Buying or Selling Clubs That Could Sign Mohammed Salah in 2025None
His expertise spans storage solutions, surveillance systems, and data center management. Previously, he served as South Asia Head at Seagate, driving revenue growth and market leadership. An alumnus of Harvard Business School's leadership program and G.B. Pant University (B.Tech in Electrical Engineering), Rajesh is recognized for his contributions to organizational leadership, B2B and B2C sales, and regional market expansion across India, SAARC, and ASEAN regions. Rajesh Khurana is a distinguished business leader with over three decades of expertise in the technology and storage solutions industry. Currently , he is dedicated to driving sustainable growth, establishing consumer and channel business segments for Biwin. During his current leadership, Biwin has launched and established HP branded SSD & Drams , Acer branded Flash storage products (SSD , Drams, UFD, SD cards ) & Predator branded gaming Storage products .Recently Biwin has also launched Lenovo branded SSD as well and soon will be introducing Biwin branded flash based storage solutions. Rajesh’s prior career highlights include leadership roles in top tech companies such as Seagate and Zhejiang Haers Vacuum Containers Co. Ltd. During his 15++ years at Seagate, he served as Country Manager for South Asia (India/SAARC), where he played a transformative role in scaling revenues multiple times resulting in capturing a 55% market share. He fostered strategic partnerships with leading OEMs, including Reliance, HP, and Wipro. His exceptional performance earned him accolades like the President’s Club Awards multiple times and the ESF Scholar Top Award in Asia. Beyond his corporate achievements, Rajesh spent four years as an Independent Business Consultant and Data Storage Expert, advising organizations on strategy and operations. His expertise spans diverse domains, including storage solutions, distribution networks, B2B and B2C sales, and consumer goods. He has successfully managed and expanded businesses in multiple Asian markets, positioning him as a key asset in any organization he joins. Rajesh’s professional journey began in engineering roles at Infocom Digital Systems and DCM Data Systems, where he transitioned from technical responsibilities to sales and marketing. At Ingram Micro, he gained invaluable experience in managing channel partnerships and fostering regional growth, further honing his leadership skills. A proponent of lifelong learning, Rajesh completed a Leadership Development Program at Harvard Business School and holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from G.B. Pant University. Multilingual and culturally adept, he is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, enabling him to lead cross-regional initiatives effectively. Rajesh is also a sought-after keynote speaker at industry forums and has actively contributed to national initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India. Known for his strategic acumen, leadership, and ability to foster innovation, Rajesh Khurana continues to be a pivotal figure in the tech and storage solutions industry. His track record of building successful businesses, nurturing talent, and driving organizational growth underscores his enduring impact on the sector. (This article is part of DMCL Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. DMCL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The DMCL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)
A report from Alberta’s Auditor General flags loose network controls in three Government of Alberta departments as potential risks for unauthorized access to government data and Albertans’ personal information. In its audit of the province’s consolidated financial statements, the auditor general made recommendations to the Ministries of Technology and Innovation, Children and Family Services (CFS), and Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) to improve network security procedures after finding the departments failed to promptly remove ex-employees access privileges. For both CFS and SCSS, the auditor found that terminated employees retained access to IT applications. Previous reports in 2014 and 2020 made the same recommendation to tighten controls for department information systems, and the auditor said it is repeating that direction because it continues to find “user access exceptions.” “Unauthorized individuals may access the department’s systems and be able to use or change critical personal, business, and financial information. This could result in privacy breaches for the department or create opportunities for identity theft. If information in the financial systems was manipulated, this could impair the integrity of the department’s financial reporting and results,” the auditor general’s report warns. Within Information and Technology, the auditor tested 25 sample accounts, and found 13 of these accounts weren’t removed from the network. Five of the 13 accounts “were used to log into the government’s network after the account holders’ employment ended with government.” Department management verified that the users “mainly accessed their own employment data.” An additional 48 ex-employees held on to logins for 11 departmental IT applications, resulting in one unauthorized access to