Snoring linked to behavioral problems in adolescents without declines in cognitionWASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) ("FiscalNote"), a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS technology provider of policy and global intelligence, today announced that Conrad Yiu, a member of its Board of Directors and a member of its Corporate Governance Committee and M&A Committee, will retire from the Board effective December 31, 2024, in-line with the fiscal year end and shortly prior to the scheduled end of his three-year term in May 2025. Yiu is Co-founder and Partner of AS1 Growth Partners (“AS1”), a private multi-family investment office based in Sydney, Australia. AS1 invested in FiscalNote in 2020 when, prior to its public listing, FiscalNote was actively expanding its investor base in Australia. Yiu then joined the Board in October 2020, shortly following AS1’s investment. As FiscalNote’s strategic focus has changed since that time, Yiu has decided to retire early to focus on his Australia-based business interests, family and professional commitments. “I want to thank Tim and my fellow Board members for the opportunity to serve the Company over the past four years. I remain an active, long-term investor and supporter of FiscalNote’s mission and management,” said Yiu. “Given the changes since my firm first invested, now is simply the right time for me to concentrate on my other professional commitments based in and focused on Australia, as well as to make more time for personal and family commitments. While I am retiring from the Board early, I strongly believe the Company has the right strategy and the right leadership to take it to its next phase of growth, and I have great confidence in its ability to deliver results and value for both its customers and its shareholders.” “Throughout the past four years and at pivotal times for our Company, Conrad has been a deeply respected and admired partner on our Board, whose views and guidance were especially valuable during our transition to a publicly traded company,” said Tim Hwang, Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder, FiscalNote. “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I’d like to thank Conrad for his service and contributions, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” Following Yiu’s retirement, the composition of FiscalNote’s Board of Directors will be reduced to nine members – reflecting the streamlined structure of the Company following its divestitures of Board.org and Aicel Technologies in 2024. For more information about the Company’s Board of Directors and its members, please visit here . About FiscalNote FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leader in policy and global intelligence. By uniquely combining data, technology, and insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage political and business risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, Dragonfly, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves thousands of customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219201851/en/ CONTACT: Media Nicholas Graham FiscalNote press@fiscalnote.comInvestor Relations Bob Burrows FiscalNote IR@fiscalnote.com KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY OTHER TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOFTWARE WHITE HOUSE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STATE/LOCAL PUBLIC POLICY DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: FiscalNote Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219201851/en
Surf Air Mobility Appoints David Anderman to Board of DirectorsSAN DIEGO , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group (Cetera), the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced strategic leadership appointments aimed at enhancing growth and advancing its advisor-centric platform. These executive changes reflect Cetera's continued commitment to delivering exceptional service and innovation for financial professionals and their clients. Todd Mackay has been appointed President of Cetera Wealth Management, succeeding Tom Taylor , who will retire at the end of the year. In this role, Mackay will drive organic growth strategies across all of Cetera's Channels and Communities, while continuously advocating for and innovating on the products and services needed in order to meet the evolving needs of advisors and their clients. Effective January 1, 2025 , Mackay will continue reporting to Mike Durbin and serving on Cetera's executive leadership team. Additionally, Christian Mitchell will join Cetera as President of Cetera Solutions. A former executive at Northwestern Mutual, Mitchell will lead strategic growth initiatives focused on enhancing digital products, platforms, and investment solutions to deliver superior advisor and client experiences. Mitchell will join Cetera later in January as a member of Cetera's executive leadership team, reporting to Mike Durbin . "At Cetera, we are committed to equipping our advisors with the best tools, technology, and support systems to help them thrive," said Mike Durbin , CEO of Cetera. " Todd Mackay and Christian Mitchell are exceptional leaders whose expertise and vision will drive our Wealth Hub's evolution and strengthen our ability to meet advisors' dynamic needs." Mackay expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am honored to lead Cetera Wealth Management and advance our mission of enabling advisors to build thriving businesses through our unique Wealth Hub model. Our Channels and Communities are at the heart of what makes Cetera unique. I am passionate about strengthening our value proposition while continuing to make the big feel small by fostering deep, personalized relationships across our advisor network." Mitchell added, "Joining Cetera is a tremendous opportunity to build on a foundation of success driven by a talented leadership team. I am excited to shape innovative solutions that empower advisors and elevate the client experience." These leadership appointments reinforce Cetera's long-term strategic vision centered on growth, innovation, and industry leadership. With a focus on operational excellence and technological advancement, Cetera is well-positioned for continued success in the evolving financial services landscape. About Cetera Cetera Financial Group, which is owned by Cetera Holdings (collectively, Cetera), is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth. Home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees more than $545 billion in assets under administration and $235 billion in assets under management, as of September 30, 2024 . In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of nearly 35,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars. Visit www.cetera.com , and follow Cetera on LinkedIn , YouTube , X , and Facebook . "Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego , CA 92101. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cetera-strengthens-executive-leadership-to-propel-strategic-growth-and-innovation-302336466.html SOURCE Cetera Financial Group Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, igniting fires and forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel's military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area of the hospital, without details. It repeated claims that Hamas fighters operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces — tasked with keeping security and officially separate from the group’s armed wing — have been seen in other hospitals. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital out of 75 patients and 180 staff who had been there. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified member of the staff said in an audio message posted on the social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine. The U.N. says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most of them now sheltering in sprawling, squalid tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. "I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days, doctors there have said.
