leaders in the party who are seen as potential future presidential nominees. The two men campaigned for Harris together, and Shapiro told the Times they talked about strengthening the “fraying bonds between the Jewish and Black communities.” ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.

Kansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn't work out so well

MIT's massive database of 8,000 new AI-generated EV designs could shape how the future of cars lookGeode Capital Management LLC reduced its holdings in The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited ( NYSE:NTB – Free Report ) by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 563,461 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 2,655 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son were worth $20,780,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. purchased a new position in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son during the second quarter worth approximately $31,906,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 538.3% in the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 308,496 shares of the bank’s stock worth $11,377,000 after buying an additional 260,168 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 31.7% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 876,472 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $30,782,000 after acquiring an additional 211,147 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 93.5% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 278,110 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $10,257,000 after acquiring an additional 134,351 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son by 45.6% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 381,876 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $13,411,000 after acquiring an additional 119,572 shares during the period. 62.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $44.00 to $41.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $39.60. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Stock Performance NYSE:NTB opened at $36.84 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $37.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.92. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited has a twelve month low of $28.73 and a twelve month high of $40.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 1.17. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son ( NYSE:NTB – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 22nd. The bank reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.06. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son had a return on equity of 21.14% and a net margin of 25.93%. The company had revenue of $142.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $142.07 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.16 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited will post 4.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 19th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 5th were issued a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son’s dividend payout ratio is presently 39.20%. Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Company Profile ( Free Report ) The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited provides a range of community, commercial, and private banking services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. It accepts retail and corporate checking, savings, term, and interest bearing and non-interest bearing deposits. The company’s lending portfolio includes residential mortgage lending, automobile lending, consumer financing, credit cards, overdraft facilities, commercial real estate lending, and commercial and industrial loans, as well as overdraft facilities to commercial and corporate customers. See Also Five stocks we like better than Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Insider Trades May Not Tell You What You Think Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December Manufacturing Stocks Investing Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 Biggest Stock Losers – Today’s Biggest Percentage Decliners These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Receive News & Ratings for Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Ukrainian girls’ hockey team is in Canada for a few days of peace and hockey in an arena that doesn’t have a missile-sized hole in its roof. After 56 hours of travel to Calgary, including a 24-hour bus ride from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland, that required army escort for a portion of it, the Ukrainian Wings will join Wickfest, Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual girls’ hockey festival, on Thursday. The squad of players aged 11 to 13 was drawn from eight different cities in Ukraine, where sport facilities have been damaged or destroyed since Russia started its invasion in February 2022. “They all have a personal story of something awful happening,” said Wickenheiser. “We give them a week of peace and joy here, and I hope they can carry that with them. “We know full well they’re going back to difficult circumstances. It’s tough that way.” Nine players are from Kharkiv, where pictures show a large hole in the roof of the Saltovskiy Led arena where the girls’ team WHC Panthers once skated. “It was our home ice arena, and we played all our national team championships in this ice arena,” said Kateryna Seredenko, who oversees the Panthers program and is the Wings general manager. Ukraine’s Olympic Committee posted photos and wrote in a Facebook