an IT system. The audit also found the department didn’t complete effective reviews of user access rights for 12 of its IT applications, including three where no review was performed during the 2023-24 audit period. Jonathan Gauthier, press secretary to the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, said the department is working to implement the network security recommendations. “Alberta’s government takes security seriously and is committed to continuous improvement to ensure better user experience and provide common, secure, and streamlined access to government services,” Gauthier said. Many of the concerns outlined in the report have already been addressed, Gauthier said. Contractor accounts are set to be automatically terminated at the end of the contract period, and as of spring 2024, employee account removal has been aligned with payroll termination processes. “The existing Access Controls policy has been updated to increase the frequency of reviews of user account access; from annually to quarterly,” he said. “Technology and Innovation is also developing a tool to track compliance to the policy and provide regular reporting. This is expected to be rolled out in the upcoming months. Further improvements to the periodic review of users’ access rights are underway and will be implemented over the coming years.”Down early, Jets surpass Blackhawks for second straight winRJ Thompson scored 23 points -- including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56 seconds left -- as Charleston Southern shocked host Miami 83-79 on Saturday afternoon. Miami entered the game as a 23.5-point favorite. Charleston (2-7) won its first game of the season away from home after losing its previous six road or neutral-court contests. The Buccaneers also got 21 points from Thompson Camara and 20 points and 11 rebounds from Taje' Kelly. Camara match his previous career point total. Miami (3-4), playing at home for the first time in two weeks, lost its fourth straight game. Brandon Johnson led Miami with 23 points and freshman Austin Swartz scored a career-high 15. Swartz entered the game averaging just 2.3 points For the first time this season, Miami was without Nijel Pack, who has a lower-body injury. Pack leads the team in scoring (15.2) and assists (4.7). With Pack out, five-star freshman Jalil Bethea made his first start and had six points. The game featured quite a contrast in coaches. Miami's Jim Larranaga, 75, has won 743 games in 41-plus seasons. Charleston Southern's Saah Nimley, 31, is in his full first season as a head coach. He was named interim coach in November 2023. In the first half, Miami raced to a 17-10 lead. However, Charleston Southern posted an 11-0 run to grab a 21-17 advantage. The Hurricanes lost control late in the first half as Miami's Johnson hit a 3-pointer and was hit with a technical foul for taunting. Later in the first half, Larranaga was also hit with a technical. By the end of the half, the Buccaneers led 45-37. Camara led Charleston Southern with 16 first-half points on 6-for-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers. Johnson scored 12 for Miami in the opening half, all on 3-pointers. In the second half, Charleston Southern stretched its lead to 13. Miami rallied as the clock wound down. With 38 seconds left, Miami called a timeout while trailing 81-79. With 15 seconds left, Swartz missed a 3-pointer and the Buccaneers got the rebound. Daylen Berry made two free throws with 11 seconds left to ice the game. Up next, Miami will host No. 19 Arkansas on Tuesday night as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Charleston Southern will return home to face Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday night. --Field Level Media
NoneBioAge Labs Announces Discontinuation of STRIDES Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Azelaprag in Combination with Tirzepatide for the Treatment of ObesityScheifele scores as the Jets beat the Blackhawks 4-2 in Sorensen's first game
Oklahoma sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold will enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. A five-star recruit in 2023 out of Denton, Texas, Arnold began this season as the starter, lost his spot and later regained it as the Sooners went 6-6. Monday is the first day that underclassmen can transfer during the winter portal window. Arnold completed 154 of 246 passes (62.6 percent) for 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games. He also ran the ball 150 times for 444 yards and three TDs, including 25 attempts for 131 yards in the Sooners' 24-3 win over Alabama on Nov. 23. As a freshman last season playing behind Dillon Gabriel, Arnold appeared in seven games and was 44 of 69 (63.8 percent) for 563 yards, four TDs and three picks. A former Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, Arnold started for Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl last December, when the Sooners lost 38-24 to Arizona. He was QB1 for the 2024 campaign, but three early turnovers caused him to be pulled in a 25-15 defeat to Tennessee on Sept. 21 and replaced by true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Arnold came off the bench to replace Hawkins in a 35-9 loss to South Carolina on Oct. 19, and head coach Brent Venables afterward fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. Co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley became the interim play-caller. Venables filled the position permanently on Monday by hiring Washington State OC Ben Arbuckle, who could bring Cougars QB John Mateer with him to Norman, Okla. --Field Level Media