Bombers GM Walters sees no need to blow up roster despite another Grey Cup lossNagpur: In a dramatic leap toward ensuring online safety, city's cybercrime cops have stepped up as digital guardians, addressing 759 cases of harmful content targeting women and children. Their decisive actions underscore a heightened commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The cases involved instances of harassment, exploitation, and abusive content on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Google, and X (formerly Twitter). Acting swiftly, the cybercrime team ensured the immediate removal of objectionable posts, preventing further harm and bolstering trust in the online sphere. Authorities emphasised the importance of public awareness and collaboration with social media platforms to tackle these challenges effectively. Reporting mechanisms, such as the NCCRP portal, have played a pivotal role in expediting the resolution of such cases. Public participation, through vigilant reporting of harmful activities, has further empowered law enforcement to address the issues promptly. DCP Zone 1, Lohit Matani, said, "When we receive complaints of harassment or bullying targeting women and children, the first step is to report the content, followed by the Ministry of Information Technology filing a complaint to remove it nationwide. In more serious cases, we apprehend the suspects." He further explained, "These incidents typically involve individuals with anonymous social media profiles, making it more difficult for us to trace and capture them." Senior officials, including Additional CP Sanjay Patil, cyber deputy commissioner Lohit Matani, and Additional CP Lata Patil commended the efforts of the cybercrime team. Amit Dolas, senior police inspector, and Amol Deshmukh, police inspector, led their team in utilising advanced technical expertise to execute this mission with precision. Their coordinated efforts, combined with the guidance of senior leadership, have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .
SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step downMassive EU-South American free trade pact would reduce tariffs, but some farmers are opposed
PARIS — After more than 20 years of negotiations, the 27-nation European Union and Mercosur — a South American trade bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia — are still trying to finalize a major trade agreement that is sparking protests by European farmers. A draft deal was announced in 2019 , but disagreements over environmental, economic and political issues are delaying its final approval. Here’s a look at the deal, why it matters, and challenges it faces: It aims to create one of the largest free trade zones in the world, covering over 700 million people and nearly 25% of global GDP. Much like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, its goal is to reduce tariffs and trade barriers, making it easier for businesses on both sides to export goods. For the EU, the deal would mean lower tariffs on products like cars, machinery and chemicals. Mercosur countries would benefit from better access to EU markets for agricultural exports such as beef, poultry and sugar. Negotiations began in 1999 and an initial agreement was reached in 2019, but it remains unratified due to significant opposition, particularly from France. European farmers, especially in France, worry that an influx of South American products would saturate their markets, undercutting local agriculture. One year after a massive European farmers’ protest movement, another round of protests have erupted across the continent, with many claiming that reduced tariffs or duty-free quotas for South American products could be fatal for them. For example, 99,000 tons of beef would face a reduced tariff of just 7.5%, while 180,000 tons of poultry would enter duty-free. According to the European Commission, this accounts for less than 2% of the EU’s annual beef consumption. Livestock farmers argue they cannot compete with South American producers, who benefit from lower labor costs, larger farms and less stringent regulations on practices such as the use of growth hormones compared to EU standards. In October, a European Commission audit found that Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of beef, cannot guarantee that its exports to the EU are free of the growth hormone “oestradiol 17-β,” which has been banned in Europe for decades. Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal are among EU countries pushing for the deal to be finalized by year’s end. Germany, in particular, sees Mercosur as a key market for its automakers. In South America, leaders like Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva view the agreement as a boost for regional trade and economic growth. Countries like Uruguay and Paraguay also support the deal, hoping to diversify their trade partners and reduce reliance on China. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has also backed it, signaling a shift from his predecessor’s skepticism. The deal is also backed by industries in both regions. European carmakers and pharmaceutical companies see it as a way to access Mercosur’s growing markets. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has also expressed strong support, calling it “an agreement of great economic and strategic importance” — despite opposition from certain EU member states. France, with the biggest agriculture sector in Europe, has led opposition within the EU, along with Poland, Austria and the Netherlands. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger environmental and labor standards, stating that “France would not sign the deal as is.” France has also requested that the European Commission renegotiate the text, particularly by incorporating “mirror clauses,” which would impose identical standards on products traded between the two blocs. However, France’s ability to block the deal is limited, as trade talks fall under the authority of the European Commission, which negotiates for the 27 member states. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have also criticized the deal, warning it could accelerate deforestation in the Amazon and increase the use of harmful pesticides. The Mercosur summit on Dec. 5-6 in Uruguay could be a key moment for the deal. However, even if the agreement is signed, it must be ratified by all 27 EU member states, the European Parliament and all member states’ national parliaments before taking effect. This would give France a chance to veto it. To speed up and make approval easier, the European Commission is considering splitting the deal into two parts: a broader cooperation agreement and a trade-focused agreement. The latter would only require a majority vote under EU rules, bypassing the need for unanimous approval. Under this plan, France would lose its veto power unless it can gather enough support to form a blocking minority. While countries like Poland and Austria have raised objections, their combined influence falls short of the threshold needed to halt the deal.
EyeEm Mobile GmbH/iStock via Getty Images I have quite a few airport names in my coverage including airports in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. However, when it comes to companies that do not operate airports but provide services such as ground handling If you want full access to all our reports, data and investing ideas, join The Aerospace Forum , the #1 aerospace, defense and airline investment research service on Seeking Alpha, with access to evoX Data Analytics, our in-house developed data analytics platform. Dhierin-Perkash Bechai is an aerospace, defense and airline analyst. The Aerospace Forum Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Gov JB Pritzker on Wednesday said he would be willing to speak with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar to discuss his mass deportation plan, but questioned whether Tom Homan has the legal “authority” to execute Trump’s broad initiative. The Democratic governor’s comments at an unrelated Chicago news conference came two days after Homan ripped into Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson at a Northwest Side political fundraiser, declaring Chicago would be ground zero for his plan. “ At some point, he’s going to become a part of the Trump administration and so, I’m open to dialogue with him,” Pritzker said. “I will say that he ... does not have the authority to do the things that he’s talked about. Being a border czar is not an official position in the government and will be up to the President of the United States and up to the leaders of the Customs and Border patrol to make decisions about how we’ll manage the border. ” Homan, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump’s first term, threatened to arrest people who are found with the undocumented criminals he is targeting. And though he reiterated that there was no plan to separate families, he said “it may happen.” Speaking on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Trump said that ICE would be “starting with the criminals.” It’s unclear whether that means trying to pick up migrants or undocumented criminals in prisons and jails — or within communities. But the first Trump administration struggled with cooperation from legal authorities in sanctuary states. Pritzker said he would cooperate with authorities to help find the “violent criminals” that the Trump administration is targeting, but vowed to protect the state’s documented immigrants, migrants and immigrants lacking legal status, who have protections under state law. “They’ve tried very hard to become documented, to use the levers that are available..but they’re here and they’re holding down jobs and they’re paying taxes that they don’t get benefits from,” Pritzker said of immigrants lacking legal status. “And I believe it’s my obligation to protect them too. Those are residents of the state of Illinois.” The governor, however, expressed concern that laws on the books, including one making Illinois a sanctuary state, won’t be adhered to under a second Trump administration. “I’m proud of those laws in the state of Illinois. I’m proud of those laws that protect people who are undocumented here that, by the way, protect those who are migrants and those who are documented immigrants too,” Pritzker said. “But we have laws that protect undocumented immigrants, and I’m going to make sure to follow the law. I’m concerned that the Trump administration and his lackeys aren’t going to follow the law, but I will.” Pritzker also said he would block the Illinois National Guard from being deployed to assist with any mass deportations. “I think that’s un-American. I think calling out the National Guard to be engaged in, you know, this endeavor is something that should be Customs and Border Patrol, if they want to be involved,” Pritzker said. "... But the civilian, the military, part-time military that are part of the Illinois National Guard didn’t join so they could essentially go to war in another state.” Pritzker’s comments came as he signed an executive order that will create a new Illinois Director of Housing Solutions to combat the state’s housing crises and increase the number of middle-class homes and rental options across the state. The order will also relaunch the SmartBuy program, which offers a 30-year fixed rate first mortgage with $5,000 in deferred down payment and closing cost assistance. The program will also provide up to $40,000 in student loan relief to borrowers buying a home in Illinois.