post Sept. 1 that Kharkiv’s Sport Palace, which was home to multiple hockey teams, was also destroyed in an attack on the city. Seredenko says the Wings’ arduous journey to Calgary was worth it because it gives the girls hope. “It’s not a good situation in Ukraine, but when they come here, they can believe that everything will be good, everything will be fine, of course we will win soon and we must play hockey. We can’t stop because we love these girls and we will do everything for them,” she said. “So many girls on this Ukrainian team are future players of the national team.” Wickenheiser, a Hockey Hall of Famer , is the assistant general manager of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and a doctor who works emergency room shifts in the Toronto area. The six-time Olympian and four-time gold medalist organized her first Wickfest after the 2010 Winter Games. She’s had teams from India, Mexico and the Czech Republic attend over the last decade and a half, but never a team that ran the Ukrainians’ gauntlet of logistics. The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health took on the task of arranging visas and paying for the team’s travel. “We care about women and children’s health. Sport is such a symbol. When you see a group of girls coming off the ice all sweaty and having worked hard on the ice, it’s a symbol of a healthy girl,” said chief executive officer Julia Anderson. “That’s a healthy kid that’s able to participate in sport. We really believe if we can get girls there, whether they’re in an active war zone, or here in Canada, those girls will change the world.” The Wings aren’t the first Ukrainians to seek a hockey haven in Canada since the war began. An under-25 men’s team played four games against university squads in early 2023 to prepare for that year’s world university games. Ukrainian teams have also twice played in the Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. “It’s the first time in Ukrainian history where a girls’ team is coming to Canada to a very good tournament,” Seredenko said. “They can see how they can play in their future. And they can see how it is to play hockey in Canada.” AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsMortal Kombat 1 DLC allegedly canceled as game flops post-launchPM Modi Expressed Confidence About Strengthening of India-GCC Ties Under Kuwait’s Presidency: MEA

Geode Capital Management LLC Has $20.06 Million Holdings in Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG)MITCHELL — Mitch Garrett gets a hot cup of coffee to go with his meal Wednesday from the kitchen counter at the Salvation Army of Mitchell. It’s chilly outside with a few snowflakes beginning to fall, but inside the aroma of turkey, ham and other Thanksgiving staples make the room feel cozy and warm. Garrett picks up the coffee and thanks the workers in the kitchen, complimenting them on their cooking. ADVERTISEMENT “I come just about every day,” Garrett, of Mitchell, told the Mitchell Republic. “It’s important to me, because I don’t make a lot, I’m on social security disability. And this place really gives me a heads up, someplace to go. It’s great, and they feed us good. It makes the day go by better.” Garrett was among several local residents attending the free Thanksgiving meal hosted by the Salvation Army of Mitchell on Wednesday. The nonprofit organization holds the meal annually in addition to the regular meals they serve out of their headquarters on Sanborn Boulevard. Amber Morin, who serves as a co-lieutenant for the organization along with her husband Rodney, said they were expecting around 50 to 60 people to take part in the hot meal, even more than they typically serve for their regular lunches. Holiday meals, such as Wednesday's, are particularly important to the clientele served by the Salvation Army in Mitchell. “In the colder months, I feel like it’s needed even more. It’s just a warm meal to warm people up and a space to come out of the cold,” Morin said. “But all year long we see the need is getting greater, with the uncertainties in the economy and inflation and the prices of food going up. So the need is always there, and it’s growing for sure.” The meal is a combined effort between organization leadership, its volunteers and the donors who help provide the food and materials to make it all a success. The food is provided by donors either as actual gifts of food or as funds designated to be used for food. The kitchen is staffed by a cook and volunteers who dish up healthy portions of turkey, ham, stuffing and many other classic favorites of the season. It’s a yearly project that serves an important purpose. With the weather starting to feel like winter and the holidays fast approaching, the gathering is a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with tasty fare, but also a chance to simply get out of the chill and share company with others taking advantage of the offer. ADVERTISEMENT Having a sense of belonging is as important as the nourishment provided by a hot meal, Morin said. And the staff and volunteers at the Salvation Army of Mitchell get satisfaction from providing something special for those who may lack the means to provide it for themselves or their loved ones. “They really enjoy coming here, having fellowship with one another and having that place where they can come get a meal knowing they don’t have to pay or feel guilty about it,” Morin said. “And people also really look forward to coming to help volunteer. It’s something that I really love about the holidays – is that it’s really a time where we can focus on giving back and supporting our community. That is