Rights Group: Afghan women barred from studying nursing and midwivery
Biden pledges £472m for rail project to improve access to Africa’s mineralsCLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2024 / Mace Security International (OTCQB:MACE) (the "Company") announces the completion of the merger (the "Merger") contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated October 12, 2024 by and among W Electric Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Parent"), Mace Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub"), the Company and a representative of the Company's stockholders (the "Stockholders' Representative"). Charles A. Gaddis was appointed as the Stockholders' Representative at the Special Meeting of its stockholders held on December 3, 2024. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into the Company, effective December 6, 2024, with the Company being the surviving company. As a result of the Merger, the Company becomes a private company wholly owned by Parent and the shares of the Company will no longer be quoted on the OTC QB Market following the close of trading on December 6, 2024. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), (i) each share of common stock of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Excluded Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and the Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), if any) was cancelled and ceased to exist in exchange for the right to receive US $0.015777 in cash per share without interest and potential additional contingent consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (the "Per Share Consideration"). In accordance with the Merger Agreement, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, as paying agent, has been engaged to distribute Letters of Transmittal to registered holders of Company shares. Registered holders of Company shares will be required to submit a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and the share certificate(s) and/or direct registration system advice(s) representing their Company shares to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC in order to receive the Per Share Consideration under the Merger Agreement. If you have any questions or require further information about the procedures to complete your Letter of Transmittal, please contact Equiniti Trust Company, LLC at 718-921-8317 or toll-free (within North America) at 877-248-6417 for further information. Shareholders whose Company shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee should contact their nominee regarding the receipt of the Per Share Consideration. About Mace Security International, Inc. Mace® Security International, Inc. (MACE) is a globally recognized leader in personal safety and security. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the Company has spent more than 40 years designing and manufacturing consumer and tactical products for personal defense and security under its world-renowned Mace® Brand - the original trusted brand of defense spray products. The Company also offers aerosol defense sprays and tactical products for law enforcement and security professionals worldwide through its Mace® Take Down® brand, KUROS!® Brand personal safety products, Vigilant® Brand alarms, and Tornado® Brand pepper spray and stun guns. MACE® distributes and supports Mace® Brand products through mass market retailers, wholesale distributors, independent dealers, Amazon.com , Mace.com , and other channels. For more information, visit www.mace.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used, the words or phrases "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "projected," "intend to" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to several known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, trends, performance or achievements, or industry trends and results, to differ materially from the future results, trends, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to, (a) general economic and business conditions, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other possible pandemics and similar outbreaks; (b) competition; (c) potential changes in customer spending; (d) acceptance of our product offerings and designs; (e) the variability of consumer spending resulting from changes in domestic economic activity; (f) a highly promotional retail environment; (g) any significant variations between actual amounts and the amounts estimated for those matters identified as our critical accounting estimates, as well as other significant accounting estimates made in the preparation of our financial statements; (h) the impact of current and potential hostilities in various parts of the world, including but not limited to the war which resulted from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as other geopolitical or public health concerns; (i) the impact of international supply chain disruptions and delays; (j) the impact on the Company of changes in U.S. Federal and State income tax regulations; (k) the impact of inflation and the ability of the Company to pass on rising prices to its customers and (l) the ability of the Company to close the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 12, 2024. You are urged to consider all such factors. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such forward-looking statements, you should not consider their inclusion to be a representation that such forward-looking matters will be achieved. Mace Security International, Inc. assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements. Contact: Investor Relations InvestorRelations@mace.com SOURCE: Mace Security International, Inc. View the original on accesswire.com