What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected'Raygun: The Musical' pulled after viral breakdancer calls in lawyers
NoneTHE TIMING COULDN’T have worked out better for Ireland’s political parties. A general election round the corner, and lo and behold! A €14 billion Apple has fallen from the magic money tree. The first €3 billion of the sum was transferred to the Irish Exchequer earlier this very month, with billions more to come before the end of the year. Just before the Budget in October, Finance Minister Jack Chambers said the extra cash would be invested in a variety of infrastructure projects, including housing, energy, water and transport. The official spending plan was meant to be approved in early 2025. But where’s the fun in that? The decision to call an election before Christmas, rather than allowing the government to run its full term until early in the new year, means the pot of gold is now up for grabs. That’s why we’ve asked all of Ireland’s major political groups how they would spend the Apple tax money – here’s what they had to say. On housing, €4 billion will go to the Land Development Agency (LDA), the state body tasked with getting affordable homes built on state sites. €2 billion will also go to a new ‘Towns Investment Fund’. €2.5 billion is to be spent improving Ireland’s creaking electricity grid, while €3 billion is to go to Irish Water for similar reasons. On transport, €3.6 billion will go to the slightly vague area of ‘the improvement of transport networks countrywide’, while €2 billion will go towards improving digital technology in the healthcare system. The party wants most of the Apple money to go into housing. Part of this will go into extending two grants for first-time buyers: the Help-to-Buy grant will be increased from a maximum of €30,000 to €40,000 until 2030; and the First Home Scheme will be extended to second-hand homes for five more years. Another part of the money for housing will go into increased building. While €4 billion will go on various energy, water and transport projects. The party said it will give a more detailed plan for the allocation of the funds ‘within 100 days of taking office’. Sinn Féin’s premier idea for the Apple tax money is to start an ‘Equality for Communities Fund’. The money would be allocated on the basis of the Pobal Index, the national deprivation index. The funds would be used for the likes of sports facilities, arts facilities and public spaces. It also said slightly over half the money, €7.6 billion, would be used to build affordable housing. Other key areas the money would be spent on include €2 billion in health, €2.5 billion on a renewable energy fund and €1 billion on redress for Celtic Tiger-era housing defects. Like many parties, housing features heavily in Labour’s plans for the Apple tax money. €6 billion would go towards setting up a new state construction company, which would be developed through the LDA. €1 billion would go on works, such as developing water infrastructure, which would make the land suitable for development. On the climate front, €1 billion would be reserved for offshore wind, while €2.5 billion each would go towards a National Retrofitting Plan and then to developing large-scale transport projects. Finally, €1 billion would be set aside for modernising the health service, such as by digitising records. Approximately €7 billion will go towards major transport projects in urban centres. The party has suggested that this could include the likes of a Luas tram line in Cork. This would be part of a €10 billion transport plan, with the remaining €3 billion coming from unidentified ‘other sources’. The focus would be on major infrastructure projects, such as Metrolink, Luas extensions and heavy rail projects. As mentioned, the €14 billion would be split between housing and climate measures. The party told : ‘50,000 affordable purchase homes and 25,000 affordable rental homes would be delivered’. On the climate side of things, the party said potential projects would include ‘investing in State-owned renewable energy’ and additional grants for retrofitting and solar panels. “Infrastructure, Infrastructure Infrastructure,” leader Peadar Tóibín wrote on X, formerly Twitter, recently, adding that Ireland is “creaking at the seams”. Key areas aligned with those identified by other parties – housing, transport, energy and health. Similar to Labour, PBP wants to use the Apple tax money to set up a state building company. An indication of the scale envisaged is indicated from their comparison to Ireland’s two biggest private housebuilders, Cairn and Glenveagh. “[They] build less than 2,500 homes a year – we need tens of thousands,” the party said. “Funded with the Apple tax revenues, such a body can easily access the land, finance and labour that are needed at scale to directly build at least 35,000 social and affordable homes per year.” The group has not given a detailed breakdown on the Apple funds. Richard O’Donoghue, one of Independent Ireland’s TDs, said in a recent Dáil debate that the Apple tax money should be used for infrastructure, specifically highlighting the lack of affordable housebuilding.Hertz pulling plug on Teslas as renters report receiving discount offers to purchase them