something that people share our heart in, so they come and they help serve a meal and bring hope to people.” As it is with many people around the country, Thanksgiving is also the gateway to the holiday season for the Salvation Army of Mitchell. In addition to the Thanksgiving meal Wednesday, the organization is already hard at work coordinating its Angel Tree campaign and its Red Kettle campaign. Shoppers are already seeing the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringers at various businesses around Mitchell. Proceeds brought in from donations are an important part of helping the nonprofit fulfill its mission throughout the year, and every dollar counts. The group is always looking for more people willing to pick up a bell and ring away to help others in need. “We still have spots we’re needing to fill, so if there’s anyone who is interested in signing up, they can either call our office or go to registertoring.com and they can sign up for a spot there,” Morin said. Then there is the Angel Tree campaign, a popular way for residents to help make a child’s Christmas a little brighter. As part of the campaign, a child or senior adult registers to be accepted as an “angel,” and their Christmas wish list is shared with donors in the community who purchase gifts such as clothing or new toys. The gifts are distributed to the family to place under their family Christmas tree. ADVERTISEMENT Interested donors can find trees with children’s names at various locations around Mitchell, including Walmart, Shoe Sensation, Avera Grassland, the Highland Mall and Kelly Gross Insurance. Morin said there were over 250 area children signed up to hopefully receive gifts from a generous Mitchell patron. It’s another rewarding way to give back to those who may need a little help around Christmas time. It all comes together thanks to Salvation Army donors and volunteers, and the staff that helps coordinate it all. Morin said the Salvation Army of Mitchell is always looking for additional help for those who are feeling in the giving mood this holiday season. Food and monetary donations are welcome, and volunteers are always in need, especially during a busy time like the holidays. If nothing else, they can toss some money into a bell ringer’s kettle or fulfill a wish from an Angel Tree. People at the Salvation Army of Mitchell know how it feels to help those who need it, and they know others can find the same fulfillment they have by giving back themselves. “The community definitely loves to give back in this way. Sometimes you see the (Angel Tree) tags and it’s for something like clothes or bed sheets. It really pulls on your heartstrings,” Morin said. “So it’s really awesome that we can be the vessel through which the community can give to these kids.” More information on the programs at the Salvation Army of Mitchell, including the Red Kettle and Angel Tree programs, as well as information on how to give or volunteer and other programs, can be found by calling 605-996-3964 or visiting the local group Facebook page at www.facebook.com/salarmymitchellsd.

Depa will lead on the discovery and deployment of emerging technologies to help address business challenges and shape the future with confidence Brings deep experience in identifying new ways that can practically help business transformation through an innovation mindset and culture shift LONDON , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The EY organization announces today the appointment of Joe Depa as the new EY Global Chief Innovation Officer, effective immediately. Within this role, he will spearhead applied innovation to help improve service delivery and guide EY teams to address and solve business challenges. Depa joins the EY organization at a pivotal moment, as a range of emerging technologies are reshaping businesses and industries, creating a multitude of new challenges and opportunities. To keep pace, the EY organization is continuing to make significant investments in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and blockchain, and most recently formed the EY.ai Global AI Advisory Council. In his new role, Depa will be leading the organization's global innovation strategy. This will include overseeing efforts to successfully implement emerging technologies for tangible business applications, both internally and across work of EY member firms with clients. Raj Sharma, EY Global Managing Partner of Growth and Innovation, says: "At this time of constant disruption, success would require a forward-thinking approach and willingness to make bold decisions, which are at the heart of an innovative mindset. We're thrilled to have Joe's deep experience and knowledge around AI and data to lead on our strategic approach to innovation so that EY teams can help clients shape their future more confidently." Throughout the last decade, Depa has worked closely with C-suite leaders and boards to bring innovative products and services to market, improve client and employee experiences, and help enhance operational efficiencies through technology. Most recently, he served as the inaugural Chief Data and AI Officer at a leading university and health care organization. At the university, he helped to promote AI literacy, launch a responsible AI governance program and enable a secure data foundation. Prior to that, he acted as Senior Managing Director and Global Lead for Data and AI at a global multinational professional services company, where he led a team of AI strategists and data engineers in developing and implementing new products and services. Joe Depa , EY Global Chief Innovation Officer, says: "I'm truly excited to join an organization that is 'All in' on its commitment to the transformative potential of emerging technologies. I look forward to working with the EY teams and clients to help empower them to apply innovation in bold, new ways that help create value for clients through data, AI and emerging technologies to make the world a better place." A renowned thought leader in the field of AI, Depa has been recognized as one of the "Top 50 Global Leaders" by World Summit AI and has received Fast Company's "World Changing Idea" award, among other accolades. For more information, visit: ey.com. About EY EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories. All in to shape the future with confidence. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients. SOURCE EYGS LLPIn the rapidly evolving world of gaming, the ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) architecture is emerging as a revolutionary force, potentially altering the landscape of how games are developed and played. Known primarily for powering smartphones and tablets, ARM chips are now making significant inroads into gaming consoles and PCs, offering a glimpse into what the future might hold. ARM architecture is lauded for its energy efficiency and versatility , characteristics that are increasingly appealing as the gaming industry strives for more power without escalating heat and energy consumption. This is crucial for devices where battery life and thermal management are as important as graphics and processing power. ARM’s efficient performance per watt ratio means that gaming devices could become lighter, quieter, and cooler , without compromising on power. The advent of ARM-based processors in gaming is not a distant dream; it is already being realized. The latest gaming systems, such as some models of the Nintendo Switch and Microsoft’s Surface products, boast ARM chips, underscoring a transition towards ARM-driven gaming. Industry giants are investing heavily in developing optimized platforms and systems that leverage ARM’s strengths, promising to redefine gaming experiences with more portability and less environmental impact. As developers adapt their software to ARM’s architecture, gamers might soon experience smoother gameplay and enhanced graphics, all while their devices remain efficient and sustainable. This shift presents an exciting frontier in the gaming world, blending technological advancement with ecological sensibility. Exploring the Future: ARM Architecture’s Impact on Gaming In the ever-changing landscape of gaming technology, ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) architecture is emerging as a transformative force, potentially reshaping how games are developed and experienced. Initially renowned for its dominance in smartphones and tablets, ARM chips are now gaining traction in gaming consoles and PCs, offering intriguing insights into their future role within the industry. Innovations and Trends in ARM-powered Gaming As ARM architecture establishes its presence in gaming, several innovative trends are emerging. The architecture’s energy efficiency and versatility are proving essential in an industry aiming to balance power with reduced heat and energy consumption. This sustainability is crucial, particularly for portable devices where battery life and thermal management hold equal importance to graphics and processing power. ARM’s impressive performance per watt ratio implies that gaming devices are on a trajectory to become lighter, quieter, and cooler while maintaining robust performance capabilities. Use Cases and Compatibility of ARM in Gaming Devices Recent advancements are already showcasing ARM processors in contemporary gaming systems. The Nintendo Switch and several Microsoft Surface models utilize ARM chips, signifying a clear shift toward ARM-driven gaming. Industry leaders are investing heavily to develop platforms and systems optimized for ARM’s capabilities, aiming to redefine gaming experiences with increased portability and reduced environmental footprint. The transition toward ARM architecture is fostering software adaptation among developers, potentially leading to smoother gameplay and enhanced graphics. As gaming continues to evolve, ARM’s integration might allow devices to remain efficient and sustainable, matching gamers’ demands for high performance without sacrificing eco-friendliness. Security Aspects and Sustainability of ARM Architecture ARM architecture not only excels in efficiency but also places a strong emphasis on security. Its technology incorporates built-in features that bolster protection against potential vulnerabilities, providing gamers with a secure environment conducive to online interactions and gaming advancements. The emphasis on sustainability in gaming is aligning well with ARM’s strengths, offering a solution where technological advancement meets ecological sensibility. ARM’s energy-efficient processors contribute to a reduced carbon footprint, making them an attractive choice for environmentally conscious developers and consumers. Predictions for the Future of ARM in Gaming The trajectory of ARM in gaming projects a promising future where gaming devices transcend traditional limitations. As optimization of software and hardware continues, we may see ARM chips becoming more prominent in high-performance gaming PCs and other platforms historically dominated by x86 architecture. The increasing demand for portable, efficient, and high-performing devices ensures ARM’s role in gaming will only grow more significant. As gaming evolves, ARM architecture stands poised to not only challenge the status quo but potentially to lead a new era of gaming innovation, merging power and sustainability in unprecedented ways. For more insights and updates on technological advancements in gaming, visit Arm’s official website .Transport phenomena and fundamental physics investigated in the microgravity of the ISS