Crypto Exec Reveals When in 2025 Ripple (XRP) Price Will Reach $10NASA Accelerates Space Exploration, Earth Science for All in 2024
The big-bag investors who led the successful raise of $167.6 million in presales for BlockDag are now shifting their attention to the next big wave expected to yield massive returns. Their eyes are on 1Fuel and Quebetics, with some favoritism evident. 1Fuel has been a major choice for BDAG investors because it offers more utility and innovative technology. It has raised over $650,000 in record time with little to no hype, making it a priority. Experts rank it among the top cryptocurrencies to invest in, even above BlockDAG and Quebetics. Read on to see why. 13 Phases, $7 Million Raised: Quebetics Investors are still bullish So far, analysis shows that a combination of retail investors and whales (also known as large investors) have placed heavy bets on TICS, the native token for Quebetics. The total number of these different cohorts of traders equates to 10,644 holders. They have raised approximately $7.1 million, bringing the price of TICS to $0.0342374 over 13 different phases, with a total of 355,791,910 TICS. BlockDAG investors are particularly optimistic about the potential yield from TICS when it finally goes live dedicating a segment of their portfolio to acquiring more of it. The choice behind Quebetics as an investment was primarily driven by the fact that it’s a layer-1 blockchain aggregator. It simplifies the process of acquiring tokens, keeps them cheap and secure, and provides full custody to traders. TICS's backbone will be driven by daily transactions. However, despite their interest, investors acknowledge the hassle traders might face transitioning from their regular platforms to crypto aggregators. This contrasts with cryptocurrency wallets like 1Fuel , which offer seamless interaction and integration. 1Fuel trumps the market as BDAG investors back it with reasons and funds BlockDAG investors are primarily focused on 1Fuel, anticipating it to become a highly valuable token that is currently overlooked by the market. 1Fuel is native to the best cryptocurrency wallet, offering notable features that address user pain points and provide more use cases than several popular wallets. For instance, it solves the issue of limited multichain transactions. Previously, traders needed specific tokens to interact or trade across different native blockchains. With 1Fuel, investors can make transactions to and from various destination blockchains seamlessly. This multichain feature also enables one-click transactions, which are absent in many cryptocurrency wallets. The best part is that transaction fees are extremely minimal. Rather than paying multiple fees to reach a destination blockchain, users pay just a very small fee. All these factors, and more exemplify why savvy investors, trading experts, and market analysts alike consider 1Fuel, at its current presale price of $0.012, a significant bargain in the market. This explains why they are rapidly increasing their holdings, competing to close the current phase within two weeks. If this buying activity and timeline align, 1Fuel will become more expensive to purchase. New entrants into the presale will miss out on the guaranteed 500% rally already in motion. So why miss what analysts call a golden bull market opportunity when you could be part of what is anticipated to be a historic price jump? Conclusion As an investor looking for the best cryptocurrency wallet and asset to invest in this season, there are two prime choices to consider. The first is TICS, and the second—and main attraction for large investors already trading BlockDag—is undoubtedly 1Fuel. Join smart BDAG investors who buy the 1Fuel presale to be on the winning side. Presale: https://www.1fuel.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/Portal_1Fuel X: https://x.com/1fuel_?s=21 Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