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — If Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi has any definite ideas about who'll play quarterback for New Orleans against Washington on Sunday, he's not ready to share that information. Rizzi maintained on Wednesday that there's still a chance that Derek Carr could clear the concussion protocol and function well enough with his injured, non-throwing left hand to return against the Commanders. Meanwhile, reserve QBs Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler split first-team snaps during Wednesday's practice, which Carr missed, Rizzi said. “We're not going to name a starter right now,” said Rizzi, who also made a point of noting that Carr would not be placed on the club's injured reserve list and would not need surgery. “We're going to see how that progression plays out, first with Derek and then obviously with Jake and Spencer.” Carr, whose latest injury occurred when he tried to dive for a first down during Sunday's 14-11 victory over the New York Giants , has already missed three starts this season because of a separate, oblique injury. New Orleans lost all three of those games, with Rattler, a rookie, starting and Haener, a second-year pro, serving as the backup. In his three starts, Rattler completed 59 of 99 passes (59.6%) for 571 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Haener has gotten sporadic work this season in relief of both Carr and Rattler, completing 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 177 yards and one TD without an interception. Rizzi said he finds the 6-foot-1 Haener and 6-foot Rattler “very similar in a lot of ways," adding that whichever of those two might play “doesn't change a whole bunch" in terms of game-planning. “They're both similar-size guys. Their athletic ability is very similar,” Rizzi said. “They're similar-style quarterbacks. We're not dealing with opposites on the spectrum.” The Saints also signed another QB this week — Ben DiNucci — to help take scout team snaps at practice, now that Rattler and Haener are not as available to do that while competing to possibly start if Carr is indeed unable to play. The Saints (5-8) have won three of four games since Rizzi took over following the firing of coach Dennis Allen. That allowed New Orleans to remain alive in the NFC South Division, currently led by Tampa Bay (7-6). Rizzi said Carr has not had any setbacks this week in terms of progressing through the NFL's concussion protocol. “By the end of the week, if's he's not able to get any reps in any form or fashion, then obviously we'll go with one of the other guys,” Rizzi said. NOTES: RB Alvin Kamara did not practice on Wednesday because of an illness. ... WR Chris Olave, who is out indefinitely because of concussions this season, has returned to meetings at Saints headquarters. He as not, however, made plans to return to practice yet because he still plans to meet first with neurological specialists to try to assess the risks of returning to action during what's left of this season. Rizzi said the possibility of Olave playing again this season remains “on the table” for now. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Adventures on special teams made the Washington-Dallas showdown a clumsy affair, yet Joe Davis and Greg Olsen saw to it that the broadcast of the chaotic finish was pure gold. After Terry McLaurin weaved his way past five defenders for an 86-yard touchdown catch from Jayden Daniels to cut the Cowboys lead to 27-26 with 21 seconds left, Fox's No. 2 broadcast crew captured the chaos before admonishing the audience not to count on anything as a certainty on this helter-skelter afternoon. "Lightning strikes twice in Washington!" Davis shouted in an homage to Daniels' 52-yard Hail Mary to Noah Brown that stunned the Bears last month. "They dropped 11 guys in coverage," Olsen marveled. "If they just tackle him inbounds the game is over. I don't even know what to say. I'm absolutely speechless." Not for long he wasn't. Olsen quickly cautioned the audience that "Automatic" Austin Siebert had already missed an extra point along with a field goal Sunday in his return from a right hip injury. "Before anyone in Washington gets too fired up, remember, we've seen a missed PAT already," Olsen said. "Yeah, you hold your breath with anything special teams-related on this day," Davis agreed. After all, this was the first game in NFL history to feature two kickoff returns for touchdowns, two errant extra points and a blocked punt. In the 41-point fourth quarter that erased the game's snoozer status, Washington allowed KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return for a score. Earlier, the Cowboys missed a field goal and saw another one blocked along with a punt. Sure enough, the snap was low ... the hold was better ... "It is no good!" Davis hollered. "And the worst special teams day in history has a fitting finish!" Actually, no. More ruckus remained. Siebert's onside kick bounced twice in front of safety Juanyeh Thomas, who gathered it in and returned it 43 yards for Dallas' second kickoff return for a touchdown. If Thomas takes a knee short of the goal line, he