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has claimed she wasn’t told the Senate rules after she was suspended for throwing torn-up documents at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and flipping the bird as she exited the chamber. Ms Thorpe's suspension came after she clashed with Ms Hanson over questions regarding the citizenship of independent senator Fatima Payman on Wednesday. The firebrand Senator has remained unapologetic and said on Thursday, “No one tells me the rules around here until I break them”. “I think they make it up as they go along, and that is part of the problem,” she told the ABC. The comments appeared to refer to her having been censured by the Senate earlier this month for yelling “f**k the colony” at King Charles during an official ceremony. Ms Thorpe also tore up those censure documents at the time. “It seems like there's one rule for white people who get away with racism and there's one rule for us when we call that out,” Ms Thorpe said. “We're the ones that are the naughty little black girl again and that's OK if you want to call me that and call me disruptive. “But I will not stand there, or sit there and be silent when people of colour are being attacked with racism.” The former Greens Senator has consistently challenged Ms Hanson, whom she has accused of using racist rhetoric to further her political agenda. “We all have a responsibility to stamp racism out. Senator Hanson gets away with so much. She is a convicted racist,” she told the Today show. The federal court ruled this month Ms Hanson had racially vilified Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi when she told her to “p**s off back to Pakistan”. During the Senate clash, Ms Thorpe invoked the insult and told Ms Hanson to “go back to where you came from”, according to the One Nation Leader . The clash occurred after Ms Hanson questioned independent Senator Ms Payman’s legitimacy to serve in the Senate. Ms Payman, born in Afghanistan, has been unable to prove having renounced her citizenship due to the Taliban rule of Kabul. “The documentation is not good enough. It would not be good enough for anyone else here in this place,” Ms Hanson said in the Senate. In response, Ms Payman said Ms Hanson should “pack her burqa and go to Afghanistan and talk to the Taliban about this”. She went on to label Ms Hanson “vindictive, mean, nasty” and said “you bring disgrace to the human race” before Ms Thorpe entered the fray. Ms Thorpe tore up documents regarding Ms Payman's Senate eligibility and tossed them at Ms Hanson before she stuck up her middle finger and left the chamber. She doubled down on her actions during her ABC interview on Thursday and said “I would do it all over again”. “I am not one to stand or sit silent and allow this to happen. I would do it again. I ripped up the letters that Hanson wrote to the Senate, calling on pay man to be investigated,” she said. “That (questioning Ms Payman’s eligibility) is an act of racism and we need to stamp that out as a nation, otherwise we will continue to be divided.” Ms Hanson said she was “pleased” that Ms Thorpe had been suspended after she had shown “aggression” to “many senators in this place”. Amid rumours Ms Thorpe could storm the Senate despite the suspension, she said “This suspension actually allows me to hang out with the people and go protest on the lawns”.3 of the Best US Companies to Own in 2025 and BeyondThe economy is in good shape heading into 2025. Inflation is coming down, growth is brisk, and the job market has remained surprisingly resilient. Now economists are focused on the next big question: How long can this last? The answer, they say, hinges on just how quickly and dramatically President-elect Donald Trump implements a raft of new policies. Many looming uncertainties, especially related to tariffs and immigration, could disrupt the economy in unpredictable ways. “There are definitely some storms coming our way,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “I suspect the luster on the economy is going to come off in 2025.” Although economists are not forecasting a recession next year, they say the coming weeks will be instrumental in determining the course ahead. They are keeping a close eye on Trump’s transition into the White House and monitoring the job market, inflation and consumer spending habits for clues on how things might change. Here are five areas economists are watching closely in the new year. Trump’s plans to impose sweeping tariffs are likely to be one of the biggest threats to the economy, experts say. The president-elect has vowed to penalize the country’s largest trading partners by levying tariffs — an extra 10% on Chinese goods and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada — that economists say could quickly raise prices. The necessities that could soon be getting costlier range from big-ticket items such as cars and appliances to everyday basics like groceries and gas. During his campaign, Trump also discussed sweeping tariffs on all imports, not just from those countries, which would affect even more goods if implemented. “Tariffs make things more expensive,” Alex Durante, an economist at the Tax Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, told The Washington Post. “They shrink the economy, and they make people poorer.” New