CHICAGO (AP) — Mark Scheifele snapped a third-period tie and Kyle Connor had two assists, helping the Winnipeg Jets beat Chicago 4-2 on Saturday in the first game for interim Blackhawks coach Anders Sorensen. Mason Appleton had a goal and an assist as the Jets picked up their second straight win after a four-game losing streak. Nino Niederreiter and Gabriel Vilardi also scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 12 saves. Sorensen was promoted from the team's top minor league affiliate when Luke Richardson was fired on Thursday. Alex Vlasic scored for the second straight game for Chicago, which has dropped five in a row. Alec Martinez added his first goal of the season. The Blackhawks had a 2-1 lead before Niederreiter converted a backhander 13:10 into the second, beating Arvid Soderblom. It was Niederreiter's 10th of the season. Soderblom entered 11 minutes into the game when Petr Mrazek appeared to aggravate a right groin pull. Appleton had an empty-net goal with 1:41 to play. Jets: Winnipeg outplayed Chicago in the final 30 minutes, not only in shots but in puck possession. Blackhawks: Chicago played with more pace but it still struggled to get the puck to the net. They had only 14 shots on goal. Scheifele beat Jason Dickinson on the face-off that led to Winnipeg’s go-ahead goal. He slid the puck to Connor, then raced to the net for the rebound at 10:18. Blackhawks coaches, interim or full-time, are 6-7-1 in their first game behind the bench since the beginning of the 1995-96 season. Richardson lost his debut at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. The Jets begin a four-game homestand against Columbus on Sunday. The Blackhawks are in New York on Monday night to play the Rangers. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlCalgary-based company Ventori Energy Inc. is looking to build wind turbines in Valemount. In exchange for land where the turbines can be installed, the company would share 25 per cent of its revenue with the Village, the company’s vice president Sarah Scott said in a delegation to Valemount Council on November 26th. Ventori is a relatively new company, having been incorporated on April 24th, according to Alberta’s corporate registration system. However, Ventori’s sister companies – Australia-based ReVair and US-based Pascal – have both been incorporated for over a decade. Valemount is the first municipality to answer Ventori’s inquiries, Scott told The Goat. The company has not yet found a manufacturing plant to produce the turbine in Canada, but they are working on shipping prototypes from Australia, Scott said. The company has worked closely with Rudolph Oelofse, the inventor and patent-holder of their wind turbine, she said. According to court documents obtained by The Goat, Oelofse has been sued at least twice: once in 2018 for fraud, and again in 2021 for neglecting to pay the law firm he contracted to help him obtain patents. “For months, Oelofse and/or his agents made a variety of false promises and misrepresentations to [the] plaintiffs... including that they would receive a benefits and ownership interest in the technology and/or the company,” the 2018 suit filed against Oelofse reads. The 2018 plaintiffs opted to settle out of court, according to documents from the Superior Court of California in the County of Sacramento. The 2021 case was also dismissed by the court as neither party appeared at trial, according to documents from the Superior Court of California in the County of Orange. Scott declined to comment on either suit against Oelofse. During her delegation to Council, Scott outlined the company’s hopes for a wind energy project in Valemount, alongside Sales Director Teaken Blair. Installing wind turbines in Valemount could generate millions of dollars in revenue, according to Scott and Blair. The revenue would be split four ways between the Village, Ventori, Pascel, and another investor. According to Scott, the company has not found the fourth investor yet. Ventori staff estimate that each turbine could produce about $2M annually, so an installment of 50 turbines would amount to $100M/year, or about $24M per investor. While Valemount would receive the same portion of revenue as the other investors, the Village would not have to buy shares in the company, according to Scott and Blair. “We’re not expecting you guys to put any money into this – all we need is land,” Blair said. Scott and Blair said the type of turbines Ventori would produce – called Vertical Axis Wind Turbines, or VAWTs – are more compact, less noisy and better for local bird populations than traditional turbines. They are 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide, and constructed from an organic composite material which is significantly lighter and stronger than steel, according to the presentation. The turbines can last for up to 25 years with no maintenance, Blair said. Scott and Blair referenced a 2014 study titled “Institutional Perspectives on Small Wind Energy Permitting” as evidence of the turbines’ low impact on local bird populations. While the study largely focuses on comparing various local government policies on wind energy and does not focus on Oelofse’s patented turbines in particular, its section on bird ecology did conclude that VAWTs have a minimal impact on bird ecology and behaviour. The turbines would connect to a battery which would provide power to the Village, Blair said. According to him, this would allow the Village to move completely off-grid. After Scott and Blair’s presentation concluded, Council moved to receive the delegation. Councillor Hollie Blanchette asked how much it would cost to replace a turbine, and if the Village would be expected to cover that cost. “This is a really good question, because whose responsibility is it to replace the turbines? These are all questions that we’re still working out,” Scott said. “The way the agreement would work is that we are selling the energy, we’re not selling you the turbines.” Scott added that the company would establish