effectively seals the Cowboys' win. Instead, the score, while pushing Dallas' lead to 34-26, also left enough time for Daniels and the Commanders for a shot at yet another miracle touchdown. Austin Ekeler returned the kickoff to the Washington 36 and after a short gain, Daniels' Hail Mary was intercepted by Israel Mukuamu as time expired. And that's how what Davis called the "worst special teams day in NFL history" came to an end. "What a wild special teams moment of blocked punts, kicks, kickoff returns, blocked field goals," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. In keeping with the not-so-special-teams theme, there were several foibles in the kicking game across the NFL in Week 12, where the Broncos gave up a 34-yard pass completion on a fake punt that Denver coach Sean Payton swore the team saw coming — and not as it was unfolding, either, but five days earlier. "We met Tuesday as a staff. It wasn't a matter of if, it was when they were going to run a fake punt," Payton said. "You're struggling as a team like this, we had it on the keys to victory, so credit them, they executed it." Thanks to AJ Cole's 34-yard pass to linebacker Divine Deablo that set up a second-quarter field goal, the reeling Raiders took a 13-9 advantage into the locker room, just their second halftime lead of the season. In the second half, the Raiders succumbed to surging rookie QB Bo Nix and veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton in their 29-19 loss. That's seven straight losses for the Raiders, their longest skid in a decade. The Broncos (7-5), who blew a chance to beat the Chiefs in Week 10 when their 35-yard field goal try was blocked as time ran out, also allowed a 59-yard kickoff return that led to Las Vegas' only touchdown Sunday. The Texans (7-5) lost for the third time in four games after Ka'imi Fairbairn shanked a 28-yard field goal try that would have tied the Titans just after the two-minute warning. Like the Broncos, the Vikings (9-2) overcame a special teams blunder and escaped Soldier Field with a 30-27 overtime win against the Bears after allowing Chicago (4-7) to recover an onside kick with 21 seconds left. Caleb Williams followed with a 27-yard pass to D.J. Moore to set up Cairo Santos' tying 48-yard field goal as the fourth-quarter clock hit zeros. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Pep Guardiola has conceded that defeat at Anfield next Sunday could end Manchester City’s hopes of retaining their title. If Liverpool win at Southampton this Sunday they will pull eight points ahead of the champions, which will create the chance to lead City by 11 with victory at home a week later. After Tottenham inflicted City’s fifth defeat in a row , the manager was asked if the deficit would be too much to claw back. “Yeah, because this Liverpool is winning, winning, winning,” said Guardiola. He was asked whether this would be terminal for their title defence. “I don’t know. But it’s not thinking about whether you’re going to win or lose [the championship]. We are not ready to think about what is going to happen at the end of the season. “At the end [if] we don’t win [the title] it’s because we don’t deserve it – when we won in the past it was because we deserve it. What we have to do now is Feyenoord [on Tuesday]. That is the most important thing – first for the qualification for the Champions League – and step by step the players will be better.” Two goals from James Maddison and one each from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson consigned City to a first home defeat in regulation time in 52 matches and the biggest at home since a 5-1 reverse to Arsenal in 2003. Guardiola said: “In this moment we are fragile defensively. We started really well, as normal, but we could not score and then after that we conceded. After that we conceded some more which is difficult for our emotions right now. “In eight years, we have never lived this kind of situation. Now we have to live it and break it by winning the next games, especially the next one. Now we see things in one way, maybe in a few weeks we see it differently.” Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Guardiola described the team’s mood. “For the way they played, they are angry but sometimes the opponent is good and sometimes you are not good enough in some departments,” he said. “I would say the mistake is to think too much about analysing what happened and the other mistake would be after eight years changing a lot. You have to [rely] on the simple things that we believe in completely, step by step the players will be back and we will get back to trying to win games. If at the end it doesn’t happen what can we do? More than ever, hopefully. Because I’m hugely optimistic in my life, hopefully they can follow me.” Ange Postecoglou was delighted by his side’s response after losing at home to Ipswich in their previous match. “After a really disappointing game last game we got back to our core beliefs. Credit to the lads, they were outstanding,” Tottenham’s manager said. “We had to weather a storm and then grew into the game. I am so pleased for the players, trying to play the way we want to.”
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