tariffs could cost the average household nearly $3,000 next year, amounting to about 3% of their after-tax income, according to estimates from the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan think tank. Members of Trump’s transition team have pushed back against the idea that tariffs could spark widespread inflation. But economists say they’re bracing for an across-the-board hit that could dent economic growth, raise prices and spur job losses. New tariffs, combined with retaliatory measures by other governments, could shave off 1.7% from U.S. gross domestic product and result in 1.4 million fewer American jobs, according to estimates from the Tax Foundation. A recent surge in immigration has helped power economic growth and boost the job market. But economists say Trump’s plans to deport millions of undocumented migrants and curb immigration more broadly could hobble the labor market. “We’ve had a lot of immigration under the Biden administration that provided rapid growth in the labor force and made it easier for the Fed to reduce inflation,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank. “But if Trump slows things down, we will not have workers to adequately fill jobs, and we’ll be looking at a very tight labor market again.” A slowdown in immigration would disproportionately hurt labor-intensive sectors such as construction, hospitality and agriculture, which would likely drive up the cost of housing, food and services like roofing and painting, economists say. As a result of mass deportations, the construction industry alone could lose 1.5 million workers, or about 14% of its labor force, estimates from the American Immigration Council show. “We just don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab. “But if you go to the extreme of what Trump is proposing on immigration and mass deportations, it will unarguably put downward pressure on growth and upward pressure on inflation.” The sweeping tax cuts Trump signed into law in his first term are set to expire at the end of 2025. Those will “almost certainly” be extended, according to Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center. What is less clear, though, is what other tax policies might be in store. During his campaign, Trump promised a bevy of additional cuts to families and corporations, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits. Those measures could fuel short-term economic growth and boost incomes for households and businesses. The gains, though, would be concentrated at the top: The wealthiest Americans would see the largest gains, with families making over $450,000 reaping nearly half the benefits if existing tax cuts are extended, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center. Still, experts say they’re not expecting an immediate tax overhaul. Given that Trump is also focused on bringing down the federal deficit, it seems unlikely that one of the first things he’d do in office is take on additional debt, said Sonders of Charles Schwab. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending current tax policies would add $4.6 trillion to the country’s shortfall. And Republicans on Capitol Hill say they may try to pass border enforcement legislation before they turn to taxes. “That math just doesn’t work,” Sonders said. “Tax cuts are probably a later-in-the-year story.” The Federal Reserve has made strides in bringing down inflation with a series of aggressive interest rate hikes. But lately, progress has stalled, and economists say it could unravel even further next year if Trump moves forward on some of his more draconian tariff and immigration plans. Deutsche Bank estimates that one measure of inflation — now at 2.8% — could rise to as much as 3.9% next year if the new tariffs are enacted, up from original estimates of about 2.5%. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell has said policymakers are parsing out how “tariffs can affect inflation in the economy, and how to think about that.” The central bank this month cut interest rates for a third straight time but said additional reductions will depend on how things play out next year. Inflation, at 2.4% using the Fed’s preferred measure, is down from its peak of 7.2% in June 2022, but still above the central bank’s 2% goal. During his last term, Trump routinely boasted about the stock market’s performance, which reached new highs under his watch. But economists say a repeat performance may be tough to pull off. Stocks have continued their ascent under Biden, with all three major indexes — the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq composite index — hitting all-time highs in recent weeks. That’s boosted the portfolios of the country’s wealthiest, allowing them to keep spending in a way that’s powering the economy. But the market’s heyday may soon be coming to an end: Stocks tumbled after the Federal Reserve suggested in mid-December that it is rethinking how often it will cut interest rates next year. And economists warn that any additional curveballs, including government policies that hamper growth, could quickly reverse recent gains. “Markets are very richly valued — even overvalued, bordering on frothy,” said Zandi of Moody’s. “They’re vulnerable to anything that doesn’t stick exactly to the script, and tariffs and deportations are certainly off-script.” A slide in the stock market, Zandi said, could quickly dent consumer spending and lead to a broader economic slowdown. “It’s the high-end consumer — powered by stock market highs — that is driving the train,” he said. “If markets sell off, that would put a dagger in the heart of the economy.”