a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) – a type of contract between an electricity generator and a customer – with Valemount if the Village decided to strike a deal with Ventori. Councillor Pete Pearson asked if Ventori would need to build a substation to connect the wind energy turbines to the community power supply. “We wouldn’t necessarily need a substation for a small amount of turbines,” Blair said. “But you’re right, if we’re running a substantial amount of energy, then it wouldn’t work with just the batteries, we would need a substation. So it just depends on how many turbines we run.” Pearson asked if the Village could continue working with Independent Power Producers if it partnered with Ventori. “One of our philosophies is [that] we are looking to collaborate and cooperate with other existing forms of energy function,” Scott said. “We’re not asking you to cut it off at that, we want this to be an addition.” Mayor Owen Torgerson asked if the company has ever launched a project in B.C., or worked with BCHydro. Scott and Blair said they have not. “I would highly recommend you look at [Hydro’s] interconnection study procedures on what it means to connect to their grid,” Torgerson said. “I would also recommend looking at their standard offer program, which is their form of PPA... and have a serious look at what they require in order to attach to their grid.” Scott said the company would look into the standard offer program. Torgerson said the Village would not be able to assist in negotiating with BC Hydro. “We can advocate for a partnership, we can do a lot of things, but we certainly do not have the capacity to assist with a Power Purchase Agreement,” Torgerson said. In her interview with The Goat on Monday, December 2nd, Scott said the company had not yet looked into a standard offer program with BC Hydro, but it was on her to-do list for the upcoming week. “If the power source is done right, we won’t really need to tap into BC Hydro,” Scott added. “We won’t need to tap into the grid, but it will give the town of Valemount the option to sell [energy] back to the grid.” She said Ventori hopes to establish itself in small, mountainous communities like Valemount to provide energy and revenue to towns that may be struggling with rising costs of living. “I heard the skepticism in the Council’s voice when we were talking about this,” she said. “I think what we need to clarify is that the idea here is to help communities understand that they can be their own utility. That’s the goal: we want to empower towns like Valemount to understand they can be their own utility.”
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) Shares Down 0.1% – Here’s What HappenedPresident Joe Biden pledged another 600 million US dollars (£472 million) on Wednesday for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. Mr Biden told African leaders the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long”. “But not anymore,” Mr Biden added. “Africa is the future.” Mr Biden used the third and final day of a visit to Angola – his long-awaited, first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president – to travel to the coastal city of Lobito and tour an Atlantic port terminal that’s part of the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment. Mr Biden described it as the largest US investment in a train project outside America. The US and allies are investing heavily in the project that will refurbish nearly 1,200 miles of train lines connecting to the mineral-rich areas of Congo and Zambia in central Africa. The corridor, which likely will take years to complete, gives the US better access to cobalt, copper and other critical minerals in Congo and Zambia that are used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies that Mr Biden said would power the future. China is dominant in mining in Congo and Zambia. The US investment has strategic implications for US-China economic competition, which went up a notch this week as they traded blows over access to key materials and technologies. The African leaders who met with Mr Biden on Wednesday said the railway corridor offered their countries a much faster route for minerals and goods – and a convenient outlet to Western markets. “This is a project that is full of hope for our countries and our region,” said Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, whose country has more than 70% of the word’s cobalt. “This is not just a logistical project. It is a driving force for economic and social transformation for millions of our people.” The leaders said the corridor should spur private-sector investment and improve a myriad of related areas like roads, communication networks, agriculture and clean energy technologies. For the African countries, it could create a wave of new jobs for a burgeoning young population. Cargo that once took 45 days to get to the US – usually involving trucks via South Africa – would now take around 45 hours, Mr Biden said. He predicted the project could transform the region from a food importer to exporter. It’s “something that if done right will outlast all of us and keep delivering for our people for generations to come,” he said. The announcement of an additional $600 million took the U.S.’s investment in the Lobito Corridor to 4.0 billion dollars (£3.15 billion).