President-elect Donald Trump broke his silence by sending a cryptic message to Elon Musk, his biggest ally and tech billionaire on social media after the latter faced the MAGA wrath over his comments on foreign work visas. Tesla and Space X CEO, Musk has been instrumental in Trump's win for a second term at the White House, an issue that has been brought up by Democrats and critics to criticize his influence in American politics. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both selected to head the ambitious Department of Government Efficiency, faced online backlash from MAGA netizens after they advocated for more H-1B worker visas for skilled foreign-born workers. Trump's unexpected reaction to Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt's engagement Russia warns of Washington's 'extremely hostile' nuclear stance pre-Trump term However, Trump made a cryptic post on Truth Social at 8:47 a.m. on Friday, appearing to ask Musk about his plans to come to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's estate in Florida . "Where are you? When are you coming to the “Center of the Universe,” Mar-a-Lago," Trump asked in the post. He went on to tell Musk that his billionaire rival Bill Gates has requested to drop by for a visit Friday night. Trump then told Musk that he misses him and his son. "We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!!" he said, before adding his signature initials of "DJT." Musk has been a fixture in Mar-a-Lago since before the elections according to sources, often appearing in Trump's family photos with his children and grandchildren. He was, however, missing from the Trump family's Christmas celebrations. He posted a photo of himself dressed up like Santa Claus, calling himself "Ozempic Santa," revealing the use of Mounjaro, an Ozempic-like weight loss drug. DON'T MISS: Tiffany Trump confirms pregnancy with two words and sweet baby bump photo [NEW] Video resurfaces of Donald Trump asking child if she 'still believes in Santa' [STRANGE] Denmark increased defense budget after Trump's Greenland plan — 'No coincidence' [EXCLUSIVE] Musk and Trump were last seen together at the Army-Navy football game on Dec. 14 in Maryland. Musk has been accused of leveraging his social media presence to almost cause a government shutdown recently. Trump's fiercest critics have pointed out that Musk seems to be running the show. However, at a recent conservative talk show hosted by Turning Points USA, Trump allayed such fears, saying that Musk would not be president due to his nationality. "No, he's not going to be president, that I can tell you," he said, adding, "And I'm safe. You know why he can't be? He wasn't born in this country." Musk, who is originally from South Africa, recently engaged in a deluge of social media debates about why it is essential to hire tech workers with H-1B visas to further the growth of the tech industry. "The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low," he wrote, saying that there could be a "dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America." He was backed by DOGE co-lead, Ramaswamy, an Indian American tech entrepreneur, who also faced the MAGA wrath and was termed a "conman." In 2016, Trump had a different stance on H-1B but his new views during a second term remain unknown. "I know the H1-B very well, it's something I use and I shouldn't be allowed to, we shouldn't have it. Very very bad for workers... it's very bad for our workers and very unfair for our workers and we should end it," he had said in 2016.DALLAS — If “better health for my hockey team” was among Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes’ holiday wishes, he instead got a notable lump of coal in his stocking before the team plane had even left the ground at MSP on Friday morning. The seat on the charter aircraft normally occupied by Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov was empty when the rest of the squad took off for Texas. He was unavailable for the Friday evening game versus the Stars with a lower-body injury that has been a problem for a few days now, Hynes said. ADVERTISEMENT “He was a little sore, I think, going into the break, and then we talked with the doctors and stuff yesterday,” the coach said following the team’s morning skate at American Airlines Center. “Right now, as far as I know, it’s day-to-day ... then we’ll see how he’s feeling each day moving forward here.” Hynes added that the absence is not related to the knee-on-knee check Kaprizov took during a November game in Edmonton, which kept him out of the lineup for one game. The coach added that he has not seen anything to indicate the absence will be long-term. “I don’t have a big concern level as of now because he was a little bit banged up prior to going into the break, but we all saw how he played against Chicago,” Hynes said, referencing the team-leading 23rd goal of the season that Kaprizov scored in a 4-3 win over the Blackhawks on Monday. “We’ll see what he does today with his treatments and see what he does tomorrow.” Stars coach Peter DeBoer got the news of Kaprizov’s absence from the media following his team’s morning skate. “Obviously, an important player. I probably could’ve saved myself some time in my pre-scout this morning if I’d known that earlier,” he said, noting that they weren’t expecting an easy night with or without Kaprizov. “When I look at Minnesota, they’re a team that’s the true sum of their parts rather than one player. “They’ve got four lines, they defend well, they’ve got great goaltending. So, probably a lot like us, you can take a player out of the lineup and still be competitive. But still, that’s a big guy out for them.” The Wild will host Ottawa on Sunday evening and Nashville on Tuesday evening. ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Home Stretch Property Management Launched Turn Key Property Solutions to Address Saint Louis’ Real Estate Challenges

Bluesky basicsPETALING JAYA: With many analysts forecasting Malaysia’s economy to improve further, TMK Chemical Bhd is likewise confident about its own prospects, as the company believes its outlook is linked to the country’s economic performance. The group’s optimism is mirrored in its initial public offering (IPO) exercise on Monday, ahead of its scheduled listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on Dec 12, at an IPO price of RM1.75 per share. The group, founded in 1989, is principally engaged in the provision of total chemical management comprising sourcing, processing and distribution of inorganic chemicals and value-added services, as well as the provision of chemical terminal services which encompasses bulk storage services. The inorganic chemicals that it offers comprise acids, alkalis, salts and other chemical products. Operating on the virtues of humility, reliability and integrity, TMK Chemical managing director Wong Kin Wah said the group had also commenced the manufacturing of other inorganic chemicals, including chlor-alkali derivatives, at its Banting Plant 1 in May this year. He revealed that the expansion of this relatively new product line is also a strategy for the future, and it involves the construction of Banting Plant 2 to increase capacity for producing sodium hydroxide, chlorine, and other derivatives. As background, inorganic chemicals are utilised in a wide variety of manufacturing and industrial processes across numerous industries, which include but are not limited to cleaning agents and detergents; construction; semi-conductor; glove; energy generation and fuel; environment and agrichemical; food and beverages; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; cosmetics and personal care products; plastics; pulp and paper; scheduled waste management; and water treatment industries. At present, TMK Chemical carries a stock-keeping unit of 4,427 chemicals, comprising different types of chemicals and where each chemical type may have different derivatives, grades, concentrations, form and distribution size. Each type of inorganic chemicals can be supplied in various derivatives, grades and customisable concentrations, and may be supplied in liquid and/or dry form according to the requirements of its customers. Further outlining the company’s plans for the future, deputy chairman Leong Chao Seong, who was also present at the interview with StarBiz, summarised the nature of TMK Chemical’s businesses to give a clear picture of its path forward. “In relation to our total chemical management division, we will be constructing a new processing facility in Singapore to boost chemical processing and distribution,” he revealed. In addition, TMK Chemical’s IPO prospectus noted the group will also be setting up a new Port Klang facility for dry bulk facility to enhance chemical processing, dry bulk handling, and product improvement activities. Of interest, he said since the company’s inception 35 years ago, TMK Chemical has evolved from primarily a product seller to a customer-centric organisation at its core, illustrated by the growth of its product and service offerings. One of the founders of TMK Chemical is Datuk Lee Soon Hian, who remains the major shareholder of the group with a 39.6% (after IPO) stake in the company. Soon Hian is the brother of Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian and Datuk Lee Hau Hian who control conglomerate Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd . TMK Chemical said it aims to achieve the highest standards when it comes to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambition. To lower its carbon footprint, the group has installed solar panels at its facilities and terminals, and will continue to do so at its premises where suitable, to exemplify its costs effectiveness as it caters to a large variety of requests and demands from its customers. According to its prospectus, this includes continuously sourcing additional or alternative suppliers to expand its existing supply network and improve its capabilities. On top of that, it also provides chemical processing services which entail the customisation of chemicals to achieve its customer’s product specification and customised concentrations through dissolving, blending or dilution. TMK Chemical obtained its Environmental Management System – ISO 14001:2015 certification from the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, British Standards Institution in 2023, which certifies it fulfills the requirements for environmental management system for the provision of marketing, production, warehousing and distribution of chemicals. Moreover, it is also utilising electric forklifts and is in the process of exploring how to increase the number of electric forklifts in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint further. Another part of fulfilling its ESG objectives also saw TMK Chemical embarking on corporate social responsibility activities, which included flood relief measures, its Program 3K (Kebersihan, Kesihatan, Keselamatan) Gotong Royong Madani initiative, mangrove planting and the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Campaign. Leong pointed out that part of TMK Chemical’s listing proceeds will be allocated for its pursuit of possible acquisitions and investments, especially for selective acquisition of companies in the inorganic chemical industry, in order to optimise its own cost structure and expand networks. Meanwhile, Wong explained that TMK Chemical is mindful of first securing its position in the markets it is currently in, namely Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Deputy chairman Leong said his hopeful outlook for the company stemmed from the various storms that it has weathered over its history, with the most memorable challenge being the Asian financial crisis in 1998. Staying on that point, with the company being involved in various industries, Leong acknowledged TMK Chemical would be more resilient towards economic volatilities. In fact, industry observers have mentioned that the second wave of industrialisation sweeping over Malaysia will further improve the group’s performance, as this would increase Malaysia’s manufacturing output due to extended demand. The strong outlook is perhaps also illustrated by the notable fact TMK Chemical’s IPO is wholly a public issue with no offer for sale of shares by its existing shareholders. This means that all proceeds from the exercise will go to the company.