MILAN — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan's swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season. There's even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world's most expensive retail destination, displacing New York's Fifth Avenue. The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield's annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone's desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands. A man walks past a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The average rent on the Milan street surged to $2,047 per square foot, compared with $2,000 per square foot on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue. Via MonteNapoleone's small size — less than a quarter-mile long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street's key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association. "Not everything can fit, which is a benefit," since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan's Fashion Quadrilateral. Women look a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and longtime tenant Fendi is expanding. The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there's no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue. The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car's limited trunk space notwithstanding. A mannequin is seen Dec. 12 in a shop in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays. A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home. "I got a lot," Chen acknowledged. "It's a fantastic place, a good place for shopping." A man waits for a taxi Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleon street in Milan, Italy. A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, yardslong knit scarf priced at 980 euros. "I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours," Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal. Buildings are decorated Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street's guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone's achievement. "Milan's investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole," said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association. She also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, "we'll be back on top in no time." The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's. After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant contributor to climate change: methane gas. "Greening" the holidays is essential, and one simple tip is to think more about how sustainable the materials are in your decorations, decor, and, of course, gifts. Instead of plastics, you could opt for items that can be reused, are made of renewable materials or natural fibers that boast a smaller environmental impact in both production and durability. Due to consumers' desires for more eco-friendly goods, sustainable materials are among the biggest trends in home decor. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable—and earth-conscious—home goods that make perfect holiday gifts. Made Trade rounded up a list of sustainable home decor trends in 2025 that offer dozens of creative options for holiday gift-giving. Each trend includes examples of great gifts for the home and advice for ensuring items are sustainably produced or can help create a more eco-friendly space. In the depths of winter's gray days, it's a real gift to see a little green, which is why indoor gardening gifts are a wonderful idea. Not only are they eco-friendly and promote sustainability—the more food you can grow yourself, the less you have to buy—they also foster an appreciation of nature and bring the natural world indoors to enjoy. Sprouting kits and microgreens require minimal amounts of space and sunlight, but a sunny, south-facing window will permit a small herb garden or leafy greens for salads. If you're not sure what kind of light your recipient has access to, go with gifting indoor grow lamps along with the plants, or pick a hardy, low-water houseplant—some can act as natural air purifiers too. When buying gifts for the home, consider what materials the items are made from and how far away they come from—not only are natural materials like rattan, jute, palm leaves, clay, organic cotton and linen, and ceramics more sustainable, but if they are being used by a local craftsperson, gifters are also saving on fossil fuels for the transportation. Plus, you're helping the local economy by supporting local craftspeople, so it's a win-win. Natural fiber pillows, sheets, blankets, and even doormats offer comfort and consideration of the environment. The most sustainable and eco-friendly gift is one you already have, so get creative about reusing materials already in or around your home (raid the recycling bin, find nice pieces of wood outside, wash out and reuse glass jars) to fashion them into new, thoughtful goods. Similarly, think vintage and secondhand—what items can you give a second life to by passing them along to someone who will find new meaning in them? Some of the most thoughtful gifts are small heirlooms—pieces of jewelry or a beloved ceramic dish—passed along to the next generation that will appreciate them. Green technology offers ways to reduce our carbon footprint in everyday life, and smart thermostats, solar lights, smart sprinklers, and smart plugs all make great gifts, saving people money and conserving our valuable resources. For those looking into home renovations or updating decor, try a new light fixture paired with smart blubs, or a new window treatment with smart shades. Even something as simple as a rain barrel can reduce energy use—and while the technology for that isn't very sophisticated, it certainly is, like composting, "smart." Integrated outdoor living is the ultimate gift, allowing us to bring the natural world into our homes. However, doing so sustainably takes a little more effort than simply leaving the doors to the deck open all the time. First, find eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor furniture, perhaps thrifting it or buying it used and fixing it up for a one-of-a-kind gift. If you can't go secondhand, choose furniture made of sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic (great for outdoor rugs), or bamboo. For smaller gifts, consider solar lights, a water feature that recycles water, a rain barrel, or even a set of handmade wind chimes made from seashells. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Made Trade and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.